Clear sounds of horses galloping across the land could be heard.
It was a rainy day, and at a glance, dark clouds stretched as far as the eye could see, making the surroundings quite dark.
Chen Heng rode on his horse, and he looked at the emissary next to him as he asked, "What's the situation like in the Kutu Royal City?"
Despite travelling, the flow of information from the Kutu Royal City to Chen Heng had not been broken; every few days, he would receive news from the Kutu Royal City.
Over the past ten years, Chen Heng had sent many emissaries to the Kutu Royal City to gather information for him.
Moreover, he had also greatly used the connections that he had established in the Kutu Royal City back then.
Behind the scenes, many nobles had established ties with Chen Heng and secretly sent him intelligence.
This was especially so at a time like this.
The southern rebel army was approaching and Olivia was gathering her forces. It looked like an incredibly bloody scene would soon unfold.
Sensing that incoming bloody battle, those people naturally understood the danger within and hoped that Chen Heng would arrive in time.
After all, the consequences of Chen Heng's arrival would be quite good for them.
Compared to the southern rebel army, Chen Heng was at least their friend and had a deep connection with them. He had a large army under his control and deserved their trust.
In fact, because of Chen Heng working on his reputation over the years, he seemed much more trustworthy to them than even Olivia, let alone the rebel army.
If the rebel army really did attack, while Olivia and the royal family would be doomed, they would not be better off either.
This was no longer just a problem of rebellion but a conflict over territory.
As the rebel army moved north, they would kill all of these nobles' families and steal the territory and fortunes that they had gathered over the years.
As nobles, they knew just what those rulers in the rebel army would do. They clearly understood what would happen to them if the rebel army came.
Even if they did not die, they would lose much.
After all, if they did not take these nobles' territory and assets, what would they use to make up for their expenditures and split as spoils of war?
However, if Chen Heng came, things would be different.
At the very least, with Chen Heng's good reputation and his relationship with them, him entering the Kutu Royal City was better than the rebel army.
Under Chen Heng's hard work over many years, his reputation had become incredibly good; he was known for being kind, friendly, and resolute.
With him coming into the Kutu Royal City, those people close with him would feel safe regarding their lives and fortunes.
Just that was enough.
As such, on the way to the Kutu Royal City, Chen Heng would receive updates every few days.
Moreover, as he came closer and closer, the number of messengers also increased.
As for resistance, that did not even need to be mentioned.
The territories from Sordar to the Kutu Royal City mostly belonged to the northern rulers and the royal family.
The northern rulers were naturally no problem, and the royal family's territories did not dare to defy Chen Heng.
After all, it was Olivia who had given the order for Chen Heng to reinforce her, and many people knew about this.
Moreover, because Chen Heng was Verna's husband, he was also part of the royal family.
Most important was the military power in his hands.
His own force of 5,000 soldiers combined with the 5,000 soldiers from the various northern rulers formed an army of 10,000 people.
They were not just a motley crew but elites who received regular training and had much experience.
In a direct battle, it would not be a problem for them to annihilate the rebel army, let alone deal with the pitiful forces in the royal family's territories.
After a few large battles, the soldiers from the royal family's territories had all been sent to fight elsewhere, so there were not many people remaining and they naturally did not dare to oppose Chen Heng.
Passing through these areas, not only did he not have to fight, but because of his reputation and his status as the Guardian Knight, many territories even provided them with supplies, making their advance even faster.
Soon, Chen Heng was very close to the Kutu Royal City.
"The Kutu Royal City is still like it was before. It was just that a few days ago, Her Majesty once again fell unconscious. This time, she fell unconscious for half a day before waking up," a messenger from the Kutu Royal City said, explaining the situation to Chen Heng.
"Please go and tell your master to wait for me in the Kutu Royal City. I will soon arrive to meet with him," Chen Heng made a decision and smiled as he looked at the messenger.
After sending away the messenger, Chen Heng and his army continued onwards for another few days.
Only when they reached the Kutu Royal City's tall city walls did Chen Heng inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
"Very good."
Looking at the massive city walls, Chen Heng smiled.
He did not hesitate and ordered his army to advance.
The dense army slowly came forwards, looking like a dark, endless tsunami.
This scene could cause anyone to feel terror, and the atmosphere became heavy.
"Damnit!" Standing on the city wall and looking down at the army below, an elder's face was ashen as he felt a chill in his heart.
The elder was tall and well-built, and he wore a full suit of armor but he was missing his right arm.
If Chen Heng was present, he would have been able to recognise this elder—it was one of Olivia's three Knights back then, Knight Mader.
"This is Count Nardo's army?"
Looking at the dense army below, he shuddered.
Even though he did not have the strength he used to have, he was familiar with the battlefield and could immediately tell the strength of this army.
They were all elites, and he had rarely seen such a powerful army before.
"Sir."
Someone walked over and said to Mader, "They say that they have come under Her Majesty's orders and are asking us to open the gates."
Hearing these words, Mader's expression became even more grim.
Open the gates?
As someone by Olivia's side, he was not just a Knight who only knew how to fight; he naturally understood the consequences of opening the gates.