Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 724 - 405: Battle of the Heirs

Seventy-two hours after the Fourth Prince Rhine claimed the mantle of Regent King, the Imperial Capital thrummed with a tension as taut as a drawn bowstring.

Though the true storm had yet to break, the winds gusting around the west city were already whipping dust into the air.

In the distance, the mountains seemed to echo with a sound like war drums, heralding the approach of Duke Raymond and the Second Prince Kaelin's combined forces.

Meanwhile, the western ramparts of the Imperial Capital had been sealed with absolute finality.

All drawbridges were hoisted, the formidable three-tiered gates slammed shut, thoroughfares lay deserted, and the Forbidden Army, alongside academy guards, stood arrayed in full battle armor.

The entire metropolis was transformed, resembling a colossal beast coiled and poised, awaiting the savage rending of the coming assault.

Rhine stood sentinel atop the highest command post on the west city wall, a plush crimson carpet beneath his feet, creating a stark, incongruous contrast with the muddy desolation beyond the city limits.

One hand cradled a cup of red tea, its aroma surprisingly potent in the damp, chilly air preceding the rain. The other held a silver-inlaid telescope, through which he surveyed the densely packed coalition army spread out below.

The command tower teemed with the capital's civil servants and nobility.

All were clad in light armor designed to mimic ceremonial garb, their faces generally etched with pallor as they beheld the scene unfolding outside the city.

Duke Simmons stood a respectful distance behind Rhine, his hands clasped tightly around a cane.

His gaze was fixed on the churning shadow on the horizon: "Your Highness... that sight... it appears to be more than just a mere army..."

Rhine turned his head slightly, granting him a look of almost disarming steadiness: "Duke, maintain your composure."

He gestured towards the expanse beyond the city wall.

There, a subtle golden luminescence pulsed intermittently, a shimmering shield that seemed to envelop the entire city in a protective embrace, albeit one that trembled slightly.

"Do you perceive it?" Rhine gently swirled the tea within his cup. "This is the sacred protective array of the Imperial Capital, consuming two thousand gold coins with every passing minute.

The array's sustenance is reliant upon fifty-seven court Grand Mages, and their considerable expenses, alongside the cost of magic crystals, are personally defrayed by myself. Even the magic crystals have seen a recent surge in price."

Simmons swallowed, his throat visibly working: "Your... Your Highness, expending such vast sums is truly..."

"It is entirely justified," Rhine interjected, his eyes still fixed on the distant view. "Unless the coalition possesses the Hammer of God, they will not breach this layer today."

He signaled for an attendant to open a viewing aperture.

Along the city wall, arrays of newly installed heavy crossbows and broad, curved shields gleamed with a polished metallic luster under the ambient light.

Intricate gears and chains facilitated the operation of massive catapults, their projectiles etched with demonic sigils, each stone weighing thrice that of ordinary rocks...

Rhine commented with an air of detachment: "Each of these armaments commands a price exceeding the value of Raymond's antiquated knightly lances by the equivalent of an entire Baron's Domain."

His attention then shifted to another sector within the city's confines.

"The Fifth Knight Order is responsible for the Inner City District's security," Rhine stated softly. "The Eleventh Knight Order maintains vigilance along the city walls. The Eighth Knight Order is positioned flanking the royal thoroughfare."

Rhine continued his assessment: "These three orders, comprising a force of seven thousand, represent the Empire's most elite knights. While they initially harbored no particular affinity for me, upon learning of my generous reward system... their loyalty has become surprisingly steadfast."

A palpable wave of relief swept through the nobles gathered in the tower.

Simmons inclined his head in deference: "Your Highness... how precisely did you manage to secure the allegiance of these knights? Truly... only you could achieve such a feat."

This effusive compliment, tinged with an undeniable flavor of sycophancy, was clearly not spontaneous, yet it resonated pleasingly with Rhine's sensibilities.

Rhine gently tapped the rim of his cup with his fingertips, seemingly savoring the implicit acknowledgment.

"It is remarkably straightforward," he declared, raising the cup in a subtle salute. His gaze, though outwardly calm, held a sharp intensity. "I informed them that, under my command, loyalty is a commodity that can be purchased."

As these words resonated, the assembled nobles nodded in unison, smiles gracing their faces as if they had just absorbed a profound piece of political sagacity.

The air, thick with agreements and further flattery, paradoxically felt even more suffocating.

Observing through the telescope, the dense formation of the coalition army was engaged in the laborious process of adjusting its ranks before the impending tempest, much like a colossal predator preparing to strike.

Rhine slowly retracted the telescope, his tone adopting a lightness that belied the gravity of the situation, as if engaging in casual conversation: "They present a formidable appearance."

"However, to conquer this city..." He lifted his head, his gaze settling on the shimmering golden array high above, his voice imbued with a low, unshakeable assurance:

"It would require months. Yet, within half a month, additional knight orders stationed beyond the capital will arrive to lend their support. Our sole objective is to maintain our defensive posture, for this Imperial Capital stands as the Empire's most impregnable fortress."

He took a slow, deliberate sip of the red tea.

"Fear not, Simmons." Rhine let out a chuckle, "The Imperial Capital stands unbreachable. At least, not today."

No sooner had the words left his lips, than the darkness beyond the western city began to churn ominously. The resonant thud of war drums battered against the persistent rain, akin to some colossal beast stirring from slumber.

The assembled nobles held their breath, their gazes fixed outward.

Rhine lifted his telescope once more, its lenses reflecting a legion breaking formation from the greater coalition, trudging through the mire toward the Imperial Capital.

A cold sneer touched his lips: "Raymond has finally decided to act?"

Karen drew nearer, his brow creased with a slight frown: "It is the Tenth Frontier Legion, Your Highness. They appear to be probing the city's defenses."

"Cannon fodder," Rhine declared with chilling finality, his tone laden with mockery and a simmering indignation toward such defiance. "These frontier brutes, neglecting their duty to guard the borders, yet daring to commit treason within the heart of the Imperial Capital."

The nobles within the tower readily echoed his sentiment.

"Your Highness speaks the absolute truth!"

"Such coarse ruffians aren't even worthy to tread upon the soil of the Imperial Capital!"

Rhine absorbed their agreement with evident satisfaction, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"No orders are necessary," he stated, setting aside the telescope and gently swirling the tea in his cup. "The defensive array is already primed."

At that precise moment, a resounding roar erupted from beneath the city ramparts, as if the entirety of the Imperial Capital drew a collective, powerful breath.

A subtle golden light shield flared to life, its luminescence dazzling, appearing to cleave a luminous path through the encompassing night.

Intricate patterns of lightning materialized across the shield's surface, each crackling with agitated electrical energy, resembling a multitude of golden serpents coiled protectively around the city's perimeter.