250: The enemy is at the gates, using the queen as bait!

When Mo Yan led the vast contingent of survivors from the North District back to the underground of the Imperial City Library, the place had already transformed.

What was originally just a gloomy shelter had now become a bustling war camp.

In the central square, General Rorris was hoarsely directing the Soldiers.

Thousands of refugees had been effectively organized by him; the warriors were tallying and distributing weapons, while the women and children prepared food and water in the rear.

The weapons and equipment provided by Mo Yan revitalized these tattered Imperial Soldiers, and their eyes gleamed with the fire of vengeance.

Mo Yan's return immediately drew everyone's attention.

When they saw the thousands of rescued compatriots from the North District behind Mo Yan, the entire underground palace instantly erupted!

"Oh my God! It's our brothers from the North District!"

"They... they were saved too!"

"Long live Lord Mo Yan!"

Cheers rose and fell, and countless people were moved to tears.

Idora and General Rorris quickly came forward to greet him.

At this moment, Idora had changed out of her simple linen clothes and put on a set of silver light armor, chosen by Mo Yan from the spoils of war, that fit her perfectly.

Although the style was simple, it could not conceal the growing regal majesty about her.

"Lord Mo Yan, you're back." Idora bowed slightly, "I have already followed your instructions and transferred all non-combat personnel to the archives via the library's secret teleportation portal."

Mo Yan nodded approvingly; Idora's growth rate was even faster than he had anticipated.

Just then, a tall and graceful figure emerged.

A simple white gown accentuated her exquisite curves.

Her waist-length silver hair flowed like moonlight, and a pair of narrow Phoenix eyes held a hint of mischievous amusement, with a captivating charm in their shifting gaze.

"Greetings, Commander Bai!"

The refugees in the underground palace, whether Soldiers or civilians, instinctively bowed in salute. Bai Lingyue's formidable strength and decisive methods displayed during the clearing of the Church's outer strongholds had already earned everyone's awe.

Behind Bai Lingyue followed six hundred elite Soldiers.

The gazes of the two armies met in the air, with no hostility, only mutual respect for the strong.

"You've arrived just in time." Mo Yan looked at Bai Lingyue, a smile gracing his face.

Bai Lingyue walked up to Mo Yan, habitually twirling a strand of silver hair with her fingertips, her red lips slightly curled, and chuckled in a low voice, audible only to the two of them:

"While your subordinate was diligently clearing out the small fry outside, my Lord was busy being a hero saving beauties in the city, winning over the hearts of three districts. You can't hog all the glory, my Lord, your subordinate would get jealous."

Gun Gun saw Bai Lingyue and scurried over, rubbing its furry head against her leg, looking for a petting, a docile appearance completely different from the fierce rabbit that had just smashed someone into a pulp with a single blow.

Mo Yan automatically ignored her teasing, his expression turning serious as he got straight to the point: "How is the Formation arrangement in the square? Any new movements from the Church?"

When it came to serious matters, Bai Lingyue's expression also became solemn.

"Not optimistic." She walked to the sand table that General Rorris had already prepared, her slender finger pointing to the location representing the Imperial City's central square.

"My subordinates and I have ascertained that the entire central square of Deegenha City is enveloped by a massive composite Formation."

"This Formation combines suppression, detection, defense, and attack effects. Its core is the Grand Cathedral of Light."

She paused, then continued: "Anyone who enters the square will be detected and suppressed by the Formation."

"Our numerical advantage will be weakened by at least thirty percent in front of that Formation. Moreover..."

Bai Lingyue's gaze grew solemn: "This Formation is connected to the aura of the high priest presiding over the ceremony at the top of the cathedral."

"As long as the ceremony doesn't end and the energy source is not cut off, a frontal assault would be a suicidal act."

The intelligence she brought caused the recently fervent underground palace to fall silent.

General Rorris and several Imperial officers' faces turned incredibly grim.

They were all knowledgeable individuals and naturally understood what Bai Lingyue's words implied.

"Time is running out." Mo Yan's voice broke the silence. He walked to the sand table, his gaze sharp as a blade. "It's six in the morning now, and there are only six hours left until the Church's Saint Ceremony."

"In this battle, we have two objectives." Mo Yan held up two fingers.

"First, rescue. All compatriots imprisoned in the square, awaiting public execution, must be saved."

"Second, decapitation. Destroy the Church's command core and return this land to the Empire!"

His long fingers moved across the sand table, first pointing to the heavily marked central square.

"Here, Idora will personally lead the Imperial Legion and my subordinates to launch a full frontal assault."

Then, his finger moved to the model representing the Light Church.

"And here, a few of us will go for a stroll."

As soon as Mo Yan's plan was proposed, the underground palace erupted in clamor.

"No, absolutely not!"

General Rorris, without thinking, was the first to object, his grizzled beard trembling with agitation.

"Lord Mo Yan! Your Majesty is the last Bloodline of the Empire, a person of immense value. How can you let her go to such a dangerous place?"

"The central square is a den of dragons and tigers, with thousands of knights! To have Your Majesty lead the charge... this is gambling with the Empire's future!"

"The General is right! This action is absolutely impermissible!"

"Please, My Lord, reconsider! We can charge, we can die, but Your Majesty's safety must be guaranteed!"

Several surviving old generals of the Empire also chimed in.

In the eyes of these traditional military men, a monarch should command from the center, strategizing, rather than charging at the forefront like a common Soldier.

The atmosphere throughout the underground palace became tense.

Although newly appointed leaders like Buck and Hans trusted Mo Yan, their faces showed hesitation upon hearing this plan.

After all, Idora was their newly kindled hope, and no one wanted to see any possibility of that spark of hope being extinguished.

Just as Mo Yan was about to explain, Idora stepped forward first.

She walked in front of General Rorris, her petite figure appearing somewhat frail before the old general's burly physique.

"General Rorris." Her voice cut through all the noise, "My people, my compatriots, are right now in that square, waiting to be slaughtered by those demons."

"My enemies will be there, drinking and celebrating their victory."

Idora raised the sun scepter in her hand, the golden crystal at its tip emitting a warm and majestic light.

"As the last monarch of the Diens Empire, if I can only cower in the safest place, watching my people die for me..."

"Then what face do I have to meet the heroic spirits of the Empire who sleep beneath the earth? What right do I have to wield this scepter, which symbolizes glory and responsibility?"

"My battlefield is by the side of my people! This is the glory of the Diens Royal Family!"

Her questioning left General Rorris speechless, a hint of shame appearing on his aged face.

"It is this subordinate... who was foolish! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"