When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 859 - 810: Night Parade

The streets of Rapids City appeared exceptionally silent under the cover of night, yet in the central square of the Port District, drunken commoners were still gathering.

They somehow procured firewood and a large number of flags with the crests of ancient nobles, setting a huge bonfire ablaze in the center of the square.

The bonfire flickered in the cold wind, the chilly weather not dampening the fervor of the commoners one bit.

Light and shadow cast upon their faces, revealing intermittent anger.

A printing worker raised his fist and shouted to the commoners.

Behind him, a monk from the Holy Path faction stood on a barrel, delivering an impassioned speech.

He took out the council gazette and a bound compilation of clippings from "The Truth," beginning to refute Moliat's actions point by point.

"The nobles make us buy their bonds, claiming they fight on our behalf, what nonsense!"

"And now? Sure enough, their money was returned in full, while ours went to waste on the Shattered Stone Plain and in Xia Lvcheng!"

"They have the nerve to let us fight the battles while they sit comfortably counting money!"

"Originally, we were told to preserve the nobles to resist the Leia people, so we swallowed our pride, and yet we still have to step up in the end—what's the point of preserving these nobles?!"

"The Autocratic Duke lost, those nobles should give us an explanation as well!"

"Let those Mountain People know we're not cowards!"

The crowd frequently burst into supportive cries, almost every word from these leaders met with cheers and applause.

Within the Advisory Council, political factions could largely be divided into three: the Saint's Grandson faction, the Plain Faction, and the Mountain Faction.

These weren't solid parties but loose political alliances; at times, a proposal would get votes from the left, center, and right within just one faction.

Not all members of the Plain Faction were Plain People, and similarly, not all members of the Mountain Faction were Mountain People.

The Plain Faction primarily consisted of commoners but also included emerging industrial and commercial nobles.

With numerous towns in the plains and strong monastery control, the influence of citizens, artisans, and farmers was significant.

The Mountain Faction also followed a similar pattern, mainly comprising nobles and commoner artisans reliant on them.

It included not only nobles from Pingyuan County but also those from Mountain County.

However, because many Pingyuan County nobles were swept away by Horn and Moliat, had fled, or perished in battle, their number was few, hence the name Mountain Faction.

Besides, calling them the noble faction or commoner faction was too obvious and could provoke opposition.

The number of people at the gathering quickly exceeded six hundred, pushing toward a thousand.

As people took turns giving speeches, there was commotion on the outer fringes of the crowd.

A new industrial and commercial noble of the Plain Faction rode in on a warhorse, with drooping pale eyebrows: "I have a word to say, please listen quietly."

This new noble was Morne, once a temple knight, often involved in public welfare and free medical services, with a long-standing good reputation.

Seeing Morne arrive, the crowd was willing to give him face.

"Everyone, I understand your anger, but you must remain calm." Morne surveyed the surroundings, his tone grave, "Tomorrow, we will see the outcome, so why cause a drunken disturbance now?"

"No, we want His Grace to hear our voices and petitions, to show our will and strength to the broad representatives and citizens." Rangbang pushed through the crowd, "We want the Saint's Grandson, not the Duke!"

"You are no match for the nobles, causing such a stir will only give them grounds for suppression."

Liborole stood out to follow: "Do you think we're just drunk? No, we're fighting for the future of the Thousand River Valley!"

He turned to look at Rangbang and the other representatives beside him, his voice firm: "We are the righteous, not afraid of judgment!"

The crowd erupted in a wave of approving shouts.

This acclamation swiftly drowned out Old Morne's speech, and the crowd spontaneously began forming a parade.

They banded together, attaching black and red flags to sticks, waving and singing as they marched.

Soon, the nearly thousand-strong parade was boldly advancing toward the Uffizi Palace.

As they marched, more people kept joining from the surrounding residences, some even wearing pajamas.

Standing before the bonfire, Old Morne was distressed, pounding his chest and unable to decide what to do, ultimately rushing toward the direction of the Uffizi Palace.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel stood atop the watchtower, gazing at the flickering lights in the distance, his heart subtly uneasy.

He had originally hoped Clovin could quickly inform Moliat and bring instructions from the Duke.

But now, Clovin was still nowhere to be found!

The parade was drawing closer, and if they were allowed to continue unchecked, once Horn caught wind, and the two joined forces, the consequences would be dire.

It must be noted that a large number of mountain nobles had come to Rapids City for this consultation.

If Horn truly took this opportunity to cleanse the Advisory Council of noble forces, it would be the end—it was already their weak period.

Damn, since when did they need to consider the commoners' opinions so carefully!

He gritted his teeth and turned to his adjutant: "Deploy a contingent from River Transport to intercept them!"

