Chapter 626: Chapter 626: 624 Persuasion_1

Through the bustling streets, Duke St. Rands and Scholar Yerug arrived at the Central Castle of the Storm Fortress.

As the western gateway of the Crimson Flame Territory, the Storm Fortress is a territory directly controlled by the Royal Family, and naturally, this castle is also the private property of the St. Lorenzo family.

The low towers, narrow windows, and thick walls… This castle sacrificed aesthetics and comfort for military purposes.

Trace remnants of battles from unknown times still remained on the antiquated walls, with dense thorny vines creeping up and silently hiding the majority of these marks.

“Is His Majesty present?”

Duke St. Rands stopped outside a large wooden door, asking softly.

The guard nodded, but then refused:

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, His Majesty might be inconvenient to meet with you at the moment…”

Duke St. Rands smiled helplessly, preparing to leave.

But just then, the wooden door opened from the inside. A disheveled maid, looking distressed, stuck her head out and whispered a few words in the ear of the guard at the door.

Subsequently, the guard also entered.

Duke St. Rands and Scholar Yerug exchanged a glance, left with no choice but to wait on the spot.

After a while, they saw the guard come out again, this time carrying a corpse.

Duke St. Rands naturally knew what was going on.

Ever since the devastating defeat at the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, Emperor Reinhardt’s temper had become increasingly violent, and countless maids had died at his hands.

“Your Grace, His Majesty invites you in.”

“Alright.”

Duke St. Rands straightened his clothes, and then he and Scholar Yerug entered.

The room was still filled with the lewd scent of recent merry-making. Emperor Reinhardt stood barefoot on the floor, wearing just a simple robe, pouring wine into his mouth.

When he heard the greetings of Duke St. Rands and Scholar Yerug, he put down his wine cup, squinting his drunken eyes as he asked irritably:

“What are you two here for? Is the Orc army almost here?”

Duke St. Rands shook his head, saying:

“Not yet, Your Majesty. The Orcs are busy scavenging and pillaging in the Westland, and have not regrouped for an eastward march.

However, according to scouting reports, I estimate that within half a month, the vanguard of the Orc army should reach the Storm Fortress.”

“So why did you come to find me?” Emperor Reinhardt began to pour wine into his mouth again.

Duke St. Rands tried hard not to show any contempt on his face, even though he was indeed looking down on this emperor. Although the relationship between the South Border and the Royal Family had never been harmonious, as fellow humans, Duke St. Rands could only suppress his disdain and attempt to salvage the current situation.

Moreover, the commander of the North Territory had been declared a traitor, the ruler of the East had yet to be appointed, and the Duke of the West was missing… Under such circumstances, Duke St. Rands knew that if he didn’t step forward now, the glorious Empire might be led into the abyss of destruction by the foolish emperor before him.

“Your Majesty, too many refugees have gathered in the Storm Fortress from the Westland. It has already exceeded the Fortress’s capacity limit, and if it continues this way, there might be a riot in the fortress even before the Orcs attack!”

“They dare!” Emperor Reinhardt widened his eyes, “Anyone causing trouble in the fortress should be killed immediately!”

Duke St. Rands said helplessly:

“Your Majesty, killing alone cannot solve the problem. Moreover, they are all citizens of the Empire! The best solution would be to have them leave the Storm Fortress and seek temporary shelter in the Crimson Flame Territory.”

“Then hurry up and let them get out!” Emperor Reinhardt impatiently waved his hand.

“Your Majesty, because you are in the Storm Fortress and the Imperial Army is gathered here, most of the refugees believe this is the safest place, and therefore do not want to leave…”

“Then what should we do?”

“Your Majesty, I suggest you come forward and announce that the Imperial Army is about to withdraw from the Storm Fortress, so the refugees will naturally leave….”

Smack!

A exquisite tall wine glass was smashed in front of Duke St. Rands, dousing him with red wine.

The furious roar of Emperor Reinhardt followed:

“No retreat!

So long as I draw breath, I will never step back again!

Those damned Orcs shall not roam my territories!”

Duke St. Rands anticipated Emperor Reinhardt’s reaction, quietly waiting for him to vent before speaking again:

“Your Majesty, I certainly did not intend to suggest you retreat. This is merely a ruse to make the refugees leave on their own.”

“Is that so?” Emperor Reinhardt cooled down a notch, but still frowned, “Won’t this involve lying to the citizens of the Empire?”

“Of course not,” Duke St. Rands quickly explained. “You are merely announcing a withdrawal. The specific timing has not been announced. When the Orc army arrives at Storm Fortress, you can rightly excuse the defense of the fortress as reason to cancel the withdrawal plan.”

Emperor Reinhardt pondered in silence, contemplating the feasibility of this strategy.

Scholar Yerug watched with cold eyes, seeing that Emperor Reinhardt did not immediately refuse, his confidence in his plan grew.

According to his judgement, it was highly likely the Orcs would bypass the Storm Fortress and march straight to the Crimson Flame Territory.

If that happens, the excuse for Emperor Reinhardt to call off the withdrawal wouldn’t hold.

By then, to keep his promise this proud Emperor would have to choose to retreat.

With that, the withdrawal plan would be put into action not as a ruse but as a strategic move.

However, as to where they’d retreat to, Scholar Yerug held differing plans from Marquis Garcia in his heart…

“Fine, we’ll do it your way.” Emperor Reinhardt apparently didn’t see the trap laid out by Scholar Yerug and immediately agreed. “You will determine a time when I will make a public announcement that the Imperial Army will soon be leaving the Storm Fortress…”

“We can’t retreat!”

Just when Duke St. Rands and Scholar Yerug thought they had successfully manipulated the situation, the door was suddenly thrown open and a figure stormed in.

Emperor Reinhardt’s face darkened, ready to berate the man who dared to intrude, but when he recognized him, he swallowed his words.

Because, the intruder was none other than the Lord of the Westland – Duke St. Gregorian!

The guards scrambled to follow, gazing helplessly at Emperor Reinhardt, indicating their inability to stop the Duke of the Westland.

Emperor Reinhardt didn’t fault the guards, instead gesturing for them to stand down.

“Duke St. Gregorian, it’s good to hear that you’ve managed to retreat safely from the Westland…”

Emperor Reinhardt’s sentence trailed off as another figure entered the room.

“Lexie…”

As Prince Lexie entered, he neither bowed nor greeted, simply watching Emperor Reinhardt with cold, hard eyes.

Emperor Reinhardt swallowed nervously and was about to speak, but to his surprise, the parade of visitors was not yet over.

Another figure appeared at the door.

“Mr. Ji?”