Chapter 454: Chapter 427: The King’s Decision
After capturing Nasca Town and Pisa Town, Ronin and Ridder entered a period of rest and reorganization as planned.
The many vacant houses in the towns were perfect for quartering the soldiers.
They didn’t even need to transport provisions from Shore City; the towns’ grain reserves were enough to sustain them for some time.
Ronin used Wind’s Wings to travel between the two towns, discussing with Ridder to decide on a time to attack Moonlight City.
Although they had been completely victorious in the battles for the two towns, the forced march and intense fighting had taken a heavy toll. The army would need at least two to three days to recover before they could face the more difficult battle for Moonlight City.
Therefore, they ultimately decided to join forces outside Moonlight City on August 24th.
Of course, this was assuming the enemy would defend their position and not venture out.
If Jesus took the initiative to lead his troops out of the city to attack, their strategy and timing would have to change accordingly.
However, Ronin speculated that Jesus would most likely not leave the city. After all, they had a greater advantage fighting from behind its walls.
「Golden Feather Palace, Oduin Hall.」
The Kingdom’s intelligence Minister, Mel, was reporting to Bruno about the rumors that had been spreading through the streets and alleys of Golden Feather City over the past two days.
"The news from the first half of the year—that Ossen Count of Wushan Territory had become one of the Alien Race—has already spread to every corner of the Kingdom. All the nobles know of the evil and terror of the Witch Soul Race."
Mel reported with a bow, "Based on this understanding, the rumor that Jesus is a member of the Witch Soul Race is an absolute bombshell. Wandering swordsmen, traveling bards, and many Mercenary Corps have all marked Moonlight Valley as a dangerous place. There are even calls for the Royal Family to investigate the truth of the matter."
Bruno frowned, the faces of the high-ranking nobles who were in the hall at the time flashing through his mind. ’Who could have leaked this?’
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, troubled by his suspicion. "This rumor came from someone in the Wushan Clan, didn’t it?"
"Your Majesty is wise to have immediately guessed who spread the rumor."
"Of all the nobles present that day, Wushan Castle was the most likely culprit."
Mel said with a smile, "To be precise, the people from the Wushan Clan weren’t very discreet. I found the source with almost no investigation."
Bruno pondered for a moment. ’I wonder if they were being intentionally indiscreet?’
’What is their purpose in doing this?’
Just as he was pondering this, a Royal Knight entered, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty, Albert, the Civil Servant from Wushan Castle, is outside requesting an audience. He says he is carrying a very urgent letter from the Wushan Marquis."
Bruno had a bad feeling. "Go! Bring him here to see me at once!"
TAP, TAP, TAP...
The sound of hurried footsteps belonged to another Royal Knight, who ran over and announced, "Your Majesty, the intelligence department has received a letter from Moonlight Valley! It’s of the highest priority!"
Bruno couldn’t help but feel a flicker of panic.
Mel crossed to the knight in a few long strides to take the letter. He immediately tore it open and began to read, his expression changing drastically. "Your Majesty, the Wushan Marquis has led his troops to attack Moonlight Valley, and he’s already captured Nasca Town and Pisa Town!"
"Lurans..."
Bruno’s brows furrowed deeply. He descended from the throne, took the letter, and the more he read, the more his anger surged.
’Wushan Territory... How dare they?’
In his calculations, Moonlight Valley, Screaming Island, and the Villa Duchy were supposed to harass Wushan Territory in the form of pirates, Thief Gangs, and the like. Wushan Territory, in turn, would dispatch troops to suppress them, just as it had done in the past.
Ultimately, under the combined pressure from these three factions, Wushan Territory—despite its considerable High Tier combat Power—would constantly suffer losses among its Mid-Low Tier forces.
Without a solid foundation of mid- and low-level Knights, their threat to the Kingdom would be limited, even with a few High Tier Transcendents.
And in the process, Moonlight Valley, Screaming Island, and the Villa Duchy would inevitably suffer losses as well.
With the four parties fighting amongst themselves, the Royal Family would emerge as the ultimate victor.
But Bruno had never imagined that Wushan Territory would take the offensive and openly invade another noble’s lands.
"Go, get Broel here immediately!" Bruno roared.
Mel watched the knight run out, then turned back and asked, "Is Your Majesty planning to dispatch the Griffin Knight Order to help Moonlight Valley attack Wushan Territory?"
Bruno didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and quietly sat back down on his throne.
If this had happened before the announcement of the marriage alliance between the Royal Family and Wushan Castle, he could have considered dispatching troops. He could have used military force to pressure Wushan Castle, forcing them to withdraw their army and pay the price for invading a noble of the Royal Family.
He could have even had them tried for treason if Wushan Castle had refused to negotiate.
But now, frankly, his situation was awkward.
