Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste-Chapter 755 - 708 Enemy in the National Assembly

Beloburg is under martial law.

Even though the army and Steam Knights had appeared in the streets following the earlier news of the queen's critical illness, they hadn't officially declared martial law until now, having only imposed a curfew before.

But with the news that the Northern Lord was attacked, the army and Steam Knights controlled by the Royalist Party implemented martial law.

They blocked the roads leading to the National Assembly Building, forbade citizens from leaving their homes, and the streets were filled with troops and Steam Knights clanking as they moved.

For a time, the entire Beloburg was on edge, with various rumors spreading wildly.

Some said the Northern Count launched a coup to cleanse Beloburg completely, others claimed the queen had died, and the Royalist Party was supporting Eldest Princess Annie to ascend the throne. Some asserted Perfikot had had enough of the cabinet's pests and wanted to seize the Empire's supreme power, while others claimed Prince Edward had returned to reclaim his throne...

In short, all kinds of absurd statements were being spread everywhere.

Although the citizens couldn't leave their homes, news still spread all over without them realizing.

However, just as the Royalist Party used forces loyal to the Royal Family to seal off all of Beloburg, locking other uncontrollable troops and the Knight Orders in their barracks, and controlling the National Assembly Building and most of the legislators, believing the situation was settled, a piece of shocking bad news thundered through the clear sky.

Perfikot's Flying Airship arrived in the skies over Beloburg, and a formation of flying knights had already deployed in the air.

But that wasn't the crux of the bad news. The real issue was that even though the Northern Lord's special train was attacked, it still made it to the outskirts of Beloburg City and was currently parked outside the city, seemingly waiting for something.

"How is this possible? We sent an entire field infantry regiment to attack her; she should be dead by now!" the Royalist Party officials couldn't believe it.

In their view, dispatching an entire field infantry regiment to attack Perfikot, without her being prepared, should have overpowered her, even if she had Steam Knights by her side.

To this end, they had specially consulted with knights loyal to the Royal Family, who all agreed that knights caught off guard, especially without their armor on, couldn't respond in time, and the infantry artillery assaults would be enough to tear knights apart before they could don their Steam Armor.

According to their plan, the regiment's artillery should have destroyed the train carrying Perfikot right at the first moment, annihilating the Steam Armor brought by the knights around her, and might have even killed Perfikot in the first assault.

Even if not, they had a second tier prepared; an entire Knight Order under their command stood ready with the infantry regiment.

Though not all Imperial Guard Knights were equipped with Steam Armor, the entire order could still muster dozens of suits of Steam Armor.

In their view, even if Perfikot survived the initial attack, subsequent artillery bombardments and the Steam Knights' assaults would crush all resistance from the not-even-eighteen-year-old girl.

Even if she had Steam Knights with her, their side would win by sheer numbers.

Yet unexpectedly, Perfikot's special train was not stopped, and now it appeared outside the already-martial-law-declared city, posing as though waiting for reinforcements to start attacking the city.

As for the Flying Airship and flying knights in the sky, they had moved above the city and didn't seem to intend to act with the forces outside the city.

Inside the National Assembly Building, after completing the martial law, the Royalist Party members gathered there, preparing to initiate a new National Assembly vote once the Northern Lord's situation was resolved, thereby enacting new laws to seize complete control.

However, the news that Perfikot's special train wasn't destroyed startled everyone.

Some visibly wavered in demeanor.

After all, if the Northern Lord wasn't dealt with, their current actions could easily be characterized as rebellion or a coup.

"Now's not the time to worry about why she's still alive. Order the troops to attack; she must be eliminated!" radical Royalist members shouted vehemently, clearly wanting to turn this event into reality.

"Are you mad? Attacking her is one thing, but starting an all-out assault now is tantamount to declaring war on the North!" Others weren't as reckless, trying to dissuade him from extreme actions.

After all, they were no longer sure if they could handle Perfikot, and should the Northern Lord retreat and mobilize Northern armies to attack, it would lead to a full-scale war they couldn't afford.

Attacking the Northern Lord might be justified, at worst deemed a coup or framing Perfikot with whatever charges.

As long as they could truly eliminate her, everything wouldn't be a problem, whether capturing her alive or killing her outright.

But without resolving Perfikot, attacking the Northern Lord means starting an undeniable war.

At that point, should the Northern forces clash with those loyal to the Royal Family, the outcome would be something no one wishes to see.

"I'm not mad! At this point, we have no retreat! Once the Northern Lord enters the city or leaves, we'll be on the defensive! Only by dealing with her now can this become a fait accompli, allowing us to control the situation!" the radical Royalist member explained to others passionately, beseechingly saying: "Think about this country! We have no retreat; only by resolving her here can we counter the threat brought by the Northern Faction and steer the country back on track!"

"But... if she wasn't killed in an outdoor ambush, can we really succeed in an attack now?" someone seemed to be getting cold feet.

"Regardless of whether we can, we have no retreat. This is our only choice, understand? Unless you're considering surrendering to her, and see if the Bloody Countess will spare you!" the radical Royalist member expressed anger at their lack of determination, seemingly thinking these people were too weak.

Ultimately, under his persuasion, the Royalist Party decided to launch an attack on Perfikot. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The forces and Knight Order, controlled by the Royalist Party, launched an assault on Perfikot's special train, this time committing more troops.

Yet, facing the approaching army, only one Steam Knight flew up from the Northern Lord's train.

"The enemy is in the National Assembly Building, eliminate them." Perfikot coldly commanded, while Beifa launched a slaughter from the air.