“How’s the situation, Galahad?” The prince paced quickly inside the room, his expression dark. From time to time, he would walk over to the window and glance outside. “Not great, Your Highness. We’ve started summoning the Port Guard. Barricades have been erected at the junction between the Upper and Lower Districts, but... our numbers are still too few. We’ve only managed to call back a small portion.” “Most of the Port Guard are stationed in the military camp on the eastern side of Blood Harbor. There’s still no news from over there. As for the rest, some have returned, others were blocked by the cultists outside, and some...” Galahad hesitated slightly, but under the prince’s gaze, he eventually spoke up haltingly. “Some have defected.” “Defected?” The prince looked out at the chaotic streets and spoke softly. “You mean they abandoned their posts in the Port Guard and joined the cultists?” “Hmm, maybe the cultists used some kind of bewitching extraordinary powers again. That’s their specialty...” “Used extraordinary powers to bewitch people?” The prince sneered. “We’ve been here for months—do we still not understand the situation? To seduce those who can barely eat doesn’t require supernatural abilities. The cultists from the Church of the Mother can stir the people into rebellion with just a few slogans. But that kind of thing doesn’t work on the Port Guard.” The prince withdrew his gaze from the outside. “There are no more new sea merchants coming to Blood Harbor. This place is nothing more than a rotting heap of garbage. The only valuable thing left here—” He raised a finger, pointing at Galahad, then at himself, and finally lowered his hand to indicate the ground beneath their feet. Galahad mulled over the implication for a moment, then suddenly trembled all over. Shocked, he blurted out, “You mean—” “The ones rebelling are the Port Guard themselves. The Church of the Mother is just a cover. Otherwise, how would they dare to cause trouble?” The prince showed a scornful expression. “Do they really think these petty tricks are enough to topple Blood Harbor? Galahad, prepare my horse. You’re coming with me to the western military camp.” “Mr. Connor, do you have any suggestions?” “Miss Zoe, the situation is still unclear. I think it’s best we wait and see,” Connor said gravely. “We’re not far from the prince’s manor. This should be one of the safest places in Blood Harbor and won’t be hit too hard. We have the Holy Guard and Granny here—defending ourselves shouldn’t be a problem.” After speaking, he glanced at Zoe, who looked hesitant, and sighed silently in his heart. Why did the Lord appoint her to lead? Zoe was kind-hearted and well-suited for support roles, but in a moment requiring decisive action, she might not be up to the task. “Mr. Erwin, what’s your advice?” “My advice is to charge out immediately. The warning from Granny came in time. The cultists have only just begun their uprising. Though we’re few in number, we’re well-equipped, and Granny will cover us. Breaking through their encirclement and heading to the docks shouldn’t be an issue.” Erwin turned and nodded slightly at Granny. “What do you think of my judgment?” “Some may get injured. There are many cultists outside, but they can’t stop us. Even if they give it their all, they still won’t catch us,” Granny said without hesitation. Everyone in their team was armed. The only non-combatants were Zoe and Connor. Connor used to be a sailor, so at least he wouldn’t slow them down. Zoe was more of a decorative presence, but she was small and light. In an emergency, any one of the Holy Guard could carry her out. Both sides made valid points—on one hand, the newly promoted officer of the Holy Guard, on the other, her former superior, Connor. “Zoe, we’re just making suggestions. You’re the one in charge,” Connor said quietly. He didn’t quite understand why Young Master Hughes had chosen her, but he had no intention of interfering. He looked at Zoe seriously, hoping she wouldn’t let concerns about status cloud her judgment. Zoe bit her lip and was about to speak when the door was suddenly pounded on. “This is Galahad and Prince William! Open the door! Is Zoe and Erwin inside?” Erwin exchanged a glance with the others. The Holy Guard picked up their rifles and cautiously opened the door. Galahad stood at the threshold. This was the first time they had seen him in full armor. Behind him was the prince, mounted and clad in battle gear. After Galahad called out, he stepped aside. The prince saw Zoe and Erwin inside the room and called out loudly: “Friends from Castel, Blood Harbor is in trouble. Staying here is dangerous. I will escort you to the docks!” Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩 Zoe and the others were taken aback, only now noticing that behind the prince were over a dozen knights, all in full armor, each with a flintlock pistol on both hips. What was going on? The prince had given up the heavily guarded Upper District to take the initiative? Just relying on these dozen men? To charge through the thousands of cultists outside? Everyone was momentarily too shocked to speak. “Time is of the essence! If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to break out later!” the prince barked. His gaze flicked between Erwin and Zoe before settling on her. “There are horses outside. If you want to go, now’s the time!” Zoe looked at the people staring at her, clenched her teeth, and said, “Alright, let’s go!” The prince didn’t waste any more words. He tugged the reins and turned his horse toward the outside. “Then please, follow behind us!” Galahad mounted his horse, leading the soldiers at the front. The prince pointed his riding crop toward the entrance. There were several military horses tied up there, already saddled and ready to go. Most of the Holy Guard were originally fishermen and couldn’t ride, but these two squads were elite. The team Connor brought even included many former estate guards from Duke Cohen’s domain—excellent riders. The rest had also received training in mounted combat. Coordination between cavalry and infantry was a key tactic in the Imperial Infantry Manual, which Alexei had later revised into the *Imperial Truth*. They might not be adept at mounted combat, but keeping up with the team wouldn’t be a problem. Led by the prince’s group, the Castel Holy Guard followed behind. About twenty to thirty riders departed the residence together. Galahad glanced back at the prince, admiration swelling in his heart. When the prince first decided to ride to the military camp, Galahad had been worried. With just over a dozen knights—even with himself included—it would be hard to guarantee the prince’s safety. After all, the rebels outside included too many citizens, and there were cultists among them. But with just a few words, the prince had rallied these elite musketeers from Castel. Safety was no longer a concern. They would even be grateful that the prince was risking himself to escort them out of the harbor.