Chapter 3, The Aristocracy of the Imperial Capital

This represents endless glory and brilliance! It signifies the admiration of thousands and the ironclad majesty! The Tulip family is descended from Marshal Rudolf, the first marshal under His Majesty the founding emperor of the empire. Throughout the six hundred years of the empire's history, the family has produced a total of fourteen marshals, each of whom was an outstanding military strategist and tactician, achieving remarkable military exploits in the expansion of the empire's territories! Rody clearly remembers that the history teacher spoke with deep respect, saying: "The Tulip family is the home of the military gods of the empire!" Each of them was an outstanding military strategist and tactician, achieving remarkable military exploits in the expansion of the empire's territories! Rody clearly remembers that the history teacher spoke with deep respect, saying: "The Tulip family is the home of the military gods of the empire!"

Nicole sighed and clasped her hands in prayer, saying: "May my father in heaven grant me courage! May the heavens bestow glory and hope upon the Tulip family! May the Almighty God provide me with guidance! Let me no longer fight alone!"

The saddle mounted on the railing was evidently a very exquisite high-end item. When Rody turned around, he saw a pair of eyes watching him from the darkness. Before Rody could even scream, he immediately realized that it was just a horse.

Nicole stood outside the stable, watching the restless steed inside, its hooves stamping anxiously. This was her father's beloved horse during his lifetime, the warhorse that led countless troops into battle for the empire.

However, this future Duke Rudolf is not a compliant and obedient person. In a drunken stupor, having lost all rationality, he can no longer discern who stands before him. His gaze is vacant as he giggles at his sister, even extending a finger to playfully poke her chin, mumbling in a dazed manner: "Oh, dear Sarah, have you forgotten me after just a few days of my absence? You little vixen! Just wait and see how I will teach you a lesson tonight!" After saying this, he opened his arms and lunged towards Nicole.

Rodi cautiously approached the magnificent horse, murmuring softly, "Oh horse, oh horse, I am not a horse thief; I bear you no ill will at all..." After saying this, he gently touched the horse's mane, attempting to calm it down using the horsemanship skills he had learned at school.

Just as he was about to reach the end of the stable without finding Star, Roddy suddenly heard faint footsteps coming from the main door. His heart leapt into his throat, and in a panic, he rushed into the largest stable without thinking.

Rodi hung back far behind the cart, not daring to get too close. Heaven knows how formidable that beautiful yet extraordinary woman is! If she were to discover him, he would likely end up locked in the small black cell of the police station alongside Star.

In the darkness, the girl dressed in a snow-white robe gently embraced the steed, quietly weeping. Roddy hung from the ceiling, listening to the heart-wrenching cries, and saw Nicole's beautiful golden hair cascading over her shoulders, a strand of hair on her forehead dampened by tears clinging to her face. For some reason, his young heart suddenly stirred, as if a string deep within him had been gently plucked.

Nicole looked angrily at her younger brother, who was completely drunk and being carried back by others. Although she was furious to the extreme inside, her face showed no sign of it; she merely waved her hand at a few servants and coldly said, "Take him down and let him rest."

The carriage entered the city, and although it was nighttime, the capital, as the largest commercial center of the empire, was renowned throughout the continent for its prosperity. Therefore, except during times of war, the city gates here are never closed!

Nicole's face had turned a furious shade of pale, and with a graceful twist of her body, she caused her opponent to miss entirely. Sparks of anger flickered in her eyes as her lips curled slightly, coldly stating: "Sarah? Have you been to that filthy place again?" The poor Flower Prince was still unaware of the perilous situation he was in. Nicole extended her pinky finger, and suddenly, a blade of white light shot from her fingertip, striking directly at the Flower Prince's chest.

Even in the darkness, Rody could vaguely discern that it was an extraordinarily handsome black stallion. Its limbs were as strong as steel, and the muscles on its body were distinctly defined, as if carved by a knife. The horse was watching him with great vigilance, clearly disturbed by his intrusion into its sweet dreams. It was restlessly pawing the ground, with steam rising from its nostrils.

Rody silently cried out in despair. In a moment of urgency, he suddenly noticed the beam hanging above him. He leaped up, grasped the beam with both hands, and then hooked his legs around it, leaving his entire body hanging there.

At this moment, the footsteps were gradually approaching here, clearly indicating that the person was indeed coming in this direction

Heavens, what on earth could possibly be so damned that it has caused such a beautiful girl, like a fairy, to cry in such sorrow? It is simply a crime

The carriage passed through the most magnificent Victory Square of the imperial capital and slowly entered a wide avenue. Rody had been in the imperial capital for two years; although he was not familiar with this area, he knew that it was a neighborhood where only the top aristocrats of the imperial capital were qualified to reside. The families living in this neighborhood were either extremely wealthy or of noble status, truly representing the elite class.

As the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a very large mansion, the solid red-painted door made of fir exuded a sense of iron and blood, nearly causing Rody to faint in astonishment. He had clearly seen the family crest emblazoned on the door—oh my, it was a tulip engulfed in flames!

"Gairos... I'm very sad..." Nicole's words seemed to carry an infinite sorrow: "Why... why must I bear all of this... I miss my father so much tonight..." She slowly embraced the horse, resting her face against its neck, and whispered softly: "I know, you miss him too, don't you?"

But I really don't know what to do... The family is gradually declining, and the tulips are withering... Yet I am utterly powerless! How wonderful it would be if I were a boy and could inherit my father's legacy... But that flower prince, as the only son of my father and the sole male heir of the family! Yet he is lost and confused, having already tarnished the family's honor... I feel isolated and helpless!

