Chapter 93

The Royal Legion naturally didn't want any Western Territory troops to come, just as they set up multiple checkpoints in the Western Territory to prevent the Imperial Capital from sending anyone else.

Both sides are wary of each other, the atmosphere is extremely tense, and war could break out at any moment.

"That's Yasen, the lieutenant of the Iron Fist," Magana said. "His presence here must be at Macaos's behest."

"Your legion commander is even thinking about starting a war."

"That's normal. If I really died, the Western Territory wouldn't fall under the Empire's control, and the Iron Blood Legion wouldn't agree to it."

"But the Iron Blood Legion only has 30,000 to 40,000 men left, and there are also traitors."

"Therefore, I need to reorganize the Iron Blood Legion. Those who dare to betray me must be prepared to be torn apart, right? Don't worry, Ryan, after so many years in the Western Territory, my power is not as simple as you see it."

Magana's tone was very confident, which puzzled Ryan, because he hadn't progressed through Augustus's main storyline and didn't know what other tricks the Grand Duke was up to.

After a while, the imperial officers and the Royal Guards dispersed, as if the two sides had finally reached an agreement, though it might not necessarily be a reconciliation.

"Lord Ryan."

At that moment, Gruk walked through the crowd and said, "This is Colonel Yasen, General Maykos's adjutant."

"Hello."

Hello, Ryan.

Yasen possessed the aura of a resolute soldier, exuding a strong sense of pressure. He sharply scrutinized Ryan, who, despite having Gruk's proof, had come from the Southern Territory and represented the royal Princess of Caslathdi.

"And who is this?" He looked at the short man next to Ryan.

"She is a bodyguard I hired at great expense, a Bounty Hunter, but she is absolutely trustworthy."

"Bounty Hunter? Those mercenaries who only do things for money?" Yasen scoffed. "Then please be careful, there are some places she can't go. If she's discovered and killed by the Iron Blood Army, she can't blame anyone else."

"Of course." Ryan nodded. "Don't worry, she won't run around."

Gruk was a little puzzled. Where did Ryan get his guards? He had never seen them before, but out of trust in Ryan, he ultimately didn't ask the question.

"Come with me."

Yasen waved his hand, "The atmosphere in the city has been tense lately, so don't wander around, or those royal lackeys will catch you red-handed and you'll be finished."

Ryan asked, "Are the royal army all in the city now?"

"Of course not, only half of them are here, and the Iron Blood Army is the same."

"Then who's in charge in the city?" Magana suddenly asked, her voice feigning hoarseness.

Yasen glanced at her and said indifferently, "Of course, it's up to our Iron Blood Army. Does that idiot Creed really think the Iron Blood Legion will listen to him? Hmph! He doesn't even know what kind of person he is. If it weren't for the Grand Duke's kindness in taking him in back then, he would have died on the battlefield long ago!"

"Was Creed taken in on the battlefield?" Ryan asked curiously.

"Yes, it was during the suppression of the Loksa rebellion. He seemed to be an innocent victim caught up in the war. Later, the Grand Duke took him in and, seeing his talent, kept him in the army." Yasen shook his head. "The Grand Duke is good in every way, except he's too kind-hearted and easily trusts others."

Ryan: "..."

If you use the word 'kind-hearted' to ask those who were killed by her how they feel, that's a good question.

However, her tendency to easily believe people is genuine; perhaps this is what Magana calls 'intuition'?

Gruk said, "Even the Grand Duke makes mistakes, but we, the Iron Blood Army, will never allow betrayal. Those traitors will eventually be killed by our own hands."

"Of course, that's what General Maykos thinks." Yasen suddenly stopped and stared at Ryan. "Are you sure you, as a guard, can be trusted? Let me make this clear: if our plan fails because of you or her, the Iron Blood Army will not let you off the hook, even if you flee to the ends of the earth!"

Gruk hurriedly said, "Colonel Yasen is always direct, please don't take offense, Lord Ryan."

Ryan shrugged. "It's always better to be direct than to stab someone in the back."

"Yes, I agree with what you said." Yasen nodded. "Don't worry, if you also sincerely follow the Grand Duke, then we are brothers."

Ryan asked, "What if the Grand Duke really does perish? Have you thought about what to do next?"

"Then let's fight on until we fall!" Yasen declared without hesitation. "No matter what, the Western Territory will never be taken by that Old Emperor!"

