How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 280

The bells that started from the eastern wall rang out loudly and quickly, as if to signal an emergency.

 

In truth, aside from crimes like robbery or murder, there was no place more peaceful than the capital of the Empire.

 

For nearly a hundred years, there had been no war with foreign powers, including civil wars, and the disturbances caused by pirates or barbarians occurred only in the northern Ajas border region, the south, and the seas to the east.

 

Put simply, being attacked, people dying, buildings collapsing, and fleeing from disasters—those were other people’s problems.

 

At least until last winter’s monster attack incident.

 

Those who remember the horror of that time were terrified the moment the bell rang.

 

“What’s that bell? What’s going on?”

 

“Surely monsters aren’t going to attack the capital again?”

 

Some tried to run home and hide, while others fled outside, afraid their houses would collapse.

 

The capital was thrown into chaos in an instant by the confused and confused footsteps of the people.

 

“Everyone, calm down!”

 

Fortunately, the Red Lion Knights, who had been prepared in advance, calmed the people and guided them to evacuate.

 

If it weren’t for them, the entire capital would have been in chaos in an instant.

 

“There’s no need to rush! The guards on the wall are risking their lives to stop the monsters, so please stay calm!”

 

“The drawbridge is being raised! Leave your luggage behind and come inside the walls!”

 

With the help of the Knights of the Red Lion, the guards evacuated the people outside the walls in an orderly manner, quickly closing the gate and raising the drawbridge.

 

Next, wizards and archers took up positions on the walls, and artillerymen dragged out cannons and shells.

 

Meanwhile, a message from a scout on the wall reached the palace.

 

A horde of monsters had been spotted approaching from the east.

 

Among them were winged flying types—if not dealt with quickly, they might fly over the wall and attack the capital.

 

The place where the emperor heard the news was the prison.

 

“Your Majesty! A horde of monsters is heading straight for the capital! There are dozens of them!”

 

Dozens of monsters might seem like nothing in front of a deep moat and high, sturdy walls.

 

But if it’s not a normal monster, but a chimera modified by human hands, then the story is different.

 

The capital’s knights and guards already had little experience dealing with monsters. And if even the monster guides they memorized were useless now….

 

“You… You’ve gone mad for the throne and caused all this!”

 

The emperor glared at Julius with angry eyes as he sat there with a face that was quite tired from just one night.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, these eyes were nothing new to Julius.

 

‘At least, he was very fond of me when I was a child.’

 

Julius, with a bitter smile, spoke in a somewhat irreverent tone, without even attempting to prove his innocence.

 

“Your Majesty, now is not the time to be scolding me.”

 

“Ha! Aren’t you clever? Why don’t you take the throne while you’re at it? Oh wait, that’s exactly what this is about, isn’t it?”

 

If not for the people watching, the Emperor might’ve slapped him right there like a common criminal. He turned away in a rage.

 

“That guy is not a prince, He’s a traitor who dared bring monsters into the capital to start a rebellion. Interrogate him thoroughly to find out how to defeat those monsters!”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty….”

 

Last night, one of the guards dared to add the word “but” and was burned. Now, the guards only exchanged nervous glances and bowed their heads.

 

They have lived as guards in the palace’s prison for decades. How could they not know that the Emperor’s orders were unjust?

 

‘He says “interrogate,” but he means torture…’

 

‘Damn it. No solid evidence, no even circumstantial proof—and he wants us to torture a royal? What if it turns out to be a misunderstanding? Who’ll take responsibility then?’

 

Julius looked at the guards with pitying eyes, as if he had read their minds.

 

The only one who understood the burden of having to harm a royal… was the royal himself. What cruel irony.

 

“Your Majesty… what about the guest in the detached palace…?”

 

“What do you mean what about him? He’s no royal. Don’t hold back—torture him and get the information, immediately!”

 

The moment the word torture came out of the emperor’s mouth, the faces of all the guards there distorted.

 

Until then, it might have been possible to close one’s eyes and pretend not to notice, but once the words came out directly from the emperor’s mouth, it was a mess.

 

Whatever happens later, if the Emperor’s orders are not properly carried out right now, sparks will surely fly.

 

There was only one way to avoid being caught up in the fallout later.

 

‘Karl, it’s him!’

 

‘I have to go to him!’

 

Who would torture the Second Prince, and who would handle the palace guest?

 

The emperor left the prison with a face that still showed no signs of calming down, leaving the guards behind to engage in a fierce battle of wits.

 

His breath came heavy from the agitation. He called for the Intelligence Chief.

 

“Report the current situation—everything we know!”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

The Chief had been receiving non-stop reports via magical messenger since the bell first rang, compiling all available information.

 

Thanks to that, he was able to give the Emperor a full update on all four city walls.

