The capital of Saint Roman faced the most powerful attack since its founding. The sky above the city, due to the eruption of magical elements below, gathered into dense dark clouds, threatening to unleash a torrential downpour.
Rain had a suppressive effect on flames. Although Selapees' combat power was significantly reduced, Horton's entire army, including himself, would have their combat strength cut in half.
By this time, two city gates had been breached by magical cannons, and soldiers of the Phoenix Army were streaming in.
The commoners, knowing the ferocity of this rebel force, had already hidden their wives, children, and elderly in their cellars. They themselves stood guard at their doorsteps with handy iron tools, ready to fight the rebels to the death when they arrived.
At this moment, from the top of the castle, a magnificent bell rang out with a clear, crisp sound, each peal seeming to strike the hearts of the commoners. This bell was a symbol of the Holy Bell Dynasty. Ever since the castle was built, this great bell, aside from the occasional chime when the wind blew, had never rung as urgently as it did today.
The sound of the bell now awakened the resolve of the commoners to defend their homes and country. They donned simple leather armor, and some burly men, even bare-chested, fought the rebels bare-handed.
The defense of the capital, spurred by the bell's tolling, became a 'people's war' against the rebels.
Even women, children, and the elderly utilized their advantages, engaging in flanking maneuvers and clever street fighting against the rebels. Though these were rebels, they were still flesh and blood. Faced with soldiers like themselves, they could fight with all their might.
But against these innocent people, they simply could not bring themselves to strike.
Unable to strike, they had to endure the beatings of the Imperial Guard.
Although the Imperial Guard's numbers were less than one-third of the Phoenix Army, and many were referred to as pampered 'young master soldiers,' their determination to defend their homeland was no less than anyone else's.
The two dragons in the underground palace, though unable to fly, were more than capable of dealing with these humans.
The great black dragon unleashed a torrent of flames, instantly turning a street into ashes. The twin-headed dragon spewed ice from one head and blazing fire from the other.
The enemy forces were instantly frozen, then instantly vaporized, as if they had never existed in this world.
Selapees was protected by the princes on the city walls, with all the high-ranking mages and sword-masters of the Phoenix Army surrounding her.
Once the Empress was captured, the war would essentially be over.
Above the castle, standing beside the great bell in the spired structure, were three figures: Aries, Capricorn, and Xiao Xun, also clad in black robes.
Xiao Xun looked at the sky. "It seems it's about to rain," he said, then pointed to the brightest area of magic in the distance and coldly stated, "Horton, your death day has arrived."
The rain, which had been held back for so long, finally poured down, drenching everyone and cleansing their souls.
Following a surprise attack by Dukar, Horton had four of his most capable mages and warriors guarding him.
The four stood at four corners around Horton, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
Suddenly, four hexagonal light symbols appeared simultaneously before the four guards, spinning rapidly. Directly above them, a Solomon seal materialized.
Orange light enveloped the five of them. The surrounding soldiers hadn't yet noticed anything amiss when Horton vanished from his spot.
When Horton reappeared, he fell heavily before Selapees on the city wall. Xiao Xun kicked him in the lower back, bent down to pick up the short knife from the ground, and intended to sever Horton's head to hang on the city gate, hoping to make the entire Phoenix Army cease their assault.
At the time, it seemed insignificant. Reflecting later, he was surprised that he had entertained the thought of killing.
However, he did not succeed. As he raised the knife to strike, Selapees' Holy Flame Sword had already knocked the short knife from Xiao Xun's hand.
"Spare his life! He has already lost."
The captain of the guard, along with two subordinates, helped Horton up and dragged him before Selapees, awaiting the Empress's judgment.
Selapees pointed to the city within. "Cousin, look. My people, they are willing to fight to the death for their homeland. Yet you wish to replace me, plunging this empire into war prematurely."
At this, the people on the city wall shouted down, "Stop fighting, everyone! Horton has been captured."
Everyone turned their gaze uniformly towards the city wall. Indeed, Horton was being held firmly by two guards, his hands secured by special shackles.
And on a distant hilltop, a large contingent of light cavalry surged forward like a flood.
Just as Selapees thought Horton might have a hidden plan, these troops engaged the encircling Phoenix Army.
Xiao Xun clenched his fist. "Excellent, it's Aaron's forces."
Thus, the entire Phoenix Army was driven by Aaron's legions to the city wall below where Horton was captured.
Horton looked at Selapees and gave a wry smile. "You say I plunged this country into war? No, I wish to prevent this country from falling into greater conflict, to save lives from suffering, which is why I seek to replace you and become Emperor of this nation."
Selapees revealed a look of confusion. Horton pointed to the distance. "The personal envoy of the Demon King of Hell found me and promised that as long as I became the Emperor of the Saint Roman Empire, natural disasters would never befall this kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Selapees frowned. "You believe the words of a demon? You are truly mad. He simply wants us to weaken each other first, so we cannot mount an effective resistance against them."
Horton shouted hysterically, "I'm mad? No one in this world can resist the Calamity Legion, and no one loves this country more than I do. My father sacrificed everything for this country, and I have dedicated my life to it. And you..."
He pointed at Selapees. "On what basis do you deserve to be Emperor? On your beauty, or because you only know how to complain when something happens?" He then pointed to the princes around Selapees. "And why are they so fiercely protecting you, helping you fight the enemy? Is it not simply because they covet your beauty, seeking to obtain the territories of our Saint Roman without expending a single soldier!"
Kent's two hooves were raised high and then struck the ground, kicking up countless fragments. He held a sharp short axe and swung it in Horton's direction, roaring, "Horton, who do you think you are, to disparage us so? I am of the proud Centaur race. We possess the most expansive grasslands and have no desire for this small Saint Roman."
Inspired by Kent, the surrounding individuals retorted against Horton's words.
Finally, Selapees silenced their clamor. The captain of the guard took the opportunity to ask the Empress how Horton should be dealt with.
Selapees looked at the tens of thousands of Phoenix Army soldiers gathered below the city wall and shouted, "Temporarily imprison Horton in the Quettilido dungeon and hand him over to the Council Elders for sentencing. All soldiers of the Phoenix Army, listen! Your new commander, and your new lord, Sveinn, will lead you to resist our greatest enemy, the Calamity Legion, and the Lord of Pride, the Hell Lord behind them."