Rody thought carefully for a moment, then sighed. He simply could not abandon his friends and escape alone. That was entirely contrary to his principles. Although Rody could not be considered a noble person, he was certainly not someone who would abandon his brothers and friends

After gritting his teeth, Roddy darted into a small alley beside the mansion. He then carefully looked around to ensure no one was watching, gently leaped up to grab the top of the wall, and then flipped over to the other side.

Nicole extended her hand and gently stroked the mane and neck of the black horse. Under the gentle caress of its owner, the magnificent horse, Jiaruos, quickly calmed down

"Gailos... don't move around... I'm not in a good mood tonight... tonight..." Nicole's tone was very low, and within that wonderful voice lay a hint of sorrowful emotion, softening in this enchanting voice, making one's heart nearly break.

This stable is evidently much larger than those of the other horses, and its construction is quite exquisite

As a distinguished student of the Imperial Academy, Roddy, who is well-versed in the military history of the Empire, is certainly aware of what the tulip in that flame represents

Hua | Hua | The young master did not even have time to scream, and was directly thrown over three meters away, landing face down hard on the ground

Despite being quite annoyed by the mosquitoes and the ants in the trees, Rody still patiently awaited the arrival of midnight

For such a family, Rody certainly harbored deep respect! He had never imagined that he would take action against a member of the Tulip family. Now it seems that the formidable and stunning beauty from tonight has the best explanation for her astonishing strength—she is undoubtedly a member of the Imperial War God family, which must be exceptionally powerful. As he watched the carriage slowly drive into the grand gate, and then the gate closed deeply behind it, Rody's heart was filled with unease and apprehension. Now it seems that the formidable and stunning beauty from tonight has the best explanation for her astonishing strength—she is undoubtedly a member of the Imperial War God family, which must be exceptionally powerful. As he watched the carriage slowly drive into the grand gate, and then the gate closed deeply behind it, Rody's heart was filled with unease and apprehension.

"Starr!" Rody called out softly as he walked. In the darkness, he stumbled twice over the straw and wooden boxes on the ground, but he dared not light a lamp. He was already covered in straw and horse manure, but he could not afford to care about that anymore. He knew that if he did not find Starr before dawn, then after tomorrow, they would all be doomed

In fact, Rody was hiding there, not daring to make a sound, carefully concealing himself. He was well aware that Star was currently tied up in the yard. Although there were not many people in the yard, Rody did not dare to attempt a rescue under the watchful eyes of that terrifying sorceress. He had already devised a plan, preparing to wait until midnight, when everyone here was asleep, before taking action.

Nicole's delicate voice had just come to an end when suddenly, with a thud, a dark figure fell from the sky and crashed heavily onto the floor in front of her. The person then slowly raised their head, revealing a face that was dirty and covered in dust, staring directly at Nicole. What terrified the young girl to the point of near suffocation was that the face was actually a half-black, half-white yin-yang face

"Gailos... you are being dishonest again!" A soft and serene voice came from outside the stable

Presumably, they would not deliver Star to the police station so late; they would likely tie him up and throw him into a place like the woodshed or the stable, waiting until dawn to decide what to do. That beautiful sorceress seems to be the mistress of this place; the master's bedroom should be quite far from the woodshed and stable. In that case, Rody's rescue would be relatively safe.

Although he was completely unfamiliar with the environment here, fortunately, his academic performance in architecture at the academy was quite good. He could immediately discern from the geographical layout of the entire mansion where the owner's living area was, where the servants' quarters were, and where the utility areas such as the wood and stable were located. Rody carefully made his way towards the stable.

Nicole cried softly for a long time, then she released the horse Jiaros and gently tidied her long hair. Sighing, she whispered, "Alright, Jiaros, I cried again today, which is not right. I have let down my father's expectations of me... I should be brave, not cry!" She gently stroked the horse's neck and continued softly, "I know that you are not well either. The groom told me that you are always very irritable... Sighing again, she said, "Alright, Jiaros, I cried again today, which is not right. I have let down my father's expectations of me... I should be brave, not cry!" She gently stroked the horse's neck and added softly, "I know that you are not well either. The groom told me that you are always very irritable... I know you do not like being cooped up in the house every day; you miss my father and the days you galloped together, don't you?"

Nicole gently pulled open the gate of the stable and slowly walked inside. Rody was so frightened that he could hardly breathe, trying his best to remain still, fearing that he might make even the slightest sound

While Rody was lost in thought hiding in the large tree, the people in the hall had already left without him noticing. Meanwhile, Stada, who had originally been tied up like a dumpling in the courtyard, was carried away by several strong servants.

He certainly understands what the Tulip family represents. If he secretly comes here to rescue someone and gets caught, it would be a terrifying situation! If others find out that his group attacked the Imperial War God’s residence tonight, it is certain that his group would be ordered to be hanged! If he were a normal person, the only course of action now would be to go home, pack his bags, and, while the matter has not yet been exposed, quickly flee as far away as possible!

Rody had never seen such a large stable! He had thought that the stables at the Imperial Academy were already quite big, but this stable was more than twice the size of the one at the Imperial Academy! It could easily accommodate over one hundred horses! Rody sighed and took a furtive glance at the darkened window of the utility room in front of the stable, then quietly pushed open the large door and slipped inside.

Rodi was hiding in a large tree outside the hall, witnessing everything unfold before his eyes. He secretly pondered how likely he would be to evade an attack from that beautiful woman if she were to target him. The answer in his heart made him break out in a cold sweat on his back

Based on the position of the moon in the sky, Rody calculated that it must have passed midnight. Only then did he slowly descend while holding onto the tree trunk.