451 The Raid (2)

(Regaleon’s POV)

Alicia and I came back to our room to rest. I have already made the plans for the raid of the facility tonight. The troops from the nearest city in Alvannia will be arriving right about now and I plan to be there for the raid as well.

“Lili, I will be accompanying the troops for the raid tonight.” I whispered lightly to my beloved.

“Do you really need to be there as well, Leon?” Alicia asked me with worried eyes.

“I know you are worried, my love.” I replied to her. “But it would be best that I myself catch Raymond Forger in the act. He will not get away with this one.”

“I understand.” Alicia replied with a sad face. “Please be careful, okay?”

“I promise.” I kissed my wife’s forehead. “I will leave the shadow guards here to protect you and the twins. It would be best to arrest Count Forger as well when the raid begins. I will leave that to Sir William and you.”

“Hmm.” Alicia replied. “I will do as you have said, Leon. I am sure that the countess will be surprised after she hears about what her husband and son is doing.”

“Yes, I am sure she will be.” I said. “But she needs to know everything. And even though she does not have any knowledge in the business her husband and son had undertaken, she is not free of the crime because of being ignorant. The very least of the punishment I can give is to take away her noble title and become a commoner.”

“I believe that the countess can manage with her noble title being revoked.” Alicia said. “I will send a letter to Jack to find her former merchant lover. And if things go well, then maybe they can pick up from where they left off.”

“That is a good idea, Lili.” I felt proud of my lovable wife. “You really have a good heart.”

“It is the least I can do to the countess.” Alicia replied. “About Count Forger’s two children, Arnold, and Angelica. What are your thoughts?” She asked me.

“I am thinking of making Arnold the head of the house.” I replied. “And I believe that he would take care of his younger sister even though they are only half siblings. They are innocent from their father’s sins.”

“Then I will give in a good word in high society when her coming of age comes.” Alicia said. “This will be a talk of high society after, and it can affect her image as a noble lady when she comes of age. With the name of the empress sponsoring her, it can at least give her a smooth future to come.”

“Then do what you must.” I replied. “I will be preparing to depart, my love.”

“Hmm.” Alicia nodded.

I took her to my embrace and gave her a smooth kiss on her lush red lips. I was reluctant to let go of her, but I must.

I changed my clothes into black garments that I use in covert operations. It has been I while since I have worn such clothes. Since I became an emperor, I did not have any reason to wear such clothes anymore because I only work in my office all day. Outside operations are dealt with by my inner circle officers accordingly. They are my most trusted, and so I have full trust in their capabilities. But now, I need to this myself because of the urgency of the matter.

‘I am the one here now and so I should be the one to deal with this.’ I thought to myself. ‘I will not let anyone use their power to oppress people. Anything that is done illegally should be punished.’ _{pᴀɴᴅᴀ ɴ(O)ᴠᴇʟ}

“Here, let me help you with your clothes.” Alicia offered and helped me tie up my clothes. “It has been a while since I saw you in this clothing. Be careful… for me and the twins. Come back safe.”

“I will.” I turned around to face her and hugged her. I kissed her lips and looked at her eyes filled with worry. “I will be going.”

“Hmm.” Alicia nodded.

I walked to the balcony and looked around. The leader of the shadow guards with us came out of hiding and kneeled on one knee before me.

“Your majesty, the troops from Alvannia had arrived. They are waiting for you at the other side of the border.” He reported.

I have specifically given order to them to come from the other side of Alvannia to not alert Raymond and his men in the facility. We should catch them by surprise and in the act of departing with the wyverns.

pAɴᴅᴀɴ0ᴠᴇʟ.ᴄ0ᴍ “I see.” I replied. “I will be leaving you and the shadow guards to watch my wife and children’s safety. Some of the imperial knights will be left here as well so as to not alert Count Forger of our surprise raid.”

“As you command, your majesty.” The leader of the shadow guards replied and disappeared from sight.

I jumped from the balcony and proceeded outside of Count Forger’s estate by foot. I was careful not to be detected by Count Forger’s guards patrolling the estate at night. I saw the wall of the estate and jumped up to climb to the other side. Once I was outside, I saw one of my imperial knights holding the reigns of my horse. _{ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕ(ꪫ)ꪣꫀ ꪶ}

“Your majesty.” The imperial knight bowed. “Everything is in order. We will be rendezvousing them at the side of the forest under Alvannian territory.”

“Hmm.” I nodded with his report.

I climbed my horse and started to head towards the rendezvous point with the imperial knight beside me on horseback as well.

Not long we have arrived at the rendezvous point. I saw the troops from Alvannia that was sent. The men all kneeled on one knee at my presence.

“Hail to the sun of the Astley Empire.” The captain of the troops said.

“Rise.” I replied.

I came down from my horse while the men stood up in attention.

“I believe that my imperial knights have briefed you about our operation tonight.” I said.

“Yes, your majesty.” The captain of the troops replied. “The operation tonight will be a raid of a facility that is undergoing illegal business.”

“Yes.” I nodded. “Not only is it illegal but they are breeding creatures that are a danger to the people. We will split in two groups. The first group will be led by the captain and catch the convoy that will be departing the facility and the second group that is led by me will raid the facility itself. We are to catch everyone that works inside. There are working civilians, so be careful not to hurt them. Those that becomes hostile will be apprehended with force as deemed fit.”

“As you order, your majesty!” The men replied.

“Be careful.” I said.

After briefing the troops, we prepared to depart.

‘Tempest.’ I called telepathically.

‘I am here.’ Tempest replied telepathically.

‘Where are you right now?’ I asked.

‘I am perched at a tree near the facility you have mentioned.’ Tempest replied. ‘I might say, the shrieks of the creatures inside sends chills.’

‘Can you fly above and survey the area?’ I asked.

‘Of course.’ Tempest replied.

I looked into Tempest’s eyes and saw what he was seeing. He was perched on a tree branch overlooking the entrance gate of the facility. I saw mercenaries guarding the entrance gate. Tempest flew of the branch and over the facility. I saw the convoy of closed metal carriages pulled by horses. There were many of these big metal carriages lined up outside the buildings. Not long, I saw the big gates of the buildings open, and the creatures are being led to the metal carriages one by one.

‘Those creatures must be the wyverns.’ I said.

‘Vicious looking creatures, I might say.’ Tempest replied

The workers have lightning sticks electrifying the wyverns. The wyverns seem to not like the lightning.

‘It seems like lightning can put these creatures in place.’ I said.

‘It may be their weakness.’ Tempest replied.

The gates to the facility opened and the metal carriages prepared to head out.

“It is time.” I told the troops. “Prepare to depart.”