Chapter 020: Opening the Gates

“Who’s coming?”
The imperial guard officer standing at the gates of the capital city, upon seeing this army outside without any banners or signals, could hold back no longer and shouted loudly, filled with combat energy.
“Nonsense!” Brandon, standing beside Oscar, rushed forward. “Can’t you see the banners? We’re from the royal family! Open the gates quickly!”
The officer was momentarily stunned and took another close look at the banners, growing even more puzzled. He thought he had served in the army for decades—how could he have never known the royal family used such banners?
As he pondered, he suddenly heard a cold snort behind him: “Stop talking nonsense! Just open the gates!”
The officer turned around and immediately broke into a cold sweat. “Princess… Your Highness… You are of noble status. What are you doing in such a place? Besides, Commander Dax and the Crown Prince have ordered that no one may enter or leave the city gates until further orders from the Crown Prince! Without his authorization, not even I dare make such decisions!”
Princess Nina, along with her attendants, was leading the Second Prince step by step toward the tower. The officer naturally understood that since the Crown Prince had left the Second Prince here, military authority lay in his hands… but now it seemed he was being held at gunpoint by Princess Nina’s men. Dozens of the Second Prince’s bodyguards followed behind, but their expressions suggested they felt helpless about the situation.
“What?” Princess Nina stared at the officer coldly. “Is my brother’s order a command, but mine isn’t? I tell you to open the gates, so open them! Or do you want me to report to our father and have you executed?”
The officer sweated profusely. “The Crown Prince ordered that if I open the gates without permission, it will also be a capital offense! Please, Princess, don’t put us commoners in trouble!”
As they spoke, several more guards rushed out from behind Princess Nina, drawing their swords and pointing them at the officer from afar. One of them shouted angrily, “Dare you!”
Princess Nina waved her hand, signaling the guards to step back. Then she glanced at the Second Prince beside her and said, “Second Brother, it seems my orders don’t count here… I’ll have to trouble you again!”

Even if the Second Prince was stupid, he now had some doubts. He glanced at Princess Nina and said in a low voice, “My dear sister, weren’t you going out of the city to hunt? Why do you want to let the army into the city now? Don’t you know that allowing the army into the city without permission is a capital crime? We are members of the royal family; if we do such a thing, the punishment will be even worse!”
Princess Nina gave the Second Prince a cold look and said sternly, “Second Brother, just open the door when I ask you to. Why worry so much? As a member of the royal family, don’t I know I can’t let the army into the city without permission? But… please don’t tell me you don’t know what our Eldest Brother is doing right now.”
At these words, the Second Prince broke into cold sweat. He forced a smile and said, “Sis… sister… you’re joking again. What could our Eldest Brother possibly be doing? He must be resting by now!”
“Resting?” Princess Nina sneered. “Bringing tens of thousands of the imperial guards into the palace—does he think that’s for resting? I doubt it. Hasn’t our Eldest Brother made it clear to you?”
The Second Prince was drenched in sweat. He naturally knew the Eldest Prince had gone to seize the throne, but how could he admit such a thing openly?
Seeing his expression, Princess Nina finally chuckled lightly and said, “Alright, Second Brother… I know, given your character, you wouldn’t do such a thing… As for what our Eldest Brother plans to do tonight, Father already knows… Since he sent me here, he must have given orders for me to lead the army into the city to support the throne… If you cooperate a little, Father said there will be no punishment for past mistakes! But if you’re unwise… you surely know the consequences! Whether you become a victim of the sword or a carefree prince depends on your choice!”
The Second Prince’s expression changed, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Father knows?!?”
Princess Nina nodded. “Of course!”
The Second Prince stammered, “Then why isn’t Fischer… but you…”
Princess Nina seemed surprised that the Second Prince could be so perceptive at times. She snorted and said, “Of course, Eldest Brother Fischer needs to stay in the palace to protect Father… It’s surprising you don’t know that the court mages obey only his orders. Besides, with so many of our Eldest Brother’s men watching him, could he even leave?”
After saying this, Princess Nina glanced at the officer again and said, “Father said… those who admit their mistakes will be forgiven! But if you still think of rebelling now… then by tomorrow morning, your entire family will be exterminated!!!”

After saying those words, the guards sneered and their combat energy began to burn fiercely. Since this officer was responsible for defending the city, he naturally knew what the Crown Prince was doing at that moment. Hearing Princess Nina’s accurate predictions, his heart turned to ice… After all, a plan that had taken so long to devise had now been exposed… It was a devastating blow! And Princess Nina was right about everything… Did that mean the Crown Prince had already been defeated? And were the troops outside the city the emperor’s backup plan? If it were anyone else, this officer would likely not believe it… But Princess Nina—everyone knew the old emperor doted on her greatly, so it was entirely possible that he had assigned her to carry out such a task. The officer’s mind was in chaos. Looking around, although he had many troops at his disposal, most of them still didn’t know that the Crown Prince was about to rebel that night… If he tried to resist, not many would follow him. And even if they did, by the time they arrived, he would already be killed by these guards! Judging from the murderous intent in their eyes, they were clearly advanced warriors—he had no chance of resisting! So, what was left to do? Surrender? Anyway, under whoever’s rule, he would still be a subject… As long as the emperor truly forgave him… But even thinking this way, the officer was sweating profusely, his eyes flickering nervously, filled with doubt… Princess Nina smiled seductively but said coldly, “Haven’t you thought it through yet?” The officer’s back was drenched in cold sweat as he stammered, “Your Highness, this is really…” “Shut up!” Princess Nina snapped. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t open the gates, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” “One!” The guards stepped forward simultaneously, and with a “boom,” their combat energy created dazzling lights. “Two!” Several deadly auras locked onto the officer. “Three!” The guards’ eyes flashed with cold intent as they prepared to act—but just then, a scream like that of a slaughtered chicken rang out: “Open the gates! Open them now!” It was the Second Prince, sweating profusely, shouting. The guards froze instantly, while the officer collapsed to the ground in shock. Though he was fairly strong, under the overwhelming pressure of those advanced warriors, he couldn’t even stand.

At this moment, upon hearing the Second Prince shout, he realized that the situation was beyond salvage. Without hesitation, he spoke in a trembling voice, “Open… open the city gates!”
Hundreds of imperial guards were already surrounding them, also filled with confusion about what was happening. But upon hearing the order, they mechanically rushed out to carry it out!
As for what exactly had happened, it was a matter of internal palace strife. As soldiers, all we had to do was follow orders!
Princess Nina finally smiled at this scene and said, “If I had known this would happen, why did I do what I did in the first place?”
She glanced at the officer again and said, “Once everyone outside the city has entered, act as if you don’t know anything… as if nothing happened. Understood?”
The officer hurriedly nodded and said, “Your servant… only knows…”
Princess Nina nodded and said, “Very good! I like smart people! Prepare to receive your reward tomorrow!”
With that, she turned away without another glance.
One of her guards cleared his throat softly and whispered, “Your Highness… what about the Second Prince…”
Princess Nina turned and gave the Second Prince a disdainful look, then showed a hint of sarcasm as she said, “My brother seems to like pregnant women, doesn’t he? So of course I can’t mistreat him… Someone, take the Second Prince to the city guard headquarters and let that woman take good care of him!”
The Second Prince, still in a daze, couldn’t help but look up upon hearing this and say, “My dear sister… it’s still you who cares for me, brother…”
Princess Nina smiled without saying a word. Suddenly, she stepped beside a guard and said in a voice audible only to them two, “And remember, help my brother get rid of that worthless fighting energy too…”
Book 24: The Last Night