Chapter 018: The Situation Settled

Duke Belinger’s fierce shout had left his throat hoarse, extremely dry, and utterly agonizing.
The officer he had captured merely nodded and said in a deep voice, “Your Highness, rest assured. Even if I turn into a vengeful spirit, I will surely block any retreat! Please, Your Highness, take the young master and flee quickly!”
The dozen or so injured officers around him exchanged glances and also responded loudly. They knew it was impossible for them to escape in their current condition, so their only option was to stay behind and hold off the enemy, giving others a chance.
After this response, those officers grabbed their long swords. With combat energy flashing around them, they rushed toward the advancing forces of the Northern Legion, their eyes red with determination.
The powerful warriors fighting in the sky also heard these words. Those on the side of the Azalea Dynasty immediately slowed down their attacks, ready to leave the battlefield at any moment, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere.
Since Duke Belinger had given the order, the generals of the Azalea Dynasty, as if finding a leader, quickly grabbed their weapons. The twin girls picked up Oscar and retreated to the rear.
The bodyguards who had been protecting them closely surrounded them immediately. Someone brought back the horses that had fallen earlier.
From the platform, Duke Green’s voice rang out again, “Duke Belinger, all your schemes were merely to get our heads from this platform. If you retreat now, where will you find another chance to take them? Moreover, the vast empire you’ve built within the empire will likely have to be given up. Are you truly willing to accept that?”
Duke Green’s words were extremely cold, hitting Duke Belinger right in his pain point. The Belinger family had controlled the finances of the Gavin Empire for years and had become extremely wealthy. Although they had made plans in advance, they could only transfer valuables like gold coins and antiques in a short time; their assets within the empire could not be moved.
Thus, with this defeat, the Belinger family’s century-long efforts in the Gavin Empire were ruined in an instant. How could this not make Duke Belinger’s heart bleed?
Yet, it seemed he didn’t remember this at all. He just laughed heartily and said, “Duke Green, the hatred between our two families spans generations and cannot be counted! Wait and see! One day, I will return with the army of the Azalea Dynasty! I will use a thousand heads from your Green family to avenge today’s humiliation!”

Duke Green sneered and said, “Then I hope Your Highness has a smooth journey! I’ll arrange for the soldiers of the Northern Legion to escort you along the way. I earnestly ask Duke Belinger not to refuse! I can’t personally see you off on this path to the underworld, but my men can!”
Duke Belinger laughed heartily and said, “Then I’ll be waiting!!!”
Despite being separated by vast armies, their exchanges were fluent, with neither side willing to lose their noble dignity—truly a display of remarkable composure.
The bodyguards around Duke Belinger were already on their horses, and the powerful warriors in the air also gradually retreated. Seeing this, he said nothing more but waved his hand, and they immediately headed out of the imperial city. Once, the Azalea Dynasty had been so domineering, but now it seemed somewhat diminished, which was quite sad.
Watching from afar as the defeated troops of the Azalea Dynasty retreated and even the powerful warriors in the air scattered, those on the platform finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Prince Fischer’s eyes flickered briefly, but he clearly felt relieved. He nodded at Duke Green and said, “As for what to do next, please make the decision, Your Grace!”
Duke Green frowned as he watched the retreating troops and said, “Your Highness, it seems we no longer have the chance to pursue the remnants of the Azalea Dynasty! Even if they flee, they can only go to the North, and with today’s events, the North will surely be in chaos… But fortunately, the main force of the Northern Legion remains, and with my two sons in charge, they won’t be able to cause much trouble! Once matters in the capital are settled, I’ll go to the North myself in a few days. For now, we can only let them go. However, Your Highness could order the local garrisons along the way to cause them some trouble—wouldn’t making it too easy for them only embolden them?”
Prince Fischer nodded and said, “In that case, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
Duke Green bowed slightly and said, “Your Highness, please order the powerful warriors to assist in eliminating the rebels. By dawn, all rebels of the Azalea Dynasty must be wiped out… Also, Your Highness needs to send people to guard the four city gates. The imperial guards can’t act yet… Later, I’ll have the soldiers of the Northern Legion keep a distant watch. As for what to do next, only you can make the decision!”
Prince Fischer nodded and said, “That’s excellent. Master Abraham, give the orders!”

