"We must do something, we can't just sit here and wait to die—"
"Your Highness, with all due respect, staying immobile is not the same as sitting around waiting to die. Heading directly to the capital now would be akin to suicide."
"So you want me to just watch as my homeland falls?"
In the Royal Family's villa within the Airport City, an argument was erupting in the hall.
Unlike other faraway cities, this city, located at the center of the Kingdom, naturally has a residence belonging to the Royal Family, eliminating the need to stay at the City Lord Mansion or an inn.
But inside her own villa, the Fourteenth Princess currently had no heart for rest.
Her demeanor, no longer soft, showed raised eyebrows as she glared angrily at the Guard in front of her.
The Demon Hunter's tone softened somewhat, his expression also heavy, and he spoke in a low voice:
"Not only is it your homeland, but it's also our homeland."
Hearing these words, the Fourteenth Princess was momentarily stunned.
She slowly sank back into the sofa like a deflated balloon, closing her eyes tiredly, her voice slightly hoarse:
"...You're right, I was too hasty, I'm sorry."
"We all understand your feelings."
The Demon Hunter also sighed, with a hint of helplessness and consolation in his tone: "But even if we return to the capital with our group's numbers and strength, we would still be of no use."
He looked around, and those who could voice an opinion in the convoy had all gathered together, everyone's expressions extremely heavy, with no one refuting the Demon Hunter's words.
"According to the information we just received, communication with the capital had been cut off about a month ago. It wasn't until two weeks ago that someone escaping brought word." The Demon Hunter continued.
With aerial routes severed and the Communication Array blocked, the Kingdom's information flow reverted to a primitive state.
Even in this bustling city that once saw countless Flying Airships coming and going daily, it took half a month for news of the disaster in the capital to spread widely.
This also proved that the disaster the capital suffered was likely beyond anything they could have imagined.
"On the other hand, this also means that the capital is not destroyed."
Upon hearing the Demon Hunter's words, the now-calmer Fourteenth Princess's pink eyes brightened, deep in thought.
"Indeed, the Black Gate followers specialize in Space Magic, their mobility far surpassing that of a Chocobo." The Fourteenth Princess sat upright, beginning to analyze.
"If the capital had already fallen, those villains would undoubtedly spread to other cities like a plague, bringing destruction wherever they went... But they haven't done that."
Her voice gradually turned firm: "This means that the capital is still resisting."
Realizing this, the expression of the Fourteenth Princess revived somewhat.
"Not only that, despite the calamity lasting a month, the capital hasn't fallen, and people continue to break through the blockade and escape..."
Her pink pupils focused intently on the empty table, as if observing some higher level of understanding.
[Fourteenth Princess's Thoughts (Brainstorming D2, Divergence 50-, 50+, 70+, 100+, 120+)]
2d70=d70(29)+d70(37)=66
The sights along the road, secrets learned from the Hero, and countless pieces of information swirled in the Fourteenth Princess's mind, causing a slight throb in her temples.
"While the people in the capital are likely fighting hard, indeed, with our group's strength, there's not much help we can provide in a disaster of this scale..."
In the hall of the Royal Family's villa, almost all the members of the wandering convoy had gathered to discuss the current situation.
No matter what solution they considered, they always got stuck at the implementation stage.
Although the group represents the Royal Family, their actual high-end combat power is a mere single Legendary figure, like a drop in the ocean in such a disaster.
Not to mention they're also burdened with a hindrance like themselves...
The Fourteenth Princess bit her lip, face filled with reluctance.
"And it's certain that the Black Gate's plotting this move has been long in the making, with disturbances to the Communication Array shown at the border, the blockade of aerial routes by the Magic Cloud Undercurrent, and the disappearance of the Divine Knowledge Saintess... All likely orchestrated to create this catastrophe."
If the capital were destroyed, the Kingdom could fall apart in a chain reaction.
Comparatively, even the release of the Great Demon at the border might just be part of a feint.
The Fourteenth Princess rubbed her temples, feeling slightly out of breath.
The Kingdom had perhaps grown complacent for too long, allowing this great conspiracy to surface while they were left unaware.
But now that disaster had struck, regret would yield no remedy.
"However, no matter how long they planned, no matter their ambitions, the Black Gate's strength isn't enough to swallow the entire capital."
The youngest princess of the Kingdom let out a breath, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Even without the Communication Array, once the Magic Element environment stabilizes, Mages should still find ways to transmit information. As long as the palace isn't utterly destroyed, the Kingdom's Strength can still be mobilized. Googlᴇ search n0velfire.net
"So what we can do now is—"
[The Fourteenth Princess' Next Actions]
1. Take control of the city
2. Turn back to seek assistance♛
The Gleaming Scale Serpent silently observed the discussions of the Fourteenth Princess and others nearby.
If he and Your Majesty were also counted as combat power, then the group would actually have three Legendary figures.
But before the Hero returned, as a Familiar, he naturally couldn't make decisions for Her Majesty on his own.
'The general plan now seems to be to first further disseminate information and then, in the capacity of Royal Family members, gather reinforcements...'