Chapter 482 Attacking Thunder City? Me?
Campbell's North, Earldom of North Creek Valley.
The air here is filled with the fragrance of earth and wheat, like a poetic pastoral painting, with a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.
Unlike the ceaseless clamor and black smoke of Thunder City, the most pungent smoke here comes from the chimney of the castle kitchen and the cigar in the lord's hand.
In the heart of the North Creek Valley, Glenston Castle stands majestically.
This granite fortress, like a loyal sentinel, has stood guard on the high ground for centuries, overlooking the vast territory bestowed upon it by its ancestors.
The endless wheat fields had just finished the autumn harvest, leaving only neat stubble and emaciated serfs swaying in the cool autumn breeze.
Scattered farms dot the landscape, windmills turn slowly, and everything is in perfect order.
This is the northernmost castle in the Duchy of Campbell, separated from the perilous Twilight Province only by a barrier called Rapids Pass.
At this moment, on the highest terrace of the castle, two men of very different stature stand side by side, gazing at this peaceful land.
The man standing on the left is the owner of the castle, Earl Derek Gladstone.
He was nearly fifty, but his body was still robust and strong. His weathered face was etched with determination, just like the city wall beneath his feet.
The passage of time has not diminished his bravery; instead, it has given him a mature and dignified air, as well as a shrewdness hidden beneath that air.
It was precisely because of his bravery and tact that the bandit fires that wreaked havoc in the Twilight Province did not reach this place located below the Benliu River.
Of course, it's also possible that he simply took credit for it himself.
Standing beside him at that moment was another young man, Jerok Campbell, who was equally renowned in the Principality of Campbell.
He was Edward's younger brother, slightly older than Eileen. At this moment, he was wearing a silver-blue suit of armor, with the emblem of the Knights of the Trident engraved on his breastplate.
Unlike his elder brother's increasingly deep-seated shrewdness, his face still carried the sharpness of youth, as well as a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.
"...Whenever I'm in a bad mood, I come here to stay for a while."
Derek started talking, squinting at the slowly turning windmill, and spoke casually to the young man beside him.
“I think of the patriarch of Glenston hundreds of years ago, who stood in the same place as me, gazing at the same view, laughing at the corruption of hell and chaos, laughing at the raging winds blowing past us… It was so then, and it is so now.”
Although Gerlock was not old, he knew what this vassal, who was loyal to his brother, was talking about.
As the head of the northern vassals, and with Earl Derek being a renowned lord known for his bravery, the conservative forces of the Duchy of Campbell naturally rallied under his banner.
In their view, Edward's close association with the lowly commoners and profit-driven merchants was a desecration of the ancestral laws. Furthermore, his so-called reforms were shaking the sacred and inviolable authority of the nobility, and were utterly corrupt acts.
Of course, Jerok believed they were not planning a rebellion, but rather, like himself, trying to pressure his brother into returning to the right path.
Instead of leading his sister and the Campbell family down a path of no return...
"I... hope so."
Jerok said something someone had just said not long ago, gazing at the tranquil pastoral scenery in the distance, his heart filled with complex emotions.
Sometimes he didn’t understand what his brother was pursuing, but he always felt that this was not what his father expected.
Count Derek seemed to see through his inner struggle and continued to persuade him earnestly.
“We all hope for this, for our duchy to improve and not become a tool to satisfy someone’s ambition. Look at the wheat fields in the distance; everything here is so beautiful. Our farmers work from sunrise to sunset, faithfully serving their lord. Our knights are loyal and reliable, defending our land.”
“This is what Campbell should be like, and this is what our kingdom should be like—simple and full of hope…I believe that if my ancestors were standing here, they would be proud of our choice!”
Just then, Count Derek abruptly changed the subject, his tone revealing undisguised contempt.
"However, not everyone has anything to be proud of. You know where I'm talking about, Thunder City, which has become increasingly chaotic and polluted since some unknown day."
Jerok took a deep breath.
“I’ve heard Eileen talk about things there.”
Derek grinned.
“Eileen…she is too young after all. Our duchy is vast, with places she can see and places she cannot see. And in the corners she cannot see, our foundations have been eroded and riddled with holes.”
"The citizens have become undisciplined and profit-driven, forgetting the respect due to nobles once they have a few stinking coins in their pockets. And the peasants are even worse; they've forgotten how to farm and even dream of settling down in Thunder City. Even the barons have moved in to be neighbors with commoners. Ha... I think they've been kicked in the head by a donkey!"
At this point, Derek skillfully steered the conversation toward Jerok himself, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Your Highness, with your intelligence, you surely know what I’m talking about. The Kingdom of Ryan is the land of knights, and the Duchy of Campbell is the epitome of the land of knights. Rather than following an ambitious man, we would rather unite with a truly noble knight. And you and I both know who the real knight is.”
Although these words were not explicitly stated, they were only a thin veil away from being explicitly stated.
Logically, Jerok should have been furious and rebuked him, demanding that the latter forget what he had said that day and uphold the stability of the duchy.
If it were Irene, she would definitely do the same.
But Jerok is not Erin after all. His dissatisfaction with his brother is not only due to ideological conflicts, but also because the latter has not been recognized by the Utawarerumono.
