Outside the city walls, a large number of chevaux-de-frise were placed.
Solders were patrolling everywhere, and many knights were leading some refugees into the city gate.
Kana saw those refugees who were with them.
It seems that when these refugees scattered and fled, they encountered the patrolling cavalry.
"There's actually a city that hasn't fallen yet." Nickern was somewhat surprised.
After all, in their escape journey, they encountered many refugees, and these refugees came from other cities.
There hadn't been any good news, like the entire country's cities plunged into crisis overnight.
"It's because the Count had foresight. He defended his territory and protected Lake City."
The Knight Captain said, seeming to hold great reverence for the Count.
"You are right, Count is certainly a wise nobleman." Nickern said with a forced smile.
Arriving outside the city gate, the Cavalry Captain instructed some of his team members to take Nickern and others to be settled elsewhere.
He also had two horses brought over for Kana and the other person.
"Your Highness, please follow me, it's still a bit of a distance to the barracks where the Count is."
Kana nodded, not resisting, and riding behind Alyris on horseback.
...
Inside a rectangular fortress.
Count Vainsha was discussing something with his subordinates here.
"According to those refugees, all other places except us have fallen." A middle-aged man in armor said.
"That was expected; besides the commoners and some stubborn folks, everyone else has long sided with the royal family." The speaker was a young person in light armor.
"We should prepare early. With our amount of troops, it's impossible to withstand those monsters."
"No rush, transporting various supplies along with civilians isn't that easy.
Moreover, most cities are still in chaos now. The royal family will need at least half a month to stabilize and gather their troops to attack us."
"That's right, for now, we just need to focus on dealing with those monsters harassing us."
Listening to his subordinates discussing the next steps, the Count frowned, looking at the map and pondering something.
The door was pushed open at this time.
A knight quickly walked over.
The people in the room stopped their conversation and turned to look at him.
"Count, the Prince has arrived."
This statement made everyone in the room pause.
"Have the enemies attacked?" The bearded middle-aged man asked.
This made the reporting knight a bit confused.
"Uh, it's the Prince who has arrived, no enemies."
Everyone also quickly realized that things weren't what they thought.
The Count immediately asked, "Does he look different from those of the Blood Race?"
"No, Captain Blake is bringing him over."
Hearing Blake's name, the Count understood.
"Understood, you may leave, let Blake bring him straight here when he arrives."
"Yes."
The knight left after receiving orders.
As soon as the door was closed, the room immediately became noisy.
"What's going on? Is this a disguise? Or are they here to persuade us?"
"They probably hope to persuade us to become some kind of new life, like them."
"No way, I don't want to be a fool that eats intestines."
"Alright, settle down."
The adjutant next to the Count tapped the table.
Then everyone quieted down, looking at the Count.
"I have no clue, we'll see what happens when they arrive. Let's see what my father intends to do." Even he couldn't comprehend the situation at this moment.
What was the purpose of the Prince's arrival?
Soon, there were noises from outside the door.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open, and the Black Knight brought in Kana and Alyris who were following him.
"Kana?"
"Fourth Prince?"
"Why is it the Fourth Prince?"
"What's going on?"
The people in the room were stunned, including the Count, completely unprepared for this.
When they heard the Prince had arrived, they assumed it was the Eldest or Second Prince, not the Fourth Prince.
Nothing like they expected.
And looking at the Prince, he clearly hadn't been turned into one of the Blood Race.
"Blake, you can leave now."
Black Knight nodded respectfully and exited, closing the door behind him.
Kana looked at the people in front of him.
Some familiar, some strangers.
The Count, of course, was the most familiar, once called the Newbie Village Chief by them.
A robust build standing 1.8 meters tall, clad in thick full body armor.
Short, neat hair with neatly trimmed facial hair.
Obviously, he must have been exceptionally handsome when he was younger.
Even at this age, he has an air of distinction.
Beside him was his adjutant, whose name was forgotten.
He was just known as a relentless errand task dispenser.
Players called him Village Official, doing tasks akin to a secretary, much like a village officer.
A burly, bearded man to the Count's left was familiar too. But now he's whole, not lame with a pair of eyes.
The later Blacksmith of Newbie Village, often bragging about his past exploits.
Looks like what he bragged about was probably true.
Second on the left wasn't known, probably died in a later fight.
First on the right was the Militia Instructor of Newbie Village, first NPC players saw after waking.
Responsible for delivering the opening speech and movement guidance, as well as being the Knight's profession mentor.
Players called him One-Ear, but now he had both ears.
The one beside him was unfamiliar, possibly also dead in later battles.
Furthermore, in the corner sat a resting middle-aged woman holding a large wooden staff.
Yara, the Alchemist of Newbie Village.
Kana had done some side quests for her and ran errands.
A significant number are familiar characters.
While Kana observed them, the Count and others were also observing him.
The Count spoke up, "Kana, why... are you here?"
His tone lacked kindness.
"I came to escape, Uncle. I don't want to become one of those creatures in the Royal Capital."
Hearing this, the Count looked seriously at Kana, "With your performance, you're not supposed to know some things."
"Wouldn't I be unable to escape if I knew?"
Kana said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the Count suddenly understood and smiled, "If I had been as clever as you in my youth, that would have been great."
"Since you're here, tell us what information you have. You must have gained something while fleeing from the Royal Capital to here, right?"
Hearing this, Kana was already prepared.
"The entire Royal Capital has fallen, it should now be a monster production hub.
But gathering a monster army might take some time, but they will try to muster a unit to eliminate your threat first.
Otherwise, with your meddling, they'd lose all their troops."
Listening to Kana's words, the people in the room weren't too surprised, as they were ready.
"Most likely led by the former King's Knight—Martin."
"Martin, got it." The Count thought for a moment, then asked, "Is there anything else?"
"During the escape, I discovered that Silver Weapons have a restraining effect on the Blood Race.
There's a plant called thorn grass, its juice acts like poison to the Blood Race."
Hearing this, the faces of the people in front immediately turned serious.
The Count frowned, asking, "Are you sure?"
"For Silver Weapons, you can ask my knight. A silver dinner knife can easily pierce a werewolf's chest.
The thorn grass poison—ask the soldiers who fought with us along the road, they should have seen and used it."
Kana calmly said.
Alyris listened to Kana talk eloquently. Besides what she didn't know about the Royal Capital, the rest seemed accurate.
Thinking of it being the Prince, it felt normal too.
Maybe during the stay in the Royal Capital, his behavior was deliberate to evade capture and danger.
"I will verify your words, but now I think you both need to rest. You look worse than the refugees."
Hearing this, Kana forced a smile, "Escaping here from the Royal Capital, we indeed could use a good rest.
This was much tougher than a garden stroll."
"Indeed, Blake, take the Prince to have a good rest."
He turned to Kana and said, "We will talk about other things tomorrow."