Chapter 50

A new day dawned, and the sun rose.

Yet the winter sunlight brought no gentle warmth.

Its only use was melting some of the accumulated snow on the ground, while making the wind even colder as it howled through Gaina Royal City.

Gaina's situation was growing increasingly grim.

Bruno Green tore away his hypocritical mask, baring his vicious, brutal fangs as he pressed ever closer to Gaina Royal City and expanded outward from his territory.

Wherever he went, he mercilessly oppressed and plundered the estate owners, commoners, and slaves within the cities.

As a result, many people began fleeing with their belongings.

They had once regarded Gaina Royal City, or the territories still under His Majesty the King's rule, as their only "refuge."

But as time passed, the "refuge" they depended on for survival gradually began to shrink...

The king could not withstand Bruno Green's attacks. Gaina Royal City was being steadily hemmed in beneath the wolves' watchful eyes, hanging by a thread.

And that was not all Bruno Green had done.

He had cut off Gaina Royal City's means of survival from every direction, blocking all roads leading to the royal city, controlling the sources of merchant guild goods, forbidding them from selling supplies to the royal city, and more...

All these measures quickly took effect.

Bruno Green would stop at nothing to obtain the throne.

Light had once led cavalry to the front lines to battle Bruno Green and put up resistance.

But the result had been a rout. During his escape, Light's lungs and internal organs had been injured. He only recovered and survived after purchasing herbal potions and ointments from the Thorn Merchant Guild.

His request for Cyrus's aid had indeed been a decision made only when he had no other options left.

Cyrus had not agreed from the start.

He wanted Gaina.

Besides, apart from Gaina's throne, there was nothing else Light could offer.

If Light wanted his cavalry corps to enter Gaina and provide aid, he had to be prepared to hand over Gaina's throne.

Otherwise, Cyrus could simply wait until Bruno Green captured the royal city, ascended the throne through bloodshed, and killed Light before taking Bruno Green's life.

After all, the turmoil in Gaina Kingdom had nothing to do with Desinia Territory.

But Bruno Green had to die. The only difference was whether he died before taking the throne or after.

After receiving the plea for aid, Cyrus had laid out his payment and conditions clearly.

Light hesitated for a long time before finally agreeing after yet another Gaina territory failed to hold out and was occupied by Bruno Green.

Many people in Gaina Royal City opposed Light's decision, but he temporarily suppressed them all.

Now that the Desinia Cavalry Corps had entered Gaina, some ministers began entertaining other thoughts again after Walker came to the palace to discuss matters with Light.

An elderly nobleman said earnestly, "Your Majesty, are you truly going to hand Gaina over to the Desinia lord as payment?"

"If you truly do this, Gaina will cease to exist from then on and become a city directly ruled by Desinia..."

And at that point, they would no longer be lords. Who would become mayor... would no longer be for them to decide...

Over the past three years, Desinia Territory had grown into a force that could not be ignored. Even Gaina would have to weigh the kingdom's strength carefully before becoming its enemy.

But asking them to let Gaina belong to Desinia Territory from now on, not even as a vassal...

Without territories and without supreme authority... how could the nobles of Gaina Royal City possibly accept Light's decision?

At the moment, they were doing everything they could to stop it.

They even tried to persuade Light to wait for an opportunity while the Desinia Cavalry Corps and Bruno Green fought each other, then take advantage of the situation to eliminate both sides.

Gaina Royal City, including these nobles, had long since rotted to the core.

They were corrupt, lived in debauchery, greedily indulged in pleasure, and cared nothing for the outside world until disaster descended upon them and they finally seemed to awaken.

Yet they were like ants scurrying in circles, utterly lost and unable to find any effective solution.

Not only could they offer no help, but at this critical moment, they even tried to drag Light down.

Light was so furious at their words that he laughed.

At the same time, a feeling of helplessness and exhaustion rose within him—for this country, and for himself...

Light understood clearly that he neither had the qualifications nor the ability to be Gaina's king.

He felt nothing for women. During his three years on the throne, he had merely kept up appearances. He tacitly allowed the women in the palace to seek lovers, but would not allow them to bear children.

Light had lived under immense repression.

He had become unlike himself—unlike the person he used to be.

He did not possess Bruno Green's ambition. He had never been determined to inherit the throne at all costs.

But he had realized it too late. Back then, Bruno Green had nearly driven him into a dead end, and the person most important to him had also died before his eyes.

Given the circumstances then...

If Light had not ascended the throne, even the slightest misstep would have sent him into an abyss beyond salvation, leaving him shattered to pieces. Yet after becoming king, he had been unable to deal with Bruno as he pleased, resulting in...

These nobles and ministers now appeared to be acting for his sake, but in truth, they were acting for their own interests, each exposing a hypocritical face.

Light felt no stir in his heart.

He said, "Does any one of you understand Desinia Territory?"

The ministers could not help exchanging glances.

"It is merely a large territory, not even a kingdom... I have heard that its lord is not particularly old, either."

"That is right, Your Majesty."

"Although that Desinia lord possesses the Black-and-White Cavalry, I have heard that it is entirely commanded by two knight commanders... especially Fernandi Edward, commander of the Black Cavalry."

