A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

As some people jumped up and down, rumors quickly spread among the city residents who had always been in panic.

It was like an infectious disease, but within a few hours, almost everyone in the city knew about it.

The consul fled with other officials!

The soldiers protected the officials and escaped!

They were abandoned!

How is this possible——

Although it was late at night, the city was already in chaos.

The panicked citizens, who had been hiding in their rooms fearfully all afternoon because of the pirate attack, were completely crushed by this last straw.

The surging emotions such as fear, anger, and disappointment overwhelmed their reason. Under the instigation of some thoughtful people, they all poured out, gathering together like thousands of streams to form a terrifying force.

Thousands of citizens poured into the streets and gathered in front of the ruling government in the center of the city from all directions.

"Bring out the Archon!"

"Get the officials out!"

"Where are our soldiers-?"

In front of the ruling government, the originally empty large square was now densely packed with people.

Everyone was shouting loudly, and everyone's face was full of anger.

Some were screaming hysterically, some were waving their fists angrily and roaring loudly.

Human beings are the most easily influenced by the people around them.

Even those who originally just wanted to see the situation were involuntarily affected by this environment, got involved in the waves, and became excited.

"How can you escape? What should we do?"

"You actually want to leave us and run away, you cowards!"

Hundreds of soldiers responsible for guarding the ruling government struggled to guard the gate of the ruling government, holding their long guns in front of them to block the crowds of citizens in front of them.

Their figures were like a solid wall, blocking the surging crowd from rushing in.

And their obstruction further angered these already angry people.

"Leave us behind! You actually left us alone! You guys are worse than pigs and dogs!"

"You lackeys!"

"Get away, we want to see the Archon! Get away from us, you damn lackeys—"

Someone with disheveled hair screamed insults at the soldiers who blocked them.

Someone reached out and wanted to take away the spears from the soldiers.

Once someone takes the lead, many others will follow.

A hand reached out and tore the soldier's hair and clothes.

Some hands reached out and hit the soldiers hard, even scratching their faces and arms with their nails.

"You guys who are helping others commit evil!"

"You must die a good death!"

"Archon! Let him come out and see us!"

The veins on the faces of the soldiers who were wantonly cursed and insulted were stretched out. They gritted their teeth and made no sound with a straight face.

But they still stood there, using their bodies to block the surging crowd.

This was what Garlan saw when he hurried out of the side door with Caihos and several generals.

Unexpectedly, the situation had reached such an uncontrollable situation. Everyone was stunned and speechless for a long time.

In the dark night, thousands of citizens were seen crowding the square, shouting to see the consul.

At this moment, suddenly, the originally dark square lit up.

The torches surrounding the square that were connected by special mechanisms were all ignited with a bang.

In an instant, there was a burst of light.

The brightest spot is a high platform extending out in front of the executive government building.

The front of the high platform faces the square, and behind it, there is a hemispherical shape surrounding the high platform.

The huge torch illuminated the high platform brightly.

That was the announcement desk of the ruling government.

Whenever there was an important event or a grand sacrifice was held, the citizens would be summoned to the square, and the consul would stand on the announcement platform and speak to everyone.

After a special and ingenious design by craftsmen, the speaker's voice can be amplified on the announcement stand.

As long as the square is quiet enough, speaking loudly here can spread throughout the square and be heard by everyone.

The noisy square fell silent for a moment when the torch on the announcement desk was lit.

Everyone looked up and saw a man wearing the uniform of a naval admiral appearing on the high platform.

"Captain Seth?"

"It's Captain Seth."

"Yes, it's him!"

Many citizens recognized this person at a glance.

Seth's appearance made them start whispering to the people around them.

"Citizens of Tozes, please listen to me——"

Thanks to the special nature of the announcement booth, Seth's voice echoed throughout the square.

"You are not abandoned."

He said,

"We are still there, the army is still there, please believe in us! We are Aaron Landis's soldiers, no matter what happens, we will never abandon you!"

"So, don't be afraid, please feel free to go back."

Seth yelled,

"We will protect this city, and we will definitely protect you!"

