ushernet Chapter 453 - 73 - Take Back The Capital (2)
Chapter 453 - 73 - Take Back The Capital (2)
Random Adventurer’s POV
"Hey, everyone! Did you see that stream?!" shouted one of the adventurers, practically crashing through the front doors of the guild hall. His voice echoed, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention.
"Yeah, you’re late, dumbass," one of my companions replied, already clad head to toe in battle-worn gear that looked built for war. His armor glinted under the dim lights, each dent and scratch telling its own story. "We’re all here, gearing up for the fight."
"Wait, everyone’s already ready?"
"Right as I saw the Princess bow to us, I couldn’t sit still," he said, his voice heavy. "I grabbed my sword in the dead of night and came straight here. Didn’t expect to find so many old-timers suited up, either. But here we are." He gestured around the room, where seasoned adventurers in well-worn armor tightened straps, checked blades, and shared grim nods.
"Didn’t think this many would show," the guy who’d just walked in muttered, his eyes wide as he took in the crowd.
"Look, we may not be this Kingdom’s model citizens. Hell, this place is a mess—nobles treating us like shit with no punishment, corruption everywhere." Another adventurer adjusted his gear, the metal plates clanking softly. "But this is still our home. My family’s here, and if I don’t fight, they’re the ones in danger." His voice grew fierce, that spark of loyalty stronger than any resentment.
"Yeah, we’re all patriots, in our own fucked-up way. Even if the officials are assholes, this land’s ours," I added, my heart pounding. "I’m from Milham, after all. When I saw the Princess bow her head and ask us to take back the capital... hell, I couldn’t just sit back. My blood was boiling."
The image of her bowing, vulnerable and asking us, hit deeper than I’d expected. It felt like her words ran through my veins, an unshakable fire that had everyone on edge.
"I’ll be honest," another companion said in a low voice, glancing around. "I’d support the Princess if she tried to claim the throne. She’s the only one who deserves it."
The streets stretched before us, eerily silent, the area deserted after the civilians had been evacuated to safety. The stillness had a weight to it, like something lurking, waiting.
As we crossed into enemy territory, a dark wall of figures appeared ahead—people, but not quite themselves, blocking the path.
"Shit. They really look like cultists," one of my companions whispered, his grip tightening on his weapon as he eyed the silent crowd. "Stumbling into this out of nowhere would scare you shitless. Look at them... just standing there, quiet as the dead. It’s fucking eerie."
"The Princess said they’re just brainwashed, right? They don’t really know what they’re doing, just mind-controlled puppets," I reminded them. "She told us to avoid using force if we can."
"Think that’s realistic, though? It seems like if we don’t kill some of them, we won’t break through."
It was a painful bind—innocent lives in our way, yet they were our only barrier to the plaza. This was going to get bloody, and it didn’t sit right. But we had to make a choice.
"We’re getting through to the plaza, no matter what," I said, steeling myself. "The question is how."
I mulled over any possible approach, but nothing seemed viable. So, I stepped forward, taking a chance on words.
"We’re local adventurers! We have business in the plaza, so if you could just step aside, we’d appreciate it!" I called out, feeling a faint hope that maybe, just maybe, they’d listen.
They didn’t. No reaction at all. Not a blink, not a twitch. They stood there, a wall of flesh and blank eyes—a wall that wasn’t going to budge.
With a heavy sigh, I raised my sword. If they weren’t going to move, force might be the only path forward.