Aside from the West Coast, the Free City Legion and the Blade of Freedom met varying degrees of resistance along their two southern routes, slowing their advance.
Though they were still moving much faster than before.
The Kingdom's people had begun resisting again for two reasons. The nobles had discovered that Free City had little interest in attacking civilians, so they formed militias to protect their property. They also feared Young Miss Olmedo would catch them if they fled back to the New Royal Capital.
That was right. Annan's reputation had reached the front lines, and his name could even stop children crying—provided those children were nobles.
According to the stories they told, a demon in the New Royal Capital ate nobles. Anyone who disobeyed and fled there would be eaten by him.
Annan was stunned for a moment when he learned he had become an obstacle. Then he told the front lines to hit back by spreading word that the King was a shameless usurper and traitor.
Compared with the nonsense about a "noble-eating demon," the claim that Clo had colluded with the Ratfolk was far more believable. It gave people someone else to blame for their miserable circumstances.
Clo's theft of power from the Second Prince became a favorite subject of noble gossip—much as tavern patrons always talked about women, and women always talked about their neighbors.
Some people went looking for proof. Besides hearing about the exploits of that demon called Young Miss Olmedo, they uncovered a startling piece of news: not long ago, the Royal Capital had gone into lockdown, a horde of Ratfolk had appeared, and Grand Duke Babatod had been arrested.
Meanwhile, Annan coordinated with the front lines. He specifically had Maria take some men to find a few nobles who had fled back