"He is one of us Gaina people."

"Your Majesty, why not win him over with benefits? Then we can..."

"Exactly. A Gaina person should naturally serve Gaina. We can contact Fernandi Edward in secret... As long as Your Majesty promises him a noble title or..."

"There are too many good things in Desinia Territory. The Thorn Merchant Guild, Watermarked Paper, red bricks, asphalt roads, and more all come from there. If they all belonged to Gaina, then wouldn't that..."

Light watched coldly as they revealed one greedy, utterly shameless expression after another.

Foolish and ignorant, fantasizing about the impossible.

Light said, "Why don't one of you invite Fernandi Edward to the royal city and tell him your plan?"

"See whether he agrees to betray the Desinia lord, or whether he kills you first in Gaina Royal City..."

The ministers immediately fell silent and shut their mouths.

After a while.

The elderly nobleman said, "Your Majesty, Gaina has been passed down through generations of kings. It cannot simply be handed over by you like this..."

"That Knight Commander Edward was saved by the Desinia lord and has received his support. It is highly likely that he would not betray Desinia for Your Majesty."

"But you cannot allow Gaina to disappear like this. Even if the late king has returned to the Creator God's embrace, he will not rest in peace."

The other ministers immediately joined in persuading him.

"Your Majesty, Gaina cannot become a city within Desinia Territory."

"I know you do not wish to become a person without integrity, but at a critical moment, you should know how to weigh your choices..."

"As long as one side falls while Desinia and Bruno Green are fighting each other, the other side's situation will certainly not be optimistic. Then we can seize the chance to turn around and threaten..."

Kill Bruno Green, or drive the Desinia Cavalry Corps out of Gaina.

That way, Gaina could be preserved. Once the traitors were killed, the lost territories could also be reclaimed.

"Your Majesty, it is all for Gaina!"

"Your Majesty, for Gaina's sake, please make your choice with utmost caution."

Light said, "No need to say any more. I have made my decision, and I will not change it."

He raised a hand to stop the ministers from speaking and said coldly, "I am tired. Leave."

After speaking, Light rang the bell hanging in the study.

The knights guarding outside opened the door and escorted the ministers out.

The ministers had no choice but to turn and leave.

As they were about to exit the palace, the elderly nobleman exchanged meaningful glances with several others.

In the middle of the night, these people secretly arrived at the elderly nobleman's residence. The butler led them into a room where the elderly nobleman was already waiting.

Only when dawn was nearly breaking did they disperse separately while no one was paying attention.

After the last carriage quietly departed, a plainly dressed person emerged from the shadows around the corner. After glancing at the elderly nobleman's residence, he headed out of Gaina Royal City.

Within the mountain forest where the Desinia Cavalry Corps was stationed.

Another light snowfall had fallen last night, covering the tops of every tent in the camp in gleaming white.

Heavy snow had sealed off the mountains, and no one entered or left the forest. Soldiers sent out to scout kept a tight watch over the surroundings, missing no movement.

Furthermore, everyone in Gaina was now in danger. Unless absolutely necessary, no one wanted to leave the city.

Thus, this vast mountain forest could serve perfectly as the cavalry corps' base, with sentries arranged in advance.

Cyrus's tent stood at the very center of the camp.

Judas carefully lifted the tent flap, avoiding letting the cold wind rush inside.

Although it was very warm within, three enormous beasts were either lying sprawled or curled up on the carpet. Their massive, furry bodies occupied more than half the space.

There was almost nowhere left to step.

Upon hearing the sound, Coalball lazily turned his head. When he saw that it was Judas, he turned back again, resting his large head atop his overlapping tiger paws before opening his jaws wide in a yawn.

Judas stood at the edge and looked around the tent, but did not see the lord.

He could not help smiling as he called out.

A moment later, slight movement came from between Snowball and Egg Yolk, who were lying together. Then a small head emerged, caramel-colored eyes looking toward Judas.

Cyrus's cheeks were bright red, clearly showing that he had been resting just moments ago. His eyes still held obvious confusion, and only after blinking did they clear.

He rested his chin on Snowball's firm yet smooth fur. Behind him, Egg Yolk's large head nudged close in a spoiled manner, so he casually gave him a rub and asked, "Judas, what is it?"

Judas said, "My lord, one of the people you previously sent to monitor Gaina Royal City has returned."

"Indeed, not everyone in Gaina Royal City agrees with Light Green's decision."

"Most people are opposed to it, and... after leaving the palace, some nobles and ministers quietly gathered at the duke's residence again that night. They did not leave until nearly dawn."

Cyrus straightened up and leaned against Egg Yolk's back.

He said, "I could have guessed. After all, not many people would truly agree to hand over a kingdom."

"Since they gathered again, Light Green presumably did not approve of the proposal they put forward... I think they will most likely defect to Bruno Green's side in the end."

Judas nodded.

Cyrus slowly stroked Snowball's snow-white fur and said, "In that case, send people to continue monitoring them closely."

"If they try to secretly send Bruno Green any information, let them believe that it was successfully delivered. Afterward... once Gaina becomes my territory, settle accounts with them one by one."

"Yes, my lord."