“Phew...”
Putting down the progress reports from the city and surrounding areas, Menna rubbed her forehead wearily. She looked at the brightening sky outside the study window and sighed deeply.
“Too slow. At this rate, we might not make it in time...”
“Knock, knock, knock.”
Someone was knocking at the door. Menna didn’t need to guess who it was. Under the current circumstances, there was only one person who would come to see her so frequently.
“It’s not locked, come in.”
*Creak~*
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
The door was gently pushed open. A brave-looking girl with twin ponytails, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and with a long sword at her waist, cautiously stepped into the study. She couldn’t help but sigh when she saw the heavy dark circles under the young princess’s delicate eyes.
“Your Highness, you stayed up working again? You’re still growing, you can’t keep neglecting your health like this.”
Not wanting to linger on this topic, Menna shook her head and got straight to the point.
“These are extraordinary times. Losing a little sleep isn’t a big deal. That magic potion you had someone make is quite effective... Anyway, Lan, how’s the progress outside?”
Lan Tulls, the acting city lord of Demon Suppression City and the current head of the Tulls family, pondered briefly before adopting a professional demeanor.
“Fairly smooth. Although progress varies, over ninety percent of the civilians have already evacuated from Demon Suppression City. The last few groups are being urgently mobilized and should all be evacuated by noon.”
“Hmm... Make sure to keep up the pressure. We don’t have much time left.”
“Yes, but, Your Highness, shouldn’t you also...?”
Before Lan could finish speaking, Menna, understanding her intentions, decisively shook her head again.
“No need to say more. I won’t be going anywhere. This imminent disaster requires me to make decisions on the spot. The soldiers need a leader to guide and support them. My sister is far away in the capital, communication is difficult, and she cannot take risks. This task falls solely on me.”
“But Your Highness, you are just an ordinary person. Even if I stay by your side constantly, based on your description of the situation, it will be hard to ensure absolute safety...”
Menna responded with a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry, Lan. Fate has its plans. My destiny won’t end simply here, I’ll be fine. How is the progress on reassuring the public?”
Speaking of this, the acting city lord’s face grew even more troubled.
“To be honest, not very well. Currently, in the northern kingdom, including Demon Suppression City, there is widespread public discontent, even more so than during the worst conflicts with the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains.”
“Our methods have been too harsh, and we haven’t provided any explanation for the evacuation. Some hidden adversaries have taken the opportunity to incite unrest. Although I’ve arrested and executed many, the fact remains that our actions lack justification. Moreover, forcing long journeys in this heavy snow has only added to the discontent...”
“Hmm.”
Acknowledging Lan’s concerns and implications, the young blue-haired princess, just over thirteen or fourteen, simply nodded and stood up from her desk, holding a cup of cold tea.
“This situation was anticipated, but we cannot disclose the impending disaster to the public. The populace is often ignorant and easily swayed into foolish actions by agitators. If we make the information public, those who believe it will panic and flee, causing immense chaos. Those who don’t believe it won’t be convinced regardless.”
“Let them complain and grumble. As long as it doesn’t turn into actual unrest, when the moment of crisis arrives, they will understand our good intentions.”
“......”
Lan hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and decided to speak frankly.
“But, Your Highness, it’s not that I doubt you, but you have been adamant that a great disaster is imminent in the northern kingdom without revealing the source of your information. What if—just what if—the so-called natural disaster doesn’t occur? All our efforts would be in vain. What will we do then?”
The young princess turned her head and looked deeply at the sword-wielding girl before her. For a moment, Lan felt as if she was facing not a girl just over ten years old, but a wise sage who had seen centuries of life.
This thought seemed absurd to Lan, but when she looked closely, Menna had already turned away and began speaking calmly.
“If the disaster can be averted in advance, it would be a blessing for the kingdom and its people. As for how to deal with the aftermath... Lan, do you know why I issued the decree on behalf of my sister instead of the queen herself?”
“Wait! You’re not planning to...!”
Lan was shocked, but before she could inquire further, the princess forcibly ended the discussion.
“That’s enough, Lan. It’s just a precaution. For certain reasons, I can’t definitively say when or if the disaster will come. But isn’t it better to take some early preventive measures rather than face potential widespread devastation?”
“...Since you are determined, I can only fully support you. I will go and supervise the evacuation...”
“! ! !”
Before Lan could finish her sentence, Menna suddenly stiffened, as if struck by lightning, and fell backward!
“Your Highness!”
*Crash!*
The porcelain teaware shattered on the ground, breaking into fragments. Lan reacted swiftly, darting forward to catch the wavering princess, supporting her with a soft embrace.
“Your Highness! Are you alright? Have you been overworking yourself? I’ll call for a cleric right away!”
“I... I’m fine.”
The twin-tailed girl called out in a flustered manner, holding the young princess in her arms. However, after the sudden pallor on Menna’s face, she quickly reopened her eyes, shook her head, and with Lan’s help, stood steadily, her expression now extremely solemn.
“The prophecy... it’s coming true... it’s really happening...”
“Your Highness? What is coming? Are you sure you’re alright?”
The young princess shook off Lan’s support, grabbed a transparent golden gemstone from the table, and, lifting her skirt, rushed out.
“I’m fine! Lan, let’s go, outside!!!”
.......................................
Ashibern was once the captain of the first squad of the Demon Suppression City’s Internal Guard, the top expert of the northern Human United Kingdom, and, like Taylor Tulls, a staunch anti-foreign faction supporter.
However, Ashibern was not a cunning or deceitful person. On the contrary, he was known for his friendliness, generosity, and disregard for trivial matters. He treated his comrades as family and was charitable, often using his own wealth to help the impoViolethed.
Though not an adventurer, his fame spread far and wide, and in the northern region, his reputation was comparable to the three legends of the Courage City in the capital.
Thus, after the upheaval in Demon Suppression City, he was not severely implicated. He was merely relieved of his duties in the Internal Guard and, according to his wishes, reassigned to the northern army.
Now, Ashibern was following royal orders, leading his troops to guard the northern gate of Demon Suppression City.