Inside the great hall, when Velis saw Normankov again, he looked rather disheveled.
Of course, that referred to his clothes and the dirt on his face.
“You look like you’ve been busy all night, Lord Zhengsi. Might I ask what brings you here?”
Velis sat at the head of the hall and asked slowly.
Seeing that the Grand Princess Xi’eryou was also here, Normankov quickly bowed and knelt down.
“Your Highnesses, the Inquisition Office has received intelligence. Might I ask if Your Highnesses plan to travel to Ushi City today?” Normankov asked respectfully.
Velis and Xi’eryou exchanged a glance. Xi’eryou frowned and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“According to information from our Inquisition Office’s informants, on the day Your Highness was ambushed, a force of three hundred Storm Revolutionary Army soldiers disguised themselves and made their way to the vicinity of the capital one by one from Storm Valley…”
The Storm Revolutionary Army was a group of people who妄想用革命的理念推翻帝国统治的人.
They dwelled in Storm Valley at the edge of the Empire, but not all of their members were from the Okam Empire.
In previous years, because their membership was mixed, their goals had not been clear.
It was only in the last two years that the Storm Revolutionary Army had set its sights on the Okam Empire, intending to topple the imperial edifice through so-called revolution.
Normankov paused, then said word by word, “I’m afraid today’s journey for Your Highnesses will not go smoothly.”
“Three hundred people?” Velis let out a scoff, looking quite disdainful.
She turned to look at Xi’eryou. “Sister, can’t your thousand City Guard soldiers handle that?”
“That’s hard to say. In a direct confrontation, they certainly couldn’t win, but if the enemy resorts to underhanded tactics…”
Xi’eryou didn’t finish, but everyone present understood the implication.
“In that case, does the Inquisition Office have any countermeasures?” Velis looked at Normankov.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the Inquisition Office has two proposals. The first is to abandon this trip…”
Before Normankov could finish, Velis shook her head and refused. “That won’t do.”
“It’s been a long time since this Imperial Princess last visited and inspected my domain. After that, I’ll be taking a post at the Royal Academy and won’t have much time to manage it.”
“If I don’t take this opportunity to go, I’m afraid my title as Lord of Ushi City will become a hollow one.”
Normankov had anticipated the Second Imperial Princess’s refusal. He showed little surprise or objection, and instead continued.
“The second proposal is to obtain His Majesty the Emperor’s approval. Your Highnesses would travel with three thousand City Guard soldiers as escorts, clearing the way ahead and behind, with patrols sent to the left and right.”
“Their numbers are only three hundred. With ten times their strength, the Storm Revolutionary Army wouldn’t dare act rashly. Even if they relied on terrain or other means to launch a surprise attack, they couldn’t defeat a force of three thousand.”
“As long as you’re careful about poisoning and similar methods along the way, you’ll certainly arrive safely.”
Both of Normankov’s proposals were quite feasible.
Since Xi’eryou was traveling with them this time, as long as she went to speak with the Emperor Lubas, borrowing three thousand troops as escorts would likely be easy.
However, Velis wore a displeased expression. “Ten times the troops just to guard against three hundred people? Lord Zhengsi, are you joking?”
“Or do you think it’s fine to toss the Empire’s dignity on the ground for anyone to trample on?”
But before Normankov could hurriedly beg forgiveness and insist he had no such intention, Xi’eryou cut Velis off from the side.
“Enough, little sister. He’s only thinking of your safety. So what if it’s ten times the troops? A bit of face is better than losing your life, isn’t it?”
So Xi’eryou agreed without a second thought. “That proposal is fine. Let’s do it that way!”
Hearing this, Normankov let out a relieved breath. “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highnesses. When the time comes, members of the Inquisition Office will also guard the surroundings. Please rest assured, Your Highnesses.”
The hall fell silent for half a minute, then Velis suddenly asked, “Has Lord Zhengsi eaten breakfast yet?”
“Before dawn, I received word from the Meckler Family that you were leading the City Guard to search for bandits outside the city walls?”
Since the Guardian Knight Victoria was a member of the Meckler Family, Normankov didn’t find it strange that Velis knew this.
