Chapter 316

Chapter 102 – The Meeting

Dawn broke through the clouds, dispelling the lingering twilight and mist in the city.

The clamor and shouts around were intense and deadly.

“The wolves outside the city can no longer hold back their hunger.”

Old Reckmont, clad in silver armor, tightened his grip on the reins. The horned beast beneath him neighed loudly and stopped, followed by the soldiers behind him. He sheathed his bloodied sword and gazed at the magnificent palace in the distance, his eyes flickering with a gloomy expression.

“When the royal palace was built, no defensive measures were considered. The designer thought it impossible for anyone to attack here. Now, we are only separated from the inner palace by a flimsy iron grille that isn’t even three meters high! A slightly strong soldier could bend it and crawl through! Without weapons or stones, asphalt, or anything else, how did they manage to stop us? With those weak women’s favorite roses?”

Old Reckmont raged, his voice growing louder, berating the general before him until he couldn’t lift his head.

“I am deeply sorry… Lord Reckmont. I have done my best to deploy all available resources, assigning important roles to everyone, and promising rewards… but…”

The general paused.

“But we faced fierce resistance from the palace. We broke through several times but were pushed back quickly… Those Caneli swords… ordinary soldiers find them hard to resist… Sir, those defending the palace are our brothers, and many are unwilling to fight to the end…”

He spoke submissively yet exhaustedly.

But Old Reckmont ignored him.

“Three hours! Duke Lexes only gave me three hours! In three hours, we must break in, take everything we can, the valuable jewels, the gold vaults filled with recently delivered Vallon gold, and the beautiful women—these are all yours!”

Old Reckmont took off his helmet, eyes wide, pointing at the general’s nose, his spittle flying as he shouted emotionally.

“After three hours, the iron-armored guards outside will come in! You will have nothing left then! Understand?”

“Lord Reckmont…”

“Do not explain! There are less than two hours left. No matter what method you use, surprise attack or sacrifice, if we don’t break into the palace in twenty minutes, I will replace you immediately!”

With that, Old Reckmont waved his hand at the general.

“Go!”

The general seemed about to say more but, seeing Old Reckmont’s stern face, swallowed his words and rode off towards the sound of battle.

After he left, Old Reckmont gazed again at the palace, listening to the sounds of fighting, and muttered to himself, “Damn boy… why do you still resist… your mother is in their hands…”

“Lord Reckmont!”

Suddenly, a shout from the side snapped him back to attention.

Old Reckmont quickly gathered his spirits and turned to look at the soldier rushing out from another street, his gaze falling on the frail old man leading them. He forced a smile.

“Congratulations, Lord Lexes… Ah, should I call you Your Majesty now?”

The old duke didn’t respond immediately.

His face looked much thinner, and he coughed twice when he came close to Old Reckmont. Prison life seemed to have taken its toll, but his eyes remained sharp, scrutinizing Old Reckmont, then smiled.

“Lord Reckmont, you wouldn’t remember me, thinking I’m a dirty, ruthless person?”

Old Reckmont’s smile widened, shaking his head repeatedly.

“Lord Lexes, you underestimate me. In military affairs, the victor takes all; there’s no talk of morality… If not, Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t be in this predicament. She is too young.”

The old duke laughed and shook his head.

“I’ve lived longer, seen more, and understand people better than a canary in a cage… Lord Reckmont, rest assured. Once everything settles down, you will be the greatest hero of Isenbell. I will return your city and ensure your family’s safety. I am not unreasonable. Help me, and I will help you.”

“But…”

He changed his tone.

“Lord Reckmont, your soldiers seem not to listen to you… If they were iron-armored guards, they would have stripped that canary long ago, right?”

Old Reckmont’s face darkened.

“Lord Lexes, you know those resisting fiercely are my loyal son… Let’s not speak of such idle talk. We will soon take the palace. Not a single member of the royal family will be spared. Please remember your promise.”

“Of course not…”

The old duke smiled again.

He sat on his beast beside Old Reckmont, looking sideways at him.

“Lord Reckmont… your son made a wrong choice, which might trouble you, but I must remind you, necessary actions cannot be ambiguous.”

Old Reckmont’s smile froze.

But the old duke still smiled happily, raising his head to look at the sky, sighing softly, “Pity, such an extraordinary beauty… if she were just ordinary, it would be easier—”

Whoosh—

A moment later, a gust of wind roared overhead.

Behind them, the soldiers became restless. Old Reckmont looked up in alarm, and the duke’s eyes widened. A black meteor with a trail of flames streaked across the sky, heading toward the palace.

“That is…”

“What…”

The two of them looked at each other.

At this moment, they both saw the deep shock in each other’s eyes. A bad premonition seemed to quietly rise from their hearts.

………

My body wrapped in black flames, buildings retreated beneath me as I flew low through the air.

The center of the city was filled with murderous intent.

