Royal Capital Recovery Battle 3

"Your Highness, the rebel leader Hals has been killed, and the rebel army at the north gate has completely surrendered."

As evening approached, Duke Walker and Princess Catherine met at the Royal Palace, bringing with them the corpse of Sir Haas.

"This traitor was probably scared out of his mind by the news of the east gate's fall. He recklessly charged into our military formation and was ultimately shot to death by archers."

Catherine coldly glanced at Hals, who resembled a hedgehog, and ordered, "Take this traitor's head to persuade the remaining rebel forces who are still resisting to surrender."

Immediately, someone came forward to drag Hals's body away for "disposal."

"Your Highness, Earl Rupert and several other ministers have arrived."

Catherine was overjoyed. "Quickly, bring them here."

On the day of the rebellion, Hals personally led troops into the Royal Palace. If Earl Rupert, the chamberlain, hadn't led a group of ministers to stall Hals and buy valuable time for the King, the King would likely have fallen into the hands of the rebels. That would have complicated the situation greatly; at the very least, Catherine would have been constrained.

Therefore, Catherine was very grateful to Rupert and the other ministers who had stalled the rebels that day. Although she had received a secret report saying that Hals had not dared to commit mass killings and had merely imprisoned them, Catherine was still worried that this rebel leader might suddenly go crazy and do something irrational.

Another reason was that if a large portion of the kingdom's administrative leadership was wiped out, it wouldn't be easy to rebuild an administrative team. How could she confidently lead the army south to quell the rebellion then?

Rupert and the others quickly entered. "We pay our respects to Your Highness."

"Please, dispense with the formalities."

Reunited after such a major upheaval, everyone was somewhat emotional.

Rupert asked worriedly, "I wonder if His Majesty the King is well?"

Catherine said with a look of shame, "Father is well and has regained consciousness. He will be able to return to the Royal Capital soon. As for you, won't you blame me for recklessly attacking the city without considering your safety? I am very sorry."

Rupert said with a calm expression, "Your Highness, please do not think that way. Unnecessary pity is a major taboo for a commander."

The other ministers also expressed similar sentiments.

Catherine was very pleased to hear this and went with them to the council hall in the Royal Palace while talking.

"Father has ordered me to temporarily administer the state affairs until he recovers. In the current situation, I wonder what advice you have for me?"

Rupert said, "The top priority is to stabilize the hearts and minds of the people and restore order in the Crystal Radiance Region, and to resume production."

Catherine agreed. "Yes, please, Chamberlain, draft a notice to inform the Crystal Radiance City Area and nearby areas of the news of the rebels' execution to reassure the people."

"Your Highness, please order the military to impose martial law for at least a month to pacify the region. After the rebellion, the Crystal Radiance Region's administration was in chaos, and the local authorities were at a loss. Many people tried to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and must be brought to justice," the Minister of Justice also offered his opinion.

"Yes, this is also extremely important. I will inform the military."

The XC District is where the official granary of the Crystal Radiance Fortress is located. After the Royal Army recovered the Crystal Radiance Region, they immediately sent people to strengthen the protection of the warehouse and strictly prohibit unauthorized personnel from entering.

At this time, the sun had completely set. Due to the war, the residents had turned off their lights and rested early. The nearby roads were eerily quiet, and the sound of footsteps could only be heard occasionally when soldiers patrolled.

Two soldiers guarded the entrance of the warehouse courtyard. One of them yawned. "How boring! Hasn't the relief shift arrived yet?"

"Just stand guard properly! It's only been less than two hours," his companion said speechlessly.

"My stomach is protesting... Hmm? It looks like someone is coming over there."

The other soldier immediately shouted loudly, "Who is it? Stop!"

"Hehe, don't panic, everyone. It's me," the person who came over said with a smile, not panicking at all.

The soldiers used the light of the torches to clearly see a chubby face.

"Ah, it's Supervisor, excuse us for not recognizing you."

