Chapter 267: Chapter 133: Hee Hee, Ha Ha...
"Lord Bishop Nayike, the troops have been assembled."
Bishop Nayike nodded lightly. "And what of the people who fled the city state?"
"They’ve all been settled," said a guard wearing the armor of a Storm Church Holy Professional, a look of delight on his face. "There are 43,412 in total. Excluding the 2,314 who are already followers of the Lady Storm, the rest have all signed contracts with us."
"The contracts stipulate that in the days to come, they must guarantee daily recitation of the Lady Storm’s teachings, advocate for freedom, and temper their fighting spirit. We believe some of them will embark on the path of faith in the Lady Storm because of this."
"And most importantly, nearly ten thousand of them were followers of the Dawn Church. They’ve explicitly stated that they will change their faith to the Lady Storm. Lord Bishop, your plan was completely..."
"Spare me the flattery," Nayike interrupted, raising a hand. "Arrange for some of our people to protect them. The rest will prepare to enter the city state."
"Yes, My Lord!"
"Go."
Nayike stood outside the southern high walls of Caster, his gaze fixed on the spire of Krimms Cathedral. His expression gradually firmed with resolve.
’Only just over forty thousand?’
’Compared to Caster City State’s population of over three hundred thousand, that’s barely more than a tenth.’
’What a pity...’
’Still, it’s time to reclaim Caster City State, the pearl of the West Coast, for the Storm Church!’
’Dawn... that nail has been embedded here for far too long...’
’Praise be to the Lady Storm!’
...
...
「Meanwhile, in the central district of Caster City State, at the Council headquarters.」
Old Count Ernst stood in the Governor’s office on the top floor, a smug smile gracing his lips as he gazed at the overcast sky outside his window.
The Black Pearl had made its move.
The Vasquez People had arrived.
The people from the Desire Sect were also in position.
’Whether they got what they wanted or not, the outcome is already set in stone!’
"The conditions have been met... Ha, haha..."
KNOCK. KNOCK, KNOCK.
"Come in." Old Count Ernst wiped the smile from his face.
At the sound of his voice, several nobles filed in, unable to contain the joy on their faces.
"My Lord Count, the members of the Council have all been imprisoned. Shall we now launch an attack on the holdouts in the Secret Investigation Department and the City Guard?"
"An attack?"
A red-haired old man with a gold-and-jade inlaid pipe clamped in his mouth snorted. "Baron Seth, the Lord Count has already seized the initiative. Both the Secret Investigation Department and the City Guard are now considered his subjects."
"If we attack them now, wouldn’t that just make them more rebellious toward His Lordship?"
Baron Seth shot him a look. "Baron Nascimento, I’m afraid the reason you don’t want His Lordship to act has to do with other matters, doesn’t it?"
"For instance, that one from your family... hmm, his name is Marco, isn’t it? He certainly didn’t show up at the Council this time."
"Hmph. Marco was merely led astray by the people from the Secret Investigation Department. The Nascimento Clan has always stood with Count Ernst!"
"Easy for you to say. You..."
"Kotex," Old Ernst had no choice but to interrupt them. "Trocchi is right. It wouldn’t be appropriate to go to the Secret Investigation Department at this time."
Baron Nascimento offered a flattering remark, "The Lord Count is correct."
"However," Old Ernst’s tone shifted, "just because we’re not acting for now doesn’t mean we’ll let them run wild. A necessary show of force is still required, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Of course. The Lord Count need only give the order." Baron Seth smiled as well.
"Lord Count, please entrust this matter to me," Baron Nascimento couldn’t help but say. "The Nascimento Clan is willing to act as the vanguard."
"Oh?"
"Lord Count, the Seth Clan is willing as well!"
Seeing this, the other nobles also spoke up.
Now that things had progressed to this point, there was little glory left to be claimed. If they didn’t vie for it now, when would they get another chance?
Were they just going to sit around and wait for Count Ernst to reward them with a few gold pounds?
Which of their families was short on that kind of reward?
Old Count Ernst’s brow furrowed slightly. His original intention was, naturally, to leave such an opportunity to his own family—to his son, Lan’er Ernst, for example...
But he was also well aware of Trocchi’s intentions. The man was worried that if a conflict broke out with the Secret Investigation Department, the heir of the Nascimento Clan would die on the battlefield.
"This matter... hmm. I will consider it. You may all return and await my decision."
Upon hearing this, the nobles exchanged glances, then bowed. "Yes, Lord Count!"
After they left, Old Ernst looked out the window in the direction of the Dumitru District. He had already decided in his heart to have Lan’er handle it.
Now that Caster City State was returning to their Ernst Clan, it was time for the next generation’s heir to step forward.
BANG!
Just as he was lost in thought, the office door was violently thrown open.
Before he could even react, two Shadow Killers instantly shot out from his shadow and stood before him.
"It’s me!" the young man who had entered cried out hurriedly upon seeing the two Shadow Killers.
Old Ernst recognized the newcomer and said with displeasure, "Lan’er, where have your manners and composure gone? Have you forgotten something as basic as knocking?"
"Father, something’s happened." Lan’er was drenched in sweat, in no mood to maintain his damned noble etiquette.
"Hm?"
"People from the Abyssal Sect have appeared! They’re performing a sacrificial ritual in the northeast!"
"The Abyssal Sect?!" Old Ernst was stunned. "Weren’t they already wiped out by that fellow Ales? How could this be..."
"It’s true," Lan’er didn’t bother with a long explanation. Instead, he walked to the window, opened it, and said, "Listen."
"...we call to you with blood and soul, with burning flames and overflowing curses. In this dark night, we beseech you to grant us suffering..."
"Impossible! This is impossible!" Old Ernst’s eyes widened.
Lan’er pressed his lips together. He was just as unwilling to believe it, but the facts were laid bare before him, and he had no choice but to deal with it.
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