Ronin and Blanche were to be married in less than four months, and Golden Feather Palace was in a flurry of preparations. If Bruno were to suddenly turn around and declare the Wushan Clan traitors, wouldn’t that be a complete joke?
How could he possibly save face?
As he was deep in thought, the Royal Knight led Albert into the hall.
As the Minister of State Affairs for Wushan Territory, Albert was no stranger to grand occasions, but this was his first time entering the Royal Palace for an audience with the King.
However, despite his nervousness, he did not forget his etiquette.
"Albert, Minister of State Affairs for Wushan Territory, pays his respects to His Majesty the King!"
Bruno’s face was cold and his voice was icy. "Rise."
Albert smiled faintly. He knew that entering the Royal Palace this time was fraught with danger. Before leaving Wushan City, he had even written his will and made his final arrangements.
He took a letter from within his coat. "Your Majesty, this is a letter for you from my master, the Marquis of Wushan."
Mel took the letter. Since it hadn’t come through the intelligence agency, he didn’t open it but passed it directly to the King.
As Bruno unsealed it, Albert spoke. "The Marquis informed me that Earl Jesus has become a pawn of the Witch Soul Race and is harming the nobles around Moonlight Valley. Viscount Milk Lucio of Wave Castle was persecuted by Jesus, which is how Jesus came to possess Wave Castle’s port."
"Yet at the Kingdom’s founding celebration, he continued to masquerade as Your Majesty’s brother, deceiving both you and many other nobles."
Albert declared solemnly, "For the honor of His Majesty the King, for the safety of Wushan Territory, and above all, for the security of all nobles and commoners of the Oduin Kingdom, the Marquis has boldly decided to lead an attack on Moonlight Valley. Even if it means expending all our Power, we must slay the members of the Alien Race and capture Earl Jesus to be delivered to Your Majesty for judgment!"
Bruno listened to Albert’s account while reading the letter, his expression growing visibly more solemn.
Mel rubbed the ring on his finger, thinking, ’No wonder Lurans spread the rumor about Jesus being part of the Witch Soul Race. It was all for this.’
’This propaganda places Wushan Territory on the moral high ground. Even if His Majesty the King wishes to object, he can no longer avoid investigating Jesus’s identity.’
’So, is Jesus really a member of the Alien Race, or is he a normal human?’
’At that point, the word of Dean Faslei of the Royal Magic Academy likely won’t be enough. They’ll probably have to ask Great Mage Bellora Silva to confirm it for the verdict to be convincing.’
’Bellora’s loyalty isn’t of the traditional sort, and he seems to have a good relationship with Ronin. When the time comes, he might very well speak impartially.’
Bruno’s expression shifted several times before he slowly folded the letter. When he looked up again, much of his earlier coldness had subsided.
"Lurans has detailed the evidence of Jesus being part of the Witch Soul Race in this letter and listed the sins he has committed. It’s unbelievable... my own brother has become one of the wicked Alien Race!"
He looked at Albert, a hint of a smile returning to his face. "The Thunderbolt Marquis’s loyalty to the Royal Family and his determination to uphold its honor have moved me deeply!"
’I knew Jesus was one of the Alien Race.’
’When I first decided to cooperate with Jesus, I was worried. After all, scheming with a tiger carries the risk of being mauled by it.’
’Judging from Moonlight Valley’s recent actions against the surrounding nobles, this tiger was indeed getting restless.’
’The Alien Race cannot be constrained by mere noble etiquette and laws.’
’With the Tricia Kingdom in chaos, I have a chance to become a Great Emperor. I can’t let my prestige be damaged at this critical juncture by a scandal about the King colluding with the Alien Race.’
’Therefore, it’s time to abandon Jesus.’
’Now that Lurans has brought this matter into the open and even given me a graceful way out, I can just take it.’
’Moreover, if Wushan Territory takes Moonlight City alone, they will surely pay a heavy price.’
’This aligns perfectly with my goal of weakening Wushan Territory’s power.’
"It will be very difficult for Wushan Territory to clear out Moonlight Valley on its own. I am preparing to send Vice Leader Broel of the Griffin Knight Order to provide support."
Bruno said, "Albert, you must be tired from your journey. Go and rest."
Albert was somewhat surprised.
He could sense that His Majesty the King had been displeased earlier. ’Why is he suddenly so amiable?’
This wasn’t something he could ask about. In any case, for him, the ordeal was over.
After he returned, his status as an Honorary Baron would be secured.
"Your Majesty," Mel asked, "you’re going to support Wushan Castle?"
’A moment ago, I thought he was going to send the Griffin Knight Order to support Moonlight Valley.’
Bruno nodded.
’Support will certainly be sent,’ he thought. ’But when it will arrive is another matter.’
’The battle between Wushan Territory and Moonlight Valley is one they’ll have to finish on their own.’
