## Chapter 219: Confrontation
The Royal Palace gates were right before their eyes. The surrounding Mercenaries' breath began to quicken. This wasn't the life-and-death combat they usually faced against Monsters, but it was even more dangerous. Once their whereabouts were discovered, everyone would face countless surging angry Soldiers, many of whom were Mercenary-level experts. Even with their strength, it was unlikely they could escape from the Monster Encirclement.
They weren't afraid of death, but they felt nervous, scared, and even excited about participating in such a treasonous action. Mercenaries were a contradictory creatures living in the crevice between Classed Adventurers and Soldiers. They didn't have the strength of Classed Adventurers but had to face the same enemies. They were stronger than Soldiers, but their lives were more fragile. They neither possessed the untamed strength of Classed Adventurers nor the strong discipline and sense of responsibility of Soldiers. The contradiction in their existence was like teenagers in rebellion, trying every method to resist while also fearing committing some enormous mistake.
These dozen or so Mercenaries were all wearing identical form-fitting leather armor, the uniform of the Patrol Guards often seen on the Street of Lut Gholein. The firelight illuminating their faces revealed a solemn and ferocious expression, giving them more of the air of Soldiers. As the party approached, the leading Mercenaries were finally stopped by the Guards at the Imperial Palace gates. At this time, the Organizer stepped forward and said something to the Guards. Standing too far away, I couldn't hear clearly. However, there was definitely one person next to me who knew, and could even recite their dialogue lines backward, because all of this was her plan.
I couldn't help but turn my head and glance at her. She was still standing beside me, her head lowered, letting the firelight reflect off the cloak and hood that hung down to her eyelashes. The small hand connected to mine had been gripping my cloak with a strength that suggested she would get lost if she let go. No, it was gripping even harder than before. Her small body trembled, and the pale small hand, slightly seeping sweat, conveyed her current tension and unease.
Even with a hundred percent assurance in her plan, she was still just a 15-year-old Young Girl. In her original world, girls this age were probably still secretly flipping through fashion magazines half-hidden in their desks during class, looking with envy at the popular movie stars, beautiful clothes, and expensive cosmetics on the pages, sighing and feeling sentimental or dreaming of Prince Charming.
Just as I was momentarily lost in thought, the negotiation had ended. The gate Soldiers stepped back a few steps, bowing respectfully and making a 'please enter' gesture. If he knew what we were about to do, I wonder if he would be so scared he'd throw out his waist. After safely passing this checkpoint, the party continued to file in like fish. I felt the small hand pulling my cloak behind me loosen slightly.
Everything was thanks to this magical Three-No Princess—please allow me to use the word magical to describe her. Even after Ryan's explanation, many of her meticulous arrangements left me, a university Student whose logical thinking had been honed by exam-oriented education, completely confused, unable to understand their cleverness. To describe it with my meager language, it was probably like thoroughly understanding the complex rules within the Imperial Palace beforehand, and then exploiting their loopholes. In these steps, even the slightest subtle oversight would immediately expose and surround our conspicuous existence, and then we would be executed on the spot for treason.
Even so, this seemingly dangerous and absurd action actually received the support of the steady Ryan, and successfully persuaded Prince Az—a noble who clearly looked like the type to cling to life and fear death—to take such a risk. Analyzing it from any angle, there was only one answer: the Three-No Princess's layout was perfect, leaving no reason to refuse.
Therefore, we were now able to swagger down the grand street leading to Jerhyn's Royal Residence. The Imperial Palace, usually heavily guarded, was now incredibly silent, so quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Occasionally, a few teams of Patrol Guards passed by, and upon seeing our group, they acted as if it were the most natural thing, even nodding to us in a friendly manner.
However, speaking of which, if she could achieve this level, wasn't there a simpler method? For example, sending any Master to sneak in and make Jerhyn disappear...
