When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 857 - 808: Scallion Assault, Ha Miao Hang Ming

Rapids City, Riverfront Camp.

The canal flowed with a clattering sound, surprisingly carrying a hint of iron-gray sheen in the cold winter.

The flickering lights on the roads of Rapids City woke up more and more people during the night.

But the barracks of the First River Transport Army near the docks of Rapids City were quiet.

A military camp composed of stone barracks and wooden forts was illuminated by bonfires.

This place garrisoned the Corps of River Transport, established by Moliat, to suppress rebellions along the river.

Compared to proper armies, their nature was more akin to military police.

After the Leia invasion war started, a portion of the River Transport Army was dispatched to Xia Lvcheng, while the remaining approximately 1000-1500 soldiers truly undertook the task of river transport.

They were responsible for transporting supplies and weapons from Rapids City to various forts and preventing Leia Army from attacking the fleet.

It should be around 10 PM now, and most soldiers had already fallen asleep.

The air inside the camp was filled with the moist scent of soil after the snow, apart from the cawing of cold crows and the clattering sound of water, no other sounds could be heard.

Sentinels sat around the fire, whispering to each other, with patrolling knights occasionally passing over the snow.

In the dim camp, only Count Nathaniel's barrack was brightly lit.

This noble, once long believed to be in cahoots with Count Sanboli, actually passed Moliat's test and stood on the side of Thousand River Valley.

However, tabloid reporters pointed out that Count Nathaniel was sworn enemies with Lieutenant-General Raffel's son from the Leia Army, hence he didn't defect.

Some also said Nathaniel was too slow in reaction, and it was already too late to defect.

No matter what, at least until now, this Count from Pingyuan County remained loyal to Moliat.

Sitting on the soft couch in the camp, Nathaniel held a quill pen, staring at the battle reports on the table, yet hesitated to write.

After a while, he sighed and shook his head, pushing the battle reports aside.

Frowning, Nathaniel's gaze swept heavily over the pile of reports.

The Duke's army was still in Kenke Town undergoing the so-called baptism and epidemic prevention, while the Shepherd's army had already entered the front line.

Although the changes in public opinion in recent days were unlikely to affect the overall situation, they still prompted Nathaniel's vigilance.

After the constitutional convention in Thousand River Valley, the political status of nobles was already declining rapidly.

This defeat at Shattered Stone Plain, the bond crisis combined with the defeat of the Leia invasion war, threefold blows caused the prestige of nobles to decline continuously.

Even those ordinary civilian officials promoted by Moliat were starting to show signs of unrest, ready to switch allegiances.

To this day, he found it difficult to understand why Moliat ignored the nobility and insisted on promoting these small-minded people.

While fretting over the battle reports, Nathaniel heard some commotion from the sentry outside the door.

Just as he raised his head, he saw the wooden door of the barrack being pushed open abruptly, and a knight dressed in a dark cloak quickly walked in, snowflakes upon him yet to completely melt.

"Lord Nathaniel!"

Eyes fixed on the newcomer, Nathaniel frowned slightly: "Clovin? What brings you here at such a late hour?"

This core noble of the Mountain Faction, panting, stepped forward, brushed off the accumulated snow on his cloak, and whispered: "Things are not looking good, we must act immediately!"

Nathaniel gestured for him to sit, summoned a servant to pour a cup of hot wine and pushed it over.

"Don't rush, speak slowly."

Clovin took the cup, gulped down a mouthful, then lowered his voice: "There's turmoil happening in Rapids City, you must act immediately."

"Turmoil, what turmoil?"

"The Canal Club in Lower Reif County, and those local representatives are inciting a movement to impeach the Autocratic Duke."

"Them?" Nathaniel laughed, waving a finger in the direction of Rapids City.

"Several representatives from Mountain County have already been convinced!" Seeing Nathaniel was dismissive, Clovin was about to burst with anger, "If the incitement continues, the Advisory Council will really have commoners in majority!"

Nathaniel's eyes reflected a sense of bewilderment: "This group can actually oust Grand Duke Moliat?"

