The Resistance in Old Oak was not fierce.
Days of suppression and public opinion manipulation had reduced the Rebel Army's will and determination to the lowest point. Their only thought was how to survive, not to fight to the death.
But it cannot be denied that the greatest credit went to the Nobles within the Rebel Army who were hesitant and conflicted.
If they had insisted on ordering a counterattack, relying on their past prestige and status, the lower-level Soldiers who were used to obeying orders could still have taken up arms and caused Chaos.
But the Nobles did not speak. Not even the highest commander, Lord Matus Rowan.
Garlan Tyrell's declaration spread intense despair, but it also brought the urgently needed ray of Light. Unconditional surrender, at least, could save their lives.
The Nobles saw a final hope.
If they kept their lives, they would have a chance to rise again in the future. If they died, they would have nothing.
Moreover, Garlan Tyrell had said such terrifying words – "breaking up families and exterminating clans." Although most people didn't believe Highgarden would dare to be so ruthless, what if?
Just for the sake of their families and loved ones, they should avoid this destined-to-fail battle.
Thus, after the Royal Guard entered the city, they only encountered scattered resistance and counterattacks, and did not have to face organized enemy forces, making their actions much easier.
A thousand men quickly dispersed into smaller units, each searching for their mission targets.
Grey Rat's mission was special.
"Target in the Main Keep, advance at maximum speed!" Grey Rat ran wildly while dividing his Spirit to observe the markers on the Light Screen.
The target was stopped in a room, not moving. A good opportunity.
Grey Rat tightened the sharp blade in his hand. With a "cha" sound, he ended the oblivious Soldier blocking his way, then led his subordinates to continue towards the Main Keep.
Time was tight.
Even a slight delay could mean the target would be snatched by someone else.
He wasn't the only team that received this mission.
Grey Rat glanced at the Light Screen. The other two competitors were more than two hundred steps behind. If nothing unexpected happened, this target wouldn't escape.
Grey Rat secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was worth the effort he put into getting his squad into the first wave entering the city, thus gaining the initiative. Now it seemed it was indeed worthwhile.
A crucial target, a generous mission.
Grey Rat was full of excitement, and couldn't help but grin and chuckle to himself, as if he saw his bright future.
His ambition was far more than just a Royal Guard Sergeant squad leader, or rather, his more accurate identity – a secret Spy for the Military Intelligence Bureau.
Almost no outsiders knew the name Military Intelligence Bureau. But Grey Rat understood that although it had just been established, was unknown, and still very young, it was full of opportunities for advancement and would eventually become a solid foundation beneath the kingdom.
Grey Rat didn't dare to hope that he could control this behemoth, but becoming one of its fingers, or even an arm, would be a life well spent.
For this, he had to defeat one competitor after another and successfully climb the increasingly narrow ladder.
The target in Old Oak was the best stepping stone.
Must take it!
Grey Rat raised his head, staring determinedly and fanatically at the Main Keep ahead, the highest Study.
He led his team rushing into the building.
Not too surprisingly, the Guards in the Main Keep were more loyal and brave. More than half of them raised their Swords against those who clearly had ill intentions.
However, Grey Rat and his subordinates were not ordinary Soldiers.
The other nine, relying on Holy Shield Power, ignored all damage and only focused on plunging their sharp blades into the enemy's bodies, twisting and pulling them out repeatedly until the enemies twitched and fell.
Grey Rat had exchanged his merits for more blessings.
Amidst the enemy's futile hacking and thrusting, Grey Rat's Longsword ignited with Flame, then cut off blade after blade, scorching Flesh and Blood and skeletons.
After losing nearly a hundred lives, the Guards finally collapsed, throwing down their Swords and kneeling for mercy.
Grey Rat ignored them and immediately rushed to the stairs, approaching his mission target floor by floor. Fortunately, she was still in the room without any movement.
Until Grey Rat and the other ten kicked open the door.
The slender, petite woman finally shifted her gaze from the window, looking at the uninvited guests at the door.
Just from her back, she was almost a delicate Maiden. But she had already given birth to five sons, and her youngest son, Arys Oakheart, had already died as a Kingsguard.
Grey Rat carefully examined the target.
He had to admit, she was well-preserved. There were almost no traces of age on her face, and her eyes were full of cold, noble charm. A single glance made one feel secretly ashamed of the impure thoughts in their heart, not daring to look directly at her.
She was the mistress of Old Oak.
"Lady Aven Oakheart," Grey Rat said, "Your attitude of resistance towards Your Majesty seems beyond reason. May I know if there is a specific reason?"
Before today, the leader of the faction that insisted on resisting in Old Oak was this petite woman.
Aven Oakheart sighed softly: "At this point, what's the meaning of saying these things? Just deal with me as you wish, I won't cry and beg for mercy."
"Of course there's meaning," Grey Rat insisted. Completing the mission was just the basic requirement; to highlight his abilities, he had to do more.
Grey Rat deliberately provoked her: "Could this just be a woman's nonsensical temper?"
Aven Oakheart frowned slightly, finally unable to hold back her angry scolding, "What do you, a lackey, know! My Arys Oakheart, my son, died inexplicably in King's Landing! Do you think Old Oak will swallow this humiliation? Hmph! Not even the King can get away with it!"
Grey Rat quickly recorded the information she revealed on the light screen; it might be useful.
Arys Oakheart. Grey Rat didn't care how he died, and it would be even better if it was related to the Royal Family, as this would undoubtedly attract more attention from the higher-ups, making Grey Rat's own name more likely to appear on the royal desk.
Aven Oakheart's emotions seemed to have been completely ignited, and she was still chattering incessantly at this moment.
Grey Rat checked the time, knowing it was time.
Giving his subordinate a look, Grey Rat walked to one side of the room, silently waiting for the show to begin.
His subordinate dragged in two people, one alive and one dead.
The dead one was an ordinary Old Oak Guard, undressed from the waist down, with a sword through his heart. The living one was Aven Oakheart's second son, completely naked, trembling and hugging himself.
Aven Oakheart's face changed drastically, "What are you doing?"
Grey Rat remained silent.
Nine Royal Guard soldiers who were also Military Intelligence Bureau trainees began to act.
Five stood guard outside the door, two quickly removed their cumbersome armor and breeches, and two monitored Lady Aven's second son.
"You first, brother!"
The veteran, in his thirties or forties, had a generous look on his face as he pushed the young man beside him towards Lady Aven, causing the woman to let out piercing screams.
"You old woman are getting a bargain, my little brother here is still a virgin," the veteran nudged his young companion.
"Stop wasting time, strip her quickly! Others could arrive at any moment, and then it will be too late!" The veteran looked at Grey Rat, "After all, the mission is important."
The young man was at a loss, and couldn't help but cast a pleading look at Grey Rat, receiving a look of tacit approval in return.
Finally, he tore at Lady Aven's clothes
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