Phibit ordered the Empire’s army to confront the enemy. The result was predictable. One side was well-prepared, the other had to face the battle hastily; One side had high morale, the other had just been scorned by the divinities. The Empire’s army was almost in complete retreat. Even more infuriating, the citizens of the Empire, upon hearing the news, did not feel any anger towards the rebels. They uncommonly remained silent, even pleased with the situation. After all, the current Emperor is the one who was rebuked by the divinities themselves. At first, Phibit was furious and agitated. But now, he has started to feel powerless and fearful. His brother’s army was aggressively advancing towards here, his forces retreating step by step, and soon they would reach The Imperial City. By then, he would have no escape. "Your Grace the Duke, there’s a messenger from the Imperial Capital." Royd sat in the camp clad in armor. He signaled to his subordinate to bring the person up. The messenger was somewhat weak-kneed facing the fierce soldiers, trembling as he took out the letter in his hands. It was a letter personally written by Phibit. It sincerely expressed the genuine affection between the two brothers, and he was deeply saddened by Royd’s actions. He claimed that as long as Royd was willing to turn back and admit his mistakes, he would absolutely let bygones be bygones and was willing to govern this Empire together with him. Royd read it expressionlessly and then tossed it to his confidant: "My emperor brother still holds on to his imperial attitudes." Louis Wise skimmed through it quickly, feeling speechless: Does this Emperor not have a clear mind? Even at this point, he can’t see the situation clearly? Still forgiving? Does he really think he still has the initiative? Royd coldly told the messenger, "Go back and tell Emperor Phibit that Royd thanks him for his ’kindness.’ We’ll meet at the Imperial Capital." This was an outright refusal. The messenger wiped the sweat from his forehead and went out. The aura of this Duke was indeed overpowering, and the cold gaze he had made the messenger feel as if he would be beheaded the next moment. Chapters fırst released on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍 Fortunately, he managed to save his life. But the Duke’s reply... The messenger thought about the temper of his own Emperor and felt that if he delivered this reply, he might lose the life he barely managed to save. He pondered for a moment, and since his wife and children were back home, why not take this opportunity to escape and safely return to them to avoid the disaster? Thinking this, the whip in his hand unconsciously changed direction, and the horse ran in the opposite direction of the Imperial Capital. In the Imperial Palace, Phibit had not received any reply. He could never have imagined that his messenger, fearing his wrath, had fled and assumed that Royd had killed the messenger for not accepting his proposal! "Damn it, damn it! Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, I even took a step back, and he’s still not satisfied!" Phibit paced back and forth in the palace, in vexation, another set of newly replaced tea sets on the table was destroyed. The maids stood silent, eyes lowered, afraid that a moment of displeasure from His Majesty would direct his fury onto them. Luckily, Phibit didn’t have the mind to trouble these servants at this moment, as time passed day by day, and when Royd’s army finally reached outside The Imperial City, Phibit could no longer sit still.