Captain Seth has always been known for his integrity in the city of Tozes, and his words made everyone quiet down a little.

The anger in their hearts weakened a bit, and everyone looked at each other. Although no one had moved yet, everyone was still standing in the square, but many people had hesitant looks on their faces.

Those who were affected by the fierce environment and lost control of their emotions began to calm down, and the few sober people began to persuade their relatives and friends who came with them to leave.

Seth breathed a sigh of relief.

But at this moment, another shout suddenly rang out from the quiet crowd.

"That's nice! Who knows if you are lying to us!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment. Before they could realize who the person who shouted these words was, similar questions started to sound one after another.

"That's right! You just want us to believe you with just a few words, how is that possible!"

"Yes, yes, you are just a captain, what qualifications do you have to say such a thing?"

"Don't be fooled by him!"

"Bring out the Archon! We must see him with our own eyes and hear him with our own ears—"

These questioning voices came from different places in the crowd, suddenly making the hesitating people who had calmed down become uneasy again.

The flames were lit again and they followed the voices with shouts.

"That's right! Come out, Archon!"

"You're just a captain, what's the use of what you say?"

"Where is the Archon? Why hasn't he come out yet?"

"They must have really run away. You see, except for Captain Seth, not a single officer was seen. They must have all run away, leaving this person behind to trick us-"

"We want to see the Archon!"

"We won't believe any of your lies until we see the Archon!"

The square suddenly became agitated again, and people shouted together at the top of their lungs.

They rushed forward, trying to break through the soldiers' blockade and rush into the ruling house.

They were blinded by anger, their eyes were red, each of them looked ferocious, and they roared until the veins on their necks popped out.

They seemed to want to vent all their panic, anger, and fear at this moment.

Seth shouted at the announcement table, roaring anxiously, but it was no use, and he never believed his words again.

The defense line formed by soldiers is already shaky. Even soldiers can't compete with so many crazy people.

The situation has completely gotten out of control.

The generals standing at the side door looked at everything in front of them with livid faces.

Kehos frowned deeply.

Looking at the uncontrollable situation in front of him, Garlan stood quietly.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the fine blond hair was scattered on the slender eyelashes, as if a little golden light was dyed on his eyelashes.

The deafening shouts echoed in his ears like a roaring mountain and a tsunami.

But in this violent square, for some reason, the place where he stood was the only one that was unusually quiet.

Garlan stood there for a while.

Then he opened his eyes.

The firelight burning around the square seemed to fall into his golden eyes at the moment he opened his eyes.

He suddenly turned around, without greeting anyone, and walked quickly back to the Consulate Hall from the side door.

When he left, Kayhos was giving some instructions to the guards beside him.

The knight ordered: "Immediately arrange for people to blend into the crowd and control the few guys who started to make noises and instigate others. Don't let others find out."

After saying that, he turned around and saw Garlan's figure almost disappearing through the door.

He was startled for a moment, then his expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly chased after her.

"prince!"

In the empty hall, only the sound of footsteps echoed.

Kehos shouted, but Garlan did not look back.

He walked through the hall, walked quickly through the long corridor inside the Consulate, and walked to the other side.

It was in the middle of the executive government. A door was open. Inside the door, spiral stone steps led directly to the top.

Seth's anxious and futile shout came from the top of the spiral stone steps.

Walking up from here is the announcement stand.

Garlan raised his feet.

However, as soon as he took a step forward, the blond knight chasing him grabbed his hand.

The young man turned around and stood on the steps, looking down at his knight.

Caijos clasped his wrist and looked up at him.

"No, Your Highness."

said the knight, his voice muffled at the moment.

His pupils contracted hard.

"Can't."

If he just stayed behind the scenes, no one would know that the prince was still in the city except those generals.

This is why he has always been calm and never persuaded the prince to leave Tozes City.

He had already thought that once the situation was defeated, he would forcefully break out with the prince and leave.

He has this confidence.

However, if the prince appears in front of everyone now...

Kehos grabbed Garlan's wrist tightly.

At this moment, he felt that his breathing was not smooth.

"Your Highness."

Kehos said softly.