Soon, a troop of three hundred soldiers rushed to the main road, erected barricades, and sealed off the road leading from the Port District to the Uffizi Palace.

When the marching citizens and artisans saw the soldiers ahead, they did not stop.

"Make way!"

"We are here to petition, not for battle!"

The leading Knight angrily scolded, "It's been said the bonds will be repaid, what are you troublesome people doing coming out in the middle of the night instead of staying safely at home?"

"When will you return it?" someone in the crowd of citizens immediately shouted.

"What is your motive for asking this question?!" The Knight became angry.

Both sides stood in a stalemate for a moment, then began to shove each other.

Initially, a few drunken citizens were pushing against the soldiers' shields, but soon, more people poured in from behind, and the scene became increasingly chaotic.

In the struggle, a soldier from Thousand River Valley instinctively swung his iron-clad baton when a civilian lunged at him.

Although he held back at the last moment and only lightly grazed the person's shoulder.

But the drunken citizen was already unsteady on his feet, and dramatically fell to the ground with a thud, knocking over a wooden barrel nearby.

"The nobles are beating people!"

"We're just petitioning, why are you using such cruel force against your own compatriots?!"

"Are you planning to surrender to the Leia people?"

These accusations made Nathaniel furious, and he loudly ordered, "Didn't I say not to hit people? Fall back! No shoving!"

However, chaos had already begun to spread.

As some fell, more were pushed to the ground.

The soldiers began to retreat in an attempt to restore order.

Footsteps echoed down the street as the Military Police arrived in neat formation, trying to separate both parties.

However, the chaotic situation was already out of swift control.

Even worse, the messages being communicated throughout the city were inaccurate.

As the marchers scattered, the news spread as:

"Citizens reclaimed the bonds from the nobles, but the nobles used force to suppress and killed many people!"

"The Saint's Grandson has been imprisoned by the nobles, and they plan to amend the Constitution, abolishing the 'Repeal of Dead Hand Tax'!"

"The nobles have surrendered to the Leia people, and they plan to massacre us!"

This message quickly spread among the Plain Faction supporters, with rumors and fear brewing in the darkness.

"The nobles are killing people!"

"Go rescue the Great Shepherd in Uffizi Palace!"

More and more citizens took to the streets, while representatives in inns or manors were forcibly brought out by citizens.

Many representatives, still in their dreams and unaware of what was happening, were carried out to cheers and forced to sign petitions.

The nobles acted just as swiftly, immediately dispatching private guards, servants, or their tenant farmers to snatch the representatives.

To prevent the representatives from being taken, they even resorted to preemptive measures, following the citizens to grab representatives from the inns.

Some unfortunate representatives would even change hands three or four times.

In the end, it was Raphael who arrived with the Military Police to escort the frightened representatives away.

Citizens and workers gathered again, raising the banner of 'Petition to Protect the Constitution' and advanced directly toward Uffizi Palace.

Nathaniel quickly mobilized more troops and dispatched loyal Knights along with noble servants and tenant farmers to set defenses on the main roads.

Chaos erupted in the streets and alleys.

The citizens' group attempted to break through the blockade, while the noble faction used shields to drive the crowd away.

Fortunately, Raphael's Military Police arrived in time, preventing any deaths or significant damage.

Yet as the chaos grew larger and no contact was made with Moliat, they found themselves at a loss.

The nobles made up their minds, beginning to actively beat and expel the citizens.

In the face of nobles with extraordinary powers, many marching groups were cut and dispersed.

Some citizens, the moment they raised their iron rods, scattered in panic.

"The situation is not right," said Liborole, biting his thumb as he spoke to Rangbang on top of the carriage.

"If the nobles dare to act, then we won't hold back," Rangbang said fiercely, "Give me a horse; I will go rally the farmers nearby!"

Amid the night-time clatter, Rangbang and a few companions rode quickly from the Port District toward the surrounding villages.

However, just as they reached the city gates, a group of Night Watchers dressed in black stopped them.

Standing beneath the moonlight, Duvalon, his face dotted with acne, solemnly faced them.

"Gentlemen," his voice was a deep voice, yet carried undeniable authority, "Please do not leave the city; wait patiently."

Rangbang found it hard to suppress his trembling: "We need to notify the farmers, let them know the nobles have betrayed us!"

Duvalon spoke no more and simply pointed behind him.

Rangbang was puzzled at first, but following his gaze, he suddenly gasped.

Outside the city, on the fields, the dense line of Imperial Guard sat orderly on the ground, waiting in the darkness.

They crunched away on granola bars, their eyes constantly watching the clamor within the city.

"His Grace does not wish for the situation to escalate. Rallying the farmers is good and spirited." Hands clasped behind his back, Duvalon stood before Rangbang, his voice extraordinarily calm, "But now is not the time."