### Chapter 4: Southern Line (7)
Maybe it had been so long since the Imperial Capital had seen war that even Bel had lost touch with reality and blindly commanded the army to assemble in just one day.
In truth, one day was nowhere near enough!
From gathering troops to collecting supplies, and don’t even get me started on the imperial farewell ceremony that required the Emperor’s participation – there were so many tasks that suddenly popped up, it was ridiculous to think they could be completed in such a tight timeframe!
The next morning, a sleep-deprived military minister trudged into the Imperial Palace, his face a storm cloud, ready to beg the Emperor for forgiveness.
Bel was furious, but no amount of rage could speed up the preparations. The generals wouldn’t agree to march without the supplies lined up like ducks in a row; it was practically signing their failure in bold print.
And here we were, three whole days since the monster army had breached the southern defenses!
In the military camp outside the capital, soldiers had been busy almost all night, thanks to the Emperor’s sudden order to march.
Swords, spears, armor, food – you name it, they needed it.
Counting supplies and establishing a logistics unit to transport all that gear took a mountain of energy.
As the saying goes, “The soldiers may be ready, but without supplies, good luck trying to win!”
But even with the mad rush, they needed at least two or three days to get everything sorted out.
And at that moment, the generals were wringing their hands, pondering how to organize those noble warriors who usually spent their days lounging around.
These guys had the bloodline of the Four Warriors flowing through their veins, but after scraping by in the ratings, they’d just slacked off, thinking they could coast on royal privilege! Most of them were just spoiled rich kids, long lost to the wiles of life and forgetting how sharp a sword could be!
As for the Harpists, since they were all women, they didn’t count as regular army personnel.
This actually relieved the generals; as long as the Harpists didn’t complicate things, they could just focus on the front lines.
Just when the troops were gearing up for battle, an unexpected event unfolded.
A huge wave of refugees suddenly came pouring in from the south, dragging their families along, practically wailing as they crashed against the city walls.
“Help! Help!”
“There are monsters coming from the south! They bite and k*ll anyone they see! So many in our village are dead!”
“If we hadn’t run fast, we would’ve lost our heads already!”
The military minister, unable to wait for approval from the Emperor, acted decisively.
This decision turned out to be quite pivotal.
He ordered the troops outside the city walls back inside to prepare for a city defense.
At the same time, they would also work to accommodate the refugees before the monster army reached the capital.
Once the capital went into defensive mode, those refugees could serve as cannon fodder to wear down the enemy.
The entry of both troops and refugees into the city undoubtedly sparked panic among the citizens.
They all realized that this war was no longer someone else’s problem – the flames of battle could very well scorch their own heads!
“O God of Light, has the apocalypse come early?!”
“O God of Light, please save us!”
The first reaction of the city residents wasn’t to prepare for battle, but to rush to the church and collectively pray to the statue of the God of Light, as if that would somehow grab His attention and send down divine wrath to sweep the enemy away!
Before long, news zipping through various channels reached the palace: the monster army was tearing through every defense at breakneck speed, nearing the capital.
Nobles, worried yet slightly relieved, thought about how they wouldn’t have to sleep in the fields alongside the troops after all.
Even if the Emperor forced them to help defend the city, it was possible they could slip away when the chaos ensued.
Word got to the Harpist Academy.
Janet heard the news and felt a twinge of regret, but she thought to herself that defending the city suited the Harpists perfectly.
They didn’t have to worry about someone sneaking up on them from behind – they could put all their focus on the front lines.
This was just what the fresh-faced Harpists needed, right?
Inside the palace.
Bel’s expression was increasingly thunderous.
“Those d*mn monsters must be under someone’s control!
Otherwise, how could they suddenly band together when they usually scatter like cockroaches?!”
A military minister piped up, “Your Majesty, don’t fret! The city walls are tall and we have nearly 150,000 elite troops stationed; those monsters can’t possibly breach our defenses.”
Bel huffed, “Let’s hope so. Anyway, send word: no matter what, we must defend the capital! Anyone who makes a significant contribution will be handsomely rewarded!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Once the minister left, Bel managed to calm himself.
Just then, Lady Rong Ji quietly appeared by his side.
“Surely, my lord must already know the identity of the one behind the monster army?”
Bel nodded slightly.
“Who else could it be!”
“I’ve heard it said that this person has old ties with the Left Protector, Fu Yetian. Could it be that she’s here for revenge?”
Bel chuckled coldly. “Ha! Looks like you don’t mind – what if she’s Fu Yetian’s lover?!”
Rong Ji grinned, “As long as we can rescue Fu Yetian, I’d be willing to do anything.”
“This person has been notorious for 800 years. With her identity, how could she possibly wage war against the empire just for a mere Fu Yetian? You’re overthinking it.”
Bel had been feeling his powers revive these past two days, and even if Rong Ji were to stab him in the back right now, he was confident he could slip away unscathed.
Rong Ji clearly sensed this, though even when Bel purposely left several openings, her cautious nature kept her from falling for it.
“It seems you’re not afraid of the capital falling, my lord. You must have everything planned out.”
Bel replied, “No need for you to worry. After all, I am the Son of God! It wouldn’t be unusual for me to ride off into the wind someday, now would it?”
Rong Ji remarked, “So, you’re saying you’ve forgotten the promise you made to me back then?”
“Are you talking about the Cold Moon Witch?”
Bel smiled, “Perhaps that self-proclaimed Messenger of the Goddess of Destiny will have a showdown with the Female Demon Leader. We can sit back and watch the fun, can’t we?
Once they’re both exhausted, we can swoop in and finish it off, how delightful!”
Rong Ji fell silent.
“Rong Ji, as long as you stay loyal to me and don’t betray me, I don’t mind your past transgressions. How does that sound?”
“Thank you, my lord. Besides you taking me in, where else can I go?” Rong Ji sighed.
Bel clapped his hands, “Perfect! From this day on, you are no longer the Saintess of the Church of Light. Since we have a messenger and a son of God already, ‘Saintess’ seems a bit redundant, and I doubt the congregation cares much about your staying.”
“As you wish!”
“Go to the monster army on my behalf and ask that Female Demon Leader what her intentions are.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
