CHAPTER 174: THE LIGHT THAT SHONE IN THE DARKNESS

Darius facepalmed as he sat with a lifeless expression.

Everything had gone wrong!

The scheme he planned went off the trajectory completely.

The berserk slaves outbreak was supposed to help him clear out Wesley’s force, and even dampened the Crown Prince’s prestige.

After all, Darius could spread rumors that the Crown Prince was a harbinger who only brought ruin to wherever he went once the incident was resolved.

People were easy to swindle once they experienced a terrible tragedy.

Moreover, the timing of the Crown Prince’s arrival made it easier for people to shift the blame.

"No, I can still salvage this," Darius muttered. "As long as I start spreading the news that the incident was related to the Crown Prince’s arrival... Yes, I should do that now."

Initially, he should have waited till the incident was over to spread the rumors. But now that things had taken such a drastic change, he needed to make haste.

"Reporting!"

Another voice echoed, with another Death Guard returning with a report.

Darius’s heart tightened immediately. He had a foreboding feeling that this could be more terrible news.

"What is it this time?" He was agitated and hoped it was some good news for once.

When the Death Guard discerned that Darius’s tone was quite disrupted and agitated, they became anxious.

Nevertheless, with the magic contract in place, they could only grit their teeth and relay their findings.

"The Crown Prince has made their move. They started a rescue operation, and the people are now praising the former for being righteous and the savior of Velastra."

BADUM!

Upon hearing the report, Darius’s body could no longer withstand the shocking news. His mouth started to leak some white foam as he fell to the ground.

’It’s over... the Crown Prince surely played good chess.’ Darius thought before losing the light. His eyes were shut, having fainted from shock.

The remaining nobles didn’t fare any better. As much as they despised and wanted to usurp power from Darius, they also recognized their inferior ability.

To see someone of Darius’s status faint to the ground because of the Crown Prince, who had yet to actually reveal himself to the public, cast a dark shadow over them.

They were fearful of their looming fate, having realized that the Crown Prince was completely different from the rumors.

Incompetent?

Cowardly?

What utter nonsense was that!

Whoever said those adjectives and spread them around had truly fooled them dearly!

’This Crown Prince is too terrifying.’

’No, I cannot just sit still. I need to pledge allegiance now.’

’If I join the Crown Prince’s side and give him all the relevant evidence of the city’s corruption. Maybe I can still escape the crisis.’

The thoughts of these nobles were more or less the same. After learning this series of actions from the Crown Prince, they knew they had to act fast.

Otherwise, who knows if they might be eliminated silently and swiftly like the Melodious Bar?

As multiple nobles intended to leave, the remaining Death Guards in the room wanted to stop them.

"You dare to stop me?" One of the nobles with the Castellan rank snorted.

The Death Guard didn’t respond and simply unsheathed their weapon. It was clear that they had been ordered to keep these nobles in place by the Marquis in advance.

"How dare you!"

Enraged, the collective nobles finally came to a realization that Darius had intended to eradicate them from the start.

After all, they knew too many secrets.

They also understood that there were two options being given to them.

Obey Darius, you shall live!

Or disobey Darius, you shall die!

Luckily, these nobles weren’t all foolish and had long made some preparations.

"A few Death Guards actually dare to hinder us all? What a hilarious joke!" One noble sneered coldly.

"Death Guards are merely guards who have long since deceased. Do you really think you are the Crown Prince’s Crimson Guards?" Another noble laughed.

The Crimson Guards under the Crown Prince were widely feared, granted they were all trained under the supervision of the infamous butcher, eighth circle mage Spencer.

However, the Death Guards were merely a bunch of lowlives who got captured and forcefully trained by Darius.

In the blink of an eye, the guards that the nobles had secretly brought in were summoned and began confronting the Death Guards.

It was just right that the other Death Guards were busy confronting the berserk slaves who had breached inside the garden.

If they don’t act now, then when should they act?

"Let’s break through them and rush to the Royal Velastra Hotel! As long as we make it safely there, we can pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince and have a chance of survival!" The most senior noble, second to that of Darius, declared loudly.

Given Darius’s unconscious state, everything was in place for them to finally break free from the former’s control.

Although they had sinned a lot, they reckoned the Crown Prince should know that it was only wise to rope them in because they still had their uses.

Moreover, the series of thunderous actions from the Crown Prince had convinced them that the latter was cunning enough to confront the powerhouses in Velastra.

As the battle broke out inside the building of Fragrant Garden, covering the scene with blood and sweat, outside the garden, the city was finally taking a turn for the better.

The rescue operation from Mirelle had borne fruit, and many victims were rescued from their plight.

Simultaneously, the Wrathbane Extract effect from the berserk slaves was dwindling rapidly, allowing the battle to become easier.

SLASH!

"Commander, this is the last batch of the berserk slaves in the vicinity!" A Crimson Guard slew a berserk slave and promptly reported.

Mirelle nodded, her gaze shifting to the group of people that had been rescued by them.

"People of Velastra! You don’t need to fear anymore. The Crown Prince would bless you all with his presence!" She exclaimed loudly. Her declaration instantly captured the victims’ hearts, who erupted into loud cheers.

"Bless the Crown Prince of Aldros!"

"All hail the Crown Prince!"

The victims all went on their knees and bowed deeply in respect. Their forehead kissed the ground as they prayed and thanked the Crown Prince sincerely.

As they gave their sincerity, the sun, which had been covered by the gloomy clouds, had finally emerged.

The victims of this tragic incident engraved this scene in their hearts.

The light that shone in the darkness was graced by the Crown Prince of Aldros.