When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 856 - 807: Westbahamut Bird

The night in Rapids City was enveloped in the cold winter wind.

The earlier return of Moliat seemed to have little effect.

The air still carried the pungent smell of coal smoke, and the coal stoves in front of the shops emitted a dim red afterglow.

Pedestrians wrapped in hoods and felt hats hurried by, and there were exceptionally more carriages on the streets and small boats in the city's canals today.

The destination of most of these pedestrians was the taverns or coffee houses along the street.

The yellow lights of the taverns cast flickering shadows at the street corners, and the opening and closing of wooden doors made creaking sounds.

Pushing open the heavy cedar door, Rangbang stepped into the bustling tavern.

After the constitutional convention three years ago, the Canal Club, consisting of representatives from Lower Reif County and local powerful figures, became a fixture.

Members of the Canal Club would gather regularly at a fixed tavern in the city.

The gathering place was now the Albu Tavern.

This tavern, run by a veteran from Langsande County, had become the center for opinions of radical citizens, small landowners, and guild leaders.

Some local figures aspiring to politics would come here daily with newspapers to hold forth, rallying friends and acquaintances.

Handing over his thick short cape to the attendant beside him, Rangbang turned to look inside.

The fireplace was burning, the air filled with the mixed scent of beer and peat, and the room was noisy with people.

Artisans with hairy arms exposed, citizens holding tailoring rulers or rolled newspapers, slammed them down on tables with a smack.

"The situation in Thousand Rivers Valley is getting more chaotic!"

"Even Moliat has been defeated; who else can we count on?"

"Xia Lvcheng has fallen, and aside from the severely damaged nobles, we council representatives are more concerned about the future of the Thousand Rivers Valley!"

"The voices of artisans and farmers must be stronger; we can no longer rely on those nobles to represent our interests."

The clamor was deafening, making Rangbang's ears ache.

As Liborole in the crowd raised his glass to Rangbang, he quickly stepped over.

"Did you have any trouble from the military police or a river pass on your way here?"

"No, the military police just told us not to run around the streets after 12 o'clock and then let us go."

"At least Lord Raphael supports us," Liborole explained to those around him. "I think this somewhat represents His Majesty's intention..."

Watching the eloquent Liborole, Rangbang just kept drinking his beer.

Since Moliat's defeat, her reputation has been progressively declining.

Especially since many citizens bought her bonds; first the debacle at Shattered Stone Plain, then the invasion of the Leia people, it was a complete loss.

Only the nobles could get their money back, which made the citizens and Advisory Council representatives more resentful.

Previously, they still had Moliat's military achievements and lineage to rely on, but now both are tottering.

Anyway, it's she who lost Xia Lvcheng and defaulted on the war bonds.

This made the citizens even more dissatisfied.

If the citizens were just dissatisfied, for the small landowners, laborers, and farmers bound to the Hundred Households District system, it was fear.

After the constitution in Thousand Rivers Valley, the small landowners and savvy farmers had an upward class move by dividing up church and noble assets.

They were happy when dividing land, happy with low taxes and proposing bills, but when the Leia people invaded, they couldn't be happy anymore.

As for the laborers and farmers, it was as if the sky had fallen; many had sold their country fields to work in the city.

If the Leia people came back, they would become homeless wanderers.

Without the protection of Thousand Rivers Valley, if attacked by the Leia nobles, not only would they lose the present, but even the past might not be secure.

Everyone realized the early defeat trend of the war.

Panic, unease, doubt... all these emotions accumulated in their hearts, and they could only vent through shouting and conversation.

Even Rangbang felt an uncontrollable terror in his heart.

Using his identity as an Advisory Council representative, he had borrowed a considerable amount of money from the bank to establish a horse-drawn seeder rental business.

Because his proposal eliminated the Dead Hand Tax, he gained high prestige among the farmers.

The Rangbang-brand horse-drawn seeders quickly became popular, and within five years, he could pay off the remaining loan.

But just as life began to improve, the Leia people invaded.

Not to mention the various proposals he made regarding the elimination of noble agricultural privileges.

The newspapers all reported on it, pointing to the massacre in Military Settlement District; they might be next.

