The main hall where the Council of Elders located was surrounded by a sturdy stone wall, about four meters high, resembling a barbican or a standalone fortress. Because the two princes' forces had done a good job of keeping the information secret, the Council of Elders did not notice until a large army attacked. After the initial panic, they left behind a large number of corpses. The remaining guards closed the fortress gates and defended the stronghold, paying the price of more than half of their lives to barely keep the fortress from being breached.
"How dare you besiege the Imperial Council of Elders! Are you plotting treason?" Atop the fortress, a nobleman in luxurious attire looked down with arrogance and anger, loudly questioning him.
call out!
His response was the sound of the bowstring vibrating.
A powerful crossbow bolt whistled as it shot out, piercing his throat and killing the nobleman instantly.
The soldiers from the Iron-Blooded Camp and the Imperial Capital Public Security Office offered no explanation and launched a fierce siege on the fortress.
After these days of brewing, the conflict between the army and the Council of Elders has become extremely deep. The army deeply resents the Council of Elders's weakness, cowardice, and humiliation of the country. Moreover, the Council of Elders also controls a certain number of troops. To catch the thief, you must first catch the king; to curse someone, you must first curse their mother. If these corrupt nobles are not eliminated as soon as possible, and even a little news leaks out, causing a change in the army, the situation will become even more serious.
In an instant, shouts of killing filled the air.
The fortress of the Council of Elders was like a small boat in a stormy sea, teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Rebellion! They've actually besieged the Council of Elders! These damned traitors should have their entire families hanged!"
"How could this happen? How could this happen?"
"What do we do? What do we do? We can't hold out!"
Inside the fortress, the once arrogant members of the Council of Elders were trembling with grief, their faces pale with fear, living in constant anxiety.
"Shut up! What's all the noise about! Damn it, it's the [ Iron-Blooded Camp ] and the Imperial Capital Public Security Office's troops! How is this possible? Arshavin and Dominguez, those two idiots, actually joined forces? They actually dared to instigate a military riot?"
An Old Man with a hooked nose and a stern face, his gray hair neatly combed back, looked down at the soldiers rushing in like a tide, a cold smile on his wrinkled face.
"President, what do we do now? The city walls are low. If we hold out for a while, the rebel army will break through in no time. We'll be caught off guard. We only have less than two thousand soldiers here; we absolutely cannot hold out. We must make a decisive decision." Standing beside the president of the Council of Elders were five or six nobles, also dressed in luxurious clothes, with cold expressions, who could not hide their panic.
"Heh heh, those two brats, Dominguez and Arshavin, are really trying to wipe us out. Well, they can't blame us then. These are just ordinary soldiers, so what? Don't forget, our Council of Elders still has three Moon Class Guardians. Getting us out of here will be a piece of cake!"
The president looked relaxed and not in a hurry.
Hearing their guild leader's words, the nobles finally breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, with three Moon Class experts on their side, one of whom was a renowned old monster in the capital, what could ordinary soldiers possibly do to them?
Looking at the horrific battle below, the Elder Council President pondered for a moment, then a fierce look appeared on his face. He gritted his teeth and said, "However, leaving like this is too easy on those two brats. All our hard work for them has been for nothing. Since they are so ruthless, then don't blame us for being unjust. Heh heh, there are still two legions inside and outside the capital under the command of our Council of Elders. Immediately send Moon Class Guardians to deliver the order: say that the First Prince is eager to seize the throne, has launched a coup, and has frantically besieged the palace and the Council of Elders. Order them to immediately attack the Iron-Blooded Camp and the Military Department. They are free to burn, kill, and loot in the city at will. Take whatever you can get—women and treasures, plunder at will..."
Did they allow their soldiers to loot, burn, and kill?
This vicious order sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.
"Even so, our chances are still slim. The two princes control more than half of the empire's military force. Our two legions are no match for them. Besides, the eldest prince is known as God of War. Since he's taking action, he must have made thorough preparations. I'm afraid he already anticipated all of this."
"I am deeply worried," said one of the Council of Elders.
"Hahaha, so what if he foresaw it? He has no Moon Class experts under his command. Heh heh, all I need to do is throw the entire capital into chaos, make the royal family scramble and lose their composure, even if rivers of blood flow, it doesn't matter. Those two legions, even if they are wiped out, will become the burial goods of our new Glory and the royal family's wickedness. Hahahaha, all I need is a night of panic, bloodshed, and collapse. When Lord D'Alessandro arrives at sunrise tomorrow, heh heh, even if two brats can mobilize millions of troops, so what?"
The wrinkles on the president of the Council of Elders' face were like curses, and his tone was sinister, sending chills down one's spine.
This is an extremely malicious plan, tantamount to treason, and utterly insane.
If his plan succeeds, even if the royal family eventually controls the capital and quells the rebellion, Saint Petersburg, this century-old city, will be devastated and may even become a ghost town.
"But..." one of the elders said with some worry, "We still can't predict how D'Alessandro will treat us after he arrives. I've heard that he's ruthless and arrogant..."
"Hehe, no problem. I already sent someone to contact him. Tonight, we are the inside agents. As long as we stir up trouble in Saint Petersburg, we will be the great heroes of the new empire tomorrow, still holding high positions and lucrative titles. Everything we have now will still be ours, and we will gain even more. From then on, the Council of Elders will become the true ruler of this empire, and you gentlemen will become the most powerful people in the empire. No one will be able to threaten us."
The president laughed heartily and said smugly.
After he finished speaking, the people around him all gasped in shock.
If the chairman said that, it meant that he had been prepared all along, and that it was a blatant act of treason. His face showed both excitement and a hint of worry.
The point has been made very clear.
But... in doing so, my actions would be tantamount to treason.
The chairman noticed the hesitation on everyone's faces and shouted, "Gentlemen, this is not treason! The royal family was ruthless and heartless first. We are only acting in self-defense. The two big hypocrites are foolishly protecting King of Chambord Alexander, whose hands are stained with the blood of nobles. As long as this Butcher exists, we will never have a chance to rise up. Now the royal family has launched a military purge. We have no choice. The royal family forced us. Even if we die, we will take the entire royal family and Saint Petersburg with us. Tonight, let's turn Saint Petersburg into Hell!"
Illuminated by blood and firelight, the chairman's face was contorted like a demon.
A moment later, a streak of light swept up from the fortress and disappeared into the distance.
"Someone is trying to escape! They're Moon Class experts! Quick, stop them!" the Iron-Blooded Camp soldiers shouted.
Second update.
There's more.