Unfortunately, such an approach would definitely face opposition. Because a person with that strength would at least have to be a Classed Adventurer. This would easily lead others to suspect the Adventurer's Alliance was involved. Moreover, unless Jerhyn was killed, merely making him disappear wouldn't give Prince Az sufficient reason to immediately take his place. This would also create a situation of having no leader, plunging the entire Western Kingdom into chaos. Considering many factors, inciting Prince Az to usurp the Throne of Destruction, although taking a long detour, was undoubtedly the safer approach. Not only could it avoid the Kingdom's turmoil, but the high stance of usurpation could also effectively conceal the Adventurer's Alliance's involvement, making others believe it was merely a common case of sibling rivalry within the royal family.
"You go ahead. I'll make some arrangements."
With no one around, I suddenly stopped and said.
"We'll leave everything to you."
The Organizer nodded at me. In this action, everyone's division of labor was clear. I was responsible for combat. As long as it didn't affect the plan, the method I used was my freedom; they wouldn't interfere, just as I had no interest in interfering with how they would "persuade" Jerhyn to surrender.
After they left, I discovered that the Little One behind me was still pulling my cloak. From that Plaza all the way here, I had become so used to the existence of this little tail that I didn't even realize she was still by my side for a moment.
"Why didn't you go with them? Weren't you worried about your Father, and followed because you didn't trust us?" Looking at this little tail I couldn't shake off, I felt troubled.
"If you're not here, it won't work. I can't do anything."
She suddenly raised her head and looked directly at me with those excessively beautiful eyes, stating resolutely. Her face, more delicate than milk, appeared exceptionally beautiful in the darkness.
Gazing into those determined eyes, I suddenly sensed her thoughts—even if she went with them, if those people wanted to break their promise and insisted on killing her Father, she would be completely powerless to stop them with her own strength. It was better to cling to someone from the start, hoping he could do something for her, at least he was more worthy of trust.
Oh, oh. This childlike feeling of being trusted is really something to be happy about. Although I didn't have any particular thoughts about this Three-No Princess, seeing her completely reliant appearance felt like being praised by a particularly picky Weirdo. My sense of achievement instantly surged, and a sudden impulse to do something for her welled up in my heart.
So, I happily "poof poof" gently stroked her small head, and said without reservation, "You Little One. You look foolish, but I didn't expect you to be quite shrewd at the key point."
"Poof poof—" As I continuously stroked her soft small head, a satisfied expression appeared on her face. She tilted her head, gently pressing against my palm, as if saying, 'Stroke me a little longer, please stroke me a little more gently.'
"You like this?" While continuously complying with her silent request, I carefully rubbed her head with my big hand like praising a little dog, and asked curiously.
"Father hasn't praised me like this for a long time—" She comfortably narrowed her eyes.
Emotion. So I've been imagined into the role of her Father. Am I really that old? I was petrified on the spot, my fragile heart shattering into powder.
"Xiao Wu. After returning to the Wilderness, you must turn over a new leaf and be a wolf again. Don't eat unclean meat. Remember to put away your clothes on rainy days. The first wolf cub must not be a male..."
I stroked Xiao Wu's head, making an effort to put on a sad stance of parting. Both Xiao Wu, the person involved, and the Three-No Princess standing beside me looked at me with confusion and curiosity.
Forget it, even saying dialogue full of complain points like this, no one would cooperate. I lowered my head, feeling quite frustrated. It seems this era is completely out of sync with me.
After Xiao Wu's figure disappeared into the Dense Forest, I clapped my hands together, smiling with full confidence. "Alright, everything is ready. Now let's see how things are progressing with our Prince Az."
