While Yan Xing commanded his troops to rescue Count Theodore, Li Jiya led the Werewolf Warriors of the Eternal Domain into Rose Court.
Rose Court was a residential garden estate, originally conceived as a residence for Duke Silver Mane. Consequently, Rose Court boasted stunning scenery and a full array of leisure facilities, with very few defensive structures that might spoil the ambiance or the view. There were no high walls or fortresses, nor were there castle watchtowers.
During the rebellion in Nuta City, although the insurgents had not attacked Rose Court directly, their harassing advances had inflicted significant damage on the exquisite gardens. The once-manicured lawns were now split by a jarring rift down the middle, marred by large patches of scorch marks and lingering, unlted ice crystals. The fountain in the forecourt lay smashed by a massive boulder, and the main building’s walls bristled with arrows. Windows in so rooms belched black smoke, and explosions occurred sporadically. Bodies lay motionless on the ground everywhere.
The defenders of Rose Court had abandoned the indefensible outer gardens, retreating into the sturdier buildings to make their stand.
Mounted on a Chocobo and leading the Werewolf Warriors, Li Jiya dispersed an attacking rebel unit and pushed deep across the grasslands toward Rose Court. Approaching the main building, Li Jiya had the Werewolf Warriors set up defenses outside while she dismounted her Chocobo to find Lady Karol.
The Werewolf Hero accompanying Li Jiya drew his Saber and, still mounted on his Chocobo, roared to his warriors.
"Warriors of the Eternal Tribe! Form a defensive line and exterminate any enemy in sight! Werewolf valor!"
"Werewolf valor!"
Boosted by the Werewolf Hero’s roar, the Werewolf Warriors raised their weapons and echoed with a collective howl.
Then, the Werewolf Warriors ford a curved protective wall with their Bulletproof Shields, crouching behind them with pistols ready, vigilantly scanning ahead.
All the Werewolf Raiders dismounted their Chocobos, commanded them to lie down, and then rested beside the creatures.
The accompanying Werewolf Beast Tars released their Poison Flies and cast various defensive Magic spells to fortify their troops.
anwhile, the Werewolf commander used his tactical terminal to contact Chui Chui, requesting scout drone support and patrol by an Unmanned Bomber in his designated sector.
Chui Chui replied that the scout drones and tactical Unmanned Bombers were in position. New cannons and artillery crews were en route, and it was expected that so degree of artillery support would be available in four hours.
When Lady Karol saw Li Jiya, she couldn’t help but frown and ask, "Why are you here? You should be with Yan Xing at a ti like this..."
Li Jiya saluted Lady Karol and answered, "Yan Xing is currently rescuing Count Theodore. He has gone to the Lord’s Mansion. My presence at the embassy isn’t crucial. I felt you needed more right now, and I’ve brought reinforcents."
Standing by the window, Lady Karol glanced at the Werewolf Warriors outside, her tone relaxing slightly. "You say Yan Xing has gone to the Lord’s Mansion? Were the rebels attacking the embassy defeated?"
Li Jiya replied, "When Yan Xing was attacked at the embassy, it took him less than an hour to rout the insurgents."
"That fast?" Lady Karol could hardly believe it.
Urban warfare wasn’t like a battle on an open plain. In a complex urban environnt, defeating an enemy force, even with an advantage, typically required a considerable amount of ti. Not to ntion, given the embassy’s importance, it must have been a primary target for the insurgents. Facing a superior enemy force, Yan Xing’s n at the embassy managed to rout them in less than an hour.
How did he do it?
The insurgent siege had severely limited Lady Karol’s access to external information. All intelligence channels she could currently mobilize were dedicated to protecting Prince Elrado, leaving no resources to gather information from elsewhere.
Even if Lady Karol was reluctant to believe it, the fact that Yan Xing had sent his own Werewolf Warriors with Li Jiya as reinforcents fully indicated that the threat on his end had been eliminated!
Lady Karol’s reaction was as Li Jiya had expected. Even so, Li Jiya herself was still reeling from what she had witnessed.
"My lady, this is also one of the reasons I rushed back..."
Li Jiya recounted to Lady Karol what she had witnessed at the embassy, detailing the use and power of the cannons, as well as the new firearms wielded by the warriors of the Eternal Domain.
Lady Karol glanced again at the Werewolf Warriors on guard outside and said, "The weapons in their hands, are those the improved firearms you ntioned?"
Li Jiya replied, "Yes. In recent days, I have found that Yan Xing has been in close contact with the Goblins. Perhaps these new weapons are related to the Goblins."
Lady Karol recalled the intelligence she had gathered about the Eternal Domain; Yan Xing was indeed cooperating with the Goblins. They had a factory in the Eternal Domain. However, the factory’s defenses were extrely tight, and the Rose Court spies couldn’t penetrate them at all. Moreover, the Eternal Domain had strong counter-infiltration capabilities, and the spies sent there could hardly uncover anything useful.
However, now was not the ti to consider the new weapons of the Eternal Domain.
To complete the Duchy’s strategic objectives in the Wildwind Highlands, they had to ensure Prince Elrado left Nuta City safely and as soon as possible. Since the Temple was searching for the Elf Envoys, this plan could not be delayed further.
"Li Jiya, I have a new task for you."
Lady Karol ordered Li Jiya to activate her subordinates, the Duchy’s secret agents, to rescue Prince Elrado. If an opportunity arose, they were to escort the Prince out of the city and to the Elf-controlled territories.
"Yes, my lady." Li Jiya accepted the order. Then, after a mont’s thought, she added, "I hope you will permit to seek assistance from a friend."
By saying this, Li Jiya implied that this friend was an outsider.
Previously, Lady Karol would never have permitted an outsider to learn of Elf affairs. But given the current circumstances, with Prince Elrado being relentlessly pursued by the Farsight rcenary Corps and forced into hiding, reliable outside help had to be considered.
"Who is it?"
"It’s the thief, Terence."
"Him?"
Given Terence’s significant reputation in Nuta City, Lady Karol certainly knew of the legendary thief. His fa had soared to its peak, especially after he robbed the Orc Treasury just a few days prior. If Terence the thief was willing to help rescue Prince Elrado, their chances of a safe escape would be significantly higher.
Lady Karol asked, "Do you still have contact with him? Can he be trusted?"
Li Jiya paused for a mont, then took out a Gold Coin. "I was also involved in Terence’s heist of the Orc Treasury," she told Lady Karol. "He is very strong—so strong that if he wished, he could kill instantly. He doesn’t belong to any power... I believe we can trust him."
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