Although it's just low-alcohol beer, Rangbang's face turned redder and even started to show bloodshot eyes as he drank more.

"Damn it, how did the Thousand River Valley become like this?"

"The Saint's Grandson needs to take decisive action, no more hesitating."

Feeling that the atmosphere was right, Liborole cleared his throat and exclaimed loudly, "Gentlemen, can His Majesty really reckon with Moliat?"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then burst into discussions.

"Of course he can, he's the Saint's Grandson!"

"Moliat's military connections remain, and although the nobles have suffered heavy losses, they will never allow the Duke to be deposed just like that."

"Moreover, I believe that with the Great Shepherd's noble character, he certainly won't seize power if people think he's taking advantage of this opportunity."

"Tomorrow is the Advisory Council's inquiry meeting, His Majesty the Shepherd is still appearing alongside the Duke… it causes concern indeed."

There have long been rumors in the city that His Majesty the Great Shepherd is going against the Duke.

But judging from today's close interactions between the two, it doesn't seem like they are at odds.

Liborole shook his head, "Gentlemen, we must show His Majesty that we support him, that we are on his side, and we need to take action."

Upon discussing this topic, many who were previously drunk suddenly sobered up.

Seeing Liborole's posture, they wondered if a rebellion was in the making.

Liborole slowly scanned the surroundings, his gaze sharp, "If the Leia people invade Rapids City, do you know what will happen?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The tavern fell into a brief silence.

Liborole's voice was low and firm, "All of us, every elected representative, everyone who supports constitutionalism and independence for the Thousand River Valley, will be hanged!"

In the silence, there was the continuous sound of people swallowing nervously.

"Look at how the Leia nobles handled Hotam County." Liborole sneered, "They don't need a parliament, and they certainly don't need the freedom of Thousand River Valley!

If we don't take action now, our only fate will be death."

The mood in the tavern became restless and uneasy.

"Then what can we do?"

"Yes, Liborole, what should we do?"

In a sudden outburst, Liborole didn't expect Rangbang to stand up abruptly.

This former farmer trembled all over, his expression indescribably fierce, "Gentlemen, it has come to this point, we can't indulge in idle talk any longer.

I have a petition, which is to launch a constitutional protection movement, to support the Saint's Grandson, to defend the Thousand River Valley!"

The previously noisy tavern quieted down, and everyone was watching Rangbang.

Having long perfected his eloquence from selling seed machines to countless people, Rangbang jumped onto the table, shouted at the crowd,

"We need to pressure the Advisory Council, convey our voice to His Majesty Horn, and to everyone in the Thousand River Valley!

The Female Grand Duke of Hermastone has lost the people's heart, her failure puts the nation in dire peril!

We should demand the abolition of her Autocratic Duke position and the acting Autocratic Duke position of Knight Herman, and for His Majesty Horn to take over as the enduring Autocratic Duke of Thousand River Valley!"

Seeing the crowd lost in confusion for a moment, Liborole jumped onto the table as if in a relay, passionately embracing Rangbang, "Count me in, Representative Rangbang, we need unity to protect everything we have."

"Yes, count me in too."

"This should have been done long ago!"

With Liborole leading the charge, many Canal Club members present jumped onto the tables one after another in support.

Amid a commotion, someone raised a doubt, "But there are still the military settlements around Rapids City, and Yi Heshou is stationed nearby, along with the nobles' influence…"

Liborole sneered, "Do you think we have no allies?

In Langsande County, in Kasha County, in South Mangde County… representatives from other places are currently in Rapids City.

I can go connect, go convince, let everyone who loves the Thousand River Valley express their stance."

With his right arm around Liborole's shoulder, Rangbang, the once honest farmer, now revealed a fierce look, "Moreover, we have farmers, everyone knows I am friends with many farmers.

If Yi Heshou or the Mountain Knight dares to take action, we will rally the Defensive Army and farmers to jointly defend the war achievements of the Thousand River Valley."

Reaching this point, recalling the newspaper reports, these representatives and gathering members became fervent.

At this moment, the previously accumulated fear, doubt, and resentment brewed into anger.

Doing anything is better than doing nothing!

Red-eyed, Rangbang raised his glass and shouted, "The Thousand River Valley belongs to us, it belongs to patriots!"