Cat Princess and Human Knight

Regal said sadly.

"Everyone...you all don't need to do this for me..."

The lead Maine Coon shook its head and said.

"Commander, we're not doing this for you, we're doing this for ourselves. You're not the only one who's been bewitched by the Regent, we are too."

Because of our hesitation, the Shadow Guard massacred the imperial city overnight, and the Royal Claw Knights were forced to become shameless traitors who broke their oaths.

I know you're seething inside, but you have to consider the bigger picture and keep your grievances to yourself.

But I'm different. I'm not the leader, I don't have that much on my shoulders, and I can't bear it.

The Royal Claw Knights, the direct descendants of Emperor Manquikon, knights among knights, their former glory has faded, but our pride will continue to be passed down through generations.

Today, we have not only lost our glory, but also our pride, and have become a laughing stock among knights worldwide!

The royal family no longer exists, but the Royal Claw Knights, who protected the royal family, still exist.

We couldn't shed a single drop of blood for the royal family; all our dignity was shattered and trampled upon!

When the Maine Coon Knight got excited, he snatched the letter from Regal's hand, scanned it quickly, and revealed a knowing look.

He held the letter high and addressed the excited knights behind him.

"Look, look at what this is!"

This is the Manquik's claw mark with a forearm, an unforgeable royal mark. It is the short-legged Manquik summoning the loyal Royal Claw Knights!

Tell me, my comrades, do you want to be cowards for life, or heroes for a moment?

The knights immediately erupted in chaos.

"I've had enough! This damn regent! Now even stray cats on the street dare to roll their eyes at me, acting all sarcastic and calling me a cat lover who's been with two families!"

"The Mankiham is calling! I am ready to be the vanguard! I will fight to the death!"

"Fight! Commander! For the knight's oath, for our glory!"

Regal, his eyes slightly red, looked at the excited knights and shouted.

"Quiet down! Everyone, calm down! Please listen to me!"

This is a private message from Sofia to me. Having lost her status as a member of the royal family, she has no authority to mobilize the Royal Claw Knights.

I understand how everyone feels, but...

The lead Maine Coon interrupted.

"There's nothing to say but! The commander just wants to abandon us and secretly go to join the war!"

If you can go, why can't we?

All the team leaders are here. We can speak on behalf of all the team members: we also want to join the fight!

Regal sighed.

"Emperor Manquik once said, 'There is no eternal imperial power, so why are you doing this?'"

I have already submitted my resignation to the Regent, and the Royal Claws will be disbanded. From now on, everyone should only live for themselves. Why die in this meaningless war?

"Of course it's meaningful! The royal family has fallen, and the Royal Claw Knights should be disbanded, but we have a pent-up anger in our hearts."

The royal family has been weak for too long, and the Royal Claws have been frustrated for too long. Why not give us a chance to prove ourselves? Why not let us have a magnificent farewell?

Guild leader, let's fight a fair fight as Royal Claw Knights.

The final Mankikon is calling! We will make our enemies tremble before the lynxes of the Royal Claw Knights! Give us a chance, and we will die without regret!

"Yes, Commander!"

"Commander!"

"Give us a chance, Commander!"

Regal's shoulders trembled. He turned back and gave Bell a smile that looked like he was crying, and said...

"I'm sorry, you must have found this amusing. Now let's discuss which route to take when we send out our troops."

As for you disobedient bastards! Get back there and organize your equipment! Take a headcount! Most importantly, keep this a secret!

Before we set out, no cats were allowed to leave the camp, and the shadow guard black cats that were monitoring us were all locked up.

Before we set out, we can't let those bastards in the capital know about our operation!

"Yes, Commander!"

The knights split up under the command of their respective captains, and the entire camp immediately became lively.

Without the royal family and without their master, the Royal Claw Knights have tasted the bitterness of life.

If they were to disband like this, the proud Royal Claw Knights would become a laughingstock with no chance of ever recovering.

Even if they were skilled in martial arts, it would be difficult for them to find a good way out if they were burdened with the reputation of disloyalty. Rather than being pointed at and living a cowardly life, they would rather fight to the death to regain their reputation.

This was not the impulsive recklessness of a few knights, but the will of all knights united. They wanted to wash away their shame, they wanted to fight for Mankik, and they longed to shed blood for Mankik.

Only by washing away the shame of their betrayal can they walk out of here with their heads held high.

Even without the Royal Claw Knights, they can still proudly declare that they fought for the royal family to the very end, truly deserving to be called loyal cat knights.

In any era, loyalty is always praised, and betrayal is always condemned.

Young Regal might not understand this principle, nor might the naive Sophia, but the retired old bishop Milo, far away in the village of Huru, was perfectly clear-sighted.

The old bishop knew very well that as long as Sophia was willing to write a letter asking for help, the Royal Claw Knights would surely come out in full force and fight to the death for her.

Even if Commander Regal himself were unwilling, he couldn't stop the passionate knights. When interests and morality are combined, they unleash the most powerful force.

---

Regardless of the sweltering heat outside, Regal, with the door closed, opened the map and asked Bell.

"Where does Duchess Sophia need the Royal Claw Knights to meet her?"

Bell pointed to the southeast of the scree hills and said.

"We speculate that the Golden Corridor must have been breached. The lax defenses along the riverbank were no match for the nomadic cats' surprise attack, but the terrain of Catback Mountain made it difficult for the nomadic cats to outflank the defenders from behind."

Therefore, after the riverbank defenses were breached, the defending troops had time to retreat and preserve their strength.

Behind the riverbank defenses lies the limestone castle.

Lady Sophia will try her best to persuade the Marquis of Iron Oak to go south to support the retreating garrison, so the decisive battle will most likely take place here.

According to the Marquis of Ironwood's subordinates.

The limestone castle is located at the highest point at the northern end of the Golden Corridor, backed by the foothills of Catback Mountain, controlling the intersection of the ferry crossing and the trade route. Its underground layer is 8 meters deep, and the natural caves have been systematically transformed into cellars.

The outer perimeter is surrounded by a 15-meter-wide moat, a triple-pile wooden fence, and oak logs buried 2 meters deep.

The castle has a 7-meter-high trapezoidal rammed earth wall with a 10-meter-wide base, reinforced with crushed stone.

The top is equipped with movable wooden barriers, thick oak coated with clay for fire resistance, and wooden corner towers are set every 40 meters, extending 1.5 meters outward for vertical downward attacks.

In addition, the tributary of the Sentinel River was diverted to form an 8-meter-wide moat, creating an outer barrier.

The castle has ten slingshots, fifty wooden crossbows, a regular garrison of 300 men, enough food to last for three months, and well water to supply the daily needs of 600 men.

The area around Emerald Mountain connects to Starfall Plain, and the terrain is flat. Only the limestone castle, which extends from Catback Mountain to the north, is on higher ground and stands in front of the plain as a barrier.

Once the nomadic cats breach the Graystone Castle, the road ahead will be wide open, with no natural barriers to stop the enemy from rampaging through the southeastern rocky hills.

The problem now is that even if the defeated army retreats into the Graystone Castle, they cannot hold out for long.

The castle's food and water supplies cannot sustain a large-scale army; it cannot be held any longer, only a decisive battle remains.

Regal nodded and said.

"So, Grayrock Castle is where the nobles of the Shattered Hills and the nomadic cats decide the outcome. Let's head to Grayrock Castle to join the battle."