Royal Capital—Riyas.
A city with a long history, one that could be traced back more than fifty years before the Thirteen Heroes appeared.
Although it had initially been merely one of many migrant settlements scattered from the Slane Theocracy, it had gradually become the economic and political center of this land after the Kingdom was founded.
However, due to the corruption and decay of the entire ruling class, the common people here had basically fallen under the control of the criminal organization known as Eight Fingers.
The guards were almost all ordinary civilians with no ability, discipline, or training. They did not even have enough weapons and equipment.
With their caliber, forget fighting a powerful criminal organization like Eight Fingers—even bullying the poor people could trigger a riot and get them beaten down.
Thus, the Royal Capital's order, laws, and public safety were basically a joke. Rounded off, they were practically nonexistent.
Most of the houses lining the streets looked dilapidated and old, utterly incapable of comparing to the clean and orderly Imperial Capital.
Perhaps...
The only thing that could offer the Kingdom's people any comfort was the stone-paved main road.
But all of that swiftly changed completely after Artoria returned with her army of one hundred thousand.
The nobles and bureaucrats deeply connected to Eight Fingers, in particular, put on a veritable clown show.
If it had to be summed up in one sentence, nothing would have been more fitting than borrowing the format once used by a French newspaper to report Napoleon's restoration.
"The stupid and ridiculous bastard has usurped a throne that does not belong to him!"
"No one may sign an agreement with any country without the consent of all nobles! This is a disgraceful betrayal of the nation!"
"That shameless thief actually dares march on