This is a rare opportunity that no insightful superior would ever miss.

Among many ambitious parties, Le Song managed to establish contact with the head of the Third Clan through communication crystals and quickly made an effective alliance within a short period.

Le Song's intention was to cause trouble for the Imperial Kingdom's army by seeking external assistance.

He was not naive enough to believe that the Crusaders, after capturing the capital, would hand over half of the city as per the alliance agreement.

It was very likely that the Crusaders would unilaterally terminate the alliance after capturing the city and turn against Le Song.

To prevent the other side from monopolizing the fruits of victory, Le Song found it necessary to send the forces of the Blood Clan to the capital; this might lead to a conflict when the time is right.

Should the Blood Clan engage in battle with the Imperial Kingdom, it would maximize their own interests in the Inran region.

If for various reasons the Imperial Kingdom's large army failed to capture the city, the Blood Clan's forces could deliver the final blow to the city's defenses!

Based on the available pieces on the board, Le Song strategically deployed a killer move against Dibiles: the Imperial Siege!

One part of the siege:

Dispatch the demon legion to the battlefield and focus solely on targeting Dibiles' main forces.

The second part:

Have Kashua enter a secondary battlefield, capturing all countries supporting Dibiles, including the Murin Principality.

The third part:

Even based on personal speculation, Le Song dares to predict that the chief demon will join their camp; most likely, it will return to the capital at a crucial moment to cause trouble for the Empress. With its indirect assistance, the city, lacking a powerful defender, will fall within the shortest time, leaving the Empress unable to face multiple formidable opponents.

The fourth part:

The Clan Leader leads his entourage in an assault from the desolate regions to strike at Dibiles' military strength based on the specific circumstances at that time.

The fifth part:

Deploy the remaining main forces of the country in coordination with the demon legion to annihilate the enemy forces on the spot.

The sixth part:

The current army in the capital is less than fifty thousand, and the soldiers' quality is not considered high; in this situation, the Crusaders will likely breach the palace and end Dibiles' long reign.

As time passed and all factions finished their preparations, the siege was finally ready to be fully executed.

Le Song had only one task left: to restore the combat effectiveness of the country's main forces.

This army had not been active in recent days largely due to the apprehension of the two marshals, as both officers and soldiers were wary; another reason was the lack of psychological support throughout the army.

Even though he and his nephew were still trapped for the time being, Le Song had already figured out how to boost the army's morale once more.

He handed his seal to the Northern Marshal.

It had been mentioned before: when the soldiers of the principality searched Le Song, they only took some sharp items from him, including the seal, but they never confiscated the other seemingly insignificant things.

Those soldiers seemed foolish, but the reality was quite the opposite. The soldiers, ready to confront Inran's army, were still reluctant to offend the enemy's generals too harshly; after all, they all had families, and even though they could muster the courage to sacrifice themselves on the battlefield, they still did not want to incur the wrath of Inran's higher-ups.

Not taking away seemingly inconsequential items was a way for the soldiers to leave a path for their families. Thanks to their mindset, Le Song's plan proceeded smoothly.

The Northern Marshal, in possession of the seal, could bring this item to the officer currently in temporary command within the army; then, based on the lie fabricated by Le Song, the Northern Marshal would inform the officer:

"Both myself and Inyan have been successfully rescued but due to our injuries, we are unable to return to the battlefield immediately."

If anyone doubted, the officer could reassure his soldiers by publicly displaying the token after receiving it.

The seal was the credential for the marshal's command of the entire army, akin to the "Tiger Token" in some countries in the eastern continent; upon seeing the seal that the marshal never parted with, the soldiers eased their worries about Le Song and Inyan's safety.

With their greatest concern alleviated, the officer could command and the army swiftly regained its strength; as for tactical matters, Le Song himself would take charge.

There were many things for the Northern Marshal to take care of, including Le Song's instructions to the officer; specifically, teaching them which tactics to employ and how to adapt to changing situations on the battlefield.

Even though the subsequent war had yet to truly begin, Le Song had foreseen everything...

"As long as you win this war, you will be a hero when you return home," the Northern Marshal said with a hostile gaze, speaking with a tone that carried a hint of ridicule.

Le Song seemed to have no inkling of the underlying sentiment. He shook his head in front of his companions and replied, "A commander who leads his army to significant losses due to errors in command, no matter how many achievements he builds later on, should not qualify as a hero."

