No Chance

Baron Fate didn’t refuse any further.

Or rather, he had already seen the Crown Prince’s resolve and realized that he might truly be old.

Both his initiative and his capacity for thought had been surpassed by the younger generation.

Considering that the longer they delayed, the more uneasy Duke Jeffries, who was still unaware of the situation, would become, and the more likely he would be to do something irreversible, everyone stopped loitering around outside pretending and immediately returned to the mansion.

“You don’t need to follow, stay here and protect the Baron and the others.”
Flora whispered to Manton.

Manton hesitated, but out of long-standing habit and Flora’s very clear analysis of the situation, he ultimately nodded, “Please be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

Flora smiled brightly and returned to her room.

Soon after, the Crown Prince also entered.

“Your Highness, please don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll have someone follow you.”

“Alright.”

Flora said spiritedly.

She had no intention of refusing Yuri’s accompaniment; otherwise, if the Crown Prince worried too much and changed his mind, it would be counterproductive.

But the black-haired young man still showed no intention of leaving.

“Your Highness, is there anything else?”

“That day… in the mansion’s dining room, the food I told you to throw away, did you eat it?”

Oh no.

Flora couldn’t help but feel a little panicked.

Combined with her ability to cure Gracie’s incurable disease and her daring act of tasting poison… how could the Crown Prince not guess that her Guardian ability was related to healing?

“I’m fine, that little bit of poison is nothing.”

Flora could only admit it openly.

“Don’t ever do something like that again, that’s an order!”

The black-haired young man said sternly.

“I’m sorry, I won’t dare to do it again next time.”

She could only apologize obediently.

Just then, a phantom knight in heavy armor, holding a giant shield, appeared out of thin air.

What the hell?

Was he summoning his Guardian to interrogate her now?

They weren’t playing fair, were they?

Flora was truly a little flustered this time.

“And, you must return safely… that’s also an order!”

As the black-haired young man’s words fell, the knight glowed with golden light.

Enveloped by this unexpectedly gentle and warm light, Flora felt a magical power encasing her.

A buff?

Isn’t His Highness Ryan’s Guardian ability information-based ‘lie detection’?

Flora was a little surprised.

“Madam Fart is looking for you.”

After doing this with an expressionless face, the black-haired young man left.

“Ah, I forgot to answer… never mind.”

No amount of words could be as convincing as actual action, so Flora quickly packed her already very simple luggage and went to find the Baroness.

“Miss Haggia, you’ve finally arrived… Quick, come try on these clothes.”

Upon seeing her, the Baroness quickly pulled her into the room, intending to prepare a formal dress for her.

It was only then that Flora remembered that going to negotiate in a maid’s outfit would be truly disrespectful.

‘How could I be so careless…’

Fortunately, Flora only looked cute on the outside; her height was actually that of a normal girl, and her build wasn’t too different from the

Baroness’s… so she quickly found a suitable dress and a series of accessories.

Changing back into her maid’s outfit, Flora was about to leave when the Baroness hugged her tightly.

“He… actually never dared to have children, it was me who never gave up, which is why it became like this… I’m truly very sorry…”

Feeling the Baroness’s trembling body and the slight pulsation of the life incubating within her, Flora smiled gently and said with full energy:

“Please don’t worry, I will definitely complete the mission!”

“Thank you… please take care of yourself.”

“Mhm!”

Arriving outside the mansion, Flora found that the Crown Prince had provided her with a carriage, and… all the guards and hidden guards.

“Only by doing this can it reflect your status and importance, and let others know that you indeed represent me.”

The black-haired young man didn’t give her a chance to refuse.

“I will return safely.”

Flora smiled with satisfaction.

“You must.”

The black-haired young man said resolutely.

Jeffries Ducal Territory, Southeastern Wilderness.

Temporary encampment.

“Father, the homing pigeon is back.”

A young man hurriedly entered the central command tent.

“What does it say?”

The old man sitting deepest inside had a face full of sorrow, his eyes always closed, unsure if he was contemplating or unwilling to open his eyes to face the desperate reality.

“Nothing happened overnight.”

“Is that so… Does His Majesty still not intend to spare us after all?”

The old man slowly opened his eyes; his gaze was empty and forlorn, but the expression on his face grew increasingly stern.

The young man couldn’t help but shiver, quickly saying:

“Father, there’s no need to be so pessimistic, perhaps the Crown Prince just hasn’t started yet. Should we wait a few more days?”

Looking at his son, spoiled by a life of comfort, the old man felt a surge of anger.

Yet, there was nothing he could do.

Fight, and die for sure.

Don’t fight, even if His Majesty didn’t act against them now, his incompetent son wouldn’t be able to hold onto such a large family estate in the future… in the end, they would only be waiting for death.

If that was the case, why not take a chance, however minuscule, but not entirely zero?

“My decision is made, no need for further words, the entire army departs immediately!”

And so, the large army began to march towards Baron Fart’s territory.
However, after just one day—

“The Crown Prince sent someone here?”

Duke Jeffries was stunned.

But he quickly recovered his composure.

He guessed that this was likely the Crown Prince acting on his own initiative.

This was a meaningless act.

He didn’t believe the Crown Prince could change His Majesty’s decision.

Besides, rumors said that the Crown Prince was even more cruel and ruthless than His Majesty.

He probably wanted to buy time to deploy the Black Dragon Knight Order because word had leaked from their side… If they let him succeed, they wouldn’t even have this last sliver of a chance.

“Capture them, then full speed—”

Whoosh.

An arrow flew from afar, accurately burying itself in the ground in front of Duke Jeffries.

The army was immediately startled, throwing men and horses into disarray.

Seeing this, Jeffries became even angrier and cursed:

“Calm down, all of you, I’m not dead yet!”

A soldier found a letter attached to the arrow’s fletching and quickly presented it to Jeffries.

Duke Jeffries wanted to tear the letter immediately, but he quickly discovered a pathetic truth—after a day of marching, his old back was now excruciatingly painful.

At the same time, he noticed that the generals who had promised him loyalty all had unwilling expressions on their faces.

As for the nobles who were vassals to him, they were all as fat as pigs, looking utterly useless.

Did he really intend to defeat the Emperor with this bunch?

Even if they miraculously captured the Crown Prince, could they really defeat the Azure Knights, who could even thrash barbarians?

And that arrow just now, even the scouts hadn’t discovered the shooter’s position, yet it still had such power and accuracy here…

Only the legendary Blue Lion family, known for ‘shooting through stone as if it were a feather,’ could achieve that, right?

Azure, Black Dragon, Blue Lion, and His Majesty and the Royal Knights…
Duke Jeffries silently opened the envelope and said resignedly:

“Set up camp here… let them come over.”