And I flew directly towards the most fiercely fought area.

The palace.

She was most likely here…

“Aaaahhh—”

Armored soldiers clad in silver armor screamed and fought below. Corpses piled up like mountains in front of the palace courtyard gates.

People on both sides of the entrance stepped on blood and weapons, chunks of flesh and blood splattering out, the horned beasts screamed and whinnied, crashing through a green iron railing, falling like a mountain in a staggered manner, crushing three guards. The crowd outside surged through the gap, and the next moment someone raised their hand.

Bright, intense flames rushed out, engulfing a large area outside the railing. Soldiers who had just rushed into the courtyard were burning, screaming as they rolled on the ground. Thick smoke rose into the sky, the gap was once again blocked by fallen bodies, then another wave of people crashed through another railing…

Soldiers continuously charged into the palace courtyard from outside, rushing to the circular square, turning the place where I once strolled with Victoria upside down. Arrows whizzed through the air, someone manipulated huge rocks to be thrown far away, crushing bodies to block the door. On the left side, dozens of cavalry clashed head-on, after people and animals fell, blood spattered on the ground…

These scenes didn’t stay in my eyes for long.

I accelerated and swept over the battlefield from above, controlling the black flames to dive towards the main gate of the palace.

“Move aside!”

Soldiers guarding the main gate scattered immediately, crying out in alarm and retreating, leaving a large open space below. I flipped in mid-air and landed with a loud thud.

Then I rubbed my knees.

It hurt a bit…

After straightening my body, I quickly reined in my chaotic power.

Black flames rolled into my body, white sparks still flickering beside me. Soldiers guarding the palace entrance did not dare approach, surrounding me from a distance.

“Enemy attack—” someone shouted.

I scanned the surroundings and saw several figures rapidly approaching. Soldiers drew their swords with clashing sounds, immediately raising their voices: “I am, the Pope’s knight!”

But my voice was too weak compared to the roars on the battlefield.

“Sudden attack! Sudden attack—”

“Raise shields! Defend the main gate—”

“Beware of the enemy’s strange powers—”

“She’s only one person—”

Seeing these people about to launch an attack, several Kaneli Swords arriving from afar reached us, and the battle was about to erupt. Suddenly, someone raised their hand.

“Hold on!”

“Don’t act rashly! She’s not the enemy—”

Following the sound, I saw that bright green algae head in the crowd.

“Reckt…”

Emotions surged within me.

Finally, I met a familiar face!

“Not the enemy! Not the enemy! Don’t attack!”

Reckt pushed soldiers aside, his body covered in blood, hair messy, looking extremely exhausted, limping as if he was injured.

Those soldiers hesitated upon hearing his words but did not lower their swords. Then another voice came: “Lower your swords! That’s Miss Peylo!”

A young general entered the encirclement, his face somewhat familiar, as if I had seen him before. He ordered the soldiers to sheathe their weapons while staring at me in shock, watching the black aura around me dissipate, his gaze lingering on Captain Gray’s sword in my hand, his lips trembling.

“Miss, what are you doing…”

I didn’t have time to explain, nor could I explain. I simply asked loudly, “Where’s Victoria?”

“She’s not here.”

Reckt walked beside me, speaking quickly: “Come with me, I have something to tell you.”

He gave a signal to the general, and we quickly headed inside the palace.

Soldiers made way for us.

“Then where is she!”

I hurriedly followed behind.

“Take me to see her!”

But Reckt remained silent.

My anxiety grew, and following him into the inner hall, walking some distance further, I finally couldn’t help but pull him.

“Don’t speak, follow me.”

I was slightly stunned.

Then I understood immediately.

Victoria’s location certainly couldn’t be said out loud… I was getting anxious…

Realizing this, I stopped asking questions and followed Reckt in silence, passing through the inner hall from the back door, going through several corridors, walking through the garden, arriving at a small building on the side of the auxiliary hall. Reckt opened the door and gestured for me to follow him in.

“They all think Her Majesty is in the main hall, few know about this place. If the palace can’t be held, we can still relocate during the time they search the inner hall… It’s just unknown how long we can hide.”

This made me feel scared.

“What exactly happened…”

My throat felt stuck.

Reckt in front walked slowly, shaking his head: “Has the Holy Maiden returned?”

“Yes.”

“Where is she? Can you find her?”

“I can.”

“Great…”

I followed Reckt up to the third floor, stopping in front of a door deep in the corridor. He gently knocked on the door.

“Sword Mark Honor Supreme.”

It seemed like he was shouting a slogan.

After a moment, the door opened, and Reckt slipped inside, with me closely following.

In the room, several Kaneli Swords stood, their gazes fixed on me, but at this moment, I had no心思 (interest) in paying attention to anyone else.

I saw Victoria lying on the bed.

Her face looked weak and haggard, her complexion very pale, her eyes tightly closed.