The conflict was soon over.
When the intimidating Knight appeared, no one dared to speak up. In fact, most actors were just fence-sitters—otherwise, the initial argument wouldn't have happened. Confronting the renowned Mei, not everyone had the courage to stand against her. The situation now became one-sided, with Bella being directly escorted out of the lounge by two men.
Before long, Carter and the small-town crew were left alone in the spacious room.
"Thank you very much for your help," said Gait and others, bowing in gratitude.
"You're... absolutely brilliant! You silenced her in just two or three strikes," Irene exclaimed, clutching Mei's hand. "And that slap? It knocked her out completely!" She then turned to Chief Knight and bowed. "Lord Carter, how did you end up at Long Song Fortress?" "I'm curious about that too," Mei shrugged, her heart leaping with relief.
"Since Your Highness has ordered it," Carter said, spreading his hands, "may I have a drink?"
"Is this... your place?" Chief Knight looked around nervously.
"Well, pretty ordinary, right?" Mei pulled a bottle of baijiu from the cupboard and poured him a small glass. "The tavern only opens at night. This one's for you." Irene's crew slipped away quickly, each claiming they'd suddenly remembered something on the way. When they finally returned to their place, only she and Carter remained.
"Well, it's quite ordinary," Carter cleared his throat. "I wonder about your family..." "My mother passed away early, and I took over my father's theater jobs—light, odd jobs," Mei said calmly. "But I suppose he'll only return at night." The small shanty in the inner city's narrow alley was the last thing she could afford after becoming the Star of the West. Though cramped and dilapidated, it offered her refuge from the outer city's harassment and prying eyes of the wicked.
"Uh... sorry." "Nothing," Mei poured herself a small glass. "Your Highness sent you to restore order in the theater and settle the actors 'dispute?" "No, of course not," Carter waved his hands repeatedly. "Tifeco has sent men to trouble the Western Frontier again. Roland, Your Highness is on the way with the main force. I only arrived early on the Town Express to arrange for the Second Army to reinforce night watch, and to keep the Jin Yin Hua family on high alert against any potential city gate ambushes." "You shouldn' t have told me these things," Mei paused, then shook her head.
"You asked, and it wasn't some covert operation," Carter gulped down the drink. "Don't worry, I know my limits." "Alright," she pouted, "so how did you end up in the theater?" "After I'd finished telling the story, I spotted a playbill featuring you and wanted to see how you'd perform on a real stage. It was exactly as I'd imagined—though I only saw the finale, your acting was absolutely brilliant," Knight exclaimed. "So I went backstage to offer you a drink, but I wasn't sure if I should. I lingered at the door until I heard the argument inside..." "You were already outside?" May frowned.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Carter raised her hands. "It was just an accident—I promise." "Pfft," she chuckled. "I'm not blaming you, so why the expression?" "Really?" Knight let out a sigh of relief, reaching for the wine, only to have her knock it away.
"You've got a mission tonight, right?" Mei pointed with a flick of her finger. "So just one small glass—no more. But..." She smiled faintly. "When this mission's over, you can treat me properly." After Carter left, Mei refilled her glass, leaned back in her chair, and took small sips.
Ever since she last tasted baijiu, she found herself gradually falling for its fiery yet mellow flavor.
When Carter first invited her, she had already sensed the answer. Some things, like the baijiu in her hand, can only be truly appreciated after tasting. Though it may seem hard to swallow at first, its rich aroma and mellow flavor later surpass even the sweet-sour of fruit wines or the blandness of wheat beers.
Why not just return to the small town with your father after this play ends and settle down there?
...
Roland arrived at the Fortress of Changge two days later.
Perro Helmon and the five family members went out to greet Your Royal Highness's entourage.
After the First Army had taken up position in the fortress, Roland marched straight to the castle and held a brief meeting.
"I've received reliable intelligence that Tefiko has dispatched a force advancing toward the fortress." Seated in the main hall's throne, he surveyed the Noble below. "Their numbers and route remain unknown, but they're undoubtedly targeting me. Following Tefiko's usual tactics, they'll likely expand their ranks by plundering civilians before using a drug to force them into attack." "Your Highness," the Earl of Benwolf asked in confusion, "what drug are you referring to?" "A sinister red pill that grants civilians power surpassing even Knights, but leaves them dying in helpless struggle once the effect wears off." Apart from Perro, the other four families knew nothing about the Church's secret drug. Roland briefly explained its properties: "Tefiko plans to weaken resistance in the Westlands through this method. Anyone they can't use becomes a target for plunder, including your territories. As guardians of the Westlands, I demand all family members and civilians be evacuated to the castle to prevent Tefiko from expanding his forces." "But our grain and stored goods..." "As much as we can transport," Roland cut him off decisively. "I only give you three days. Surrounding civilians must gather at the fortress. Once I repel Tefiko's troops, you'll be free to leave." After the meeting, Prince summoned the Iron Axe into the castle.
In truth, he had withheld the true details from Noble—the royal forces, having been thoroughly tracked by Lightning and Maxie, had already been exposed. Unlike the previous invaders, these newcomers were sailing down the main channel of the Chishui River in single-masted ships, planning to enter the western hinterland via Liuye Town.
This is a particularly tricky route. Once the enemy crosses the fork, they can either turn back along the tributary to attack the southern and eastern gates of Changge Fortress, or continue westward directly to Border Town.
In order to avoid the disadvantage of dividing the troops to defend, he must take the initiative to concentrate superior forces to defeat the enemy in one point.
Clearly, the confluence of the Chishui River's course is the most ideal spot for sniper operations.