Night had fallen, yet the towering city gates were still brightly lit. The gates, more than five meters high, were wide open, like a giant maw ready to swallow anything in front of it. Yet, at this moment, the gate was almost entirely choked by a constantly surging sea of people.
Not only that, if one's eyes looked outside the city, a long, endless queue stretched infinitely along the road.
"Everyone, don't rush! Maintain a safe distance and enter the city in an orderly fashion!"
The captain of the city guards at the gate shouted with all his might, his voice amplified by a magic item. Whether it was due to impatience or the piercing heat, his face was covered in sweat beads the size of corn kernels that ran down his muscular physique. Still, he showed no signs of wanting to rest and continued to efficiently manage the flow of people.
"Captain, here's some water." A subordinate brought a bottle of water. The captain didn't refuse. He uncorked it and poured the cold, clear water down his dry throat, providing a momentary relief that was followed by a subtle, stinging sensation. After shouting for so long, his voice was already hoarse.
"Captain, why don't you take a short break?" the subordinate offered politely.
"No." The captain waved his hand, glanced at a figure standing on the city wall, and said, "Even though some people up there seem to be doing nothing, they are far more tired than us. As long as they haven't rested, how can we be lazy?"
The subordinate followed his gaze. A hint of admiration appeared in his eyes as he responded, "True. And this is all we can do. If the monsters attack, we might not even be able to fight. We have to rely on those adventurers to save our lives."
"So, we must complete the task given to us by our superiors well!"
"Yes, Captain!"
They were all diligent guards, working beyond the call of duty. Lakyus looked at the crowd below, watching the guards working hard to manage the flow of people, one person doing the job of several. Her heart was moved. Although they had defeated the monsters from the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, the damage suffered by various cities and villages in the Re-Estize Kingdom would not heal on its own. And... the danger was not over.
Resurrection was a very cruel ability. In the past, she thought that the resurrection magic she possessed could prevent many tragedies and was a blessing. However, on the monsters from Nazarick, she saw the terrible disaster that resurrection brought. As long as those monsters could not be completely killed, the Re-Estize Kingdom would have no future, because those monsters had no humanity!
"That's right! We must completely destroy that demonic lair!"
Her hand, clutching the hilt of her sword, tightened unconsciously, her glove rubbing against the metal hilt, creating a 'hissing' sound. Lakyus stared at the full moon in the sky, her eyes becoming incredibly resolute.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her. Lakyus, who recognized the gait, did not turn around and asked directly, "What's the situation?"
"What else could happen?" Gagaran walked to Lakyus's side, stood abreast of her, and shrugged helplessly. "We've tried our best to inform the surviving villages, but many people don't really believe our words, so we had to use coercion to make them move. I guess the common folk will be grumbling for a while."
"Then that's good."
"Hmm?" Gagaran looked at Lakyus with a bit of surprise. She didn't expect Lakyus to say something like that, it was so unlike the Lakyus she knew.
"Then that's good," Lakyus repeated, as if confirming her decision. Now was not the time to consider the common folk's emotions. Prioritizing their lives was the main task. Moving all the surviving commoners to one or two cities would make it easier to arrange defensive forces and prevent similar incidents from happening again.
She knew that many would be reluctant to part with their property or land, resisting the migration plan. Unless a blade was already at their throats, making them feel death was imminent, no amount of persuasion would be effective.
If this is my responsibility, then I will bear it.
"Gagaran, go back to the Slane Theocracy and ask for more troops to cooperate in this operation. We must relocate all citizens from the surviving villages here within three days!"
The Nobility Under Duress
Gagaran looked at Lakyus's serious expression and was silent for a moment. After a while, she said something unexpected, "So, you sent Tia and Tina there, right?"
Re-Estize Kingdom, E-Rantel, VIP building.
Noble carriages slowly drove up, stopping in an orderly fashion at the entrance according to their noble rank. The nobles who got out of the carriages immediately gathered in twos and threes, walking towards the VIP building.
"Count Ek, His Majesty the King suddenly summoned us urgently. Did something happen?"
"I don't know. They said there was important information about the rebels, but who knows if it's true."
Similar conversations were heard among the nobles. Many of them implied a hint of resentment and dissatisfaction. At such a late hour, everyone should have been in their luxurious homes, hugging their beloved wives and concubines. Some were even discussing philosophical matters. Just because of the King's summons, they had to rush over obediently. Anyone would feel uncomfortable.
"It seems Count Ixion isn't here?"
"Huh? Oh, indeed, I wish I hadn't come either!"
The nobles complained as they entered the VIP building and arrived at the conference room on the second floor. Ramposa III, as the host, and his bodyguard Gazef Stronoff were already waiting there. After greeting His Majesty the King according to etiquette, Count Litton, the temporary representative of the nobles, stepped forward. "Your Majesty the King, what important information do you have to summon us so late?"
The Old King looked anxious and was about to answer when the sound of firm, powerful footsteps came from the doorway.
Thud, thud, thud!
Dozens of lances with black armor rushed in, surrounding all the nobles of the Re-Estize Kingdom. This sudden situation made these pampered nobles turn pale with fear.
"Who—who are you! How dare you be so presumptuous!?"
"Your Majesty the King! Is this your doing? What do you want to do!?"
Cursing, angry shouts, and questions were mixed together, and the entire hall instantly became chaotic. At that moment, two figures suddenly appeared in front of the King. Many nobles recognized them.
"The Blue Rose's Shadow Assassin Twins!?"
"What's going on here!?"
The loud shouts of the ignorant nobles made Tia and Tina frown. A flash of light in Tina's hand revealed a throwing knife. The next second, a noble fell to the ground, letting out a pig-like wail. The other nobles immediately fell silent, like chickens with their necks strangled, watching the fat noble roll on the ground, their eyes filled with fear. On the noble's shoulder, a throwing knife was stuck into his bone, with only the handle visible. It was obvious who the perpetrator was.
A moment later, Count Litton was pushed forward by the nobles. He glared at the traitors in annoyance, then, looking at the twins, a fawning smile appeared on his face. "T-that, what brings the two of you here? As long as it's something we can help with, we will help with all our might!"
Tia and Tina exchanged glances. Then Tia announced to the nobles, "We have been ordered to demand that you all surrender, offer all your property and territories, and accept the management of the rebel army. Otherwise... a merciless death!"
Like the story? You can read 7 chapters and an exclusive collection at p@treon/Rzzzy!