Chapter 8: Strange City Defenses
The North Empire’s capital.
As the heart of the Empire, it had been the focus of reconstruction efforts since the war ended.
Although only a year had passed, with the entire nation’s resources poured into it, the capital had been transformed.
Bai, sitting in the carriage, gazed out the window, captivated by the scenery.
The gauze curtains seemed to possess a special property, shielding them from outside gazes while allowing those inside to see clearly.
Bai observed the approaching city gates, her mind drifting back to her memories.
The capital’s gates had always been heavily guarded, its walls bristling with weaponry, its psychic cannons regularly maintained and replaced.
Everyone, regardless of social standing, had been subjected to thorough inspections.
And at least three Legendary Knights, positioned strategically within a Calamity Class attack radius of each other, had ensured the capital’s safety, ready to respond to any threat.
This was the capital, the heart of the North Empire, where its leaders resided. An attack here would be devastating.
Security had always been paramount, the city in a constant state of readiness.
But now…
Bai saw street vendors lining the walls, their calls echoing through the air, and she fell silent.
Even with the truce with the Abyssal Demon Realm, such lax security seemed reckless…
Not only were the defensive weapons gone, but the patrols were also minimal.
The gates were wide open, only two guards stationed there, offering no resistance, conducting no inspections.
The entire capital seemed practically undefended.
“Little Sister Bai, what are you looking at?” Lilia, having not heard from Bai, and seeing her staring out the window, asked.
“The capital seems… different,” Bai said, turning her gaze back inside.
“It seems Little Sister Bai has been to the capital before,” Lilia said, her eyes narrowed as if trying to see outside. “But it’s much livelier now, isn’t it?”
“Lively isn’t always a good thing,” Bai muttered, then quickly composed herself. “Aren’t you worried about a demon attack? Your Highness is intelligent; you should know the truce with the Abyss is just a piece of paper. They could attack at any time. This lack of security is dangerous.”
“You know about these things? You’re so young, yet you speak like those boring knights… I wonder what goes on in that little head of yours,” Lilia said, looking at Bai with amusement. “Don’t worry. Our knights will protect the capital.”
Bai remained silent, her gaze on Lilia deepening.
Lilia simply smiled, her unfocused eyes betraying nothing.
Erlra discreetly gripped her axe, her gaze fixed on Bai, ready to act at the slightest provocation. Her suspicion never wavered.
Bai, unfazed, looked back out the window, her chin resting on her hand.
Lilia was avoiding her question. She clearly knew something but wasn’t willing to share.
There was no point in pressing the issue.
But Bai had a growing suspicion.
Lugner, in his final message, had said the capital was the last access point to “Vikarn.” If he knew, then the other Legendary Knights must know as well.
And they probably knew what “Vikarn” contained, besides the mysterious “Weapon.”
Even the truce with the Abyssal Demon Realm might be related to this…
It wasn’t just the power she had unleashed at Saint Noyes. If the cost of continuing the war was merely the loss of one or two legions, the Abyss would have accepted it.
Everything seemed to point to “Vikarn.”
As Bai’s thoughts drifted, the carriage reached the city gates, instantly attracting attention.
“It’s Princess Lilia!”
“Shh, don’t approach. We shouldn’t disturb Her Highness.”
Someone shouted, “Welcome back, Princess Lilia!”
“We salute you, our beloved Princess!”
But the crowd kept a respectful distance, parting to make way for the carriage.
To them, Princess Lilia was the Empire’s most precious jewel.
Her gentle nature, her beauty and wisdom, inspired a protective instinct in everyone.
Every citizen of the North Empire was a knight, sworn to protect their princess.
The carriage slowed, allowing the people to express their affection.
Lilia, although seemingly unwell, waved to the crowd, a smile on her face.
“Such lovely people, don’t you think?” she said, turning back to Erlya and Bai, unsure who she was addressing.
But Erlya’s gaze was fixed on the crowd, their adoration for Lilia, their protectiveness… her grip on her axe tightened.
This beloved princess… was in her current state because of her…
If she could go back, she would never make that mistake again.
But there were no second chances.
Bai glanced at Erlya, sensing her emotional turmoil, which seemed connected to the princess.
When she had first seen Princess Lilia, although frail, she hadn’t been this pale, this… unwell, her vision impaired.
No, it wasn’t just her vision…
Bai frowned.
The energy fluctuations from the devices in the carriage had masked it before, but now, focusing, she sensed something unusual about Lilia’s life force. It was faint, weak, yet tinged with something else.
…What had happened to her?
As Bai pondered this, a loud, booming voice cut through the crowd’s cheers, interrupting her thoughts.
“Oi! Enough with the yelling! Are we going in or what?! I gotta light some incense for that Commander Xu fella!”