Since the moment he was captured, a thought had been lingering in Le Song's mind; now, for the first time, he spoke about his plan in front of others:

"After the war is won, I will resign from my current office and title, and return to my homeland to live out the rest of my days."

While the significant casualties of the army were indeed a reason for Le Song to resign from his position, it was not the sole reason.

Deep down, he felt he owed something to that noble lady. She had not mistreated him after capturing him, nor had she made excessive demands; from his perspective at the time, Le Song almost saw it as a favor.

Even though he had received a favor from her, he had still decided to act against Dibiles; this made him feel guilty towards yet another individual.

Of course, this reason could not be openly stated; it was clear in his mind, and there was no need to voice it explicitly.

"Seems like you're eager to atone, and I won't have to waste my effort to take you out of here, right?" The Northern Marshal quipped, with a tone that continued the conversation in a teasing manner.

"My nephew is still trapped, so I must continue to stay here; besides, you might not be able to take me away," Le Song replied.

Just as Le Song finished speaking, an unexpected sound rang out, commanding everyone's attention.

Clang!

A metallic shadow shot out from behind the Northern Marshal, merging with the darkness that enveloped the dimly lit room.

"You're quick." The Northern Marshal had no intention of facing the attack head-on; upon realizing he had been targeted, he dodged the strike, preparing to jump out of the window to escape.

The reason he avoided a direct conflict with the assailant was simply that he did not want to engage in battle at that moment.

He had no plans to be physically active that night, while the newcomer had a different agenda.

Before the Northern Marshal could attempt to escape through the window, a sword strike with a curved blade came from his blind spot.

His instincts alerted him to the incoming assault, a warning triggered by his body.

In such a small province, he did not think he would encounter a worthy opponent.

But as the sword strike came, he involuntarily widened his eyes, immediately entering combat mode.

This reaction indicated that the assailant was not an opponent he could easily handle.

With a more serious demeanor, the Northern Marshal swiftly reached back to grab and raise the heavy metal broadsword that matched his full-body armor.

As he raised the sword, it moved a bit upwards in his hand; then, with a clang sound, the two metals collided as he resisted the incoming force and attempted to deflect the blade away.

Upon turning around, the Northern Marshal saw that the person attacking him was a young girl dressed as a maid, looking very youthful.

"Following the master's orders, anyone trying to take away the prisoners is my enemy!" She was Qiuyan.

For someone who disliked making decisions, choosing a reliable master and unconditionally obeying their commands was the easiest way to live a carefree life.

If the two were to engage fully at that moment, the outcome would be uncertain.

Unfortunately, as mentioned before, the Northern Marshal did not want to expend energy where it was unnecessary.

Though slightly disheveled, he still chose to leave.

As he made up his mind, he let go of the non-precious heavy sword; taking advantage of his opponent's focus on the sword, he leaned back, pushed the window open with the aid of his armor, and swiftly disappeared into the darkness after jumping out.

As his opponent ran off, Qiuyan put away her pair of short swords and approached Le Song, speaking with a sleepy tone,

"Phew, I feel like sleeping now."

"Well, then go to sleep, little girl."

"But I'm worried you might sneak away while I'm asleep."

"I won't leave. My nephew is still here; how can I, as his uncle, abandon him?"

"What if you throw your conscience to the dogs?"

"So, little girl, what should we do?"

"You don't need to do anything."

With sleepy eyes, Qiuyan glanced at Le Song, then turned away from him and briskly left the room.

Upon her return, Le Song was surprised to see that she was holding several chains in her hands.

"Borrowed from the prison cell. Don't move around too much; breaking a bone or two midway wouldn't be good."

"Wait, I told you I won't run away myself. You should trust a gentleman's self-discipline... Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

As Qiuyan bound him, she was a bit rough, not controlling her strength and making slightly forceful movements; these factors combined to make Le Song's experience less than pleasant.

"Stop, I beg you to stop. Prisoners should not be mistreated casually, stop—ahhhhh!"

As time went on, the cries of pain turned into screams of terror;

The sounds of agony echoing in this place could be heard even by the courtiers from both the upper and lower levels.

Because of what happened tonight, this room would become a terrifying place that would make the palace maids shudder for a long time to come.