Upon hearing Prince Fischer’s orders, Abraham made several gestures. The court magicians in the air and those in the inner court also received their commands and immediately descended upon the chaotic troops below. Soon, the situation was under control. Although there were still tens of thousands of soldiers left in the Bauhinia Dynasty, under the siege of the Northern Legion, the Imperial City Guard, the Temple Knights, and the Black Armored Army, coupled with the attacks from the powerful warriors in the air, they could not hold out for long and were defeated one after another. What was surprising was that none of these tens of thousands of Bauhinia Dynasty soldiers surrendered; they all died in fierce battles, adding tens of thousands of fresh corpses to the imperial training ground. According to later unofficial records, the bloodshed from this coup lasted for half a year in the imperial city, and it took thousands of people half a month to clean up all the corpses and blood. By the end, the corpses at the bottom had rotted and smelled foul, yet they still retained their appearance as they died in battle. …
Inside the imperial palace, in the main hall.
Now that the chaotic troops had retreated, the royal family and nobles naturally would not stay in that blood-stained place. They carefully retreated into the main hall one by one. With a few orders from Prince Fischer, the Imperial City Guard, who were originally loyal to him, were immediately sent to take control of the city gates, while the members of the Northern Legion were tasked with monitoring the hundreds of thousands of Imperial City Guard soldiers who were still loyal to the eldest prince. It was impossible to eliminate these armies, but what would happen next depended on how Prince Fischer could win them over. However, with the eldest prince’s last orders to reclaim these armies, it should not be too difficult. As for the current defense of the imperial city, it was all left in the hands of Alex. Although he only had 20,000 troops, these 20,000 were Prince Fischer’s most loyal forces, ones he had been reluctant to use, intending to reserve them as a last resort to suppress the nobles after the coup. These 20,000 troops were quickly deployed throughout the imperial city to ensure its safety… Only then did Prince Fischer and his loyal nobles feel a little more at ease!
Although this coup was full of unexpected turns, at least Prince Fischer now had control of the situation. Although there were still many problems to come, at least… the nobles in the imperial city now had their lives and wealth secured! And the problem now was…

What will happen to Prince Fischer next… After all, half of the nobles in the great hall originally supported the eldest prince. With the situation so chaotic now, although it’s unclear what Prince Fischer plans to do, it’s likely… these people won’t end up well! After all, for someone about to become emperor, those who have betrayed them are the most detestable! But Prince Fischer simply stood there quietly, saying nothing. Even Austin III, seated on the throne, merely closed his eyes slightly. Finally, after this awkward silence, a servant quickly approached Prince Fischer and whispered a few words to him. After hearing those words, Prince Fischer nodded and, with a smile, said to the nobles below, “My lords… Young Master Du Fan has been taken to a side palace for recovery. I’ve sent people to the Holy Church. With their influence, we should be able to find a way to save him. So, please rest assured.” The nobles exchanged complex looks before bowing deeply. Prince Fischer’s tone made it impossible to tell whether he was happy or sad, so no one dared to flatter him at this critical moment. Duke Green glanced at Prince Fischer and said gravely, “Your Highness, I think it would be better if I took Du Fan away… After all, as a foreign official, it’s not appropriate for him to stay in the imperial city.” Prince Fischer shook his head and said, “If it weren’t for Du Fan this time, I’m afraid… none of us would be here. So, it’s my duty to find someone to save him. I beg you, Duke, do not refuse.” Duke Green frowned and looked up at Prince Fischer deeply. His eyes were calm, and no one could discern his thoughts at all… What did he really mean? Duke Green sighed inwardly but could only bow slightly and say, “Then, I thank Your Highness for your kindness!”