Chapter 1371
Chapter 1371
The Astrology Department’s predictions were true. This year, there was indeed more rainfall than usual.
On the 18th of July, a torrential downpour began over the capital.
Outside the city, Nicholas‘ scouts spotted a group of people braving the rain, heading toward the capital.
The scouts were posing as peasants from the surrounding villages on the outskirts, and their entry into the city wouldn’t raise suspicion. When they recognized the leader of the group as Clifford, one of the scouts immediately carried a basket of fruit into the city.
Such common folk were often overlooked. Every day, peasants entered the city, either to sell their goods at the market or to deliver produce to the homes of the nobility.
The scout made his way to Willowbrook Estate’s back door. Once it opened, he quickly slipped inside.
In the study, Nicholas sat stiffly, listening intently to the report.
“Are you certain you saw Mr. Murphy?” Nicholas asked in a calm voice, betraying no hint of excitement. Now more than ever, he had to remain composed.
“Yes, Your Highness. I’m certain it was Mr. Murphy.”
“You could see clearly, even in this downpour?” Nicholas heard the rain hammering against the roof, the noise nearly drowning out the conversation.
“I could see him clearly, and the soldiers with him wore armor and clothing just like ours. I wouldn’t mistake them.”
Nicholas absentmindedly twisted the red silk wrapped around his wrist, then fixed his gaze on the scout before him. “Did you notice if Mr. Murphy wore a red silk ribbon like this on his wrist?”
The scout was stunned. “No, I didn’t see that. Could it be someone else in disguise?”
The scout knew that their communication was likely based on secret signals or marks. It was possible that Nicholas and Clifford had agreed beforehand that, if leading troops to the capital, Clifford would wear a red silk ribbon on his wrist.
Thinking this, he grew anxious and said, “Your Highness, if it’s a deception, we need to prepare immediately.”
Nicholas smiled. “If you saw him clearly, then there’s no need to worry. Perhaps Mr. Murphy simply forgot to wear the red silk ribbon after such a long journey.”
The scout was puzzled. If it was a signal, how could Clifford forget? But since Nicholas seemed so confident, he didn’t press the matter.
Nicholas‘ expression grew serious. “Order the men at the city’s outskirts to prepare. Once the gates open tomorrow morning, we’ll attack the city immediately.”
“Understood!” the scout immediately straightened, his voice sharp with resolve. “I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.”
Nicholas watched him depart, then picked up his coffee and slowly took a sip.
In truth, there was no such thing as a red silk ribbon secret signal.
However, Nicholas‘ men on the outskirts had been left to their own devices for too long. Given the recent investigations by the Mystic Army, their identities might have been discovered. This could lead to them being
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tricked into giving away information or being set up.
By mentioning the red silk ribbon, Nicholas was testing the scout. If it was a deception, the scout would have claimed he saw it. If not, it would prove the scout was speaking the truth.
Clifford had truly arrived.
Nicholas called for the Shadow Guards and ordered them to inform Hans Stone at the Waterworks Department about the action tomorrow. Hans would lead the riverworks project workers.
Hans had once served under Dominic as a fifth–ranked general. He was punished with 30 lashes for violating military code, and was expelled from Victory Pass. The 30 lashes weren’t just regular strikes–they were delivered with a heavy rod and nearly cost him his life.
Nicholas‘ people were the ones who helped heal Hans, enabling him to stay undercover for eight years. During that time, Hans trained soldiers and worked with Cameron to replace the riverworks project workers.
Of course, it was Nicholas who had caused Hans to break the military code in the first place.
He had long recognized Hans‘ potential as a general, but he knew that if he tried to make Hans honestly work for him, it wouldn’t work.
Luckily, he knew Hans had a fatal weakness–his love for women.
So, Nicholas arranged for a woman to get close to Hans. After they were intimate, the woman went to Dominic to accuse Hans of assaulting her.
At first, Dominic didn’t believe the woman’s word and summoned Hans to confront her. Naturally, Hans denied the accusation, claiming he didn’t even know her.
But then other families came forward, claiming Hans had assaulted their daughters or sisters. There were even witnesses his own personal guards. Hans never expected his guards to betray him, and he had no way to defend himself.
In his anger, Dominic ordered Hans to be given 30 lashes with a heavy rod. If he had died, it would have been deserved. But since he survived, he was thrown out of the military camp.
From then on, Hans officially worked for Nicholas.