 

“First of all, the monster was only sighted on the eastern wall. Fortunately, the Red Lion Knights patrolling the area immediately rushed to the eastern gate and helped the people evacuate.….”

 

In fact, the presence of more than ten Red Lion Knights near the eastern wall was thanks to Alexander, who had been informed of the monster situation in advance.

 

However, the intelligence chief, unaware of this fact, dismissed the incident as a coincidence.

 

“Also, the wizards cast a restraining spell to prevent the monsters from approaching the walls, but the monsters continued to approach the walls without paying any attention to the wizards.”

 

“They didn’t care even when injured?”

 

“Yes. As if there were a clear purpose. What’s more, among the attacking monsters are a Blue Panglet and an Octalegrant—natural enemies of each other.”

 

“So, someone must have artificially given them a purpose?”

 

Given the evidence, drawing that conclusion was easy.

 

The Intelligence Chief, who knew why the Second Prince and Karl had been imprisoned, glanced at the Emperor and nodded.

 

“This isn’t a random monster attack. This is an assault driven by human intent, and must be crushed swiftly.”

 

If a monster were to cross the capital’s walls, it would be a serious problem in itself, but if humans were controlling them? There was no telling how far it might escalate.

 

Normal monsters are completely unaware of human status, but monsters controlled by humans would be different.

 

“The Second Prince conspired with Karl to lure monsters into the capital. They aimed to harm Your Majesty and Prince Kyle and claim the throne for himself!”

 

“Even a dog knows its master… And yet you, ungrateful wretch, dare to—!”

 

Grinding his teeth, the Emperor gave his next order.

 

“Immediately summon all the Red Lion Knights. Tell them to place half of them on the eastern wall, and divide the remaining half appropriately to guard the northern, western, and southern walls without slackening their vigilance. Also, summon all the Griffin Knights to reinforce the palace’s security!”

 

He also ordered that the royal wizards be split—half to support the eastern wall, half to remain on standby at the palace.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will send a messenger right away.”

 

Most knights had likely already gathered at their rally points when the bell rang.

 

The Intelligence Chief left at once to deliver the Emperor’s commands.

 

The chief attendant, who had remained by the emperor’s side, finally spoke after some hesitation—barely a breath after the shadow of the intelligence chief had disappeared.

 

“But, Your Majesty, can the Red Lion Knights alone stop the horde of monsters…?”

 

“Then what? Are you suggesting I send out the Griffon Knights, who guard the Imperial Palace? And if that’s exactly what the Second Prince is aiming for—how would we know?”

 

The emperor, unable to hide his rage, roared in fury. Then, with a low murmur of “Hmph,” he fixed a sharp gaze on the chief attendant.

 

“You’re not… suggesting that you were bribed by the Second Prince, are you?”

 

“But Your Majesty, isn’t Marquis Ajas currently in the capital?”

 

Even now, the wit that had allowed him to survive in the palace for so many years shone through.

 

“Not just him—there are also the two dukes and many other nobles here. As your loyal subjects and citizens of this Empire, they must fulfill their duty. Please give them the opportunity to defend the capital and its people and bring honor to their names!”

 

“Yes…. You are right.”

 

The emperor nodded, and the chief attendant quietly let out a sigh of relief.

 

“Send messengers immediately to the nobles and tell them to draft knights and private soldiers from their families to subdue the monsters threatening the people. This is their duty as subjects receiving royalties from the empire, and you must also make it clear that they have no right to refuse!”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

 

The emperor’s shadows—his quick-footed attendants—immediately moved to carry out the orders.

 

The Emperor’s command didn’t end there.

 

But the emperor’s commands did not end there. As he turned and made his way toward the Imperial Quarters—the safest place within the palace—he summoned the chief attendant to his side and whispered in his ear.

 

“Take the Griffon Knights and go to the Marquis of Calvin’s residence. Bring her to my palace.”

 

“Pardon? …Are you referring to the Marquise?”

 

“Yes. And Kyle as well. He is my successor, the next emperor. He must be in the safest place possible.”

 

For a brief moment, the words “Empress” and “First Princess” flashed through the chief attendant’s mind. But having just narrowly avoided a grave mistake, he held his tongue and bowed deeply.

 

“I will do as you command.”

 

After the chief attendant departed with the knights, the emperor finally quickened his pace.

 

He had done all he could for now.

 

Whether it was a chimera or anything else, the knights were in motion, and he had already dispatched wizards and involved Marquis Ajas and the two dukes. Everything would be fine.

 

‘Yes, there’s no way monsters can pass through the capital’s walls.’

 

The emperor truly thought so.

 

That is, until about 30 minutes later—when a thunderous crash, like the rumble of an earthquake, rang out, and word came that a part of the eastern wall had collapsed.

 

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