Chapter 59

The fading afterglow gradually dimmed, and the darkness descended.

The magical street lamps on the campus road began to light up one by one, dispelling the darkness with their faint glow.

"Prepare to move out."

Keinslon squinted his eyes, looking up at the dim street lamp not far away. He reached out and gently pulled the black coat over his armor closer. Turning around, he saw more than a dozen subordinates dressed like him.

Black clothes, black night.

If you want to hide a leaf, the best way is to hide it among a pile of leaves.

If you want to remain hidden in the darkness, the best way is to blend into it.

The number of people participating in this rescue and raid mission was not many, only a fraction of the team, a decision made by Keinslon.

According to their intelligence, among the rebellious students were mysterious helpers, whose strength was not weak and even had the power to oppose them to some extent.

They had a vague idea of who these people were. The deeper they delved into the murky waters of the capital, the more likely they were to get entangled. Therefore, they would not care who they were; they only needed to complete the king's order.

The key issue now was whether these people would interfere with their actions.

Considering this, Keinslon decided to split up.

One group, led by Saphirian, would negotiate with the students again. Their purpose was to delay time, draw the attention of those helpers, and reduce the pressure on the rescue and raid.

So, he couldn't bring too many people. A large number would raise suspicion. Keinslon was sure that the other side had already investigated their numbers thoroughly. Everyone knew that this incident was not a simple rebellion.

This was an internal struggle within the royal family.

Moreover, he had enough confidence, which came from his strength.

"Keinslon, what if your operation fails?"

Perhaps out of concern, Saphirian's gaze was fixed on the distant target.

"Fail?"

Keinslon gently stroked his horse's mane. He would have to part with it briefly when the operation began.

"Whether we succeed or fail, your task is to completely eliminate the rebels."

"Must it come to suppression and slaughter?" Saphirian said softly. "You know, those people might become the future of this country in years to come, and their identities could be a source of future trouble."

"Once they betray the kingdom, they become enemies of the state."

The purple moon peeked out from behind the clouds, and a cold wind blew, bringing a chill. Keinslon's cold face showed no emotion as he said, "His Majesty has secretly granted me the authority to act independently. You don't need to bear the consequences. Your job is to follow His Majesty's orders and suppress the rebellion!"

"Take care of my horse. I'm leaving!"

With that, Keinslon turned and approached his subordinates, who were ready. He raised his hand, and all the soldiers quickly disappeared from sight.

"Rigid and boring old man."

Watching Keinslon's final disappearance, Saphirian muttered under his breath. Then, he raised his hand, flicked the reins, and the group moved forward again.

...

Tylrand stood on a makeshift platform in a small square inside the comprehensive building. Under the moonlight and the dim glow of the street lamps, countless gathered members of the Blood Flag Society focused their gazes on him.

Angelo had already left with the noble ministers, each with their own tasks.

Waldorf had just sent back the latest intelligence: the royal guards were approaching. Tylrand had summoned all the members, ready to bear the consequences of what was to come.

"Comrades of the Blood Flag Society."

Tylrand's voice echoed loudly, the pain from his abdominal wound tugging at his nerves. He raised his head and took a deep breath.

"This might be the last time I gather you all. Why? I think many of you already understand. His Majesty has dispatched the royal guards to suppress us!"

"Ha ha—"

He suddenly burst into laughter, and everyone heard the bitterness and sorrow in his voice.

"Will you choose to shout out your strongest cry from the heart, or will you choose to surrender in pain and despair?"

"I know you are all struggling with this decision. The former may lead to your death; the latter will leave you with guilt and remorse. But this is not your fault. All the blame lies with me, for I led you into this, I stirred your passion with my ideals."

"Perhaps it was a moment of impulse, perhaps there was another purpose, or perhaps... you, like me, are truly willing to pay any price for this country, even the sacrifice of your own life."

"They are coming. I will bear the consequences of everything. I no longer wish to bind you with ideals. If you are willing to follow me again, please stay."

