Chapter 455: A Dead-End Dilemma

Daniel looks at Henwell in shock. “You’re saying you can assassinate His Majesty?”

Henwell replies, “What nonsense! There are at least six Iron Knights in Divine Revelation City. You think I’m going to throw my life away?”

Daniel retorts, “Then what are you saying? Planning to curse the king to death with your words?”

Henwell chuckles. “Heh… don’t worry about it! I have plenty of plans, but none of them will happen immediately. Could be six months, could be two years, but I guarantee I’ll arrange a grand funeral for your king!”

Daniel studies Henwell’s eyes and, convinced he’s not bluffing, lets out a heavy sigh.

“Alas! Too bad we won’t live to see that day. Right now, we’re barely holding on.”

Henwell’s smile fades. “What’s going on? Is Ulysses planning to move against Catherine?”

Daniel falls silent for a moment before answering, “Yes. His Majesty can’t wait any longer. He’s making troubles for Her Highness.”

Then Daniel calmly explains the situation.

Ulysses was severely injured, but recently his health has improved dramatically.

Many have confirmed it’s not a fleeting recovery, it’s genuine healing.

Having ruled the Billie Kingdom for so many years, Ulysses naturally has his ways.

The kingdom’s elite guard regiments are immediately deployed around Divine Revelation City.

At the same time, the kingdom’s ace unit, the Sunflower Knights, arrive to take over city defense.

By the time the news comes, it’s too late, the princes inside the city are all captured and held in the palace.

Only the second prince, Naiden, returned late and hasn’t entered the city yet, narrowly escaping capture.

But his relief is short-lived. A few days later, the Sunflower Knights deliver Ulysses’s order demanding Prince Naiden come to the palace alone.

Faced with the kingdom’s top forces, Naiden can only follow with a resigned expression.

Meanwhile, another knightly order from Billie—the Royal Knights, arrives at Catherine’s territory in the Western Regions.

At that time, Catherine is busy reorganizing her forces, preparing for war.

Faced with her father’s summons, she finds herself trapped between a rock and a hard place.

She knows her father intends to drastically cut her power, but she cannot refuse the summons.

Several princes and dukes are already confined within the palace.

Their armies are leaderless, and nominally, Ulysses remains their commander.

If Catherine refuses to comply, she will surely be besieged and crushed.

But if she agrees, she may never leave the palace again.

Or worse, be forced into a politically arranged marriage by the king.

Catherine faces a dead-end choice, go and lose the throne, or stay and lose it anyway.

For a time, she’s at a loss.

The Royal Knights don’t press her too hard, allowing her to feign illness and stall.

The Royal Knights number just over two thousand.

Catherine’s White Rose Knights have about a thousand.

Though outmatched, Catherine still commands an army of a hundred thousand.

If it came to open battle, the Royal Knights would struggle to hold the line.

Still, stalling isn’t a real solution.

Ten days ago, the Royal Knights received orders to withdraw back to Divine Revelation City.

But that’s no good news, because the Sunflower Knights are now advancing toward Catherine’s lands.

At the same time, surrounding regiments begin pressing in on her territory.

The Sunflower Knights are no ordinary force.

As Billie’s decisive strategic unit, their numbers far exceed the Royal Knights.

An elite force of eight thousand, combined with tens of thousands of troops closing in, spells disaster for Catherine.

By now, the Sunflower Knights should have arrived.

If nothing unexpected happens, Catherine can only surrender and be taken to the palace in Divine Revelation City.

After hearing Daniel’s report, Henwell furrows his brow. “Any news from the northern Kosen Kingdom?”

Daniel replies, “Before I arrived, their fleet already launched a strike in the northern occupied zones. I believe Kosen can only hold on defensively. As for taking advantage of the situation, they simply don’t have the energy or time. “

”On the southern front, the Ogiro Kingdom isn’t much stronger either. After all, the Sunflower Knights have another mission, to patrol the border region.”

Henwell closes his eyes and maps out the Sunflower Knights’ march route in his mind.

After a moment, he opens his eyes. “Tell Catherine to stall for as long as possible. Assure her that even if she ends up in Divine Revelation City, I have a way to get her out.”

Daniel’s eyes reveal his disappointment as he catches the implied meaning. “You’re not sending troops?”

Henwell rubs his forehead. “Are you crazy? I just got married! You want me to lead an army to rescue another woman? Do you think my wife won’t fight me over that? Or that my father-in-law is easy to mess with? “

”Besides, Vorry is in a period of peaceful development. I can’t deploy troops now, that would face opposition from all sides. And I doubt Catherine would want to retreat her army into Vorry territory anyway.”

Daniel falls silent. If Catherine retreats into Vorry, no one will follow her.

After all, the soldiers, officers, and noble heirs are all native to the Billie Kingdom.

Such a move would be seen as treason; no one wants to abandon their homeland.

If Catherine does this, it means she’s lost any chance of a comeback. Following her would no longer offer any future.

Daniel sighs deeply. “Ah, Henwell! You should have married Her Highness! Together, who could stop you?”

Henwell remains silent as Daniel rises and leaves.

Henwell stays seated, while voices murmur nearby.

“Oh dear! Since ancient times, love only leaves regrets, endless and unending!”

Henwell glares at the chattering Newwood beside him. “What are you holding?”

“A Memory Crystal! I have to record the face of this scoundrel!”

Henwell massages his temples. “What do you think we should do? The Billie Kingdom can’t fall into others’ hands. Otherwise, it would seriously affect my future conquest plans. Catherine is useful; she’s the weakest, so I support her to leave trouble behind in Billie. You know, down the line...”

Newwood interrupts exaggeratedly, “Look at that! This scoundrel is already thinking about the future! Dream on! You still want a future with her!”

Henwell is speechless. Newwood pockets the crystal. “No need to explain to me. You better figure out how to explain this to your wife!”

After a moment, Henwell looks up. “Buddy! Why don’t you go see her? As a princess, if I send troops into Billie, I can do it under her name!”

“You’re dreaming!”