RPAGF 127. Naturally, one should walk in openly and honestly.
127. Naturally, one should walk in openly and honestly.
Xinlai made no grand pronouncements, but simply nodded solemnly: "After this is accomplished, I will personally go to the border and fulfill today's promise in front of the Marquis's former subordinates."
Roderick nodded, and then he and Graham quickly disappeared into the dense forest.
Their figures, like fish swimming in the shadows, disappeared behind layers of tree shadows in a few breaths.
Only Xinlai and Fern remained in the camp, and the surrounding forest returned to its silence, broken only by the occasional bird call.
Fern silently took out some ointment and clean strips of cloth from the tent and gestured for Sinley to sit down.
He skillfully cleaned the dagger wound on Xinlai's neck. Although the bleeding had been stopped by healing magic, the wound still looked gruesome.
Fern's lips moved awkwardly several times before he finally said in a muffled voice, "Your Highness, I'm sorry. Brother Roderick isn't usually like this, it's just about the Marquis..."
"I understand." Xin Lai interrupted him, a slight smile even appearing on her lips. "If it were me, upon learning that my commander, whom I regarded as an elder brother, had been murdered, my reaction would probably be even more intense than yours."
Fern silently bandaged Xinlai's wounds, then took out some dry food and water from the tent, and the two ate a simple meal.
During this time, Sinley learned in detail from Fern about the current situation of the Lion Cavalry and the configuration and relationship between the various border troops.
Although Fern was not very eloquent, he was very clear and organized when it came to military affairs, explaining clearly the troop deployments on the border, logistical supplies, and the friction with Stilwich.
This gave Sinley a deeper understanding of the troops under the Marquis of Tansteen's command.
Marquis Tanstin was extremely strict in his military discipline, yet he never mistreated his soldiers. He was fair in his rewards and punishments and appointed people based on merit.
Such generals are extremely rare in Asgard's now corrupt military system.
This is why the loyalty of the 50,000 heavily armored cavalry to the Marquis of Tanstin stemmed from a deep sense of belonging, rather than merely from the coercion of military orders.
"The Marquis often says," Fern said in a deep voice as he packed his bags, "that a general's authority is not given by his superiors, but earned bit by bit by sharing the joys and sorrows with his soldiers."
Xinlai, who had once been a Royal Guard trainee, understood this sentiment all too well.
The two rested at the camp for about half a day, and in the afternoon they began to head towards Wangcheng along the secret path of Eagle Beak Forest.
Fern led the way, clearly familiar with the terrain, taking each step in the most strategic position and making almost no sound as he moved.
Xinlai followed closely behind, constantly imagining the various situations she might encounter after returning to the royal city.
As dusk fell, the two arrived at an abandoned mine on the outskirts of Wangcheng.
Fern told Sinley that this was a secret outpost reserved by the Marquis of Tanstin in his early years, where some necessary supplies and standard equipment were stored deep in the mine.
Xinlai changed into a set of seemingly ordinary, half-new leather armor, hiding his originally luxurious but conspicuous clothes deep in the mine, and smeared some dust on his face to make himself look more like a ranger who was always on the move.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight shone on the majestic walls of the royal city, Xinlai and Fern had already appeared outside the west gate of the royal city.
Just as Sinlai had predicted, the control of the city gates was indeed several times stricter than usual.
Every citizen entering or leaving the city had to undergo inspection by at least three groups of soldiers, and their goods were thoroughly searched. Long queues formed at the city gates, and complaints rose and fell.
"The news of the magical fluctuations has spread," Xinlai whispered to Fern. "Simien is using the guise of an investigation to actually strengthen city defenses and keep all unstable factors under his watchful eye."
Fern gripped the battle axe behind him, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes: "Then how do we get in?"
"Um……"
"Of course we'll go in openly and honestly." Xinlai straightened her clothes, led Fern past the long queue, and walked straight toward the city gate.
The city guard officer on duty saw someone cutting in line and was about to reprimand him sternly, but he froze the moment he met Xin Lai's gaze.
As a soldier guarding the city, he was familiar with the appearances of the royal nobles. A moment later, the officer's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, Third Prince! What are you doing here?"
Xin Lai raised her hand to gesture for him to stand up, and said calmly, "I am going out of the city to investigate. Just let me pass as usual."
The garrison officers dared not stop them and quickly waved to their men to let them pass.
Xinlai led Fern leisurely through the city gate and onto the wide main road of the royal city.
The shops on both sides of the street were still open for business, and pedestrians were still coming and going. Everything seemed no different from usual.
But Xinlai keenly noticed that the number of sentries on the street corner had increased, the frequency of patrols had also increased, and even some seemingly ordinary but sharp-eyed "idlers" had appeared on the rooftops.
Simien's hand has already quietly reached every corner of the royal city.
The two walked along the royal avenue towards the palace.
Although it was Fern's first time entering the royal city, he suppressed all his shock and discomfort under his kind face, following closely behind Xinlai without looking to the side.
When the people along the way saw the Third Prince, they all stopped to pay their respects. Xin Lai nodded in response to each of them, her demeanor composed and showing no sign of anything amiss.
When they arrived at the triumphal arch of the palace, a squad of royal guards in silver armor blocked their way.
After bowing respectfully to Xin Lai, the head of the imperial guards said with a troubled expression, "Your Highness, His Majesty is discussing matters with His Highness the Second Prince in the Radiant Hall. No one may enter without an imperial edict."
"Go and report," Xinlai said, his gaze sweeping past the Imperial Guard and into the depths of the palace. "Tell them that the Third Prince Xinlai, accompanied by the personal guards of Marquis Tanstin, has important business to discuss with His Majesty."
The guards' expressions changed drastically upon hearing this.
The Marquis Tanstin's affairs are now the most sensitive topic in the entire palace. The fact that the Third Prince suddenly appeared outside the palace gates with the Marquis Tanstin's personal guards is too much for him to handle without authorization.
"I'll go report right away." The Imperial Guard turned and jogged toward the Hall of Radiance.
Xinlai stood still, waiting calmly.
He could feel the gazes coming from all directions—curiosity, speculation, vigilance, and even fleeting hostility.
Simien's spies are everywhere in the palace. He brought Fern here, and it won't be long before Simien gets the news.
This is exactly the effect Sinlai wanted.
About fifteen minutes later, the Imperial Guards returned, panting, and bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the palace."