Chapter Thirty-Nine: The King City’s Sudden Change

Until they left the Ougen Gorge, the three did not encounter any members of the “Throne of Immortality.” It was unclear whether they detected something amiss and ran away or if they had gone deeper into the gorge.

In any case, Vilyric did not hold onto the matter and managed to arrive at Norton Castle before nightfall.

Predictably, the priestess, who was accompanied by Mr. Fierce Wolf, was stopped by the city guards, who even surrounded them completely, with over a hundred long spears aimed precisely at the three in the center, ready to attack at any disagreement.

At times like this, the identity token gifted by the princess came into play.

Just as Vilyric anticipated, the so-called “unforgivable sin” according to Nickles meant nothing when set against the presence of a princess.

After confirming the authenticity of the token, the general’s expression changed immediately. He hurriedly waved his subordinates off, not mentioning Mr. Fierce Wolf, instead summoning the acting city lord and the city guard’s general.

Both of these officials were extremely respectful to Vilyric, who was known as the “Fifth Princess’s confidante.” They adopted a very low profile, despite their ranks being slightly higher than that of the acting city lord, Nastaia.

The priestess understood.

It appeared that Norton Castle belonged to the faction supporting Liliya; otherwise, there wouldn’t be a need for such a display even for the princess’s envoy, as they weren’t a king.

That saved quite a bit of trouble.

Without lingering at Norton Castle, they rested for a night, and upon Vilyric’s request, the acting city lord prepared a sturdy and comfortable carriage. Nickles drove as the three headed straight for the capital, the City of Courage.

The capital of the United Kingdom, the City of Courage.

Ding…

Ding…

Ding…

Three bell tolls echoed from deep within the palace, delivering news that turned countless faces pale.

“The twenty-first King of the United Human Kingdom, Anqiro Meikailande, has returned to the ancestral spirit at dusk, aged sixty-seven.”

The news spread like a tidal wave through the City of Courage within mere hours and quickly rushed outward at a terrifying pace.

Some wept bitterly, some rejoiced, some were anxious and restless, and others found it hard to believe.

But more were taking action.

The United Human Kingdom

Second Prince Ban Meikailande;

Third Prince Patrick Meikailande;

Fourth Prince Devitt Meikailande;

Fifth Princess Liliya Meikailande;

Sixth Princess Mona Meikailande.

With the first prince already deceased, all of Anqiro’s children gathered in front of the palace within fifteen minutes.

“Sister! I heard Father… Wuu, how could it be so sudden…”

When the last little Princess Mona arrived, she found all her brothers and sisters had gathered. No one spoke, not even her favorite sister, Fifth Princess Liliya, who wore a solemn expression.

Mona wiped her tears and sensed something was off.

It was so quiet, and everyone seemed to have completely lost their usual harmonious demeanor. An air of tension hung, causing the little princess to shiver.

Compared to her immediate sadness, her older siblings didn’t seem surprised at all, with their emotions driven more by mutual suspicion and wariness?

“Brothers… Father has just passed. Whatever you’re thinking, shouldn’t we at least wait until the month-long funeral is over?”

Liliya Meikailande proposed in a low voice, standing beside her was a young woman with short crimson hair, carrying a short bow. Everyone knew her as Fiery Blossom, one of the three legendary adventurers of the City of Courage, a protector of the kingdom.

“Indeed, what Fifth Sister says is quite right. The urgent matter is to handle Father’s funeral affairs properly.”

Ban Meikailande nodded in agreement, flanked by a man in a black cloak, his face obscured, but the aura he emitted was as powerful as Fiery Blossom’s.

“Then it’s settled. When the ceremony officer arrives, everyone will pay their respects to Father’s body together. Just to be clear, I don’t have any immediate plans, but if anyone dares to pull any tricks… heh heh…”

Third Prince Patrick Meikailande brought the most people, with eight armored warriors accompanying him. Though none of them seemed as imposing as Fiery Blossom or that old man, their collective presence was the strongest in the room.

“Sigh, I truly didn’t expect Father to leave so quietly. He seemed stable during our audience last night; isn’t fate truly unpredictable…?”

Fourth Prince Devitt Meikailande looked the most sorrowful, even more exaggerated than little Princess Mona, as tears streamed down his face.

He was also the only prince or princess present who came to pay respects without bringing any followers; at this moment, he was being supported by palace guards, looking innocent and harmless.

As conversations unfolded, more key officials and nobles hurriedly arrived at the palace.

In this unexpected upheaval, unlike the usual split sides, everyone instinctively clustered behind a certain prince or princess.

Little Princess Mona and Fifth Princess Liliya stood closer together, forming five groups that were starting to take shape in front of the palace.

Princess Liliya had the largest support, nearly half of the crowd, followed by Second Prince Ban and Third Prince Patrick, whose numbers were similar, while Fourth Prince Devitt had the least supporters, numbering only two or three low-ranking nobles or idle officials.

With the old king truly gone, the situation began to clarify.

However, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the matter or showing their attitudes openly.

According to regulations, during the month of mourning for the late king, no new king could ascend to the throne; violators would be scorned by the ancestral spirits, becoming lost souls after death, unable to join the realm of spirits.

Therefore, no matter how intense the brewing storm was, everyone had to follow the established order, enduring their anxiety in silence, preparing, and waiting patiently for the clouds to part after the ceremony.

Creak, creak, creak, creak…

The heavy palace doors slowly opened, with several princes and princesses exchanging glances—some calm, some serious, some sorrowful, and some bewildered. Then, surrounded by the court ministers, they stepped inside.

Within the City of Courage.

Countless silver-armored royal guards and black-armored city defense troops surged in from various directions, weapons in hand, moving solemnly through the streets and alleys.

Orders jointly signed by the proxy council were being relayed by soldiers to every city resident.

“The king has returned to the ancestral spirit. From this day forth, the nation will mourn for three days. The City of Courage shall enforce a month-long curfew! During this period, no one may go outside from eleven at night until six in the morning. Any violators will be considered traitors!”

“Strengthened inspections at the four gates of the city must prevent any suspicious persons from infiltrating. If necessary, force may be used for immediate capture. Residents are asked to reduce going out of the city unless necessary! That is all!”

Dark clouds loomed over the city.

Everyone began to realize.

A storm was approaching.

   

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