The King is coming!
Since Roland Wimbledon's army entered Clearwater City, the news had been circulating in the streets and alleys of the old capital, reaching its peak after the surrender of the Silverlight City lord. Although a small number of people repeatedly emphasized that he had not yet ascended the throne, compared to the titles of rebel king and invader a year ago, most people had come to believe that Roland was the future king of Graycastle—and it was very likely that he was here for his coronation.
However, the new king's movements did not seem very proactive, as he would stay in each city for several weeks. Therefore, when the news came true, it was already the summer season.
The rising temperature did not dampen people's enthusiasm in the slightest. The taverns were filled with discussions about the coronation ceremony, and colorful ribbons were hung along the streets. All the residential buildings near the palace that were taller than two stories were rented out. The increasingly desolate old capital seemed to have regained its former vitality. Perhaps only at this time could it remind the people living here of what a capital should look like.
After a year, Roland once again set foot on this territory.
The moment he passed through the city gate, the girls scattered flower petals everywhere, and the cheers of the people instantly ignited the entire city—not that they were praising the new king's wisdom or benevolence, but for the people of the capital, it was merely a habit.
Nini and Doujia were among them.
Because they happened to live in a tower close to the main street, they had the best seat to overlook the entire scene. Their parents were too busy entertaining the lodgers to manage the two little devils, and they were happy to climb to the top of the tower and watch the grand entrance of the army from the red brick tiles.
"Here it comes, here it comes... Is that the King on the carriage? He looks much younger than the Second Prince," Nini exclaimed. "Wow, look, he's waving at us! Lord Tiffeco would never do that!"
"He's waving at everyone in this direction," Doujia shrugged. "We're so high up, there's no way he could see us."
"We're definitely included in everyone, isn't that right?" Nini said with a righteous tone. "Just looking at his face, he's much kinder than the Second Prince."
"And the kind King executed a large number of nobles, including that Lord Tiffeco—his own brother. The temporary gallows built in the square are still there. If you add the rats, he's the ruler who has killed the most people in the capital."
"Hey, why do you always have to contradict me?" Nini glared at him angrily.
"I don't like him," Doujia pouted. "He doesn't treat this city as his home at all. He keeps promoting job opportunities in the West and encouraging people to go there. What about us? My father's tavern has lost more than half of its customers, all thanks to him!"
"Then who do you like, the Second Prince?"
"I hate him too. He made the whole city uneasy just to catch a witch... The old king was the best, at least he wouldn't—"
"Oh my god, look! The woman next to His Majesty!" Before he could finish speaking, Nini had already thrown the argument to the back of her mind and pointed at the King's convertible carriage, exclaiming, "She turned around... Oh my god, she's so beautiful!"
Doujia could only sigh helplessly.
However, the discovery seemed to have become the new focus of attention—the significance of being in the same carriage as the King at this moment was almost self-evident. The noisy discussions on both sides of the street suddenly became even louder, and everyone was clearly full of interest in this unfamiliar and beautiful woman.
At this moment, the two of them suddenly heard a special clear whistle.
Before they could react, a gray figure, like an arrow released from a bow, swept past them and darted straight into the tower. Then, a series of panicked shouts came from downstairs, as if someone had fallen to the ground, and there was the crisp sound of a glass breaking.
"What was that just now..." Nini asked in surprise.
"I don't know, but it seems to be heading for our house!" Doujia anxiously turned around and stood up. "Let's go back and see what's going on."
"Yeah!"
The two of them climbed down the brick wall along the way they came, one after the other, and jumped into the house through the window, only to be surprised to find that several warriors in armor had surrounded their guests tightly. In addition to the spilled wine and fragments of utensils on the ground, there were also a few feathers.
Nini's first reaction was that Doujia's words about His Majesty had been overheard, and her second reaction was to cover his mouth and hide, making sure not to make a sound no matter what they saw.
However, neither of these ideas worked.