He seems to be a loyal and righteous person. Well, there are no secrets in the First Legion. Everyone knows that Macaos is absolutely loyal to the Grand Duke, and the people he brings out are naturally the same... Ryan glanced at the white-haired girl and found that she didn't say anything.

The Grand Duke had heard too much about loyalty and such; all she wanted to do now was see how things were going on her end.

After leaving the train station, Ryan and Magana got into the car, but they were stopped by a group of Royal Guards before they had gone very far.

The leader was still the same Imperial officer who had appeared behind the train station earlier. He had obviously not gone far and had returned, leading a group of people to completely block the road.

"Guy, what are you doing?!" Yasen angrily got out of the car. "If you want to fight here, we're ready anytime!"

Guy raised his hand. "Don't get agitated, Colonel Yasen. I'm just here on General Erwin's orders to investigate. According to the information, outsiders have secretly infiltrated Cherd. In order to prevent the Western Barbarian Army incident from happening again, I need to interrogate those two people."

"They're coming for us," Ryan said in a low voice. "Anke, look at this, there are three obstacles at every step."

Magana said, "It doesn't matter, I will take action."

"Miss Anke is awesome!"

The other party is coming for me. I guess the news came from Berman City. He took a thousand men on the train. If you want to find out, you can definitely find out.

In a Berman City, it's impossible to imagine that there aren't some spies lurking around.

Is the other party someone of the Second Prince?

It's highly likely.

However, Yasen obviously wouldn't let Guy take him away. After all, Guy was someone the Grand Duke valued. He was on orders from Macaos to pick him up. How could anyone be taken away by someone else halfway through the journey?

"Guy, I'll remind you one more time, this is Cherd!" Yasen sneered. "If you want trouble, we're ready to oblige!"

"Then let me remind you, Cherd is also Imperial territory." Guy retorted without backing down. "Do I need to tell you his identity? The mayor from Berman City, who deliberately infiltrated this place, what are his intentions?"

"If that's your stance, then I can't stay silent any longer." Ryan got out of the car. "It's true I'm the mayor of Berman City, but there's no rule that says a mayor can only stay in one place, is there? Where I go is none of your business."

Guy frowned and said, "Mr. Ryan, I must remind you that we are here to take over the defense of the Western Territory on His Your Majesty's orders, and even Her Highness the Princess must obey this order."

"Oh, you think you're so great now? You want to boss the Princess around?"

"Of course I wouldn't dare interfere in the Princess's affairs. So let me ask you, what brings you to Cherd?"

"Then let me ask you, let me ask you." Ryan sneered, "I represent the Princess, what right do you have to ask me? Can't I come here for tourism? Gruk, give me paper and pen."

Gruk, who was standing to the side, took out a notebook from his pocket.

Ryan wrote above, "On August 18, 1886, according to the Saint-Denis calendar, Guy openly questioned the Princess, challenged the dignity of the royal family, and was suspected of plotting a rebellion."

Guy: "???"

"You're talking nonsense!" Guy roared. "How could I possibly have any treasonous intentions? Don't write such things!"

Ryan said, "If you have no intention of rebelling, then what are you afraid of? I'm just recording it. If you are innocent, then you have nothing to be ashamed of. Or how do you intend to prove your loyalty?"

"I am Imperial Viscount, and my family has served in important positions in the Royal Guards for generations, sharing the Emperor's burdens. How could I possibly rebel?"

"Oh, so you're a relative." Ryan continued writing, "Dissatisfied with your hereditary viscount position, you want to seek a higher position... In other words, you're on the Second Prince's side in the struggle for the crown prince position? That's even more dangerous. The Imperial Army is loyal to Your Majesty the Emperor. You actually want to take sides for your own selfish reasons and even form cliques? This is tantamount to treason. I'll report this to Her Highness the Princess and have her complain about you to His Your Majesty."

"You!"

Guy was so angry that veins were bulging on his forehead. "Don't make false accusations!"

Magana was also stunned. Good heavens, a huge accusation was slapped on her. The imperial army was on the sidelines, and secretly obeying the prince's orders was a serious crime.

It should be noted that these princes Princess Royal were not allowed to directly control military power unless the Old Emperor granted them special permission.

Taking sides secretly is one thing, but doing it openly is quite another.

Ryan's words could kill someone... Magana was secretly delighted. She couldn't wait to see these nobles in the Imperial Capital eat shit. They all relied on their family power. Otherwise, how would they have gotten to hold power?

