"What was that sound?"
Hearing the muffled clang, Aeridar jolted up from his seat in surprise.
At the same time, everyone present also stood up, looking outside with puzzled expressions. Many stared out, confused.
"A bell! It's a bell! It's the sound of the Bell of Clifford!" After listening for a moment, Arlan immediately shouted and ran outside.
Following him, the group rushed out in a swarm.
"Wait, the bell stopped!"
Standing in the outdoor garden, Arlan looked towards the royal palace, asking gravely, "Did anyone count how many times it rang?"
"I remember! It was thirteen chimes!"
Galan, with his dark skin, looked grim. As someone who frequently interacted with the Third Prince and served as a strategist, he naturally understood some of the Clifford Kingdom's customs.
"What's wrong with thirteen chimes?" Aeridar asked, turning back to Galan's troubled expression.
Oliver and the other newly arrived executives also looked curiously at the palace or Arlan.
"Thirteen chimes signify the king's death knell!" Likewise, Arlan's face was very grim.
"The king's death knell?!"
Aeridar's heart skipped a beat, as if he had guessed something.
"Exactly, the king's death knell. It means the king is dead!" Arlan turned to Aeridar, his face grim as he spoke each word distinctly: "King Dasco XI is dead!"
"How is that possible?" Aeridar asked, shocked. "Didn't they say he could hold on for two more days?"
"I don't know either," Arlan shook his head.
"Damn it, I don't even know if the Grand Fleet has fully assembled yet," Aeridar cursed, pacing back and forth.
The death was too sudden; Aeridar's side wasn't fully prepared.
Pere pere pere... Pere pere pere...
Suddenly, a sound emerged from Galan's embrace, a Den Den Mushi ringing.
"It's the Third Prince Casey's," Galan pulled out a Den Den Mushi with a golden crown on its head.
"Answer it."
Everyone fell silent. Aeridar nodded, signaling Galan to answer the call.
"Moshi moshi, this is Galan."
Galan answered the call; it was indeed the Third Prince Casey. After a brief conversation, he hung up.
"The armies from Micity Port and Koumo Port have already been deployed. These are orders from the First Prince Byrd and the military generals. Additionally, the City Guard and Royal Guard within the city have also been mobilized," Galan faced the group, explaining the current situation.
"Since the arrow is on the string, it must be loosed. Arlan, notify the Grand Fleet to attack Micity Port. Any pirate crews that haven't arrived yet should proceed directly to Micity Port. As for here, Galan, proceed with the original plan," Aeridar commanded with a cold expression.
"Understood!" everyone responded.
Soon, the operation began.
On Second Street in the Noble District, a large number of armored soldiers gathered, along with some cavalry wearing plate armor and high-headed steeds.
Leading them were six or seven individuals: armored generals and noble lords in opulent attire. In the center, surrounded by the others, was a young man wearing a sapphire-gold crown. He had a handsome face, wore exquisite silver armor, and a rapier hung at his waist, giving him a commanding presence.
"Your Highness, the forces of the First Prince and Second Prince are advancing towards the royal palace," a knight on horseback galloped up, reporting to the young general in silver armor.
This young general in silver armor was none other than the Third Prince of the Clifford Kingdom, Casey Dasco.
"Send out a detachment, flying my banner, to pretend to advance towards the royal palace. Then, according to Galan-san's plan, once they've all gathered within the royal palace's vicinity, withdraw the troops," Casey adjusted his helmet, his voice filled with excitement.
At this moment, a middle-aged knight beside him spoke, frowning and asking with some unease.
"Your Highness, are we truly going to follow that pirate's plan?"
This middle-aged knight wore full black metal plate armor, his face resolute and handsome, exuding a mature charm that could appeal to all types of women. His dark green eyes held a piercing gaze, like sharp swords. A cross-shaped sword hung at his waist, and he carried a cross-shaped spear. The black horse he rode was also draped in black barding, adorned with a triangular knight's greatshield.
"Sir Chad, if we could defeat them head-on, I wouldn't resort to such a measure," Casey shook his head, a hint of indignation on his excited face.
"But if we seize the King's Seal and occupy the royal palace, we will have the moral high ground and can command the entire country's army. In that case, the throne will naturally fall to you, Your Highness," the great knight, known as Chad, advised.
Horst Chad, Great Knight of the Clifford Kingdom, commanded the kingdom's most elite knight order and was a renowned figure within the kingdom.
"According to the latest intelligence, Royal Guard Commander Wilmin Bowen has already pledged allegiance to His Highness, the Second Prince Bolton," Marquis Mando interjected.
"How can this be?!" Chad was greatly astonished.
If Royal Guard Commander Wilmin Bowen had defected to the Second Prince Bolton, it meant the royal palace had virtually fallen into the Second Prince Bolton's hands. Even if His Highness the First Prince Byrd and His Highness the Third Prince Casey also controlled some Royal Guards, compared to Commander Wilmin Bowen's control, those forces couldn't stir up much trouble.
"If Brother Bolton gains control of the royal palace and obtains the King's Seal, do you think we should obey his orders?" Third Prince Casey tilted his head, asking Chad.
"..." Chad's breathing hitched, speechless. He didn't know what to say. After a long moment, he finally said, "I understand."
In fact, this was precisely the reason why the noble lords, who had initially not supported this plan, changed their minds. Because if they failed in the struggle for the throne, their only outcome was death.
Better to let a friend die than myself.
As long as they could survive and gain immense power and profit, whether it was some royal prince or a centuries-old royal palace, its survival or destruction was none of their concern.
Boom!
A cannon blast echoed from a distance, raising the curtain on the battle.
Boom, boom, boom, boom...
Various explosions and roars sounded in succession. In an instant, the direction of the royal palace was ablaze with fire, smoke billowing everywhere.
Bang, bang, bang, bang...
Then came a continuous barrage of gunfire, like popping beans. The battle had reached an extremely intense level from the very start.
"Your Highness, the forces of His Highness the First Prince and His Highness the Second Prince have begun a fierce engagement. The royal palace gates have been opened," another knight on horseback arrived, reporting the battle situation to Third Prince Casey.
"Hahaha~ It's begun." Third Prince Casey threw his head back and laughed, then with a sweep of his hand, he issued his command.
"Transmit my order: front-line troops immediately retreat and occupy the noble district. Bring all cannons forward. In twenty minutes, bombard the royal palace! Fire every single shell!"
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