Back in the capital after a few days. Word had reached already that the royal army had lost and the rebels had been victorious. Everyone was in shock but also very glad. The citizens of the city were celebrating in secret and in silence. People were toasting and were waiting eagerly for Rufus to come and liberate them.

The nobles who stayed behind in the capital were biting their nails in fear of the approaching army now heading to the capital. They had heard that all the nobles captured were executed immediately and they knew they were about to be next on the executioner's table.

~~

"Hahahahaha. They did it. Those brats really did it," Old man Haufen laughed and poured the last of the expensive wine for him and Mrs. Jean.

"It really was worth the wait. Drinking this wine now sure tastes good," Mrs. Jean said and sipped her wine.

The two of them partied alone. They were ecstatic about the news and were the ones who were probably celebrating the news the most in the entire capital. Old man Haufen got on top of a table and started to dance as Mrs. Jean clapped a rhythm for him.

As Hhaufen was dancing Mrs' Jean stopped clapping and got a melancholic look on her face.

"Only if Harley was here," Mrs. Jean said and looked at her glass.

Old man Haufen stopped dancing. He looked melancholic.

"Harley would be proud of them. Like we are," Old man Haufen said and hugged Mrs. Jean.

"What should we cook for them when they return?"

"Well...They always liked our meat pies since they were little. Of course, that big guy Edward liked a cold ale and that blonde also," Haufen said and tried to remember.

"Good. I'll start making them now."

"Hold up. It will be at least a week until they arrive."

~ ~

In the royal palace, the king had called all the rest of the nobles that had stayed behind at the capital. They met at the throne room. The meeting felt like a sorry display compared to all the previous ones. Only around ten nobles were present.

All the nobles stood silent. The king looked irritated and impatient.

"Where is the prince?" the king asked.

"I believe he refused to come here. He said and I quote," I have better things to do" I believe," one noble said.

"That selfish child. He never has had any interest in this and now of all times, he decides to lock himself in his own room. There might not be a kingdom for him soon. Where is his adjutant? The one with the hammer. The big guy."

"He is also missing my king."

The throne room was silent. It almost seemed like the rats were leaving a sinking ship and many of the nobles also wanted to flee the kingdom.

The king wanted solutions and was not used to coming up with them. He was just used to implementing them and letting nobles like Mihalh come up with decisions and actions.

"Well! Somebody, say something!" the king yelled

The nobles just stood in the throne room awkwardly.

"We have to do something! Give ideas!" the King yelled.

"How about if we wait for the remnants of the defeated army to aid us in the of the city," one noble suggested.

"What remnants. Most of the soldiers fled back to their regions. Even Joan Plangent fled somewhere to the east and is sulking somewhere in the Hessen region with the last of the knights of the black sun," another noble said.

"How about if we ask our neighbors for help? Ask the nations of Brahm and Sparv."

"They won't lift a finger unless they have something to gain. We would become their lackeys with them deciding the laws and we have to pay a percentage of the tax income to them."

"It is still better than having your head drop onto the floor from an ax hitting the back of your neck."

"GIVE ME SOMETHING USEFUL!" the king yelled also fearing for his life.

"We do have our city's garrison to defend it. Let us just use them to defend the city," a noble said.

"The garrison of the capital is only around two thousand men strong. The enemy has at least fifteen thousand soldiers and warriors. They stand no chance to defend against them," a noble said and shot the idea down.

The king stood up from his throne. All the rest of the nobles bent the knee. He then walked to the window and looked down at the city. He saw many people walking on the streets. He looked at the city and looked at it like they were cattle.

"We have more soldiers. The city is full of able body men. Let us finally make those commoners do their part for the kingdom. Force recruit all the citizens," the king ordered.