As if hearing a joke, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a trace of sarcastic smile: "The Duke not stepping down, would they really dare to do anything to her?"

Clovin's face darkened, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: "They can't, indeed, but the problem is, if they make noise, His Majesty Horn will have an excuse!"

Nathaniel's smile instantly faded.

He was silent for a few seconds, his gaze flickering: "You mean… His Majesty Horn might seize this chance to act against the Duke?"

"Of course!" Clovin said urgently, "Can't you see? The Shepherd Leader superficially supports Moliat, but from his arranged military actions, it's clear he's slowly marginalizing her power."

Rubbing his temples, Nathaniel stood up, turning his back to Clovin: "He may at most strip her of wartime command authority… If all responsibility falls on the Duke, what about the frontline army?"

Clovin sneered: "Our core troops are trapped in Kenke Town due to Xia Lv fever.

His Majesty Horn has already stationed two battle groups nearby, once there's trouble, they can immediately suppress the situation there…

Now there're representatives in the Advisory Council stirring trouble, the intention of the Great Shepherd is obvious to all.

Remember, our beloved Duke is severely injured, unable to control the army."

He circled around the table, approaching Nathaniel from behind, his voice even lower: "If the Advisory Council keeps making noise, the Shepherd might really strip the Autocratic Duke of her position."

Nathaniel fell silent, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

After a moment, he hesitated to ask: "The constitutional movement is just a petition, can it really have such a big impact? If it fails, wouldn't we be at odds with both the Duke and the Great Shepherd?"

Clovin's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, he cleared his throat: "Do you think they're merely petitioning? Their goal is to wipe out all nobles!"

Nathaniel's hand tapping the table twitched slightly: "You mean… You wouldn't be saying…"

Clovin's lips curled into a mocking grin: "Want to hear the slogans they're spreading around? Nobility must bear responsibility for the war!"

Nathaniel's face turned paler, this statement was lethal, as it implied there would be reckoning post-war.

"Thousand River Valley should be led by the Holy Alliance and representatives of the Advisory Council!"

This was an attempt to pull nobles down from the Advisory Council, how dare they?! Nathaniel's face grew even paler.

"Burn castle, overturn church, no grain given when the Saintess arrives!"

Jumping up suddenly, Nathaniel's expression completely changed.

This was the aspect they feared most, stripping not only political status but also economic status.

He wasn't a fool, understanding the real purpose of the constitutional movement wasn't merely expressing support for Horn.

But he didn't expect the situation to have gotten this bad, nor did he expect the Great Shepherd to be pushing so hard.

"Damn…" he cursed under his breath, then looked up and asked, "What should I do?"

Clovin took a deep breath, slowly replied: "First, we must immediately contact the Female Grand Duke and Herman, let them know about the changes in the situation.

Secondly, you must have the army control the situation and portray the actions of these citizens as riots caused by the bond issue."

"Riots?" Nathaniel hesitated again, "They're just petitioning…"

Clovin showed a mysterious smile: "Riot and petition are a single step apart, other nobles will support you."

He fixed his gaze on Nathaniel's eyes, speaking deliberately: "If the situation spirals out of control, it's your duty, to suppress it under the guise of 'quelling the riot'."

Nathaniel gritted his teeth, was silent for a moment, eventually nodded slowly.

Seeing this, Clovin stepped closer, almost face-to-face: "When the situation becomes truly untenable, then take the Duke and leave, never let her fall into the hands of the Great Shepherd."

"Why?"

Clovin's eyes were cold: "If the Duke is under Horn's control, it's the end for all of us nobles, besides the Duke, who else can rule over the entire Thousand River Valley?"

Taking a deep breath, Nathaniel, with a gloomy face, snapped his fingers, two soldiers entered the barrack.

After a whispering session, they left again.

Then, the horns in the camp slowly sounded.

Extending his hand, Clovin tightly grasped Nathaniel's wrist, his gaze fiery as if aflame:

"The glory of the nobility hinges on this moment."