His voice was very soft, as if he was afraid that if he spoke louder, something would become irreparable.

"This time, just this time, this time, you must listen to me."

He said,

"Please... don't go."

do not go.

If you go.

Once you show up in front of everyone, you cut off all your escape routes.

Standing on the stone steps, the young man's golden eyes looked down at Kehos.

He didn't answer.

He just looked at Kehos and smiled.

A little silence, a little silence.

The knight held the boy's fingers and slowly and with difficulty loosened them.

He stood downstairs and watched Garlan turn and leave.

When the young man turned around, his light-colored cloak flew past his eyes.

Deep shadows flitted across his malachite-green eyes.

The knight stood there, watching his prince's back disappear into the spiral stone steps.

…………

………………

Seth stared blankly at the noisy crowd below. His voice was hoarse, but it had no effect.

At this moment, he suddenly felt mentally and physically exhausted.

Before the enemy could attack, Tozes City was already about to collapse from within.

How ironic.

They desperately wanted to hold on to the city, but the citizens who were instigated by someone did not believe them. They were convinced that they were going to abandon them, and they yelled and cursed at them.

Even as tough as Seth was, he felt a little discouraged for a while.

Just when he was helpless, suddenly, there were footsteps.

When he saw that familiar figure, his eyes widened.

"prince?"

He shouted out the identity of the person.

Seth's surprise at the visitor made him forget that he was on the announcement table at the moment. When he shouted, his voice was amplified.

In the square, that special title suddenly rang in their ears, making many people startled and looked at each other.

"prince?"

"What is he saying?"

"How is that possible? Did you hear it wrong?"

They were talking among themselves and couldn't help but look up.

"How did you-"

Kayhos's plan had already been revealed to Seth.

Seth very much agreed with Kehos's idea and told the generals not to reveal that the prince was still in the city.

When he saw Garlan coming here, he suddenly became anxious and wanted to persuade Garlan to go down.

"Seth, step back."

Garlan's words made all Seth's words stuck in his throat.

He let out a deep sigh in his heart and lowered his head.

He said: "Yes, Your Highness."

He lowered his head and stepped aside.

When he answered, he was still standing at the center of the high platform, and his voice was once again expanded.

Everyone heard that title again.

"Yes, he is talking about the prince."

"Is it really..."

"Impossible. With such a noble status as a prince, he is much more noble than a consul. The consul has fled, how can he still be there?"

"But he obviously shouted..."

"Yeah, I heard it just now."

The people who had been excited just now all fell silent for a moment, and everyone stared at the brightly lit announcement table with their eyes wide open.

They waited with bated breath.

They saw Captain Seth step aside and kneel with his head bowed.

A young man appeared in their sight.

The flame of the huge torch illuminated the young man's face, as well as his long golden hair blown by the wind.

That is... His Highness the Prince?

The citizens of Tozes stared at the young man in awe and fear. Their natural awe for the supreme royal family made them shut up and did not dare to make any more noise.

After all, he was a prince.

No matter how angry they were, they would not dare to act arrogantly towards the noble prince.

"Citizens of Tozes."

Under the gaze of thousands of citizens, Garlan spoke.

"I am Garlan, prince of Aaronlandis."

It’s really His Highness the Prince!

Everyone's hearts were beating violently and raised high.

But the next second, their high-pitched hearts suddenly fell heavily.

Gallan said: "As you know, the consul of Tozes and most of the officials have fled."

"!"

Seth looked up sharply.

They tried their best to hide the matter, but the prince suddenly told them.

He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.

Garlan's words were like a bolt from the blue, and all of a sudden the citizens in the square were stunned.

They stood there blankly, their mouths open but unable to make any sound.

After confirming the fact that they had been abandoned, their eyes instantly burned with anger. At this moment, fear and despair even overwhelmed their awe of the prince. Some people opened their mouths and wanted to shout.

However, before they shouted, Garlan had already spoken before them.

"Everyone who wanted to escape has already fled, far away."

Garlan said.

He raised his hand and pointed to the kneeling Seth beside him.

