Chapter 1363
Chapter 1363
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That evening, Samson returned with a scout and hastily reported, “Your Highness, Mr. Harper has successfully rallied our scattered troops and secured 500 warhorses from the Spencer family. He is making his way back now. If the pace holds, he will arrive in three days.”
Yuvan sprang to his feet, his heart pounding with excitement. “Is that true?”
“Absolutely, Your Highness. The scout is waiting outside. You may call him in to confirm.”
“Bring him in!” Yuvan sat back down, his pulse racing.
At last, he had gathered all the forces–but the news of the spencer family providing 500 warhorses caught him off guard. Since the fallout over Violet’s incident, he had severed ties with the Spencer family.
The scout entered, kneeling before Yuvan. “Your Highness, Mr. Harper sends word that the private army has assembled. Also, Mr. Murphy, one of Prince Nicholas‘ advisors, is leading 5,000 men and 500 warhorses in support. Prince Nicholas has one request–he wants the rescue of Prince Hayden.”
Yuvan froze at the mention of Nicholas‘ name. He had courted Nicholas‘ favor before, but the man’s intentions had always been unclear. Thus, Yuvan had long since distanced himself from him.
Now, it seemed the people who had once been his allies had all backed out, while Nicholas–whom he had ruled out–was the one stepping forward.
It made sense. Nicholas‘ dad, Hayden, was still trapped in the capital. Officially, he was in the capital, but in reality, he was being held as a hostage. It was clear that Nicholas must be furious about this.
Nicholas‘ character was well–known–refined, gentlemanly, and deeply devoted to his family. His reputation for devotion toward his parent was famous throughout the southern provinces. His elderly father, alone and trapped in the capital, must have left him with no choice but to reach out for help.
Hence, Yuvan immediately summoned his advisors to discuss their next steps for three days.
He had agreed to the feigned surrender plan. When Wayne had first suggested it, Yuvan had considered it far too risky. Now, with the pieces falling into place, the plan might just work. If they could lure Thomas into the city and trap him, it would be the perfect opportunity.
Chester’s forces were scattered, preoccupied with quelling the bandit uprisings. He would be unable to lend aid. Once Thomas and his army were eliminated, Yuvan would no longer need to worry about Chester. Then, it would be time to march straight into the capital.
The Mystic Army wouldn’t be enough to stop him.
The scout returned with a carrier pigeon, making it possible to contact Saul.
Yuvan wrote a letter, and within four hours, the pigeon returned.
Yuvan examined the letter carefully–it was indeed in Saul’s handwriting. The message instructed him to release the pigeon and begin the feigned surrender at noon two days later, on the third of July. By nightfall, Thomas and his forces were to be drawn into the city.
The plan was for Harvey to pretend that he had captured Yuvan and escort him out of the city, then invite Thomas into the city for negotiations.
The plan, though it seemed feasible, was inherently risky. Yuvan felt a knot of unease tightening in his chest. He called for Wayne privately to join him in the study, asking him to perform a divination to see if this course of action would prove successful.
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Chapter 1363
Wayne’s reading turned out to be overwhelmingly positive,
He immediately knelt and said, “Your Majesty, the signs point to victory and divine favor. The path ahead is bright, and you will be aided by powerful allies–as though heaven itself is intervening on your behalf.”
The title of “Your Majesty” seemed to seal Yuvan’s fate. He could almost see the throne, the symbol of power, just an arm’s reach away, within his grasp. At that moment, he felt as though he were standing at the pinnacle, gazing down upon all those beneath him.
All these years of planning, wasn’t it all for this moment? The waiting, the enduring of insults, the humiliation, the cold treatment—he had gone through it all just for this final, desperate strike.
What was a mountain of fire or a sea of blood in the face of his goal?
“Your words give me confidence, Wayne,” Yuvan replied, settling into his grand chair. He gazed at the reading Wayne had written down, feeling the heat rush to his head. At that moment, the arrogance of his youth flared up again.
He needed this fire within him, and he knew that. Recently, he’d been too cautious and hesitant, and it had caused the people around him to lose faith.
Outside the city, Thomas had been stationed with his troops for over half a month, with plenty of supplies and weapons. He appeared calm, but in reality, the agents had already infiltrated Valken, spreading rumors about Yuvan’s treason.
The hearts of the people in Valken could not be lost, or they would become a support for Yuvan.
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