That's just how the aristocracy works; if they control 90% of the power, they don't have to worry about their interests being shaken.

"Wait... why should I prove anything to you?!" Guy snapped out of his daze. "These are all your wild guesses. How dare you slander me, a dignified Imperial Viscount? Just wait to be judged by the Tribunal!"

Ryan closed the book, shrugged, and said, "You said it yourself, it was just a guess. Is guessing a crime? Besides, I only showed the Princess my guess. What she does is none of my business."

Clang!

Guy drew his sword. "How dare you! Ryan, you're just a commoner. So what if Her Highness the Her Highness the Princess values you? A commoner is still a commoner. To slander a noble is, according to Imperial Law, a crime punishable by death..."

Whoosh! Clang!

A dark shadow flashed by, Guy's greatsword was flung away, flying through the air into the distance before finally landing on the ground.

Instead, a sharp sword tip landed in front of him.

"Even if Ryan were a commoner, he would still be a million times more valuable than you," Magana said in a hoarse voice.

"You..."

Thump thump thump.

"Put down your sword!"

"Stop! Do you know what you're doing?"

With Guy pointed at him, Guy's Royal Guards drew their weapons one by one, instantly igniting the atmosphere.

Yasen was taken aback. He hadn't expected Ryan's personal bodyguard to be so irritable, but... well done, fantastic! Someone like him should be recruited into the Iron Blood Legion!

Hmm... he's just a bit short.

"Do you think our Iron Blood Legion is just for show!"

With a roar from Yasen, the Iron Blood Army drew their weapons— Cross Sword, battle axes, and muskets—and the scene froze, waiting to see who would be the final straw that broke the camel's back.

"Stop! Stop right now!"

Guy couldn't take it anymore. He felt that this guy in front of him would definitely make a move, and he would die here!

"Mayor Ryan, I admit I was wrong just now, but if you let her kill me, you won't leave here alive either!"

"Alright, Anke." Ryan waved his hand.

Oh, Your Grand Duke, please stop hitting him! Why didn't you just cut him in half with your sword?

The Grand Duke has a fiery temper, Ryan already knew that, but who cares? He's going to do it anyway, and he'll do it with Magana by his side. With the latter backing him up, what is he afraid of!

He walked over to Magana and lowered his voice, saying, "How about we try breaking one of his arms? Just don't kill anyone."

Since things have come to this, and he is openly a member of the Caslathdi, he is clearly going to be tricked by this group of imperial troops. Since that's the case, there's no need to hold back.

He could take this opportunity to make his stance clear to the Iron Blood Legion, otherwise he would have to cause trouble when he met Macaos and the others.

Of course, if he couldn't cut it off, so be it. After all, the other party was an Imperial Viscount... Huh? Looking at the arm that had been thrown out, Ryan was also stunned for a moment.

Hiss~~

Magana simply raised her greatsword and, with unparalleled precision, dislocated Guy's hand that had been holding the sword, causing blood to splatter instantly.

Less than three seconds after Ryan said those words... Wait, Your Grand Duke, are you short-tempered or have you been wanting to do this for a while?

"Ah! Ah!—My hand! My hand!!"

"You bastard!"

Bang bang bang!!

The muskets fired, targeting Magana, but how could such things possibly harm her?

The bullets were blocked by the greatsword, Magana charged into the crowd on the other side. Her petite body was incredibly agile, leaping, slashing, and kicking in a series of dazzling movements. Before Gruk and the others could react, the Imperial officers standing next to Guy were all falling to the ground.

Some were lucky enough to only be kicked, while others were unlucky enough to have their hands cut off by a sword. Although their fates were tragic, no one actually died.

"Oh, this."

Ryan swallowed hard.

He wanted to say, "Brothers, the Grand Duke really has a great chest."

"Want to come again?"

After Magana returned, the greatsword was clamped around Guy's neck, and the latter was kneeling on the ground convulsing from the intense pain.

"No, I'm not coming..."

Guy, pale-faced, gritted his teeth and said.

"If you're not coming, then get lost. We still have a long way to go."

"..."

Guy stood up, looked at his wailing men, and gave them a fierce look. He had no doubt that Magana could kill them all by herself.

Although he still had many people with him, once a battle broke out, all the officers, including him, would die. What was the point then? It was meaningless; death meant no point.

So even with a broken arm, Guy didn't lose his mind. He picked up his arm and slunk away with the Royal Guards.