Chapter 1370

It wasn't until that moment that Yuvan fully realized the extent of his defeat. His lips trembled, and his legs gave way as he collapsed to the ground. Panic and fear surged within him. He thought of the tragic fates of past traitors who had rebelled, and a bone-chilling coldness gripped him.

He had considered the consequences of failure, believing that if he failed, he would simply face death bravely, or at worst, end his own life to avoid further suffering. But now, locked in a cold, iron-barred cell, unarmed, he understood the grim reality. The walls were strong, offering little hope of a quick death, even if he charged them. Guards stood outside; survival might mean suffering far worse than this.

However, it wasn't the fear of torture that most deeply wounded Yuvan—it was his unwillingness to accept this fate. How had it come to this? Even in defeat, he should have had loyal men at his side. He had men with him, but none shared his purpose. Their lack of unity cut him like a knife.

His gaze fell on the two men beside him. His voice, though trembling, held a bitter edge of laughter. "You two betrayed me, and what good has it done you? Have you found favor with your new alliance? Will Nicholas come to your rescue?"

Harvey, always fearful of death, shook uncontrollably as he crawled toward Wayne. Desperation choked his voice as he gripped Wayne's sleeve. "What's happening outside? Will anyone come to save us? Please, tell me! I'd rather know the truth, even if it means my death."

Wayne's voice, rough and hollow, held the weariness of defeat. "No one is coming. Neither Clifford nor Saul arrived. They may have been ambushed before reaching the city. We've been trapped here for half a month, and news has been slow. General Murray may have already quelled the chaos and set an ambush."

Despair filled Harvey's eyes. "How could this have happened? No wonder they surrounded the city without attacking—they were waiting for General Murray! How did we miscalculate so badly? We should never have relied on Nicholas!"

Wayne closed his eyes. "It's too late to say anything. Victors are kings; the defeated merely await death. What is there to fear?"

Harvey buried his face in his hands, crying in anguish. "I don't want to die! I just want to live with some dignity—I don't want to be sent to that wretched place!"

He suddenly looked up at Yuvan. "It's you and Eleanor! You pulled me into this! I never wanted to rebel! I didn't want to die…"

Only Harvey's cries and angry sobs echoed through the prison.

From the capital to Ebonflow, the Capital Army controlled the relay stations. Skilled men intercepted carrier pigeons along the way. Only one, bearing a red ribbon, reached the capital.

Clifford, forced to retreat, had sent a pigeon with a white ribbon. Unfortunately, it was shot down by men from Skywing Spire.

On the night of July 5th, a light rain began to fall, washing away the bloodstains on the ground, leaving a faintly red stream. Clifford's army, unable to tend to their fallen, fled westward, away from the capital.

Chester could have destroyed them or held his ground, but he chose not to. The battle had lasted too long, causing unnecessary suffering. He had also received a royal edict to focus on eliminating Clifford and Yuvan's private soldiers, disregarding the capital. Thus, he and Thomas pursued them.

After securing Nerovia and Valken, Everett and the others retreated to the capital. He and Eustace, along with martial artists and merchant guards, donned the uniforms of private soldiers found in Nerovia's storerooms. Eustace, similar in height and build to Clifford, wore a newly crafted mask of Clifford's face, made by Winona. Even in the July heat, the mask was comfortable.

In the capital, Nicholas received the carrier pigeon. He tore off the red ribbon, holding it tightly, his eyes burning with fury. He had always believed Clifford would succeed; none of his plans had ever failed.