The King's Royal Procession had finally arrived.
The City Guard and the Thesu Knights' Order were on high alert, patrolling streets that had been transformed overnight. Anyone who spat in public would be dragged off to a dungeon. Even being improperly dressed was enough.
Fortunately, the Blade of Freedom did not make an appearance. As long as they kept quiet, the City Guard was happy to look the other way.
Could the City Guard stage an attack themselves? Probably not. An assassination attempt would be an insult to the King's authority.
Except as far as Annan was concerned.
He doubted that a King who had spent three years bringing a vast kingdom to the brink of collapse would dare venture into the Outer City. So even on the day of the Royal Procession, he kept searching the streets for traces of the Blade of Freedom, much to Deck and his companions' frustration.
"Boss, that woman was right. Killing Clo won't solve anything. The ones really oppressing us are those bastards..." someone said. Others looked eager to act.
Without turning around, Deck said, "To us, is there any difference between killing the King and killing a City Guard?"
"We can't kill the King, but we can kill one City Guard!" a member protested.
"We're not as strong as them. Our weapons aren't as good, and they outnumber us. What can we do besides get ourselves killed?"
Some of his men were too eager for a fight, but Deck did not think that was a bad thing. Those with no will to resist were still being oppressed by the nobles.
"Just do our part. Don't make the rest of the Blade of Freedom laugh at us."
At that very moment, the King's Royal Procession left the Royal Palace in a long, imposing