Chapter 001: Changes in the Weather

Outside the imperial capital, Oscar remained calm, gazing at the magnificent city before him, lost in thought. Suddenly, a creaking sound was heard—the drawbridge, which had been retracted, was slowly lowered, and the gate behind it was gradually pushed open.
Seeing this, Oscar seemed to hear a low sigh from the warriors behind him, as if their worries had vanished.
The two twin lolitas stepped forward and whispered, “Young master, the gates of the imperial capital are open!”
Oscar nodded. “I know.”
Then he turned to Viscount Evan and said, “Viscount Evan, do you now feel that I, Oscar, haven’t disappointed you?”
Viscount Evan was truly surprised to see the gates of the imperial capital open, but as a shrewd man, he certainly wouldn’t show his thoughts on his face. He bowed slightly and said calmly, “Prince Oscar is indeed extraordinary. Surely you’ve already planned everything that will happen next… Then let me enjoy watching how this era of prosperity is destroyed in the midst of war!”
Oscar smiled. “I believe Viscount Evan won’t be disappointed!”
After saying that, Oscar turned to gaze at the distant capital city. He picked up a long tube-like object and squinted at it before saying, “Alright. If we enter now… those fools will just act as if they don’t see us…”
The warriors around him exclaimed in unison, “The young master is wise!”
Oscar shook his head, as if suddenly remembering something, and said calmly, “By the way, bring them here for me!”
One of the warriors obeyed and left. Soon, several knights tied to horses were brought before Oscar. The first one was Ferre, who had been sent to the north by Du Fan to confront Evan. Behind him were Selina and a group of Temple Knights.
Seeing them brought in, Oscar smiled slightly and said, “Viscount Ferre, I’m sorry you’ve had to endure so much these days.”
Ferre had been sent by Du Fan to the north to confront Evan, but he encountered Oscar’s army along the way and was captured. His frustration was evident.
Ferre had met Oscar before, and now, upon seeing him, he snorted and said, “So it’s you…”

Glancing again at Evan behind Oscar, Ferre curled his lips and said, “So you’re in cahoots… Lord Oscar, it seems I really misjudged you. I thought you were just an ordinary bard… But it seems things aren’t as simple as I thought!”
Oscar shook his head and said, “Whether it’s simple or not isn’t up to you to decide… Ferre, first I need to tell you something. If you had encountered us on our march by ordinary rules, you would have been killed without mercy… But I didn’t kill you. Do you know why? It’s simply because you’re from Du Fan’s group… Although I and Du Fan aren’t exactly close friends, he’s one of the few people in this world I truly respect… So I didn’t want to ruin that relationship between us, that’s why I left you alone… But please don’t be so arrogant either.”
Ferre’s expression changed several times, but in the end he said nothing more.
Seemingly satisfied with his reaction, Oscar continued, “I’ve had them bring you up now. Do you know why? Because… I want to let you go… But I hope that after you leave, you’ll go to your master right away and tell him one thing… Don’t be enemies with me, Oscar. I guarantee his Green family’s power won’t be diminished in the slightest! Do… do you understand?”
After saying that, Oscar drew the long sword at his waist and swung it casually a few times. Several streams of combat energy were sent out, hitting the ropes binding Ferre and the others, instantly freeing them.
Ferre and the others looked displeased but said nothing more. They simply turned and mounted their horses to leave, but Oscar suddenly smiled faintly and said, “By the way, it’s best if you don’t talk nonsense when passing through the city gates. Although my men aren’t particularly strong, my archers are always accurate! Don’t think of anything else—just go and report to Du Fan quickly!”
Ferre and the others said nothing, only straining to control their horses. Once they entered the city gates of the capital, they disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, Brandon, who had remained silent until then, couldn’t help but say, “Young master, why…”
Oscar waved his hand and said, “Brandon, do you think our people can compete with the Northern Legion?”
“Well… this…”

Oscar smiled and said, “We both know that’s definitely not the case. Though our army’s bravery is second to none among the armies of the Gavin Empire, we still can’t compare to the Northern Legion… So, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I don’t want to engage with them. Send someone to deliver a message to Du Fan, offering him some advantage… If we really do meet them in the future, it should at least make him hesitate a moment before attacking me—that’s enough.”

