<h4>Chapter 888 - The Bitter Truth</h4>


    The entire room was tense, as those who were pushed back and survived all put aside their differences to face these intruders.


    What else could they do?


    These people miraculously managed to push them back.


    So who wouldn’t think rationally and team up with their enemies to fight the intruders?


    Of course, those at the back still didn’t know much of the situation.


    Buy those at the very front of it all were very aware and dared not step forward yet.


    So they held their swords formally and vigntly watched the strange men before them who were pointing several ck rods (guns) at them.


    There was a great distance between both sides, but neither Ulrich’s men or Winston’s men at the front thought of making the first move.


    One of Henry’s men brought forth a metal megaphone and ced it close to his mouth.


    Honestly, everyone still felt that Henry was very hateful.


    Forget the fact that he was still eating an apple; why did he have to take his sweet time and even get someone following him around with a megaphone?


    Henry couldn’t be bothered with what they thought.


    Of course, he would fight if need be.


    But, that depended on how his so-called half-brothers.


    .


    "Alright, for the sake of brotherhood, I’ll make this quick, in and simple.


    Today, I’m already the victor, and I don’t want to waste any more time on this.


    So it’s best you all surrender now."


    "You wish!!!" Winston eximed.


    What a joke!


    How could he give up when he was already so close?


    "Hmph.


    Do you think that you’ve really got us surrounded?


    Any moment from now, thousands and thousands of my men will break into the pce.


    So you betteryout and go back just like a weak dog should."


    Henry chuckled yfully.


    "Bring the box."


    "Yes, your highness."


    Henry smiled broadly at his half-brothers while waiting for the box.


    "Bothers, I hate to break it to you, but your backup isn’ting."


    "What do you mean!!"


    "Well, simply put, we destroyed themst night.


    In fact, we destroyed everyone’s backup.


    And yes, that includes your men as well first brother."


    Pap.


    Ulrich felt like he had just but hit by lighting.


    His pupils widened in disbelief as he stared silently at Henry.


    How was that possible?


    He had roughly 30,000 men out there, and Winston had about 13~17,000.


    Not to talk of Duke Osias, Joffrey and the rest.


    If they did thisst night, that meant that they had at least 150,000 men with them, or more, since they seemed to have suffered no setback.


    When did Henry gather so many men?


    Since when had he been nning to seize his crown?


    Ulrich’s mind kept spinning and spinning in rage.


    And if eyes could kill, Henry would’ve already died, resurrected, and died a million times over and over by now.


    F***!


    The moment he saw the head of themander in charge of leading his backup army, he was now fully convinced that his army was indeed no more.


    In fact, if Joffrey and those who died saw this scene, they would’ve also seen their Commander’s heads there too, since Henry brought the heads of all Commanders here.


    If they had known, they wouldn’t have even bothered attacking their enemies today.


    Now they died for nothing.


    .


    Winston on the other hand, was on the verge of a breakdown.


    Since the start of the battle, he had been nning and waiting for his men to infiltrate the pce and face-p his enemies to kneel and now before him like a true champion.


    But who could tell him why that did was shattered into pieces by this fateful fellow called Henry?


    More importantly, since when was he this powerful?


    Henry wanted them to surrender.


    But even at this moment, they still would et do so.


    Both Winston and Henry thought of one thing, and that was to escape.


    Just because they lost this battle didn’t mean that it was the end.


    They decided to go into hiding, rally more forces and supporters before retaking the throne.


    Particrly, Ulrich decided to seek out the temple of Dragmus.


    As luck would have it, 10 days before Julius died, he told him all about the mysterious temple that even he didn’t know existed.


    He was told the history of the temple and how they helped the royals to keep Deiferus safe from the pirates centuries ago.


    He also told him of other contributions that they also made in recent times.


    Not even Duke Osias or Bulkington knew of it.


    The information was passed from heir to heir directly.


    And after one bes monarch, the temple would personally visit in secret.


    Julius told him that some officials and even some merchants were temple members.


    And that he could only know them once he got the crown.


    Julius warned him that the temple had eyes everywhere and knew everything, so he should never try to cheat or deceive them.


    Previously when Julius was reading the verdict, for a moment, he thought that Julius had changed his mind about him being the heir and told someone else.


    But soon, his mind was put to rest, knowing that he was still the heir.


    More importantly, Julius had told him that if he was facing any issues, all he had to do was seek out the temple, and they would help him since he was of total blood.


    And in return, the temple would increase the percentage paid to them by the royals.


    It was like they were paying tax to the mysterious temple because each year, the royals, particrly Julius, personally sent a percentage of ie from the empire’s taxes to the temple.


    And every time the temple aided them, that percentage went up.


    Julius had also given him a list of secret meetup points that he could go to anywhere within the empire and use some secret word to let him meet these people.


    Since taking the note from Julius, he had always assumed it everywhere he went.


    So now, all he thought about was escaping and going to these ces to seek the temple’s help.


    Ulrich had a grand n in mind.


    But it was just too bad that the temple was already on the verge of extinction.


    .


    Winston and Ulrich looked at each other for a split second before storming towards the back in an attempt to escape.


    Their action brought in a wave of movement from their men, and now, everyone had the same thought as well.


    And that was to escape or fight their way through if need be.


    But how could it be that easy?