Chapter 151: Rebellion

Today, the great hall was in complete chaos. Everyone was running around like ants on a hot pan, utterly at a loss.

"Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Gistak walked into the palace with a steady and composed gait, and immediately a swarm of ministers surrounded him.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen is critically ill and is currently on her way back to the imperial capital. What should we do?" asked one of the ministers.

"Indeed! On top of that, the Guchilong Empire has already dispatched troops today to capture three of our cities, and they are continuing to gather forces. It is clear they are launching an all-out assault on our Principality of Layton!"

"Why is Prince Field not here?" Gistak paused in his steps and suddenly asked.

"Prince Field has not yet arrived," a minister nearby immediately replied.

"Is that so? I would truly love to hear what lofty insights he has," Gistak smiled.

The crowd exchanged glances, completely baffled as to what scheme Prince Gistak was brewing. At that moment, Miki approached, followed closely by a small squad.

"Your Highness," Miki greeted him politely.

"Miki, what is the meaning of this?" Gistak watched as the squad brought by Miki rapidly dispersed to the surrounding perimeters, looking precisely like a security detail.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty is about to return, so the imperial palace requires heightened security," Miki explained.

"It is indeed necessary," Gistak smiled.

At that moment, Field strode hurriedly into the great hall. "Prince Gistak, Her Majesty's vanguard is already on the road. Why is Nick still here?"

"Nick needs to remain in the imperial capital; that is Her Majesty's will," Gistak smiled. "Actually, there is still a matter I would like to discuss with you. I wonder if we might speak privately?"

"That hardly seems appropriate," Field hesitated.

"Actually, Nick has always been fond of your daughter, Lady Fei'er. If Your Highness is willing, why don't we still abide by our previous betrothal agreement?" Gistak asked.

"That remains open for discussion. As you know, that headstrong daughter of mine in our family has grown far too accustomed to wild freedom at the Fepuri Academy. The mere mention of this topic makes her averse, so I believe we should shelve this matter for now," Prince Field said.

"Is that so? What a pity," Prince Gistak wore a trace of regret. "Very well, let us instead discuss how to resolve the current crisis."

"Yes, yes! Let us solve the immediate crisis first!" echoed the surrounding ministers.

An entire morning of discussions passed, yet no suitable solution was ever reached. The Queen was critically ill, and all that was currently known was that she had been poisoned. Finding a cure was by no means an easy task; otherwise, it would not have been dragged out for so long in the first place.

As for the border defense, the division among the crowd was even greater. A large fraction of the people believed there was no need to intervene. After all, Bladis was, by any account, a renowned general of his generation. Although he had long resided in the imperial capital and no longer went to the borders, his experience and prestige were simply beyond what ordinary men could compare to. Most importantly, up until now, General Bladis had not sent a single call for help!

Another faction vehemently opposed this, arguing that General Bladis was now advanced in years and merely holding on with bitter struggle. The most urgent priority was to dispatch reinforcements to drive the enemy beyond the national borders.

Yet another faction suggested suing for peace. The Guchilong Empire had already gained some minor advantages; they should simply let them keep those territories. The crucial point was to cure Her Majesty the Queen. As long as the Queen recovered, the Principality of Layton would still have hope!

Three opinions divided into three distinct camps, arguing fiercely with one another, neither side willing to yield an inch. Thus, the entire morning slipped away without yielding any concrete conclusion. As for the two grand princes, they remained completely silent, quietly watching the others bicker.

"I wonder what the two Princes intend to do?" Finally, someone spoke up. No matter how much they argued, their words were merely suggestions; the ones truly capable of expressing definitive opinions were these two characters sitting securely upon their fishing platforms. Unfortunately, they were still playing dead.

"What is Prince Field's opinion?" Gistak asked with a smile.

"Dispatch troops immediately to assist General Bladis. As for Her Majesty's side, we should invite the White-robed Cardinal of the Church to see if he can personally travel to the academy, which will save time," Field said in a deep voice.

"As expected of Prince Field, your thoughts are always thorough." Gistak smiled as he stood up and slowly walked toward the emperor's throne.

"Prince Gistak, what do you think you are doing?" Miki shouted in a stern voice to stop him.

"Doing nothing much, simply going up for a seat," Prince Gistak turned his head with a smile, then gently seated himself upon the chair, ignoring the terrified expressions of the people below as he comfortably stretched his limbs.

