Let's start over, Your Majesty.

Chapter 102 Before Action
Greenwald strode through the noisy corridor, where a guard opened the door for him, leading him into the makeshift command center.

Inside, the Director of the Kingdom's Security Department, the Commander of the Royal Knights, the Director of the Intercity Security Bureau, and the Director of the First General Bureau of the Krall Bureau have all gathered.

His gaze swept around the room, and he asked:

Who's on the other side?

"The Freedom Front, but the identity of their leader is still unknown."

Security Chief Reese handed him a stack of documents.

Greenwald took it and glanced at it, his brows furrowing.

"revenge?"

“Very likely,” Rhys shook his head, “but it’s still uncertain who is manipulating them. However, judging from the level of magic they’re using, the backers behind them are at least at the level of a nation.”

Greenwald tossed the file onto the table.

What are their demands?

“They only made one request: they demanded that Enred and His Majesty the King come to the scene in person to negotiate with them. They gave us one hour, after which they would shoot the hostages.” Rhys took a deep breath and stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette he was holding in the ashtray.

"As for the rest, none of the conditions we proposed were accepted."

"They've obviously come here to settle old scores with us," Greenwald scoffed.

“Where are the Enred people?” Grinwald asked.

The director of the Krall Bureau rubbed his eyes in frustration: "He demanded that we launch an attack directly. He's currently holding a cabinet meeting, saying he also needs to appease diplomacy."

"He excluded us from the cabinet meeting; he's not thinking about rescuing the students right now," he said sarcastically.

Rhys sighed deeply: "The current plan is to deal with them, prioritize the safety of the children, and then send the Royal Knights into the building to rescue the hostages."

He looked at Commander Harris, who was standing to the side.

“I will be in charge,” Harris nodded calmly.

"Do you have any extra equipment?" Greenwald asked him.

Harris looked at him with a slightly puzzled expression.

“You may not know my style,” Greenway said, taking off his overcoat. “During wartime, as a commander, I personally went into battle.”

“They dared to kidnap my students, I will make them pay the price myself.”

He abandoned his gentle and refined demeanor, appearing like a general about to go into battle.

In the underground bunker, Otto VI leaned back in his chair, his obese body casually glancing at the report that had been submitted.

"Your Majesty, this is the speech that will be broadcast to the entire capital later." A servant placed a stack of papers on the table in front of him.

"In addition, should we step in first to appease the ambassadors of various countries? Surna has already issued diplomatic statements."

Otto VI sniffed: "Isn't Enrid in charge? Then let him handle it all."

"It's something else, the prince's."

"Tsk." Otto VI clicked his tongue impatiently, and the attendant had no choice but to fall silent.

Outside the Century Tower, the scene was completely chaotic. The wreckage of the two airships was still emitting black smoke, and the fire brigade was putting out the fire. Burning debris and corpses were scattered all over the ground, and cries of pain echoed everywhere. Rescue teams were moving through the area, searching for survivors.

Clusters of small, bird-like flying objects surrounded the building; these were magical drones called "White Sparrows," controlled by mages from the Krall Bureau, used for reconnaissance and providing some fire support.

Now they float in groups in the sky, observing everything that happens inside the building.

Yumilia sat on a bench by the roadside, surrounded by a noisy crowd, shouts, cries, and sirens. She stared blankly at her muddy hands.

Just now, she vaguely heard news that first-year students at St. Illustrious were being held hostage by thugs inside the Century Tower, and the situation was critical. Caesar was among them.

Her own child is now on the verge of death, but she can't do anything about it.

"How dare they kidnap Tess! You bastards! Bring back all those bomber squadrons! I'll personally go up there and beat the shit out of them!"

She heard shouts and curses coming from not far away. She looked over and saw an old man with white hair sitting in a wheelchair being pushed around, still cursing angrily.

"Chairman, the kingdom has already sent people to rescue you, and Mr. Warrens has also gone there. The most important thing is for you to leave here first," the person behind him said.

"Tell them! Kill the bastard who kidnapped Tess, and I'll reward him with 500,000 gold coins!"

"I know, I know"

The old man was put into a car parked by the roadside.

Yumilia looked around, somewhat bewildered, unsure of what she should do.

She felt like crying; her whole body was trembling with fear, but she couldn't find anyone to rely on.

"Yumeria!"

Someone called her name. She paused for a moment, looked over, and saw that it was Caroline with black hair.

"Ms. Caroline, what brings you here?"

Before Yumilia could react, Caroline suddenly pulled her into her arms.

The hug stunned her, but she could feel the relieved joy emanating from Caroline.

"Thank goodness, I'm so glad you're alright," Caroline said, hugging her tightly.

"Then, that...Ms. Caroline?"

Caroline then came to her senses and quickly released Yumilia.
"I'm sorry. I just..."

Caroline didn't know how to explain. She had also come to the fair today. After the attack, she suddenly remembered that Yumilia and Caesar were also here today. She frantically searched around and finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Yumilia.

"It's alright, it's nothing."

Although Yumilia was puzzled by Caroline's sudden hug, the warm embrace brought her a rare sense of security in this critical moment, and it did indeed relax her fearful heart a little.

"Where is Caesar? Where is your son Caesar?" Caroline suddenly realized that Caesar was not by her side.

Yumilia lowered her eyes and whispered, "Caesar is in that building right now."

Caroline's face stiffened, her lips tightened, and her hands unconsciously clenched.

“It’s alright,” she whispered reassuringly. “Caesar is a brave boy; he’ll be fine.”

Inside the building.

Caesar felt a couple of nudges on his shoulder and opened his eyes to look at the person next to him.

"What's wrong? Haven't they started fighting yet?"

"Are you dreaming?" Leon said helplessly.
"To be honest, I really envy your mindset. You can still sleep at a time like this, when you could die at any moment."

Caesar yawned, looked around, and the situation hadn't changed much.

The rioters were still waiting for the kingdom's response. Half of the hour they had requested had passed, during which time the flying microphone had come to negotiate with them several times, but they had been driven away each time.

"Is the kingdom really planning to come to our rescue?" Leon sighed, sounding dejected.

(End of this chapter)