Then, he pointed downwards, toward the crowd, toward the soldiers who were blocking the citizens and were being pushed and bumped.

"So those who are staying here now are those who refused to escape with the Archon, want to protect you, and are determined to live and die with Tozes City."

With just a few words of understatement, everyone suppressed the roar that was about to burst out.

The square once again took on an eerie silence.

Garlan said: "Citizens of Tozes, do you still plan to continue to insult these soldiers who stayed to protect you?"

Everyone was at a loss for a while.

However, perhaps intentionally or unintentionally, those who collided with the soldiers involuntarily stepped back a little.

The square fell silent, and everyone was speechless.

Rumors of the consul's flight had made them furious.

However, when it was confirmed that the rumors were true, they no longer felt like being angry.

Their hearts were empty, and their minds went blank due to the terrible reality.

Kehos, who was standing on the side of the square, raised his head and looked at his prince.

His personal guards had secretly arrested the dozen or so people who were leading the crowd just now and brought them back for interrogation.

"My wise people of Tozes City."

On the high platform, the prince's voice spread high in the air.

"Don't let anger and panic get to your head. Think about it. Whether the officials escape or not, your presence here will have no effect."

He was not angry because of the unrest in the city.

His voice was calm, just like his calm expression at the moment.

"My people, Solga, the god of wisdom, has given wisdom to mankind, so now, calm down and use your minds to think."

He said,

"Think about it, who will benefit when Tozes City is in chaos."

"Think calmly whether you want to continue."

This time, without those who were constantly making trouble, in the silence, the citizens began to calm down.

The fine rain began to fall again.

After being hit by the cold rain, his mind that was overwhelmed by anger and fear became a little clearer.

What did they do?

Thinking of what they had just done, many people turned pale and felt like they were in a dream.

They couldn't even figure out why they did that.

It felt like I was swept into the trend all of a sudden, and I couldn't help but start shouting along with the blood.

At this moment, everyone fell silent, and the square was eerily quiet.

All that could be heard was the howling of the wind.

Soon, a sob broke the deathly silence.

Someone sobbed.

"Prince, I'm scared."

"I'm really scared," she said in a tearful voice.

"Please tell us, can we survive?"

She sobbed and expressed the common sentiments of everyone present.

"Please tell us, what should we do?"

In the silent square, the sound seemed unusually clear.

Almost everyone heard it.

Subconsciously, as if there was a resonance, everyone looked at Garlan.

Everyone looked at Garlan with complicated eyes.

On the one hand, they want to hear from the prince, 'I will protect everyone', 'Tozes City will be safe', 'Everyone will live well' and other words to appease them, even if it is a lie.

On the other hand, they felt that if the prince really said the same thing as Captain Seth, then he was simply deceiving them and perfunctory them.

Even they themselves felt confused by this contradictory mood.

They themselves didn't know what kind of answer they wanted to hear from the prince.

They could only raise their heads and wait in silence for the prince's answer.

Garlan looked down at the thousands of people watching him below.

"I have no idea."

He said,

"I don't know if I can hold Tozes, I don't know if we can survive."

The light in everyone's eyes dimmed.

The prince did not lie to deceive them.

On the one hand, they felt inexplicably comforted, but on the other hand, they became more and more desperate.

"But, my people."

On the high platform, the young prince looked down at his people.

Garlan said: "Even if it is death, I will be with you."

The howling wind carried his words throughout the silent land.

Everyone looked up blankly.

Their prince stood on the high platform.

No one could see his face, but they could hear his voice.

There are no shiny promises.

There was no passionate agitation.

It's simpler than anything else... It can even be said to be cruel words.

But it was such cruel language that, for some reason, at this moment, inexplicably calmed down their frightened hearts.

Some people bowed their heads and clasped their hands as if praying.

Some people covered their faces and cried silently.

Someone took a knee and fell to the ground.

Someone squatted down, lowered his eyes and hugged his young child tightly.

Someone raised his hand and silently wiped away the tears from his eyes.

In the dark city of Tozes, drizzle falls and the night is quiet.

………………

I don't know how it will turn out.

But, my people.

do not be afraid.

Even in death, I am with you.