"Step down!" Miki sprang up, throwing a punch straight toward Gistak.

***

Bang! Miki stepped back a few paces, raising his eyes to see a golden shield shimmering around Gistak's body.

"Holy Light Protection?" Miki's expression changed.

"Precisely," Gistak smiled, "the Light Protection, an ultimate technique that only a Cardinal can cast."

The expressions of everyone present shifted instantly. A Cardinal! That was one of the foremost pinnacle masters of the Church! The highest rank within the Church of Light in the Principality of Layton was merely a White-robed Cardinal.

"The Church of Light!" someone immediately cried out in alarm.

"Yes, the Church of Light. Allow me to present our reverend prelate, Gerrard!" Gistak called out respectfully.

At that moment, a figure clad entirely in black robes walked forward. With a flick of his robe, the crowd collectively drew in a sharp breath.

"Gerrard the Dark Jester!"

"Oh, who is it that shows such disrespect to the Church?" Gerrard waved his staff with a smile, and instantly, a minister screamed as he rolled on the ground in agony.

"Gerrard, stop this!" Miki rushed forward frantically, but by then the minister had already been scorched into a heap of cooked flesh, and a strange odor permeated the entire grand hall.

"Ugh!" Several people could no longer contain themselves and began to vomit. Miki's face darkened with gloom. "Gerrard!"

Gerrard smiled, twirling the staff in his hand. "Do not be angry, lest your beloved would grieve."

"You!" Miki was instantly consumed with anxiety.

"Rest assured, mother and child are quite safe, provided that you behave yourself very, very well!" Gerrard chuckled darkly. "Very well, our conversation is concluded. I have others to speak with."

With that, he turned and bowed to Prince Field. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Prince Field!"

"It's you!" Prince Field furrowed his brow. "Prelate Gerrard, what is your aim?"

Gerrard placed his staff behind his back and said solemnly, "To lead all of you back into the embrace of the God of Light—that is my purpose."

"Hmph, we have always been under the protection of the God of Light; we have no need to be 'led back' anywhere!" Miki said angrily. "Furthermore, a prelate inciting a prince to rebel—what is your true intention?"

"Rebellion? You are mistaken!" Gistak declared maniacally. "This rightfully belongs to me in the first place; I am merely taking back what is inherently mine. Now, listen well, those below: I shall not waste words. Those who pledge allegiance to me, stand to the left, and I will treat as though nothing has transpired. Otherwise—hmph!"

The ministers looked at one another, completely at a loss.

"Prince Gistak, if you step down now, we will treat as though none of this ever happened. If you persist in your delusions, I swear I will execute you in the name of Her Majesty the Queen!" Miki said earnestly.

"Miki, excessive loyalty is hardly a virtue, but I like it," Gistak chuckled, then clapped his hands. "Nick, why haven't you come over yet?"

"Father, I have been here all along."

Screams suddenly echoed by their ears. Miki turned his head to look, only to see that an armed contingent had broken into the palace at some unknown moment.

"Drop your weapons and your lives shall be spared!"

"In your dreams!" Miki shouted.

"Is that so?" Gerrard suddenly tossed out a scroll, and in an instant, Miki was frozen in place by a ring of light.

"Holy Imprisonment?" Miki blurted out.

"Indeed. While it may not hold you indefinitely, it is more than enough to slaughter these people the moment you break free," Gerrard said indifferently.

"Now then, who among you shall pledge allegiance to me? Time is limited, or else I shall not be polite!"

A few ministers hesitated before finally stepping toward the side of allegiance. The majority of the ministers, however, glared angrily at this group, lowering their heads while muttering softly to themselves.

"Ah, utterly lacking in worldly wisdom," Gistak sighed. "My apologies, but you will have to squat in the dungeons for a little while. When I ascend the throne, I shall use you as sacrifices for the ceremony!"

Nick waved his hand, and the guards under his command immediately rushed forward, seizing the group of ministers.

"Gistak, you will come to a bad end!" one minister suddenly raised his head and said fiercely. "Even if you ascend the throne, the people of the realm will never submit to you!"

"Traitor, your fate is destined to be miserable!" The ministers shouted in a cacophony of voices. "Gistak, you will die a horrific death!"

"Hmph, drag them away!" Gistak waved his hand irritably.

