Side Story 87: The Second Prince's Rebellion (11)

The Fourth Prince appears to be holing up.

Our numbers must have exceeded their expectations. As the aide said, Tsetsedra and his garrison troops deployed before the castle gates are retreating beyond the hill.

It was a safe choice. Faced with such an overwhelming disparity in numbers, their only option was to hole up in the imperial capital and await reinforcements.

But unfortunately, Tsetsedra really is still an amateur. Holing up in the imperial capital would accomplish nothing.

Originally, this city was not considered particularly important for defense. Emperor Drak designed it with the future beyond the fighting in mind.

The fourth ring of walls, added as the city expanded, is still incomplete. Moreover, given the city's enormous size, three thousand soldiers would be unable to put up any meaningful resistance.

The only possibility would be to hold out in the innermost area—the imperial palace. Indeed, they likely have no other choice.

For Filemas, too, a siege in the imperial palace would be the ideal outcome. The imperial capital would eventually be his. He did not want to destroy it needlessly, especially considering the citizens' feelings.

If Tsetsedra had been prepared to fight for survival, he would have been better off abandoning the imperial capital for now, moving to a nearby fortress, and continuing the resistance. We would prioritize the capital. Precisely because of that, he might have found a way out, however slim the chance.

But now that he has retreated into the imperial capital, he has missed his opportunity. If, by some stroke of luck, he survives and is captured, I will give him one chance: whether to serve under Filemas or not...