The moment they landed, the warriors noticed the two "uninvited guests," but no one came to arrest them. Instead, they grinned at them. After a moment, this group of people quickly filed out, leaving behind their dumbfounded parents and guests. One of them, who seemed to be the leader, even took out ten silver wolves and handed them to the stunned father.
It wasn't until everyone had left that Nini hesitantly stepped forward. "What... what happened?"
"It's unbelievable," the father said excitedly, gesturing wildly. "When the honor guard passed the corner of the street, a spectator suddenly took out a well-stringed crossbow and aimed it directly at His Majesty the King in the carriage!"
Nini gasped.
"Then what?"
"We were all scared to death. If that arrow had been fired, everyone in the house would have been dead. Fortunately, at this time, a bird... no, a person flew in and stopped that guy!"
"A person?"
"You can't say that either. She was a bird when she flew in, but she turned into a person when she hit that guy's head—a little girl about your age," a guest added. "We didn't react until we saw the crossbow fall to the ground. We rushed forward and pinned the assassin down, and then those warriors broke in."
"Are you sure you didn't see things?" Doujia questioned. "That bird... no, that person who can turn into a bird? You guys didn't accidentally drink dream water and have hallucinations, did you?"
"She was gone after we subdued the assassin," the father raised his hand and slapped his son on the back of the head, making him stagger. "Besides, you'll be punished for doubting my words!"
Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Nini, however, focused her attention on the feathers—their color seemed to be like ordinary eagle wings, but they were much wider and softer. She carefully collected the feathers and pinned them in her hair, looking at herself in the mirror.
It looked like she could fly too... the little girl thought contentedly, using this as a new hair accessory.
This seemingly dangerous assassination attempt did not cause any waves, and people quickly shifted the topic back to the King and his entourage. In places they didn't know, similar things had happened at least a dozen times.
However, under Sylvie's vigilance, all lone-wolf actions that pinned their hopes on luck were declared failures without exception. Even most of the conspiracies were directly taken down by the patrol team without alarming the surrounding masses.
"Thank you for your hard work," Roland nodded toward the carriage behind him during a waving break. "I didn't expect there to be so many remnants in the old capital. It seems the situation is not as stable as I thought."
"It's what I should do, Your Majesty," Sylvie replied.
"Since you know it's unstable, you shouldn't have chosen this way to enter the city," the impolite voice came from Agatha—perhaps due to her age, Roland felt that her temper was becoming more and more like Scroll's whenever safety issues were discussed. "Mortals are too fragile. Sometimes, even a small wound can cost you your life."
"I will stop all attacks," Anna said calmly from the side. "Besides, Nana Pine is also in the team."
"You can't spoil him like this."
"Cough cough..." Roland quickly interrupted, "To build momentum, this bit of risk is acceptable. As the new king, I have to familiarize myself with the people."
Sylvie, Agatha, Isabella, Phyllis, and Zoe were sitting in the carriage, plus the First Army elites on the periphery. With such a strong configuration, accidents were theoretically impossible.
"These are two different things—you could have used a safer method, such as standing on the high platform of the palace and giving a speech to your subjects."
Indeed, but he couldn't say that this move was more about indulging in the thrill of a tour, such as putting two microphones in front of the carriage and saying, "Hello, comrades!"
"Your Majesty, we're almost at the palace," the guard reminded him, which also stopped Agatha from lecturing.
Roland breathed a sigh of relief. Through the redecorated inner city gate, he saw a line of nearly a hundred people respectfully waiting for his arrival—among them were Westland "veterans" like Tass and Barov's disciples, as well as many "new ministers" from surrendered small nobles, but more were scholars and civilians recruited locally.
After completing this unfinished reorganization, the entire Graycastle region would be formally under his control. And when the Eastern Front Army occupied the Sea Breeze County area, Graycastle would be considered a unified kingdom.
When the carriage stopped, Roland waved his cloak heroically, stepped down from the carriage, and waved to the people behind him.
"Let's go, follow me into the palace!"
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