"Very well, now only a few of us remain. Respected Prince Field, I must ask: are you willing to pledge allegiance to me?" Gistak smiled. "By the way, allow me to inform you that my men have already seized control of the entire imperial city."

"Impossible!" Miki shouted.

"Nothing is impossible," a fat middle-aged man walked into the grand hall at that moment.

"It's you!" Miki said in astonishment.

"Indeed, it is us."

"Guild Master Pierre, might I ask if you can hand the remaining goods over to me now?" Gistak asked, sitting leisurely upon the emperor's throne.

"At your service, Your Majesty," Pierre said respectfully.

"Rest assured, I will recognize your status. More than that, I shall elevate your status significantly." Gistak was quite receptive to Pierre's flattery, his eyes crinkling with smiles as he spoke, "Go back and tell your guild master that you may return to the imperial capital."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Pierre said flatly.

"Right, help me prepare the ascension ceremony. Let it be tomorrow," Gistak ordered.

"Understood, Your Majesty!" With that, Pierre bowed and departed.

"Now then, preparations are nearly complete. I wonder if the two of you have considered my offer?" Gistak asked. "Miki, do not think I am unaware that Leixina will arrive tomorrow."

"Impossible, how did you find out?" Miki was startled.

"Do not underestimate the Church's intelligence network," Gerrard said, inspecting his fingernails. "Every move Leixina makes is under my surveillance."

"Tomorrow, I shall personally welcome our Queen. And of course, a full army of fifty thousand!" Gistak burst into laughter. "All of this relies upon the Prelate."

"Knowing that is enough," Gerrard replied unceremoniously. "The Church will grant you its recognition."

"Thank you, Lord Gerrard. In the future, I shall certainly obey the Church's will without a shred of betrayal," Gistak said ingratiatingly.

Whoosh! The barrier encasing Miki shattered.

"As expected of the youngest Great Swordsmaster; you were much faster than I anticipated," Gerrard smiled.

"I will not let you lay a single finger on Her Majesty the Queen!" Miki drew the thin sword at his waist. "If I kill the two of you right now, everything will end."

Bang! Gerrard tossed out a bracelet, and Miki's pupils instantly contracted, for this very bracelet was the one he had given to Kana.

"You bastards!" Miki's expression twisted with frenzy.

"Do not be agitated. As I said, so long as you submit to us, I will not make things difficult for you," Gistak said. "Do you not despise the Bladis family? I give you permission to destroy them. What do you say?"

Miki drew in a sharp breath. Gistak's proposition indeed held immense temptation, and with Kana's life and death hanging in the balance, Miki momentarily did not know what to do.

"Respected Prince Field, how have you considered my offer?" Gistak turned his head with a smile.

"What do you expect of me?" Field said indifferently.

"Nothing much. You may simply continue to sit in your accustomed seat," Gistak smiled. "I said before, we are meant to be a family, are we not?"

"Yet why do I not feel that way?" Prince Field sighed.

"You ought to. Let Lady Fei'er marry my son Nick, and thus we can continue to jointly govern this nation, can we not?" Gistak tried to persuade him with earnest words.

"Will you truly?"

"Why ever not?" Gistak retorted.

"Very well, I wish to return home," Field sighed.

"Better not. In truth, the imperial palace is vast, and there are countless rooms. Surely you would not mind staying here for a single night?"

Field fell silent. Gistak chuckled, then turned his gaze back to Miki.

"My dear Miki, have you considered it yet? If you have not, I can grant you time. However, the longer you delay, the more people outside shall perish."

"You could attempt to flee, but ultimately you would still die. The fifty thousand troops are fully equipped—five times the number of the imperial city's guards—and we possess a secret weapon. Therefore, you need not worry about my inability to breach the imperial capital. Furthermore, do you know that aside from yourself, nearly all of your subordinates have already been bought off by me?" Gistak laughed triumphantly.

"It is useless. Everything is over!" Gistak looked at Miki with a grin.

"No, this is only the beginning!" Miki uttered a single phrase, then rapidly retreated out of the imperial palace and vanished into the shadows.

"Lord Gerrard!" Gistak turned inquiringly.

"Do not worry, he will not run far, and this provides a convenient opportunity to wipe out their remaining faction in one fell swoop!" Gerrard flicked his fingernail and let out a sharp whistle. Instantly, a figure clad entirely in black materialized out of nowhere. "Go. See that you are not discovered."