Chapter 310 Paris’s Suffering, Sorting Out the Post-Battle Gains

Chapter 310: Chapter 278: Paris’s Suffering, Sorting Out the Post-Battle Gains

Paris pressed his fingertips hard against his throbbing temples, his knuckles a bloodless, bluish-white.

This was a side hall of a temporarily requisitioned manor—now his command post.

Outside the window, a lead-gray sky pressed down heavily on the rubble-strewn Heta County City. A cold wind swept through the ruined streets, kicking up uncleared ash and scraps of cloth, carrying a faint, musty odor that crept into his nose.

The clamor of victory had long since faded, leaving only endless trivial matters and a suffocating exhaustion that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

As the de facto leader of the Resistance Alliance, his political standing had reached an unprecedented height after the victory.

But with it came an even heavier responsibility.

Calming the terrified residents, maintaining the precarious peace, organizing men to clear the battlefield, collect the remains, and stamp out sporadic resistance... Each task demanded immense manpower and mental energy.

To make matters worse, the formal decree regarding the distribution of power in the vacuum left in Heta County was long overdue.

Ever since that terrifying fortress fell, the nobles who had managed to preserve some of their strength during the war could no longer hold back. Like hyenas smelling blood, they began to visit one after another to test the waters, their eyes glinting with desire and greed for the prime assets left behind by the Heta family.

’Yes, with a great victory won, rewards must be distributed according to merit.’

’But without permission from the Empire’s central authority, how can I possibly bypass the imperial administrative system and make promises to people?’

"Baron Sawyer, you should be well aware that his lordship’s subordinates are still active in this city. Please, retract your words."

After using the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a shield to send away yet another noble probing about the division of spoils, Paris all but collapsed back into the creaking old oak chair. He pressed his back against the cold wood, trying to draw some coolness from it to fight the searing pain deep within his skull.

He closed his eyes, his haggard face shrouded in the shadow of exhaustion.

’Emily... I miss you so much...’

He was tired, and he missed his daughter.

However, before he could spend any more time thinking about his sleeping daughter back in Birch Town, the walnut door he had just closed was thrust open, letting in a biting gust of air mixed with snowflakes.

A Knight strode in, his body covered in dark gray, Empire-issue armor. The golden rose insignia on his pauldron reflected a hard glint of light in the dim room.

"Lord Viscount, I am here to inform you of something—"

Stier came to a halt, gave a shallow bow, and spoke in a low, direct voice.

"Her Highness Belina will personally visit Heta County in the coming days for a lecture tour. Please begin making full reception preparations at once."

Paris’s eyes shot open, the muscles in his face instantly tensing.

He gripped the armrests tightly, his voice strained.

"Lord Stier, Heta County is currently in ruins. The streets are blocked, refugees are everywhere, and we can hardly even tidy up a decent place for her to stay..."

"For Her Highness to come here... it is truly..."

His throat bobbed, but he didn’t finish the sentence.

But his meaning was perfectly clear: the effects of the war were not so easily erased, and they were currently in no position to host a princess’s lecture tour entourage.

In response to Paris’s words, Stier’s hard-lined face showed no surprise. He merely nodded slightly.

"Rest assured, my princess has always been pragmatic. She is well aware of Heta County’s difficulties."

"In addition to the lecture tour, she has also allocated a large shipment of grain, winter supplies, and engineering equipment to accompany her, to alleviate Heta County’s plight. And—"

He paused, looking directly at Paris, a subtle, indescribable look flashing in his eyes.

"You can surely guess who, exactly, my princess is coming to Heta County for."

How could Paris not know?

The Third Princess Belina Benest’s ambition, as sharp and unconcealed as a drawn sword, was already a common topic in noble circles.

And Jon Apollonia, the young man who had appeared like a comet and stirred up a storm in Heta County, could not possibly have escaped her notice—Knight Stier, standing before him, was proof enough.

At this thought, he raised a hand and rubbed his aching, stinging temples forcefully.

When he looked up again, his haggard yet imposing face had shed all traces of fatigue and hesitation, once again gathering the composure of the Resistance Alliance’s leader.

"In that case, please rest assured!"

Paris’s voice suddenly rose.

"The entire Resistance Alliance will do its utmost to ensure Her Highness’s lecture tour is a complete success."

"Every detail, every arrangement, will reflect our utmost respect for the Empire and for Her Highness the Third Princess!"

Having received Paris’s promise, Stier nodded slightly.

"Very good. Now, if you will excuse me."

With that, he turned and left crisply.

But as he pushed open the door, he saw two familiar faces: Evelyn, the lady-in-waiting sent by the Seventh Princess Cecilia to contact Jon, and Oudra, the Knight Captain sent by the Second Prince Harvey to support the Resistance Alliance.

Seeing the two of them, he paused for a moment but did not linger. He simply gave a nod of acknowledgment and walked straight past, leaving the other two to look at each other in consternation.

The cold wind took the opportunity to swirl into the warm side hall with flecks of snow. Evelyn pulled her well-tailored, deep purple velvet cloak, trimmed with silver mink fur, tighter around herself. Her long lashes were lowered, concealing a flicker of imperceptible thought.

Then she looked at Knight Oudra beside her. His armor was still dotted with unmelted snowflakes, and he looked slightly uncomfortable. Her lips curved into a perfectly measured smile.