章 33: The Gaze from the Capital

"If you die, I won't be collecting your corpse," Lilith stated.

"Don't worry, I won't die. I still want to continue tormenting you," Leo said with a smile.

He got up and walked over to Lilith, playfully pinching her chin.

Lilith shook off his hand with disgust, her gaze growing colder.

Leo smiled, unperturbed.

Dropping his arm, he looked towards the door.

"Lord of the City!" A guard stood at the doorway, his face showing some panic.

"Speak," Leo nodded.

He already had an idea of what it was about.

The Royal Guards from the capital had made quite a spectacle on their way, making it hard for anyone not to know.

"They... have already arrived at the city gates," the guard's voice trembled slightly.

"Go call Elena, tell her to accompany me to greet our guests," Leo said indifferently.

"Yes," the guard hesitated, then nodded instinctively.

After the guard left, Lilith looked at Leo, her eyes filled with increasing disdain.

"The Royal Guards consist of a thousand true knights, and I heard that the old king also brought his First Legion, which he formed back in his days,"

Lilith informed Leo, her tone laced with a hint of mockery.

"Soldiers to block, earth to cover. Even if it means death, I will not kneel to him again," Leo said calmly.

He strapped his longsword to his waist and walked outside.

Lilith watched his departing figure, bit her lip, and followed him.

...

Under a somewhat gloomy sky, a formidable army advanced towards Jacques.

At the forefront, a cavalry formation composed of a thousand knights, each clad in golden armor, wielding swords and shields.

Following them was a meticulously arranged army of about ten thousand soldiers, their footsteps unified, creating a rhythmic sound on the broad official road.

"The king, is it true that the king is leading the army here?"

"Yes, that's the royal army!"

"What should we do...?"

"..."

The news of King Vickery III personally leading the army had reached the city's populace, causing some to become panicked and hesitant.

The king's prestige still deeply resonated with them.

Although Leo had won the people's hearts over this period, when faced with the kingdom's legitimate authority, it was hard for everyone to remain steadfast.

They were ordinary citizens, after all, their primary concern being their own safety.

Leo stepped onto the city wall, drawing the attention of all the citizens.

Whether on the streets or in the squares, everyone watched Leo, yet no one spoke.

In the midst of this silence, Leo smiled and said,

"I know what you're worried about. Rest assured, you are just ordinary citizens. Whether that army enters the city or not, I will not force you to follow me."

Upon hearing this, the crowd was taken aback, and then most faces showed a moved expression.

"Back when Lord Horn was in power, those people only knew how to exploit us, making us live without dignity! I don't want to return to that life. I will support Prince Leo unconditionally!"

Suddenly, a bearded tavern owner raised his arm and shouted loudly.

"We follow Prince Leo! I am willing to fight alongside you!"

"You are a true leader! I am willing to accept your leadership!"

"Down with Lord Horn! Down with him!"

"..."

Many people raised their arms, expressing their support for Leo.

Of course, some remained silent, choosing not to voice their opinion.

Leo understood them and was also moved by these voices of support.

For the first time, he realized that his actions had meanings beyond just strengthening his power and expanding his territory.

"I know! I... won't let you down!"

Leo's face beamed with a radiant smile, and he too raised his arm, shouting loudly.

"Leo!"

"..."

The city erupted in an uproar of voices.

Leo nodded with a smile, then turned around and walked to the outer side of the city wall, gazing at the approaching army that had slowly arrived at the city gates.

He saw the figure of his elder brother Horn, and the royal carriage symbolizing the monarchy.

Finally, Horn, accompanied by the carriage, had arrived in front of Leo.

"My dear brother, it really has been... a long time," Horn's hoarse voice carried a venomous tone, his eyes filled with resentment.

Days of anger and hatred had accumulated, and now he finally had the opportunity to vent.

Leo looked at Horn with a hint of pity in his eyes.

In just over ten days, his elder brother seemed to have aged significantly, with more white in his hair and a more weathered face.

However, he did not respond to his brother.

"Old man, since you've come all this way, why let a dog bark for you? If you're not dead yet, why not make a sound yourself?" Leo said, looking at the black carriage and laughing.

"How dare you!!"

Horn roared furiously.

As a divine knight, his roar could shake the entire city!

The knights of the Royal Guards also raised their swords, a terrifying killing intent directed at Leo!

Lilith and Elena, standing beside him, were both startled by Leo's harsh, even venomous words.

Elena looked at Leo, even questioning whether he really was a prince of Lionara.

"I was too soft-hearted back then. At the moment of your birth, I should have strangled you!"

A cold, angry voice emanated from the carriage.

Then, the carriage door was opened by a retainer, and a figure slowly emerged, standing before Leo.

King Vickery III, with his crown, meticulously groomed beard and hair, stood tall and immovable, exuding the aura of a majestic lion.

He looked coldly at Leo, as if staring at a dead man.

"You certainly could have done that. However, if there truly are people in this world who deserve to die, shouldn't you be the first?"

Leo said with a smile.

Each of his words was a provocation to the monarchy, an insult and hatred towards the nation's supreme ruler.

For a moment, everyone was speechless.

Some citizens in the city and soldiers on the city walls even began to tremble with fear.

They had never imagined that someone in Lionara could speak to the king in such a manner.

"You little beast, do you think this city can stop me? Once my army steps into this city, I will show you the most cruel way to die in this world!"

"I know you've always hated me for driving your mother to death. Now, you can go join her, accompany that wretched woman!"

King Vickery III said with a chilling voice.

Since Leo made no attempt to conceal his murderous intent and rage, he, a naturally cold-hearted ruler, had even less reason to care about the laughable notion of familial affection.

Killing this wretch would show everyone who the true king was!

The king's dignity is not to be violated!

As Vickery III mentioned his mother, a hint of bloodlust flashed in Leo's eyes.

He suddenly grinned, revealing his teeth, and let out a laugh:

"Hehehehe!"

After a few breaths, Leo's face returned to expressionless, and he said,

"One is a king because he sits on the throne and holds the power. But if he is pulled down and trampled underfoot, he is nothing but a dog."

"Father, rest assured, when I turn you into a dog, I won't kill you. I'll give you a chain and see how you choose. When you bark like a dog, I will write 'bastard' across your face!"

"Leo, you've truly gone mad!"

Horn shook his head, but his eyes betrayed his schadenfreude.

The fiercer the standoff between Leo and King Vickery III, the better it was for him!

He had evidence of Leo's collusion with Rain and planned to present it to the king, ensuring the crown prince position would be his alone.

King Vickery III did not immediately respond to Leo.

After a few breaths, he slowly raised his arm and roared,

"Prepare to attack!"

"Buzz—! Buzz—!"

The sound of horns filled the air.

The knights at the front split into two columns, and the soldiers behind slowly pushed the siege machinery forward, preparing to launch an attack!

Seeing this, the soldiers on the city walls quickly grasped their bows and arrows, and the citizens within the city were extremely nervous, their hearts trembling.

At this point, Jacques and the Lionara monarchy were in complete opposition; they had to fight!