When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 570 - 548 Thousand River Valley, I Guarded It
"Have the third group of soldiers defending the city been released?"
Prince Kongdai, reading under the candelabrum, was dressed in a nightgown, still wearing a comically pointed nightcap.
Yet, the soldier before him showed no trace of amusement: "All have been released. Only the last hundred or so soldiers are left in the city."
It’s been three days since discussing surrender with Vine, and today marks the sixth day of the siege.
According to the Gray Horse Knight’s instructions, a hundred soldiers are released every morning, noon, and night, without interception.
Once he safely exits the city tomorrow, Prince Kongdai is to publicly announce his promise to him, after which he will reveal the location of the remaining direct evidence.
Two Imperial Knights’ companies have already departed, led by Lakunio on their way through the inevitable route to Moliat.
After capturing Sentry Fort, Prince Kongdai plans to head north to meet Lakunio and then launch the penultimate battle of the Thousand River Valley with the Female Grand Duke.
However, before all this, Prince Kongdai’s heart felt like an itch that was impossible to scratch.
In these three to four days, he received reports from the Shadowless Man in Hotam County.
Judging from the handwriting, the letter André wrote to Horn was indeed genuine, and the timing matched.
Although the possibility of forgery couldn’t be ruled out, Prince Kongdai was inwardly convinced of the letter’s authenticity.
The most critical piece of evidence was the assassination of Westel by a gangster, just as the Shadowless Man discovered him.
The reason given was a merchant’s unpaid debt—as if everyone were fools!
Would he not know whose thug the assassin belonged to?
More terrifying for Prince Kongdai was how the Shadowless Man often investigated things without much probing before Westel suddenly died.
Surely not everyone possesses the gift of foresight?
So, there were only two possibilities: either there was a traitor among the Shadowless Man or within his own circle.
Prince Kongdai was unsure which was more horrifying.
His only thought now was that upon returning to Hotam County, he must capture and interrogate Sanboli.
Prince Kongdai didn’t believe Sanboli would be without accomplices!
And the accomplices had already surfaced—Gelinon for one, and Sanboli another.
He was certain that a secret opposition alliance lurked behind all this, surely more than just a few individuals.
He had never trusted the local nobility; otherwise, he wouldn’t have relocated people from Kongdai Territory here.
Now, with such an incident, he wanted even more to purge the nobles of Hotam County.
If he were to become Prince of the Thousand River Valley, he wouldn’t want the seat of power in Langsande County or Lower Reif County. The affluent Hotam County was his true aim.
It’s a pity this land was full of local nobles, and due to Church laws and noble laws, he couldn’t easily strip them of their titles, needing to delay the matter.
This time he’d caught them red-handed, found proof of their collusion with the enemy.
Though unable to strip their titles, he could replace their territories instead.
He could relocate these nobles to either Langsande County or Mountain County, freeing up land to reward his brave warriors.
Unfortunately, this letter was from the Saint Sun’s Army to the Saint’s Grandson, and then to Moliat,
At most, it was indirect evidence. The direct evidence he truly desired must wait until tomorrow.
His Highness the Prince felt, for the first time, how long the night could be.
From initial anger, as time passed, his anger slowly transformed into greed and anticipation.
Weren’t those nobles always troubling him?
When the evidence hits them, Prince Kongdai would make them kneel and plead with him.
After the previous warm days, these days felt like a late spring cold snap, as chilling winds swept over the camp.
Some inadequately wrapped soldiers were awakened by the cold, and when they looked up, they always saw the lights on in the main tent.
The lights stayed on throughout the night.
The next morning, with dark circles under his eyes, Prince Kongdai enthusiastically donned a silk shirt and his most luxurious cloak and clothing.
He even specifically ordered a longsword, holy water, and an edict, ready to enfeoff this powerful and wise knight who had brought him surprises anew.
Emerging from the tent, alongside other company commanders of the Imperial Knights, Prince Kongdai approached the small, lone fortress.
After several rounds of shouting, the city gates slowly opened.
With a dull creak, heavy iron chains sounded, as a handsome middle-aged knight rode out slowly on horseback.
The Gray Horse Knight raised his hands high, signaling no intent of resistance, as he advanced steadily forward.
The warhorse beneath Prince Kongdai pawed the ground instinctively, while a smile grew across his face.
Behind the fence, Seching, as part of the last batch of released soldiers, silently watched Vine, counting his steps forward.
His gray horse’s coat appeared dull, as if stained with travel dust.
Under the watchful eyes of numerous Imperial Knights, Vine was clad in simple clothes, without wearing armor, nor was there a weapon at his waist.
He sat upright on his horse, with a serene smile that seemed not like one surrendering, but rather like seeing an old friend after many years.
In the slanted sunlight, Vine seemed truly to see a friend—he saw his overlord Vincent.
He said he grew up in cold mountainous regions, his greatest dream to live amidst sunshine and flowers.
Just like today, his horse treading in the sun and flowers.
When Vine was an abandoned knight’s page, Vincent selected him from among many pages and brought him back to the Thousand River Valley from Falan.
It was also Vincent who saw the potential in him to become a Titled Knight, securing him a spot in the Knight Order from the old Duke.
On the battlefield against vampires, Vine speared an Ogre Warlord and then received his title before the King.
At that time, the King of Falan hinted for him to return to his homeland, yet he chose to follow Vincent back to the impoverished Thousand River Valley.
Without Vincent, he would probably still be that mediocre knight’s page on the training ground, never becoming a knight.
He never understood why Vincent was so persistent in pursuing the policies of the Juanist Faction, even after repeated failures.
The Thousand River Valley wasn’t fertile land, where would such magic power come from?
He didn’t understand, but it didn’t prevent him from carrying out Vincent’s orders.
Just like he didn’t understand why Moliat insisted on taking the most perilous path, yet he didn’t mind supporting her, lest she fall.
Vine saw Prince Kongdai’s smile and knew the prince treated his letter as a wedge.
He wasn’t sure whether it would work; if it failed, he’d be the most ridiculous clown.
But he didn’t care; he just continued towards his destined spot.
The weather was clear, the Gray Horse Knight’s steps steady until he could finally hear Prince Kongdai’s content and even flattering tone.
But he didn’t listen, for he heard something else.
"Uncle Vine!"
In a daze, it seemed someone called his name, the Gray Horse Knight instinctively turned his head.
But before him, Prince Kongdai’s face dramatically changed.
It was the soft twang of a bowstring—
Time seemed to freeze.
A crossbow arrow pierced precisely through Vine’s temple,
Blood gushed like a spring, quickly spreading down the arrow shaft, dyeing his collar red.
The knight let out a deep, muffled groan, releasing the reins, as his body slumped forward with no strength left.
The gray horse, sensing something amiss, neighed mournfully, pawing anxiously, but the knight’s body couldn’t maintain balance.
He slowly slid off the saddle, landing heavily on the ground, eyes slightly open, blood trickling past his lips.
"Assassin—"
"Quick, protect His Highness the Prince!"
At the moment Vine fell, chaos ensued among everyone.
Within the bustling crowd, Prince Kongdai seemed deaf, standing rigidly atop his horse.
The once-anticipating and relaxing smile now contorted and twisted, turning into a face unable to hide its fury.
"Sanboli!!!"
The Prince’s roar resonated in everyone’s ears.
"What do you take me for?! Huh? What am I to you!"
Whether from convulsions or seeing visions of his life, Vine’s typically outward-arched brows relaxed, turning his bitter smile into a gentle one.
Vincent, your Thousand River Valley, I have held it for you.
