Northern Empire, the massive plaza in front of the Imperial Palace.
Unlike the usual bustle, although it was packed with people, an oppressive atmosphere permeated the air. No one dared to speak at this moment, their gazes all converging on the young girl atop the high platform.
Cerydra leaned against her ornately decorated throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest as she watched several Chrysos Heirs escort the individuals from that day's assassination attempt onto the wooden platform.
"Why resort to assassination?" Cerydra's voice was flat, revealing no hint of her emotions. "I have not treated the Revolutionary Army poorly. Why tear up our covenant?"
Yesterday, assassins from the Revolutionary Army attempted to poison Cerydra in broad daylight. Had an accident not occurred, the world order might have changed because of it.
This matter had caused a huge stir, spreading throughout the entire Northern Country in a single night. Even several cities on the borders of the Empire had learned the news.
Because of Cerydra and the emergence of the Northern Country, they had finally managed to live good lives, yet you people heartlessly intended to destroy all of it?
The Empire was one thing; they were scoundrels to begin with and the mortal enemies of the Northern Country. Nowadays, the people of the Northern Country hardly even bothered to curse the Empire anymore; they knew that sooner or later, they would march there.
But what is wrong with you, Revolutionary Army?
Didn't you say you wanted to overthrow the Empire's tyranny? Didn't you want everyone to live a good life?
Why is it that when we truly started living well, you didn't choose to support us, but instead sent assassins to subvert everything?
Thus, to rip away the hypocritical mask of the Revolutionary Army, the Imperator intended to deliver a pre-war speech to make the facts public, followed by...
The Southern Campaign!
Previously, there hadn't been a good opportunity to act, mainly because the Revolutionary Army was a faction diametrically opposed to the Empire. If she forced a move, it would easily provoke resentment among the people of the Empire.
But now, Cerydra held righteousness in her hands and a fitting reason to attack... in this way, no one would object, right?
"The Northern Empire treated the envoys of the Revolutionary Army like brothers. We were all fighting to resist the Empire's brutality and to ensure more people lived good lives, yet the Revolutionary Army has gone back on its word so shamelessly..."
"Not only did they treat our kindness as nothing, they even intended to destroy the Laws of the North and the happiness that everyone in the North has worked so hard to achieve. Can you allow this?"
Although the Imperator's voice was not loud, every word was enunciated with absolute clarity, falling perfectly into everyone's ears.
Instantly, the crowd was incensed.
"We don't allow it! We absolutely don't allow it!"
"Should we say it's expected of people from the Empire? They're just as evil as those fellows in the Imperial Capital!"
"They're all selfish people, their heads filled only with themselves, never considering the feelings of others!"
"..."
The reason the people of the North were so angry was mainly due to what Cerydra had done in the past.
When she first ascended the throne, she had sworn to let everyone live a good life, including the people of the Empire.
Under such influence, the people of the North easily accepted the Revolutionary Army. Some people within the Empire were also affected; they all believed this Little Empress could do it.
That was why when the war began, Hysilens could lead many soldiers to capture cities without facing resistance from the populace. It was because many people of the Empire believed in Cerydra and believed that the Northern Country and the Revolutionary Army could overthrow the Empire together.
But the deeper the love, the sharper the hate.
The Northern Country had given so much to the Revolutionary Army, but what did it get in the end?
Betrayal!
The Revolutionary Army, who raised the Flag of righteousness, was now making an enemy of its own ally, even stooping to backstabbing the Northern Country.
How could the people of the Northern Country remain idle?
The fact that they hadn't directly rushed over to fight the Revolutionary Army was already a sign of great composure.
Seeing this, the corner of the Imperator's mouth curled up slightly.
What she had done was successful; public fury had been pushed onto the stage, and getting it back down wouldn't be easy... at the very least, the Revolutionary Army would have to be annihilated before it could truly stop!
"Silence, subjects of the North."
Cerydra once again demonstrated her control over the scene. Her voice was like a clear chime, instantly silencing everyone as they waited quietly for the Empress's next words.
"I know you are angry and deeply dissatisfied with the Revolutionary Army. But anger and dissatisfaction alone have no meaning, because the Revolutionary Army has already declared war on us, just as the Empire once did."
Cerydra slowly stood up from her throne, walking step by step down the stairs toward the wooden platform where several Revolutionary Army Assassins were being held.
Everyone's gaze moved with the Empress's footsteps. They didn't dare to blink, for fear of missing this historic moment...
Soon, the Empress arrived beside the assassins. A nearby attendant saw this and quickly presented a longsword.
Clang—!
Before the attendant could raise the sword, Cerydra flashed forward and unsheathed the blade. The sound of the Sharp Blade leaving its scabbard echoed throughout the Imperial City at this moment, immediately cloaking the surrounding air in a layer of killing intent.
"Once upon a time, the Empire also wanted to put us to death."
"Among the continuous mountains, a million-strong army surged like a tide, vowing to destroy the North. Under the sky of flickering Thunder, Grand General Budo gave his all, vowing to turn the North into a wasteland. In the dead of night, the Imperial Assassination Unit emerged from the darkness, vowing to cut down the Sun of the North... but now, they have all turned to dust."
"The Revolutionary Army is just like the Empire. It fears us, just as it fears the Laws, and fears the rising Sun of the North... because I am Cerydra, and I am the Emperor."
As Cerydra's voice fell, earth-shaking cheers erupted around her. No one expected their Empress to be so bold as to compare herself to the Sun of the North...
What magnificent spirit was this?
"Long live Her Majesty the Empress! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"
Thousands of words eventually converged into Loyalty to the Empress, echoing throughout the Imperial City.
However, this time, Cerydra merely raised a hand and silenced all noise.
"If you have any last words, you may tell me now... then face my judgment!"
Facing the powerful Cerydra, the assassins of the Revolutionary Army were completely terrified. Under that horrifying aura, not a single one dared to meet Cerydra's eyes, nor did they dare to make a sound.
"Very well. Since there are no objections, I shall personally swing the sword to sever the alliance between both parties."
"From this moment forth, there is no longer any connection between the North and the Revolutionary Army. We shall only be eternal mortal enemies!"
Swish—!
With a single strike, the heads of several Revolutionary Army assassins fell to the ground at this moment. Unfortunately, there was no Newton here, and no one would grasp the law of Universal Gravitation through the falling of heads...
Down in the crowd, Barbara and her three disciples were already drenched in sweat. Chelsea even worriedly touched her own neck, as if the person being displayed on the platform was herself.
"Fortunately we made the right choice. Otherwise, the heads falling to the ground right now would probably be ours, wouldn't they?"