Jerhyn's Royal Residence was located in the northeast corner of the Imperial Palace. Almost every night, Jerhyn would handle state affairs here until deep night. If not for his excessive suspicion and oversensitivity towards Adventurers, he could indeed be described as a commendable good King. And at this moment, the Royal Residence, which should have been quiet, was brightly lit with lamps and bustling with people. On the High Platform in the main hall, Jerhyn stood tall, looking down with a composed expression at the rebels below. Around him, seven or eight Mercenary Level Warriors were confronting Prince Az's Mercenary Party, holding weapons. Even if the Three-No Princess's plan was perfect, it was impossible to move Jerhyn's surrounding Royal Guard away. The so-called unavoidable casualties referred to this situation.
"It was you after all, causing trouble. I never expected, my darling Cousin, that you would be the first to betray me." Jerhyn's expression changed as he said fiercely, having caused such a large movement, yet not a single Soldier came forward to protect him besides his own Guards. If looks could kill, Prince Az would surely have been cut into a thousand pieces.
"Haha, there's no help for it. This position is simply too tempting. You've sat on it for so long, it's time for someone else, isn't it? I believe you understand the current situation better than I do. I advise you to obediently surrender and stop your futile struggle. I can still spare your life, and the lives of your Wife and children."
Prince Az's triumphant laughter came. What's going on? This kind of melodramatic dialogue, widely used by cannon fodder type villains, is too low-class, isn't it? Can't there be some innovative thinking? I never expected I would cooperate with such a fool.
"Hmph, you damned rebel, how dare you boast so shamelessly."
A sharp light flashed in Jerhyn's eyes. Although he was at a disadvantage, he didn't show the slightest sign of nervousness. His gloomy eyes were full of anger and killing intent, but there was no trace of panic or confusion. He waved his big hand, seemingly even planning to take the initiative to attack. What made him so confident?
"You Mercenaries!!"
Prince Az pointed at the Guards beside Jerhyn and said.
"Are you still going to support this incompetent King? You must be aware of Jerhyn's actions. If you let him continue like this, within a few years, the entire Western Kingdom will be submerged by the anger of Adventurers. As subjects of the Kingdom, can you bear to see your homeland perish? You must understand that as qualified Soldiers, what you should be defending is not this Throne of Destruction, nor your King, but the entire Western Kingdom. Your current actions will only make your relatives, friends, and all the subjects of the Kingdom weep and scorn you."
Prince Az's powerful gaze was directed at those few Mercenaries. One could see their gaze clearly showing signs of wavering. Being able to become Mercenaries at least proved they weren't slow-witted. The crisis the Kingdom was currently facing was clearer to them as Mercenaries than to others. Regarding Jerhyn's actions, they might have had complaints long ago. Between loyalty to the King and defending the Country, they showed wavering emotions.
"I know Jerhyn has shown you kindness. I can understand your current mood. Therefore, you don't need to do anything. Just stand on a neutral position and don't help either side. This way, no one will say you are treasonous. After it's over, I will still award you honor medals."
Prince Az's grasp of human nature was very thorough. When the Mercenaries were wavering, caught between the dilemma of loyalty to the King and defending the Country, he proposed this seemingly neutral compromise method, which actually completely pulled them to his side.
"You can't judge a book by its cover. Your vision is really quite good."
Tsk tsk, this eloquence, it's almost comparable to a pyramid scheme Master. I stroked the Little One's head again, praising her, and then quietly stepped inside.
"Haha—Cousin, your eloquence is really quite good. Even I was almost persuaded by you. But even if what you say is fact, so what? Do you think you can really win?"
A ferocious expression appeared on Jerhyn's face. Upon hearing this sentence, the Mercenaries around him clearly changed their expression, as if they suddenly remembered something, and gripped the weapons in hand again. Defending the Country? Before that, they had to save their own lives. If they couldn't win, everything is empty talk. Their gaze, no longer showing any wavering, clearly expressed this meaning.
"Darling Cousin, let me tell you just how foolish you are. I can't wait to see you look like a stray dog, haha—" Jerhyn laughed maniacally, as if he could already see Prince Az kneeling at his feet, weeping and begging for mercy. Following that laughter, three figures slowly walked out from behind the screen behind him.
(end of chapter)