Ch 431: This Wine… It’s Best Enjoyed Under The Moonlight

Bal returned, taking Philia with him. However, Bal’s timing wasn’t ideal; upon returning to Guangyue Town, the noble faction within the Empire initiated new actions.

Duke Kosidomus rallied some nobles to pressure Williams, citing the rebels’ increasing proximity to the Imperial Capital.

“Your Majesty, the rebel army is about to invade Orkardoria City. The soldiers at the front lines can’t hold out much longer. Please send troops to suppress the rebellion.”

Kosidomus spoke fair words about suppressing the rebellion, but his heart was rotten. He had already colluded with most nobles to seize the grain and fodder from their territories and levy excessive taxes. One might ask, is it reasonable to engage in extortion and internal strife at this time? The answer is yes, because the nobles would not allow their interests to be harmed. If the rebels breached Orkardoria City, they would flee the Imperial Capital with the last of the people’s fat and blood they had extorted. Then, after the rebellion subsided, they would use their pervasive corruption to corrupt the rebel army, regain their noble status, and resume their lives of pleasure.

However, the nobles miscalculated one thing: the Emperor was determined to change the country.

“I already know what you’ve said, so I’ve dispatched the Imperial Guard to Orkardoria City as reinforcement.”

Williams had seen through the nobles’ plans. The rebels who had previously contacted Kosidomus were actually Bal, disguised by Williams, and Nirvana was their contact within the noble ranks. Therefore, while the nobles were scheming, the Emperor already knew everything.

Upon hearing that the Imperial Guard had been dispatched, the nobles were even more pleased. The Imperial Guard was the Emperor’s elite personal protection force. While it could change the course of the battle, the Emperor’s personal security would be significantly weakened.

After a brief discussion, Williams announced the end of court. The noble ministers were overjoyed; they knew this was their chance. The Emperor had threatened the nobles’ interests, constantly pressuring them during Bal’s visit—demanding contributions one day, investigating corruption the next—making them all apprehensive. Now that the Royal Palace’s defenses were weak, it was the perfect opportunity to assassinate the Emperor.

Duke Kosidomus, along with many Earls, Marquises, and some Dukes, planned to assassinate the Emperor the moment the Imperial Guard reached the front lines, framing the Civilian Officials for the assassination.

Williams intentionally revealed this weakness; he knew the Imperial Guard was his trump card, but it was also Ems’s greatest hurdle. Sending them out early allowed Ems to convert or eliminate the Imperial Guard, allowing Williams to avoid assassination in the meantime. He was certain the nobles would attempt an assassination, having offended so many of them recently.

“Miss Phia, I entrust my safety to you.”

After the court session, Williams disguised himself as a guard and went to the villa where Phia and the others resided, knowing that he could only trust them now.

“Rest assured, I will protect you.”

“I trust you on that point, but… if something happens, please, Miss Phia, don’t worry.”

“What do you mean?”

Phia gazed into Williams’s eyes, their deep pupils revealing nothing.

“Nothing, I just hope you won’t be too stressed. That’s all. I’m going back now. Staying in disguise too long will be suspicious; there are still a lot of vile hyenas eyeing my position.”

“Shall I see you out?”

“No, I can go back by myself.”

Williams left the villa, returned to his palace, changed back into his imperial attire, and poured himself a drink at his desk.

“This wine, it tastes better with the moonlight. Unfortunately, it’s not yet moonrise.”

Williams looked at the setting sun outside the window and fell into thought. The Imperial Guard hadn’t left yet; they would depart from the Imperial Capital tomorrow, giving Williams a night to plan his next move.

“Perhaps I should find a Princess Consort? No, someone like me shouldn’t add weaknesses. Protecting another woman is a bit beyond my capacity.”

Williams stood up, took down the scimitar hanging on the wall, and brandished it, the blade’s sharp sound resonating.

“Still so sharp, old man. You were ruthless.”

Williams brought the scimitar to a painting; he wasn’t admiring it.

“But it’s also the only useful thing you left your son.”

Having said that, Williams swung his scimitar at the painting. The sound of the canvas tearing was accompanied by a strange thud; as the canvas ripped, a Black-clothed Man fell from behind it—a spy sent by the nobles to gather intelligence.

“Those hyenas are starting to move.”

Williams wiped the blood from his scimitar and sheathed it.

“Then I should also prepare myself.”

————

The next morning, Grey was awakened by Nia. He had stayed up late, pondering how to deal with the Imperial Guard coming from the Imperial Capital.

“Grey, wake up, it’s time for breakfast.”

“Oh, coming.”

Grey sat up, put on his coat, and followed Nia to eat. The Rebel Army’s food wasn’t delicious, but it was enough to fill their stomachs. In war, having something to eat is good enough; who needs red wine and steak?

After breakfast, Nia accompanied Grey to Ems. They needed to discuss the Imperial Guard, the information Williams had given them yesterday.

“Ems, I’m here.”

Grey approached Ems from behind. Ems turned and greeted him before returning his attention to the sand table in front of him.

“Grey, how do you think we should deal with the Imperial Guard?”

“I think our current strength can’t convert the Imperial Guard to our side. They’ve been severely brainwashed by the nobles, impossible to persuade, only to be killed.”

“I think so too. I thought I’d become inhuman after being a leader for so long.”

“……”

“Then we’ll leave it to my sister-in-law and Miss Yselle.”

Ems reached out to Nia, who took his hand.

“Leave it to us. We’ve been fighting alongside you, if not exactly active, we were practically glued to the bench. Finally, we can move our bodies.”

“Hehehe, then please, go easy on my men.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them.”

After Ems finished speaking, he turned back to the sand table. Grey pulled Nia aside.

“Nia, it’s best not to use Divine Magic here. Your identity is sensitive, and I don’t want God’s Country attacking because of you.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful. What about Yselle?”

“It’s best if she doesn’t fly either; I’m worried there are spies among us.”

“Understood.”

A few hours later, the siege of Orkardoria City began. After more than ten hours of fierce fighting with Nia and Yselle, the rebel army achieved an initial victory. If things go smoothly tomorrow, they can completely take Orkardoria City.