"Princess Dolores?!"
"It really is Princess Dolores!"
"Her Highness is back, Her Highness is back!"
Upon seeing Dolores's majestic appearance, the soldiers erupted in excited shouts.
After all, for a considerable period before this, Dolores had been the rightful heir to the empire.
Furthermore, Dolores had often shown kindness to the soldiers guarding the city and the citizens within.
Therefore, she was quite popular in the capital.
Some nobles, upon learning of Dolores's disappearance, had even dispatched all their confidantes to search for her, and at one point, intended to obstruct the Emperor's establishment of a new crown prince.
"Her Highness is not dead!" The gate captain was overjoyed, but then he became troubled.
Although he greatly approved of Dolores becoming the future emperor, the current Emperor had already passed the throne to the second prince, and it was the day of the enthronement ceremony.
If Dolores were allowed into the city, wouldn't it cause great chaos within the walls? He would be held responsible!
However, now that Dolores had returned, unharmed and no longer missing, in theory, she should be the future emperor.
To offend the future emperor was also a crime punishable by death!
The gate captain's face shifted between excitement and worry, almost to the point of a mental breakdown.
"I am sorry, Your Highness, you cannot enter the city at this moment!"
Suddenly, a figure slowly emerged from within the city gate.
It was a military general, clad in heavy golden armor, carrying a massive axe in his hand. He stood about two meters tall, like a giant, blocking the city gate.
"Loss, stand aside. I do not wish for you to die here. You can still contribute greatly to the nation!"
Dolores spoke sternly, and an aura of imposing authority emanated from her.
Witnessing this scene, the gate captain and the surrounding soldiers immediately moved aside, not daring to make a sound.
"Heh, Dolores, you are indeed exceptionally intelligent, but your cultivation techniques were all taught by me. I know you too well; you are no match for me!"
"Listen to my advice and wait here. After the enthronement ceremony concludes, I will kneel and apologize to you. You can then deal with me as you please, even execute me, but not now."
Loss shook his head gently, speaking with regret.
"I am the first in line for succession, have you forgotten? I was framed by that second prince, which led to my current predicament."
"You are my teacher. Instead of helping me reclaim what rightfully belongs to me, you are obstructing me?"
Dolores questioned in disbelief.
"I am sorry, Your Highness. I protect the empire's peace. The power struggles within the royal family are not something outsiders can interfere with. Who is right and who is wrong is not important now."
"What is important is that I cannot watch this country fall into division and war. Once the second prince ascends the throne and obtains the throne he desires, you can continue to be a princess, and everyone will live in peace. Is that not a good thing?"
"The Valen Empire has flourished for centuries; it cannot be destroyed!"
Loss stated firmly, his eyes filled with a trace of sorrow.
He had watched Dolores grow up, and their relationship was as close as siblings.
But now, the Valen Empire was suffering from the resurgence of the Soul Eaters, the northern border was being attacked by monsters from the Forest of Beasts, and neighboring countries were coveting its lands.
Dolores's strength was not terrifying; what was terrifying were the nobles within the city.
If they knew that their favored Dolores had returned, no one could guarantee what they might do. If civil unrest broke out, the entire country would be finished.
In the face of greater righteousness, he chose to sacrifice personal sentiment.
"There will be no division or civil war. The emperor of this empire can only be me!"
Dolores said, and she respectfully bowed to Zhang Chen beside her, whispering:
"True God, please show mercy. Loss is stubborn, but he is my teacher. I hope he can survive."
"Understood!"
Zhang Chen nodded.
"Your Highness, who is this person? I just heard something about the True God Cult?"
"That's right. He is the deity worshipped by the True God Cult, the True God. I have already pledged allegiance to him. From now on, the entire empire will join the True God Cult and devoutly believe in the True God!"
"Your Highness, what has happened to you? Have you been brainwashed by this villain? I will absolutely not allow cultists to set foot in the sacred imperial capital!"
Loss roared sternly.