The main gate of the Mingluan Hall.

 

The intense battle was nearing its end. Honestly, although those extraordinary individuals recruited from all over the world were challenging to deal with, once you got used to it, it was manageable.

 

While their average strength might be inferior, the Royal Princess Knight Order surpassed the enemies by far in both combat determination and coordination.

 

The most crucial point was that these miscellaneous forces had strength but were afraid of death.

 

In the end, they were only attracted by interests and did not have the intention of sacrificing their lives for it. On the other hand, Lilya’s knights had long prepared to dedicate their lives to the Princess.

 

Especially since the Princess had been publicly attacked in front of them before, fortunately, she was protected by a divine spirit, and the Princess was now leading the battle personally. The knights’ anger and fighting spirit had reached their peak.

 

As for the numerous City Guards, being rebels, their combat strength and morale were not comparable to the Royal Princess Knight Order and Shadow Guards. Their role on this battlefield was quite limited.

 

To put it bluntly, Ben probably didn’t expect to rely on this group to defeat Lilya’s Knight Order. Cromancia, the Ninth Throne of the Eternal Throne, was the real trump card, but she couldn’t possibly know that the Princess had a spiritual treasure that could withstand certain death attacks.

 

So, at some point, another small group of attackers, after being surrounded and completely annihilated, collapsed their already shaky formation.

 

“Damn it, I’ve had enough! That bastard is just selling us out!”

 

Seemingly a lone ranger, a burly man finally couldn’t withstand the approaching momentum of the knight’s army and the fear brought by the continuously falling teammates, turning and running.

 

“I’m done too! How could we possibly win against the regular army of the kingdom!”

 

“Master, there’s no chance of winning anymore. Let’s go!”

 

As if a signal had been given, at least one-third of the small groups formed by underground organizations, cults, and factions were affected. They abandoned their formations, revealed their trump cards, and started to flee.

 

Even more extreme was the direct tearing of precious teleportation scrolls, rapidly disappearing on the spot.

 

Losing this substantial force, those who still held some fighting spirit could no longer maintain the balance of the battle. It collapsed with the knights surrounding, capturing them, and those who resisted stubbornly were decisively killed one after another.

 

In the end, only the elderly of the Undead Sanctuary group, the man with the giant sword named Great Sword of Cutting Water, and the Ninth Throne of the Eternal Throne named Cromancia, three legendary powerhouses, led a small elite group, fighting desperately to break through the encirclement and escape with their lives.

 

Lilya did not order her knights and shadow guards to pursue relentlessly. Although on her side there were three stronger legends – Flora, Edwina, and Prakaka, defeating the opponents was not difficult. However, capturing or killing individuals of the same rank in a short time was still quite unlikely.

 

They didn’t have that much time and energy to waste on chasing this small group of troublesome enemies.

 

Poor Miss Emily still had no idea where she was awaiting rescue.

 

Although not spoken aloud, the Princess was actually very worried and cared about this loyal attendant who had almost grown up with her.

 

If it weren’t for a high level of trust, Cromancia, disguised as Emily, wouldn’t have easily succeeded from behind, triggering the death protection of the “Casket of Ascension.”

 

Approximately ten minutes later, all the rebellious City Guards and thugs who attacked the Mingluan Hall had been completely eradicated. Apart from a few hundred who were either captured or escaped, the bodies of the fallen filled the square in front of the palace gate.

 

The blood flowed like a river, and the malevolent aura emanating from the thousands of corpses turned the once magnificent and beautiful palace of the Princess into a place steeped in a strong scent of blood, as if it had transformed into a hell overnight.

 

Just thinking about dispersing the bloody smell would probably take at least several days.

 

But that’s a story for another time.

 

“Damn it! That old guy runs really fast. I was just a hair away from slashing him!”

 

The infuriated Miss Holy Knight, holding a blood-stained sword and shield, ran back from the battlefield, seemingly displeased with being kited by the opponent using undead warriors and magic throughout the whole game.

 

“Hah… cough… Miss Edwina, there’s no need to be like this. The leader of the Undead Sanctuary, the Undead Archmage Teresi Sol, has been a renowned powerhouse for decades. It’s already impressive that a newly-promoted legendary-level Holy Knight like you could force him into such a sorry state.”

