Everyone in the royal hall at this time, they were very confused. Especially Arthur who didn't know about the attack. He immediately told his wife to run behind the palace, with Lucy, Athena, and Athena's parents.
King Philip was also very surprised. He also could not get out of the diamond palace, and he could not send word to ask for help from his own kingdom. The man ran in confusion looking for Aubrey's whereabouts.
The atmosphere was so chaotic. Hundreds of arrows were still being shot into the palace area. Making all the royal servants run scared looking for a safe place to hide.
But unfortunately, there have been many people who just died because of arrows stuck in their bodies.
Frans tried hard to mobilize all the number of soldiers to block the enemy in front of the palace gates. The man also tried to protect Royce who started shooting arrows containing embers.
But that effort was in vain. Jackson's army was too large and they all had a large stockpile of weapons.
"Order the rear soldiers to take out the bomb throwers!!" Royce said to France.
"But prince, I have to protect you!"
"Just follow my orders!!" Royce said firmly. Sweat was pouring down his neck and forehead. The golden crown that was originally on his head, now fell just like that and Royce didn't care about it.
Frans nodded obediently. He ran quickly to meet the royal soldiers guarding the rear palace.
While waiting for Frans to return, Royce tried to find out another cause. He felt awkward with arrows coming from the enemy. The arrow immediately killed the victim after being stabbed. Even if pierced by arrows, one should still scream in pain.
And Royce took out an arrow stuck in the back of one of his dead bodyguards. Royce smelled the scent on the tip of the arrow. The tip of the arrow was made of iron that rusted easily, and there was a strange smell like it came from a wild plant.
"They put poison powder at the tip of these arrows. No wonder everyone who was hit by this arrow fell unconscious just like that." Royce said quietly.
"EVERYONE!!! COLLECT YOUR LINES!! TRY NOT TO GET ANY ARROW FROM THE ENEMY!! WEAR THE HEAD PROTECTION AND HOLD YOUR SHELTER TIGHT!! THE ARROWS OF THEM CONTAIN POISON POWDER!!!!" said Royce who shouted as loud as he could. He tried to tell all his soldiers.
All the soldiers heard what Royce had said. And they immediately closed their ranks which formed like a fortress.
Royce ran into the maze garden. He had to bring Aubrey into the palace.
Fortunately, Aubrey was still hiding behind the tall bushes. The woman is fine. She was just scared and crying waiting for Royce to come pick her up.
"You have to go inside. Your father was in a panic. He forced himself out of the royal hall. Take my hand, Aubrey!!" Royce said.
Aubrey nodded. She gripped Royce's hand so tightly. The girl was very scared. So she was speechless.
They both managed to get into the palace. And Royce handed Aubrey over to King Philip.
King Philip immediately hugged his daughter so tightly. His eyes were already filled with tears.
However, Arthur looked emotionless looking at Royce. The man clenched his fists and glared at his son. "What are you doing?? Why didn't you tell me?? You handled this all by yourself and watch!!! Everything went haywire!! You should have told me last night, Royce!! Now, we're all in danger!!!"
"I was trying to tell you, Father! But you always interrupt me!! I heard about this attack from Athena last night and---"
"What? Athena? Why did you hear this from the maid?" asked a confused Arthur.
Royce clenched his jaw. "The explanation for that question is very long. And now, we should be able to defend our troops!!"
"Stupid!! It's not that easy, Royce! We didn't have any preparations. This is all too sudden!! We only have two bombs left!!" Arthur said.
"What? Just two bombs?"
Arthur nodded. The Diamond Kingdom does have a lot of weapons, especially bombs. However, due to lack of proper preparation, they only had two bombs left. Due to the long time of making bombs, the Diamond Kingdom does not have an abundant stock of bombs.
Because storing too many bombs is also very dangerous if at any time it can explode.
Royce rubbed his face furiously. Ahead there, many royal soldiers had died. This time, Royce felt that he was really bad. He couldn't do anything.
The attack from Jackson's troops that Athena heard last night, was actually just a ploy deliberately carried out by Bella and Jackson. So that the Diamond Kingdom side thought that the attack would take place at midnight. But what actually happened, they attacked in the morning. The tactic succeeded in fooling the Diamond Kingdom.
"Then go. Protect your mother and sister, as well as a few others who must be protected." Arthur said.
Royce looked at his father in surprise. "What? No. No, Father. You must come with me too. We must hide together."
Arthur nodded slowly. Then he took off his crown, and he gave it to his son. "You must continue my throne! If we all lose, you must be able to save yourself and survive out there. And even if we lose, this kingdom is still yours and you must be able to fix everything from scratch. For now, I am still the king in this palace. Then it is time for me to do my duty to lead all soldiers against the enemy. Go, Royce. Protect your mother and your sister."
Royce's eyes immediately filled with tears. He shook his head because he didn't want to leave his father.
Then King Philip came closer. The man gave his daughter's hand for Royce to hold. "I also have to intervene. For all that is happening now, I am not angry and do not demand anything. Since the reign of my grandfather, my kingdom has been good friends with your kingdom. So I want to step in to deal with this. So Royce, please... take care of Aubrey." Philip said.
Aubrey immediately cried even louder. "No, father. You must not join the war. You must come with me. We are hiding with the others. Please father..."
But King Philip just smiled and gently wiped away his daughter's tears. "My dove has flown to deliver a letter to our kingdom, my daughter. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
"Royce!! Go away!!!" said Arthur who exclaimed sternly. He already wields a shield and sword, and wears a head shield made of high quality thick iron.
Royce's tears fell again. He was still not willing to leave his father who chose to enter the war.
"GO!! QUICK!!!"
Hearing his father's firm orders, Royce tightly gripped Aubry's left hand. Then the man ran towards the back of the palace. He had to carry out King Philip's orders, to protect Aubrey under any circumstances.
And Arthur, he ran out of the royal hall. He stared blankly at Jackson who was standing on the wall of the palace gate.
King Philip was also wearing battle clothes. He stood tall beside Arthur. Then Frans came up to them and told them about the defensive position when the war started.
*****