Brandon looked enlightened and said, “The young master is truly wise!”

“Besides, these are just insignificant little people… Even if we kill them, it won’t benefit the overall situation. It’s more practical to just let them go… Am I right, His Highness Oscar?”

Viscount Evan, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke calmly.

Oscar didn’t turn around; he merely smiled faintly and said, “Viscount Evan truly has a sharp eye!”

Viscount Evan bowed and said, “Your Highness, you flatter me.”

Oscar didn’t reply but seemed to sigh at the defenses of the capital city. After a moment, he murmured, “Du Fan… Du Fan… Can someone like you really be used by me?”

After saying that, he shook his head slightly and let out another long sigh: “Life… is truly as lonely as snow!”

With that, Oscar sheathed his long sword and drew his whip, pointing it in the direction of the capital city. “Set off!!!” he shouted.

Then, he led the charge at the forefront.

Behind Oscar, Brandon and the others hurried after him. Behind them, tens of thousands of soldiers followed, raising a cloud of dust as they rushed toward the capital…

The sound of horse hooves, like raindrops, shattered the peace of the capital. In less than a moment, Oscar’s army merged into this magnificent city. Every cavalryman had drawn his sword, and the murderous aura in the air was so intense it seemed to freeze the surroundings.

“Kill!!!”

Someone shouted first, and the entire army rushed like a whirlwind toward the imperial palace. The thunderous sound of hooves woke everyone who was asleep. But at this point, there was no need to hide anything.

Amid the noise of the hooves, someone pushed open a window to look outside. The people of the capital were highly sensitive; seeing this scene was like smelling a thick aura of violence.

Someone sighed first, unable to hold back: “Things… are changing!”

In an alley, two drunkards supported each other, leaning against the wall and vomiting violently. But soon, seemingly sensing the deadly atmosphere around them, they sobered up considerably!
The two drunkards staggered toward the exit of the alley. Seeing the countless cavalry and the waving Bauhinia flowers, they both let out a cry of shock.
One muttered, “This… this is the Crown Prince trying to stage a coup!”
The other cursed, “Tch! An ignorant fool! Is that really the Crown Prince’s army? You really have no idea what’s going on!”
“If you had any insight, you’d know what kind of army this is!”
“This is… this is…” The drunkard squinted and looked several times. “Bauhinia flowers? How could it be Bauhinia flowers?”
A moment later, as if suddenly remembering something, he burst into laughter. “This… isn’t this the symbol of the Royal House of the Bauhinia Dynasty? Look… those waving Bauhinia flowers!!! Hahaha… I get it now… This isn’t the Crown Prince staging a coup at all. This is clearly the final act of ‘Seizing the Bauhinia’—the restoration of the Purple Kingdom!”
The other shook his head. “What nonsense are you talking? The restoration of the Purple Kingdom? Hahaha… You must be drunk! Definitely drunk!”
“Haha, we must be drunk… that’s why we misjudged it!”
“Hahahahaha…”
On top of the city gate, Princess Nina finally let out a sigh after seeing the army flood in. She snapped at the guard officer, “Close the gate!”
Soon, the gate was quickly shut down at the officer’s command.
Seeing this, Princess Nina hurried toward the imperial palace. The guards, witnessing this, couldn’t help but step forward to block her path. “Princess, the young master has instructed… you only need to open the gate… everything else is up to him.”
Princess Nina glanced back at the guards, then sneered coldly. “I know he’s worried about my safety, but if he fails, can what I did today be covered up?”
With that, she ran away from the gate without looking back toward the imperial palace. The guards exchanged glances and finally nodded, rushing after her.