Nobles ran slowly, but they were blessed with life gems.
They could not transform the gems' abilities into powerful energy sources like Zhang Chen, but they could replenish their stamina.
Thus, as the procession moved further, the initially swift commoners slowed down due to their exhaustion.
However, the nobles' speed remained largely unchanged. With the increase and decrease of their respective speeds, they gradually moved to the forefront of the group.
By this time, they had passed through three or four villages and towns.
The people in these villages and towns were also drawn by the strange procession, stepping out of their homes, which they hadn't done for decades, and joining the group, heading towards a destination unknown to them.
The local investigation teams, to manage the civilian procession, followed behind.
After walking for most of the day, the procession behind Zhang Chen had grown into a vast, seemingly endless stream.
At dusk, the group arrived near the city of Marquis Delas.
Due to laws forbidding killing and the general peace and prosperity, crime rates were incredibly low.
Therefore, cities in this world had no walls.
With no enemies, there was no need for defense.
The investigation teams were considered the strongest military force.
At this moment, the red investigation team of Delas City spotted the procession behind Zhang Chen.
"Captain, we have a situation. A large army is moving this way!"
The team member said, trembling slightly.
They hadn't participated in combat for nearly a century.
This was an unprecedented situation for everyone, causing them to become somewhat nervous and flustered.
"Quick, go inform Marquis Delas! Let the Marquis decide!"
The captain of the red investigation team said nervously.
"Yes!"
The team member, riding a pink unicorn, broke away from the flying formation and descended towards Marquis Delas's manor.
At that moment, Marquis Delas was looking blankly at several female slaves doing their utmost to please him.
However, any skill, after being experienced hundreds of times, inevitably became monotonous.
What's more, any novel and stimulating new tricks had long been exhausted.
Less stimulating methods failed to arouse his interest.
Thus, Marquis Delas could only yawn and watch the slaves busy themselves.
*Plop...*
The pink unicorn landed in the courtyard.
The team member hurried into the building and knelt before Marquis Delas:
"Reporting to Your Lordship, a large army has appeared outside, advancing towards your city."
"How should we respond? We request Your Lordship's decision!"
"Army?"
Upon hearing the word, Delas instantly sobered up.
Every cell in his body seemed to be activated.
"Combat? Excellent! I haven't fought in two hundred years and am almost forgetting the exhilarating feeling of the battlefield!"
"Let's go, gather the nobles in the city, and we'll go meet the enemy!"
Marquis Delas's spirits soared. He stood up and ordered his armor to be brought.
However, his physique had long since become corpulent, and the armor no longer fit.
He could only carry his hammer and stride outside with imposing momentum.
Soon, Marquis Delas, along with his family's nobles and other prominent families from the city, gathered at the entrance of the main street.
They all appeared tense yet excited.
This was the long-lost thrill of battle.
These people had been numb for too long, long forgetting what pain felt like, what exhilaration felt like. They were like walking dead.
This battle would be a chance for everyone to reawaken and find their former selves!
Soon, Zhang Chen, Keke, and Silu appeared in sight.
"Heh, I thought it was some significant figure, but it turns out to be people from the Nicornas family."
"Descendants of these blacksmiths dare to attack my territory? They are insane!"
Delas said disdainfully.
But soon, more nobles appeared behind them.
"Wait, isn't that people from the Vatia family? And the Roroko family, the Tanali family, the Huike family... and even... royalty?"
When Delas saw that the most esteemed nobles were royalty, he panicked.
"They... they probably aren't here for us. If they wanted to eliminate us, they wouldn't need so many families..."
"So many families, plus so many citizens behind them, and the investigation teams... this force is more than enough to attack the royal city!"
Delas's cousin speculated nervously.
"Attack the royal city? Royalty... so many nobles..."
Upon hearing his cousin's words, Delas felt as if struck by divine enlightenment.
He seemed to understand everything at once.
Could it be that this was a rebellion?
While the Grand General was away campaigning in the realm of chaos, they intended to seize the opportunity and overthrow the regime?!
Hiss... It wasn't an impossible scenario.
Currently, there were hardly any troops to protect the royal family. If these investigation teams appeared unexpectedly before the royal city, they could surely launch a coup with lightning speed.
By then, even if the Grand General returned, with a change of emperor, he would have to submit to the new emperor.
After all, only royalty could occupy the position of emperor. No matter how powerful other families were, their claim would be illegitimate. A rash usurpation would easily lead to encirclement by other families.
So... this royal member truly intended to stage a coup.
Then their deliberate appearance before me... was it to test my stance?
If I refused and engaged them in battle...
Needless to say, attacking royalty would definitely result in the forfeiture of one's noble title. After all, the royalty hadn't even initiated the coup, so any action against them would lack justification.
Could you attack royalty just because they happened to pass through your territory?
Forget it, it's better to pretend I didn't see them!
Thinking this, Delas turned to go back.
"Marquis Delas, what a coincidence! Shall we go together?!"
"Believe me, joining this group will definitely give you a lifelong unforgettable experience!"
The royal noble spotted Delas at once and waved enthusiastically from afar.
"Ah... this..."
Delas was now in a predicament.
Wouldn't a coup be a lifelong unforgettable experience?
If successful, he would at most receive more land, but that was useless to him.
If it failed, the consequences would be dire. It would indeed be unforgettable for a lifetime.
"Hurry up, Delas, don't dawdle, we're waiting for you!"
"Once we reach the destination, we'll surely give you a surprise!"
The other nobles chimed in.
"Ah? This... since you've all joined... then I'll join too!"
Delas frowned, leading the nobles behind him and the red investigation team to join the procession...