“Your Highness has keen insight. This lowly official hasn’t eaten yet. As for that bandit, it’s the same thief who once impersonated the Meckler Family’s messenger.”
“Was he caught?”
“This lowly official is ashamed to say—he got away.”
“Very well then. Since Lord Zhengsi hasn’t eaten yet, you may dine at Douque Imperial Palace before you go. Don’t be polite. I know your Inquisitor well, so don’t decline.”
Normankov hesitated for a few seconds, then said respectfully, “Thank you, Your Highness. Then this lowly official will take his leave.”
After Normankov left, Xi’eryou stood up to head to the imperial palace to borrow troops from the Emperor, but Velis suddenly grabbed her.
“Wait, Sister.”
“What is it?” Xi’eryou asked.
Velis whispered a few words into Xi’eryou’s ear, causing the latter to slowly furrow her brow, then grow somewhat angry.
“Velis, are you serious?”
“Trust me, Sister.”
“Impossible! This is about your life!” Xi’eryou firmly refused.
“Really not possible?”
“No! No matter what you say, it’s not happening!”
Although being cared for like this felt nice, Velis had other considerations at the moment.
She twisted her slender waist and wrapped her arms around Xi’eryou, speaking in a coquettish tone. “Pretty please? Pretty please, Sister? I’m begging you, I’m begging you, okay?”
In an instant, Xi’eryou trembled as if struck by an electric shock. Goosebumps erupted all over her body and fell to the ground.
She shoved Velis away abruptly. “That’s disgusting! What’s wrong with you, Velis?!”
“If you don’t agree, I’ll keep grossing you out.” Velis gave a mischievous smile.
After a long moment, facing Velis’s unyielding, determined gaze, Xi’eryou finally conceded in defeat.
“Fine.”
“Thank you, Sister!”
“Don’t give me that! If anything happens to you, just see if I don’t whip you! Even if you die, I’ll still whip you!”
Facing her fuming sister, Velis found her incredibly adorable and admirable in that moment.
But the moment she spoke, it came out wrong. “So Sister, you like whips, huh? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Though it’s a pretty perverted hobby, it’s not like I can’t—ah!”
“Go to hell!”
The seemingly delicate fist came down, yet the force was just right—painful enough to sting but not enough to actually hurt.
Velis clutched her bleeding nose and collapsed.
====
By the time noon approached, Buckle would run a short distance, then hide in the dark underbrush nearby to check whether he was being followed.
This cautious approach suited his identity as a thief quite well.
However, according to the Meckler Family’s intelligence, Buckle hadn’t been a thief for long and had no particularly outstanding accomplishments.
Such vigilance in counter-surveillance seemed somewhat unusual.
Under the sunlight, silver hair shimmered brilliantly.
As a breeze blew, each strand of hair danced as if it were alive.
Victoria stood atop a hill, watching Buckle below as he kept moving forward, then stepped down to follow.
This place was already more than fifteen kilometers from Monseer. The surrounding villages and farmhouses gradually grew sparse, replaced by barren mountains and denser forests.
“A thief, and quite the runner at that.” Victoria muttered coldly to herself.
In the distance, commoners could occasionally be seen gathering firewood or chopping trees, but none of them noticed Buckle’s or Victoria’s presence.
As Buckle continued deeper, the surrounding vegetation grew lusher, and signs of human habitation grew sparser.
Finally, after crossing another mountain ridge, a village built deep within a secluded valley appeared at the edge of sight.
Like a sudden turn of fortune, the village seemed abrupt yet as idyllic as a hidden paradise.
The village consisted of over a dozen large thatched and wooden houses. From a distance, people could be seen moving about—at least a thousand in number.
“I never imagined so many people were hidden here.”
Victoria followed carefully and soon encountered sentries patrolling the perimeter.
Since she had come alone this time and only to gather intelligence, Victoria had to do her best to circumvent these warning posts and approach the connected village.
It took half an hour before she managed to slip through by the skin of her teeth. Victoria marveled at how professionally these people had set up their sentries, while also feeling fortunate.
Once she neared the village, Victoria immediately spotted the conspicuous Winnie Kanasha among the crowd.
She was in the middle of an argument with someone.