When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 574 - 552: The Final Kick

Upon receiving the news of Prince Kongdai’s sudden attack, Horn remained dedicated to his duties, writing articles and reviewing the construction of the government in the rear as usual.

However, those close to him could feel that His Majesty Saint Sun had grown significantly more impatient and gloomy.

The usual meetings were serious, rarely filled with jokes to lighten the atmosphere, and even the Secret Monks were scolded more frequently.

It’s important to know that everything in the Pope Country depended on Horn, and any small action on his part caused a major ripple effect down the line.

Ultimately, the monks requested Jeanne to comfort His Majesty and assure him.

Realizing this, Horn convened a meeting where he conducted a self-reflection and restored much of his previous state.

Unfortunately, from deep within, it didn’t have much effect.

Reassurance, how can he be reassured?

The five centuries of blood and tears of six million people in the Thousand River Valley were nearly going to be decided in these ten days, who could be reassured?

The most agonizing thing was being unable to participate in such a decisive battle that determined fate, forced to watch passively, even waiting for Prince Kongdai’s attack.

Since resolving to fight at the Battle of the Long Bridge, over a year had passed.

During this year, he had exhausted almost all his energy and means.

Taming the Beastmen, extracting water from the salt well, training soldiers on Autumn Dusk Island, establishing the Ry Court Barracks, and developing spring mechanisms.

In the Battle of Pavia, they recovered Joan of Arc Castle, eradicated the Robber Knights, divided the Hundred Households District and farmland, and established the fledgling Salvation Army Government.

Then he attacked the Cave Forest to the west, drove out bandits, pressed south into Jinhe Town, subduing the Kush Knights, and then returned to Joan of Arc Castle to engage in land reclamation and agricultural recovery.

Then he supported Xiaochi City, moved north to support Rapids City, and upon returning, trained the new recruits of the Guard Battle Group and discussed a new round of sugar and grain trade and municipal construction.

He then headed to Kasha County to resist the new Noble Alliance Army, yet before returning, received news of the Shattered Stone Plain’s attack on North Mangde County.

Each progressive military campaign, each victory amidst despair.

Apart from resting for three to five days initially on Autumn Dusk Island, Horn spent the rest of the year at full capacity.

If he wasn’t fighting, he was working, and at the critical moment of verifying results, he could only stand by and watch.

Though he believed in doing one’s best and leaving the rest to fate, Horn wished Holy Father would grant him another year if possible.

Two and a half years would suffice for him to equip his army well and ensure abundant resources, earning enough leverage to contend with Lakunio.

Perhaps by now, he could have engaged the damn prince in an enjoyable battle.

Instead, he was now trapped in Rapids City by three constraints, full of strength but unable to use it.

Even with his steadfast determination, Horn inevitably felt anxious at this moment.

If this plan truly succeeded with Prince Kongdai, his only choice would likely be to retreat to Black Snake Bay.

Though this wasn’t entirely a retreat, the most crucial spring mechanism center, Autumn Dusk Island, remained in Daze Village.

Losing this industrial center, combined with the Church’s resurgence and Black Snake Bay’s blocked economy and harsh environment on all sides.

At that point, all Horn could do was engage in one hopeless Northern Expedition after another.

The Salvation Army might end up like the original Ruo’an Faction, said to be quietly governing in Lin’an, stuck in Black Snake Bay.

Ironically, when Horn was initially in Joan of Arc Castle, he wanted to go to Black Snake Bay but couldn’t; now he wants to avoid it but must go.

"Your Majesty, are you finished?" René stood in front of the Uffizi Palace garden, watching Horn, shirtless and sweaty, wiping his sweat by the pond.

"Hmm, today’s breathing practice is complete." Using a hot towel, Horn wiped the sweat from his armpits and face, stretching his limbs, "I feel I’ve reached the state of Half-Step Breathing Technique Great Perfection, and I’ll soon achieve the third stage!"

René habitually ignored Horn’s nonsense: "Your Majesty, there is an urgent letter from Lauren, Legion Commander of the Black Crown Seventh Army."

Putting on a shirt and walking to the marble washstand, Horn submerged his head in cold water.

Amidst the bubbling noises, René heard a clear "thought."

"Lauren’s urgent letter, Hotam County’s noble rebellion has already captured Damp Dock..."

Even before finishing reading, René felt a blur before his eyes.

Previously washing his face, Horn suddenly appeared in front of him, snatching the letter from his hand.

Almost skimming it, Horn nearly leapt up.

He closed his eyes for ten seconds, and upon reopening them, all traces of fatigue and irritation in his eyes were gone.

"Immediately convene the city’s senior monks and officials to gather in the council chamber for a military meeting."

By the time Horn changed clothes and arrived at the council chamber, all the city’s military and political high-ranking officials were present.

This included the councilors from Lower Reif County’s Rapids City and all stationed Salvation Army legion commanders.

Beside the oak meeting table, a Secret Monk was loudly reciting the intelligence report.

"On February 25, Gray Horse Knight Veen defected, claiming to have evidence of collusion among Hotam County nobles, but was shot by a Nameless Crossbowman.

Prince Kongdai, enraged, issued decrees to arrest Earl Sanboli of Stone Wall Town.

Earl Sanboli, fearing Prince Kongdai might relocate them to Mountain County and previously suffered from the Knight Lance teams’ ravages, chose to rebel.

On the night of February 29, the Saint Sun’s Army of André and Valent Taylor led 800 elite militia, pretending to be refugees to linger outside the city.

Collaborating inside and outside with the Earl’s loyalists who had already infiltrated Damp Dock, they seized Damp Dock..."

"Impossible!" both Carl and Hakuto exclaimed in shock.

Damp Dock isn’t a single fortress but comprises a main castle and numerous satellite-like sub-forts.

With the main castle of Damp Dock captured, the knights stationed at the many sub-forts lost their logistics and became isolated.

Yet they were not helpless; if the sub-fort knights concentrated their forces in time, they could still recapture the main castle.

"Misled by the Noble Lords, the knights in the sub-forts were divided in their intentions, acting hesitantly." Smiling as he walked to his seat, Horn patted the letter in his hand, "But our two legion commanders decisively moved in."

They couldn’t wait for an official order and, without delay, took boats downstream, reaching Damp Dock within half a day before the knights could counterattack.

Under the command of Legion Commander Lauren, they successfully repelled the knights’ two rounds of counterattacks.

This effectively eliminated any chance for Prince Kongdai and the Noble Alliance to recover the situation.

"Is this for real?"

"Can you confirm the source of the information?"

"Jeska, stationed at Ansen Castle, has already dispatched a boat to confirm," Horn glanced at the sunlight piercing the clouds outside, "Whether it’s true or not, it should have arrived by now."

Everyone followed his gaze to the window, watching the sunset break through the clouds.

There were many carrier pigeons, but almost everyone had this inexplicable feeling that it was the pigeon flying from Ansen Castle.

Horn was handed a small roll of note paper moments later.

He glanced at it smiling and handed it out: "It’s true."

The note passed from hand to hand; each person was astonished upon reading it.

"Is this true?"

"Can you confirm the source of this information?"

"Jeska, stationed at Ansen Castle, has sent out a boat to confirm," Horn looked at the sunlight breaking through the clouds outside, "Whether it’s true or false, it should have arrived by now."

Everyone followed him in looking out the window, their spirits lifted by the sun breaking through the clouds after three continuous days of rain over Rapids City shortly before sunset.