"If you cannot bear the harsh reality that is about to face you, please leave. Leave! Cherish your lives and follow your true hearts!"

Tylrand's voice echoed through the square, and people looked at his weary, lonely figure. At that moment, they seemed to understand that their once-admired leader had chosen an irreversible path.

He was setting them free, freeing them from the constraints of ideals.

The crowd began to stir, gradually becoming less dense. Like a domino effect, more and more people chose to leave.

Because of Tylrand's words, they found a way out. Even though they felt guilty, the fear of death overwhelmed them.

They no longer held on. The so-called ideals and beliefs were now just fleeting clouds.

Tylrand watched silently, unmoving.

This was his decision, and he had no regrets. Everyone was free, and he did not want to drag them into the abyss of his vague ideals. They were not him.

The crowded square became empty, and the remaining members were few.

"Why didn't you choose to leave?" Tylrand looked at them with a complex expression.

They glanced at each other, and an ordinary student stepped forward, looking up at him with determination.

"Brother Tylrand, you are not the only one willing to sacrifice to protect this kingdom. We are not bound by your ideals, but because we, like you, deeply love this kingdom."

"I come from a small town behind the northern defense line of the kingdom. During the Fog Flower Year, when the Ossasu barbarians invaded, my family and friends all died in that war. I was captured and lived as a slave, but the kingdom's army saved me. The nightmares of that time have haunted me countless times. At that moment, I secretly vowed to protect this country with everything I have, because I do not want anyone else to suffer such pain!"

"I come from a small town on the border between the kingdom and Sugro. Every year, people in the town die at the hands of those skeletons, and every year, the dead turn into Sugro's warriors. I once thought about what would happen if Sugro invaded the kingdom. The living would suffer, and the dead would not rest. What a tragic scene! I will not accept this outcome. Only the strength of the kingdom can prevent the nightmare from happening." Another student stepped forward and said.

"I come from an ordinary noble family. One day, a young nobleman who coveted our family's wealth stripped us of everything through various means. My father committed suicide out of hatred. I hate all incompetent and greedy nobles. If this country is full of such people, what hope does the kingdom have?"

"I..."

One by one, they stepped forward, revealing their hearts. Different people, different backgrounds, fate had brought them together, and fate had united them in a common ideal.

Tylrand smiled, for he was not alone.

"Comrades, draw your swords! Let us convey our hearts to all the people of the kingdom. We must let them know that we are not wrong! History will remember us, remember that we chose the right path today!"

"Clang—"

The sound of swords being drawn echoed, and the moonlight seemed to flow on the cold blades, illuminating their determined, young faces.

The ground trembled, and the punishment was about to come.

Saphirian gathered his spirit, stopped his horse, and raised his hand. The royal guards scattered into an attack formation. Before them stood the waiting students.

They held their swords, pointing them at the guards.

Was it bravery or ignorance?

Saphirian slowly rode forward, looking at the most prominent figure in front, for all the students were behind him.

He slightly raised his head, scanned them, and then turned to the person not far away, smiling. "I heard there were many of you, but now, the facts seem to contradict the intelligence."

"Useless sacrifices bring no chance of victory. When people face reality, their ideals and beliefs change. So, I let those people choose to leave." Tylrand said slowly.

"Edwardo Saphirian, Deputy Commander of the Third Battalion of the Royal Guard."

Saphirian nodded and introduced himself.

"Yamalenda Tylrand."

"Yamalenda? A familiar name." Saphirian thought for a moment and said.

"A few years ago, a minister named Yamalenda tried to reform this country, but he was stripped of his title. A year later, he died in a conspiracy assassination." Tylrand said coldly.

"That does sound familiar."

Saphirian carefully examined Tylrand, curious and smiling. "So, what relation is he to you?"

"He is my father." Tylrand's voice grew colder.

"I remember he didn't leave any descendants." Saphirian's smile deepened.

"Because I am a bastard."

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