The person who came was the official in charge of managing the granary. They had seen him during the handover of defense work in the evening. Although he was amiable, he was also a minor noble, not someone they, as ordinary soldiers, could afford to offend. The two quickly bowed and apologized.

"Not at all, not at all. It is right for you two to be loyal to your duties. Besides, I am here to trouble you two."

"I wonder what Supervisor needs?"

"When I left in the evening, I left a very important account book in a warehouse. Alas, I have to write a report all night tonight and send it to the Royal Palace tomorrow morning. Without this account book, I can only make it up."

"So that's how it is. I'll give you some light and help you find it."

The warehouse supervisor was not just anyone, so he naturally had the right to enter and exit.

The soldier lit an oil lamp and followed the supervisor to a room near the entrance to get a bunch of keys and entered the warehouse courtyard.

"Trouble for you, little brother."

"It's my honor to serve you, sir."

The two walked along, chatting idly.

Reaching a warehouse deep in the courtyard, the fat supervisor suddenly stopped. "Seems like it's this one."

"Let's go in and take a look, sir."

The two opened the door and entered the warehouse, then carefully searched it by the light of the oil lamp.

"Doesn't seem to be here. Let's look somewhere else."

"Hehe, no rush, no rush. Little brother, have you ever seen a play?"

The soldier was puzzled, why was this fat supervisor asking him this? But he still honestly replied, "Sir, you jest. That's something only nobles and the wealthy can enjoy. How could someone like me have seen one?"

"Then let me chat with you about it. The plot of a play always has its highs and lows."

"Uh... I don't really understand what you're saying." The soldier was a little confused.

"Only with highs and lows can it be considered a complete play." The warehouse supervisor's expression gradually became strange, a smile that wasn't a smile, a cry that wasn't a cry.

The soldier felt uneasy because of the warehouse supervisor's expression. What was this guy doing? "Sir, let's hurry up and find the account books."

The supervisor completely ignored the soldier, talking to himself, "The protagonists in tragedies often start off smoothly, then fall from the peak to the trough, and never climb out in the end."

His eyes gradually became numb and vacant, but his hands tightly clutched a small bag of grain placed at the doorway.

The soldier became nervous, realizing that something was wrong. This person in front of him was too strange. He warned, "If you continue like this, I'll blow the whistle."

But the soldier's warning had no effect.

"While the protagonists in comedies often usher in unexpected turns after a trough." The supervisor said as he began to tear the grain bag open with force.

"So, is this ultimately a tragedy? Or a comedy?"

Just as the supervisor finished speaking, the bag was torn open. The soldier widened his eyes in horror. That bag didn't contain grain at all, but sulfur. He recognized the stuff.

"Stop!" Realizing what was about to happen, the soldier roared and drew his sword, charging towards the supervisor.

The supervisor quickly reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful, and scattered a pile of powder towards the soldier.

"Ah—" Intense pain and burning sensations quickly transmitted to the brain. The soldier dropped his weapon, covering his eyes and struggling.

The warehouse supervisor picked up the oil lamp that had fallen on the ground. "Who is the protagonist of this play, then?"

After having dinner with the ministers and generals, Princess Catherine returned to her room in the Royal Capital to rest. The familiar arrangement of the room made her feel slightly relaxed.

She took off her armor, took a hot bath, and changed into a dress.

The princess walked to the bookshelf, picked up a collection of poems, intending to read for a while before going to bed, but for some reason, she was always restless. Those beautiful passages of the past couldn't hold her attention for even a single line.

"Alas—is it the recent battles that have made me too nervous? I've heard that many veterans become very eccentric when they leave the army. Catherine, ah, Catherine, you mustn't become like that."

The princess walked to the balcony, wanting to breathe in some fresh air. Under the caress of the night breeze, her beautiful figure was revealed without a doubt.

Suddenly, a bright spot appeared in the west direction of the Royal Capital. Knowing that it was where the granary was located, the princess immediately realized that something bad had happened.

Sure enough, the bright spot rapidly expanded until the soaring flames illuminated almost the entire XC District.