 

Compared to Edwina, Flora, and others who still had some ease or significant achievements in the battle, Mr. Nicholas looked somewhat battered.

 

Forcing a confrontation against a legendary with the strength of Sky Peak, even with his Wind Flow restraining the opponent’s Great Sword of Cutting Water, along with the assistance of other strong individuals, couldn’t bridge such a significant gap.

 

There were several large and small sword wounds on his body, and the one on his shoulder almost turned “Vicious Wolf” into “Double Wolves.” At the moment, he sat on a stone in the square, receiving treatment.

 

“Wow, are you okay? Honestly, there’s no need to be so desperate. Don’t go challenging enemies you can’t handle. It’s not like…”

 

Shocked by the sorry state of this guy, Edwina quickly cast a healing spell on him. However, she was not like a certain priestess, and healing naturally couldn’t take effect instantly, just slightly alleviating the severe wounds on Nicholas’s body.

 

“It’s nothing, just superficial wounds.”

 

“?”

 

Seeing the “mere scratches” on his shoulder where the bone was nearly split in half, Edwina didn’t know what to say for a moment.

 

Vicious Wolf chuckled.

 

“Moreover, you’re all so powerful. As the oldest guy around, I have to make a few moves too. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be letting Miss Violet and the Princess down for the favor of rebuilding?”

 

The Holy Knight finally noticed that although Nicholas’s breath had become somewhat weaker due to his injuries, there was an indescribable something on him that had become even more elegant and agile.

 

It was like genuine wind.

 

“Wait, could it be that you…”

 

At this moment, Miss Scarlet Flame Flora, who had achieved remarkable results, also walked over from a distance. She looked at the two conversing individuals with a slight surprise, especially the Wind Flow swordsman who was heavily injured.

 

As a famous legend, her perception was naturally stronger than Edwina’s, and she immediately judged the situation of this guy.

 

“Nicholas, did you ascend to legendary?”

 

The man smiled and nodded, not hiding anything.

 

“Fortunately, I didn’t disgrace myself. Next time I encounter that man, I won’t lose again.”

 

“…Well, that’s a good thing.”

 

Flora didn’t express much, just nodded as well. She then came to the side of the Princess, who was wiping the blood off her sword, and checked the wound on her back, which was bandaged.

 

“Don’t be so desperate when you’re injured, okay? Everyone is risking their lives, right?”

 

“Haha, it’s okay. How’s the situation?”

 

Seeing Lilya smiling and intending to change the subject, Flora didn’t say much. She could only helplessly say, “I’ve found out. The City Guards did receive orders from Prince Patrick. But this group of miscellaneous people attacking Mingluan Hall doesn’t know who they are really serving. There’s someone who calls himself the ‘Messenger,’ a shapeshifting guy, leading them. He has given them significant benefits.”

 

The Princess withdrew her sword into its sheath with understanding.

 

“It must be the Ninth Throne, Cromancia. This group, without a doubt, is under Ben’s command. He probably left a contingency plan before being captured… Hmph, the final move.”

 

“Summon everyone.”

 

“At your service, Princess!”

 

Facing the shadow guards kneeling with a single knee, awaiting orders, Lilya contemplated for a moment and issued commands.

 

“Convey my orders. The Imperial Guards are to mobilize immediately. The First Legion will guard the palace, preventing any intruders. The Second Legion will sweep the city, eliminating insurgents. Anyone who obstructs or resists will be treated as rebels and executed on the spot!”

 

Pausing, the Princess continued.

 

“The Third Legion will accompany me to the dungeons, providing support and capturing the traitors. The Knights Order will split in half, ensuring the safety of the other princes and princesses, especially Menna. No harm should come to her, understand?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness!”

 

“Also, send some personnel to look for Emily. She shouldn’t be too far from the Mingluan Hall.”

 

“Yes!”

 

With this, it should be sufficient. Fortunately, preparations had been made in advance, allowing for quick adaptability.

 

Lilya knew that with the looming crisis in the capital, a major disturbance was inevitable. It was something she could hardly prevent, all she could do was gather forces and minimize damage when disaster struck.

 

Yet, this was both a calamity and the fierce fire of rebirth.

 

And the one who would ultimately emerge victorious from it, standing out among all, would be the new ruler of the country.