As the sky over Millfall turned completely blue, and the heat began to rise, the ordinary people of this city were already out on the streets, going to their jobs or starting their activities.
In some places, middle-aged women opened the windows of their homes and began cleaning them. In another, men were already moving from place to place with pack animals and wagons, moving resources of all kinds between local businesses.
Meanwhile, the local sidewalks were bustling after the "quiet" evening, with people of varying degrees of dress passing through.
But small crowds were already forming in the taverns and inns where breakfast was served early in the day as storytellers spread the latest news.
Everywhere, there were people telling gossip, spreading news, and even making things up to attract attention and have an excuse to talk.
This was true on Earth, but it was also true in Polaris Realm.
After the news first reached the soldiers, nobles, and their subordinates in that city, the relatives of the people who first heard about the previous night's events soon knew 'everything' and spread the news among themselves.
By the time the rumors reached the local taverns, it was too late to contain the news!
"Man, you don't know what happened last night! Cesar Mazzanti returned to the city and started a rebellion!
Several soldiers, assassins seeking his reward, and even noblemen's subordinates fell into his hands the night before!" A thin, shabbily dressed man said this when he saw his friend in the tavern he had just entered.
"What? You're talking nonsense! How could an Apprentice do all that?" A fat man, also poorly dressed, said, not believing his friend.
"But that's what happened. They say the Defiant Tyranny is in tatters, and even ordinary people can challenge them now. There isn't even one of their men in their territory this morning!" The thin man said with a smile on his face.
...
Meanwhile, at Zander and River's tavern...
The two brothers had just opened their tavern and were wondering why none of Vicente's men had shown up when they suddenly heard from some of their regulars.
"No wonder your guards aren't here, old Zander. Have you heard anything about what happened last night? Can you fill us in?" A smiling middle-aged man asked as they approached the two of them along with other customers who had just entered.
"What are you talking about?" River asked, still unaware of last night's events.
"Don't you know?" A tall, strong man asked. "Cesar got into a lot of trouble the night before. Some say Defiant Tyranny, assassins, and army soldiers hunted him.
Many are already saying that he died fighting with those groups!"
"What?" Zander heard this and was worried.
"But if that's true, then he really was a monster. I heard that not even the leader of Defiant Tyranny, a level 5 Acolyte, has returned!" An 18-year-old said, feeling that even if he had died, Cesar would have made his name in local history.
The two brothers looked at each other as they heard this and several other comments, feeling this would be bad for them.
Without Vicente and his men, their business would continue to suffer.
The fall of the Defiant Tyranny would not change the actions of daring customers or petty criminals!
...
While half the city believed that Cesar had exterminated several Acolytes and died with honor, the other half believed that he was still alive, even after fighting such dangerous individuals.
Alternative versions of the same story were already spreading through the city's alleys, with some even saying that Cesar wasn't human, that he was an immortal, perhaps a vampire.
But while the commoners were talking feverishly, curious and worried about the future of their city, the Scarlet Syndicate was on the move.
This group was aware of how things had begun the night before. With the various rumors that had already reached them and information about who had left and returned to the city before dawn, the group was aware of the problematic time their enemies were in.
At the Scarlet Syndicate headquarters, one of the few satisfied men this morning was communicating with his most trusted men, who were already positioned throughout the city.
"How are you guys? Any problems so far?" The Scarlet Syndicate leader asked, eager to take over what Defiant Tyranny had amassed.
Previously, this man had wanted peace so that his group could absorb what they had. But that was because he didn't want to fight and risk his group's comfortable position. Yet, if someone else were to act in his place and create opportunities for his people, he wouldn't be the one to miss out.
With Defiant Tyranny weakened without its leaders, it was time for him to act and rule this city!
"We're fine, boss. Our targets' defenses have been weakened. They really are distracted."
"It's the same here. In fact, as far as I can see, even if we do nothing, Defiant Tyranny will fall before nightfall."
"Good! Gather all the resources the damned Ryker left behind and the artifacts from his troops! Let's not let the surviving parasites take those resources!" Said Brody Wright, leader of the Scarlet Syndicate, smiling at his group's short-range communicators.
But then one of his men cautioned. "Boss, we must watch out for the local noble families. Some of Defiant Tyranny's supporters are already on the move."
"I know. I'll pressure the army to help us later. For now, raid the enemy outposts and collect our new resources!" He said in a tone more excited than worried, mentally thanking Cesar for generating all this for him.
After a night of fighting, the side that would benefit the most from all of this would be his, the one that had been least involved in last night's clashes!
He couldn't help but smile in satisfaction as he thought about how everyone involved in last night's incident might have died.
'Thanks, Cesar, you did a good job!' He leaned back in his chair, smoked a long cigar, and began to wait for the results of his men's actions in the city.
Now, it was time for him to collect the spoils of war from those individuals!
...
Meanwhile, Nova woke up in the infirmary of the royal army headquarters in Millfall!
"Cesar!" She screamed as she opened her eyes and looked around, searching for the man she had seen before she passed out the night before.
