# Chapter 123
The Castle Walls of the Royal Capital.
The fortress, constructed of sturdy white stone, served as the gatekeeper protecting the Royal Capital without the slightest gap.
Atop the walls, soldiers were still moving busily and looking down outside with grim expressions.
"The Rebels are retreating."
Watching the insurgent lines pull back a step, the guards breathed a sigh of relief.
"If it weren't for you all, this place would have been breached before the day was over."
The captain of the guard wiped away his flowing sweat and expressed his gratitude to the retired veterans standing atop the walls with weapons in hand.
When they had first sought him out, the captain hadn't believed them—neither the news that a rebellion had broken out, nor the claim that they would soon arrive at the Royal Capital to attack.
With most of the military forces away from the capital due to the long war, if they had encountered them without any preparation, the insurgents' flag would surely be flying over these walls right now.
An old soldier shook his head.
"It is too early to judge. Look, they haven't completely given up."
Even for a hastily assembled rebel force, they were so numerous that the horizon appeared black.
One could even sense a determination from the Rebels, who maintained a long battle line as if facing off against the walls, to surely bring down this Royal Capital.
The captain of the guard lamented.
"Just how many people harbored resentment in this small country..."
The flames that felt like they would eventually erupt had finally been ignited.
However, he had thought that Princess Medeia had calmed that rage slightly; was it not enough?
While swallowing his bitterness, the captain of the guard gripped his sword tightly once more.
"Queen Dowager Her Highness!"
Just then, an elderly woman was seen climbing the stairs of the walls while being supported. Following behind her were the ministers of Baldina.
"O Heavens, to think they've already reached this far!"
"Look over there. One cannot see the end of them. Just how many have gathered..."
Atop the walls, the spot where one could see the enemy.
Most of the ministers, confirming with their own eyes the Rebels filling the horizon in black, could not hide their horror and fear.
However, not everyone was like that.
Marquis Monte, seasoned from dealing with demonic beasts on the border, quickly scanned the battlefield, and Siseo, the advisor, stayed by the Queen Dowager’s side.
"Queen Dowager Her Highness, it is dangerous here; why have you not sought safety?"
Despite the captain of the guard’s dissuasion, the Queen Dowager was adamant.
"What use is it for an old woman to live any longer? Are there no casualties among the people? How is the situation progressing?"
The Queen Dowager turned her body to observe the city area below the walls.
From atop the high walls, one could look down at the panicked citizens moving urgently through the streets.
"Yes, Your Highness. Fortunately, Marquis Giliphos blocked their entry and prevented the Royal Capital from falling, and they have currently entered a standoff. Here at the walls, we were able to easily repel their attacks thanks to the support of the retired veterans."
The Queen Dowager turned her head in the direction the captain of the guard was pointing.
"I—I am honored to meet such an esteemed person."
"Queen Dowager Excellency, Your... Highness? Your Majesty?"
The retired veterans, standing awkwardly and not knowing what to do, bowed hesitantly.
Most of them were men of little learning who didn't even know how to properly address the grandmother of the current King.
The Queen Dowager’s eyes scanned them.
She soon realized that the bodies of those holding faded armor and weapons were not whole.
She hadn't even treated the retired veterans who had been injured on the battlefield properly, yet they had stepped forward again to protect the Royal Capital.
Emotion shimmered in her wrinkled eyes.
"Thank you, truly thank you. On behalf of the Royal Family, I express my gratitude to you all. I shall grant rewards once this national crisis is over."
She did not hesitate to clasp their rough hands.
"It's not that I don't understand the resentment of those people exhausted by hunger and hardship, but I cannot leave them be when they try to recklessly attack the Royal Capital and harm innocent citizens."
"Furthermore, we only sought to repay the grace we received from Princess Her Highness, who took us in and created a place where we could make a living again."
The retired veterans bowed their waists clumsily while feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Medeia did?"
The Queen Dowager raised her eyebrows.
Siseo then whispered to the Queen Dowager, explaining that Medeia had used her own funds to provide relief for the abandoned veterans wandering outside.
'While that child was even soothing the pain of these soldiers, I was only wallowing in my own sorrow in the back room.'
Stifling the rising remorse and self-reproach once more, the Queen Dowager paused.
"Where is Medeia now?"
She had been so tense during the peak of the skirmish that she hadn't noticed.
That her granddaughter was not visible here.
'Is it not taking too long!'
Before hurrying here, she had sent someone to the Princess Palace to bring Medeia.
Yet, hearing that she had not arrived even now made the Queen Dowager’s heart sink.
"Surely nothing has happened to that child?"
Only then did people look around. However, the Princess was nowhere to be seen.
"Are you saying you were all so busy living your own lives that you didn't even look after the Princess! You fools!"
The Queen Dowager burst out in anger.
"Mother! Hoakin has arrived!"
Just then, a thunderous shout echoed. The Regent Duke’s group had arrived at the walls.
Having dismounted his horse while wearing brilliant armor, the Regent Duke ran over with his knights.
The silver armor he wore reflected the sunlight, piercing the eyes of those looking at it. It looked more suitable for a triumphal procession than for combat.
"Are you alright! How could you come to such a dangerous place! I went to the palace and was so shocked to hear that Mother had headed here."
The Regent Duke continued calmly.
"Ah, a rebellion. Furthermore, for those Rebels to dare descend upon the Royal Capital. It is a disgraceful event unprecedented in our thousand-year history. To think our Baldina's situation has reached this point..."
His voice, mixed with shock and regret, even sounded mournful.
"You've been to the palace? Then, Hoakin. Did you not see Medeia?"
However, the Queen Dowager had no leisure to worry about that.
"And did you go to the Princess Palace? I ordered my knights to bring Dea safely, so why is she not here yet?"
She was worried that perhaps the insurgents had infiltrated the palace and harmed her granddaughter.
The cane she held was shaking aimlessly.
"...Mother, please do not be shocked."
The Regent Duke shook his head.
The sorrow in his eyes and the sighing shape of his mouth were extremely natural.
"It seems... Medeia has fled."
"What?"
The Queen Dowager doubted her ears.
"I also visited the Princess Palace to confirm Medeia’s safety. But no one was there. Unable to bear the worry, I searched for and questioned the maids of the Princess Palace, and they said Medeia left the Royal Capital through a secret passage."
In an instant, the crowd began to stir.
As the Queen Dowager faltered, the Regent Duke cheered inwardly.
"It seems the King had informed her of the secret passage. To prepare for when the Royal Capital falls. I do not know if it is a blessing or a curse. At any rate, Medeia will surely survive... We will be able to bring her back safely once this matter is over."
His words sounded as if King Peleus had abandoned all other Baldinians and only looked after his own sister's safety.
The Queen Dowager’s complexion turned pale.
"Fled! Those are idle words. Medeia would never do such a thing."
She did not believe her son's words.
'She is a child who stood up even against the Empire for the honor of the Royal Family. Knowing that the people would be shaken if she left like this, she would flee so irresponsibly?'
Although they hadn't spent much time together, she had come to know firsthand that her eldest granddaughter was second to none when it came to a sense of responsibility.
"Recently, Medeia’s activities were indeed great. But is she not still an immature and naive girl?"
However, the Regent Duke shook his head as if his mother's expectations were regrettable.
"Rumors have spread everywhere that the Rebels are arrayed before the Royal Capital. They are shouting slogans about burning the witch, saying this country has become impoverished because of the corrupt Princess. In such a situation, how could Medeia overcome her fear?"
"..."
"Mother, please do not look for Medeia. If the fact that the Princess fled spreads, the soldiers' morale will be greatly diminished."
