Chapter 55 : The Entire City is Deeply Grateful

The Shift in Command

Not long ago, in the corridor of the Lord’s Manor.

“As I deduced, the enemy’s final targets for creating this unrest can only be a few things: myself, you, or Solus City itself.”

“Of course, they might also be after something I don’t know about, something more worth their trouble.”

“Therefore, rushing out now is unwise.”

Cecilia laid out her deduction completely, then gave a clear and simple summary.

Angus pondered for a moment; he genuinely couldn’t think of any other possible enemy objectives.

He couldn’t refute Cecilia‘s reasoning, but he also couldn’t agree with her conclusion.

He momentarily forgot his manners and asked in a very blunt way.

“So, Your Highness means I shouldn’t personally go to the front line to command, just to protect our safety?”

“Should I let the potential force you mentioned—the one secretly whittling down my troops—run rampant in my city?”

Cecilia shook her head. “Lord Angus, that is not what I mean.”

“Before reinforcements arrive, protecting my safety, finding that enemy unit, and commanding the entire army cannot happen concurrently.”

“We must choose the option that minimizes our losses.”

Angus saw Cecilia return the topic to the main issue, so he asked, “How do you suggest we proceed?”

“Solus City has a map, correct?” Cecilia asked.

“It is in my conference room,” Angus answered, leading the way.

They arrived in the conference room.

Cecilia immediately walked quickly to the map spread on the table, picking up a pen to mark it.

Cecilia’s Strategy

“The night patrol soldiers start here.”

“This is their entire route.”

“If the enemy can intercept every single route precisely, their optimal path of action must be like this.”

Angus‘s expression grew more serious as she drew the first line.

Just a few strokes brought instant clarity.

Cecilia continued drawing and speaking.

“If they want to cut off the messenger soldiers, these few lines are the most suitable locations for an ambush.”

“Connecting them… yes, this is the spot.”

“There is still time to send troops to cut off these areas now.”

“If we are the enemy’s target, an attack on the Lord’s Manor is inevitable.”

“If the enemy wants to breach the Lord’s Manor‘s defenses, they would likely do this…”

“Also, if the enemy truly has an elite unit, we must have the soldiers avoid these areas.”

“These places are outside surveillance range, and if they proceed like this…”

Angus watched the map gradually become unrecognizable under Cecilia‘s pen.

However, the lines that looked like scribbles seemed to extend the soldiers’ lifelines.

At this moment, this was more than just a map; it was the hope of Solus City.

As Solus City’s Lord, no one knew the city’s structure better than him.

Yet, if he had to analyze it, he never could have deduced so much.

Cecilia noticed Angus‘s expression and paused slightly. “Lord Angus, are you listening?”

“Your Highness, I dare to ask you a question.”

Angus‘s tone grew more respectful. “How do you know all of this?”

Cecilia wanted to say now wasn’t the time.

However, Angus‘s serious look told her he wouldn’t give up easily.

She decided to save the time spent in argument and give him the answer directly.

“I was almost attacked by a Nightmare Demon on the very first day I arrived in Solus City.”

“The following day, an assassination attempt targeted me.”

“With no one I could trust, I had to ensure my personal safety as much as possible.”

“Understanding this city was just the first step, and it is what I have been doing recently.”

“These locations are perfect spots for crimes.”

“Combining these clues with the soldiers’ patrol routes and military camp distribution, reaching this conclusion isn’t difficult.”

The City’s Plea

Thud.

Angus suddenly knelt on one knee, bowing his head before Cecilia.

The surrounding soldiers were stunned, momentarily unsure whether they should kneel with their Lord or just stand and watch.

“Your Highness, I have a request.”

Cecilia was startled by this unexpected reaction.

She took a deep breath to steady herself.

“Tell me.”

“I will personally lead troops to stop the unit hiding in the city.”

“Please forgive me for being unable to ensure your safety.”

Although Cecilia didn’t like showing her emotions, she couldn’t help but frown at this moment.

“Lord Angus, this is the worst strategy.”

“If you go to the front line, no one will be left to command the entire city, and no one can protect the Lord’s Manor.”

“The resulting losses will only be greater.”

“Precisely why, I dare to trouble you to assume my command authority.”

“All military forces of Solus City are at your disposal until I return.”

“This way, you can both assign enough forces to protect yourself and save Solus City from disaster!”

Cecilia was truly startled this time.

Giving up command was no small matter.

To prevent rebellion, the Kingdom specifically forbade major cities from stationing troops internally.

Instead, military camps were placed outside the city, and command was given only to officers, not City Lords.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t face the current situation where distant help can’t address immediate needs.

Furthermore, setting aside her title as Imperial Princess, she wasn’t even a soldier.

She knew nothing of military matters.

Handing command to her so rashly—she truly didn’t dare accept it.

“Your Highness! This is the best solution!”

“Or are you worried that without me by your side, I won’t be able to protect you…”

“That’s not it at all!” Cecilia clearly felt her voice trembling.

Aside from that idiot Lita, no one had seen her so flustered for years.

But even in this state, Cecilia dared not accept such an enormous responsibility.

“I… I cannot do it.”

“Several garrison commanders are missing.”

“If I, the city’s strongest fighting force, only stay here, the losses will increase further.”

“This is the best solution right now.”

“I know I have no authority to command you, but for the sake of the entire city’s people, please reconsider.”

“That is precisely why I…” Cecilia wanted to continue refusing.

But then she noticed everyone—the elite soldiers protecting her and the maids tending to her needs—all knelt on one knee like their Lord.

They looked at her with eyes that were close to pleading.

Those words caught in her throat.

They weren’t using this method to pressure her.

They genuinely believed that she, the cursed Imperial Princess, could bring them new hope.

Cecilia closed her mouth, her lips pressed lightly together.

“I understand. I will try.”

Cecilia Takes Charge

Now.

“Your Highness, the situation has basically stabilized.”

“Would you like to rest for a while?”

The elite soldier guarding Cecilia watched her swaying body and asked with concern.

“N-No need.” Cecilia held onto the table and waved her hand.

The process of commanding was far more exhausting than she had imagined.

The heavy atmosphere, combined with the immense mental pressure from the night, and the constant, massive thinking required to track the battle and analyze enemy movements—it made Cecilia, already busy all day, feel like an overloaded mechanical part.

She felt like she could shatter from fatigue at any moment.

“Angus said he handed all command authority to me until he returns.”

“Now is not the time to rest.”

Cecilia leaned back against the chair.

The map in front of her, covered with countless auxiliary lines, looked like a spiderweb, blurring her vision increasingly.

For some reason, Cecilia felt extremely tired ever since a few moments ago.

Cecilia closed her eyes, keeping her voice very soft.

“Besides, we don’t know if the enemy has any backup plan.”

“Of course, they do.”

The Final Intruder

The woman’s voice sounded right next to Cecilia‘s ear, like a whisper that made Cecilia‘s earlobe itch.

Cecilia snapped her head up.

The large conference room had been tinged with a faint pink hue.

The soldier who had just been speaking to her had fallen to the ground unnoticed.

‘Did I just fall asleep?’

‘Or did my mind wander for a moment?’

More critically, if the soldiers were all down, who was speaking?

‘The maid?’

‘There shouldn’t be another woman in this room besides myself.’

‘Why do I feel… my consciousness…’

Cecilia held onto the table and twisted her head around.

The first thing that met her eyes was a heart-shaped tail swaying right in front of her.