Four Split Personalities

One hour later

Game Time PM 19:47

Violet Empire, Marshal Territory, outside Mithril City

"So you’re saying that we still haven’t received any response from the Marshall Family, and the scouts that went to negotiate have all disappeared without a trace, right?"

Bresen, the speaker for the Violet Family and Emperor Clive Bresin, rubbed the weariness from his temples and turned his gaze to Duke Dundis who stood beside him.

The latter, currently draped in a dark-gold robe, his fingers channeling Magic Power through the Epic staff "Unfallen Curtain" looked pale and unsteady on his feet, yet his voice remained calm and solemn, "Yes, Your Majesty, although we do not know yet if Baffy has managed to escape back to Mercury City, the attitude of the Marshall Family makes it clear they have no intention of having a fair discussion with us, or of opening their gates to welcome us in."

"I’m very sorry."

Clive sighed deeply, speaking sotto voce, "The Duke of Marshall from the previous generation was a good friend of mine. He would always be the first one to rush to the Tri-color Courtyard to freeload off the Royal Family’s wine during birthdays, and occasionally he would bring Nadell along; my queen got on quite well with her."

Dundis showed a faint smile and said softly, "My dear sister really did like her Sister Nadell. But have you forgotten, Your Majesty, that it was always I who first rushed to the capital to celebrate your birthday?"

Clive offered a gracious smile. The Emperor, though advanced in years, was still a man of considerable charm. As he looked up at his great-uncle, he shrugged and said, "Cut it out. You were just anxious to get Ruth back to the Dundis Family for a while. You have no idea how many celebrations my queen missed because of that, old man."

"Ruth likes quiet."

Duke Dundis wiped the sweat from his forehead and said softly, "The Emperor’s celebrations are always too noisy. She’s been averse to that sort of thing since your father’s time. I still remember how she wrinkled her nose and complained to me about Brother Clive not being able to play in the territory because he had to stay in the capital for your birthday, as if it were yesterday... And her wedding to you feels like it happened just this morning..."

Clive nodded slightly, then fell silent for a long while before speaking again in a hushed tone, "I’m very sorry. If I hadn’t been so determined to go to the City of Freedom in disguise that year..."

"That wasn’t your fault."

Dundis interrupted him softly, turning his head to gaze in the direction of Mercury City, "It was an accident, Your Majesty. We all know it was an accident."

"But I still feel guilty."

"You needn’t feel guilty, Your Majesty...no, Clive."

Dundis gave the Emperor beside him a weary smile and walked towards the vanguard of the Lord’s Allied Forces where the Duntis Golden Raven Imperial Guards were stationed, without turning back, he said, "The past is in the past."

Watching his old friend’s now frail and bony silhouette, Clive heaved a long sigh and whispered to the Zijing Guard kneeling behind him, "Pass on my orders—let all the lords prepare. The allied forces will set out in ten minutes, destination, Mercury City Hall."

On the other hand, Duke Dundis, who was heading towards his own camp, muttered in a murmuring voice, "However, the news of her death protecting you feels like it happened just a second ago..."

...

Game Time PM 20:39

Violet Empire, Marshal Territory, outskirts of Mercury City

A Dark Elf Thief, clad entirely in black leather armor with the crest of the Simon Family on her chest piece, silently emerged from the night, her crimson eyes squinting as she surveyed the ramparts of Mercury City. She observed not even a glimmer of light; moreover, the formidable city was eerily quiet. There was no glow of Magic Crystal Lamps, no clamor of people, no trumpeting of legions—only a deep, oppressive silence weighed heavily in the air.

This was clearly not a normal situation...

For a sizable city like Mercury City, not even 9 PM yet, it wouldn’t be this silent even at one or two o’clock in the morning. Even from a distance outside the city, with her Advanced Stage Thief skills and Dark Elf lineage, she should have detected any kind of commotion—be it the cries of merchants, conversations of pedestrians, synchronized steps of the Guards, or the neighs of warhorses.

Therefore, even if Mercury City had incredibly good order and enacted something like a curfew, it was still impossible for there to be such a complete silence, where not even a bird’s call could be heard.

But just then, a vivid golden Magic Firework burst open in the sky, less than a hundred meters from the Dark Elf Thief who belonged to the Night Watcher Battle Group.

"What?!"

She immediately crouched down, entering Stealth status at once. She knew the signal meant: the city is normal and encountering resistance. However, no matter how she thought about it, Mercury City’s current situation had nothing to do with ’normal,’ and as for resistance... Without a single figure in sight, where could any resistance be coming from?!

The next second...

"Heh, so you’re hiding here~"

A flirtatious voice suddenly rang out from behind her, chilling the well-trained High-level Thief to the bone. She leapt forward at her quickest speed and twisted in mid-air to face her pursuer, crossing two short blades in front of her chest, yet she saw nothing apart from the heavy shroud of night.