Regardless of his father's motives for handing the sword to Eileen, whether it was a well-thought-out choice or a sudden inspiration in his final moments, it undoubtedly undermined Edward's legitimacy.
Jerok silently looked at the poor but content serfs below the castle, and thought of the idle vagrants wandering around outside Thunder City and the peasants clamoring for higher wages in front of the factory. He couldn't help but think that his brother had gone too far and had long deviated from the duties of a nobleman.
In the past, they wouldn't have dared to do this.
Of course, Thunder City didn't have as many factories or such a dense population in the past.
“The Earl is right. My brother is indeed not a qualified knight, but…” Jerok nodded, but his tone was hesitant. “I still believe that my brother has only been blinded by those profit-driven merchants, especially that Yan Andes. If he is willing to return to the right path, I will fully support him.”
They are family after all; blood is thicker than water.
Although he felt he should do something for this duchy, when he closed his eyes, what came to mind was not only the displaced serfs, but also the face that occupied his entire childhood memories.
perhaps--
They don't necessarily have to resort to armed conflict.
In the past, there have been disagreements between lords and vassals in the Duchy of Campbell, and in most cases, these disputes ended amicably with both sides backing down.
The Trident Knights have now sided with the traditional nobility. Two of the three earls have clearly supported returning to the past, while the remaining Earl of South Creek Valley is only superficially aligned with Campbell Castle.
Any rational duke would recognize reality at this point and wouldn't actually drag everyone into a civil war.
After all, if it really comes to that, it will be Campbells who die, and only the demons of hell will laugh.
Looking at the young man before him who still harbored unrealistic fantasies, Count Derek sighed inwardly.
How naive!
In the past, his fantasy might have actually come true. Both sides weighed their own chances of winning, then compromised on non-core interests, ultimately maintaining a semblance of harmony.
For example, a portion of Thunder City's tax revenue could be used to provide financial subsidies to the three earls whose main source of income is agriculture.
As long as the treasury remains unaffected, most nobles don't really care much about tradition, including Earl Derek himself, who owns property in Thunder City.
But things are different now.
Edward has become embroiled in the power struggle with the Kingdom of Lane, and the Devalo family has extended its reach into the Duchy of Campbell, becoming the force behind all the traditional nobles.
As for Edward himself, he also had a powerful backer, namely the Imperial Prince who was deeply involved in the development of Thunder City!
This is an irreconcilable struggle over policy, a life-or-death battle that will determine the future of the Principality of Campbell!
Edward would never back down.
The nobles, representing traditional power, were of course not going to back down.
"Your Highness is kind and compassionate, which is admirable, but you should also consider the long-term future of the Campbell family."
He sighed softly, feigning concern for the Campbell family's future.
"Although Princess Eileen has made many outstanding contributions on the front lines, we are all aware of the side effects of the Light of Praise... What if, I mean what if, this miracle is based on the grace of Saint Sith, she may not be long before she follows in the footsteps of my Lord."
He observed Jerok's expression and, before the latter could speak, brought the hidden implication in his words to the forefront.
"If such a thing were to happen, the 'Echo of the Light,' which symbolizes Campbell's orthodoxy, would surely choose a new master who possesses both strength and virtue. I think the vast majority of nobles would prefer to support a noble knight like you rather than your brother, who is lacking in martial arts and obsessed with power struggles."
"Enough! Earl Glenston!"
Gerlock finally interrupted him, his tone somewhat stiff, "I respect you, but I don't want to think that way. Besides, my sister is young and healthy. She will return safely!"
"I...of course I also hope that Her Highness Eileen will live a long life, but I also hope that you will consider this matter carefully."
Count Derek softened his tone and offered a friendly reminder.
"This is not just for yourself, but also for the knights who follow you, and for all those who hope that the duchy will return to the right path."
It's a pity.
Jerok's heart wasn't ruthless enough, and his resolve wasn't firm enough.
But he couldn't wait any longer.
Edward has already set his sights on the Twilight Province, attempting to replicate the Thunder City model there and unite with the minor nobles to undermine the king's power.
If he succeeds, the Grand Duke's power will expand to an unprecedented level, and he will effectively control two duchies, while His Majesty the King's influence over the land will be negligible.
They must seize the opportunity while there is still room for redemption and forcefully pull the Principality of Campbell back onto the "right track".
Otherwise, once Edward recovers, he'll deal with them immediately!
The naive Jerok didn't realize that the moment he disobeyed orders, he had already placed himself on the opposite side of his brother.
The reason his brother turned a blind eye was not because of any brotherly affection, but simply because he had "no other choice".
He was still delusional enough to think he could use the Glenston family's position to put pressure on the Grand Duke, unaware that he himself was the banner uniting all the traditional nobles and the greatest source of confidence for all the Campbell nobles to dare to resist.
Glenston could surrender and lose half the battle, but those with inheritance rights don't have that opportunity; they only have two outcomes: win or die.
With his back to the struggling Jiliu Pass, Derek turned his gaze toward Thunder City, a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashing deep within his sharp eyes.
perhaps--
It's time to create some opportunities for this future Grand Duke to ascend the throne...
...
Jerok did not linger on the castle for long. The increasingly bleak autumn wind blew against his armor, and one could already feel the chill of winter.
While platinum-level powerhouses wouldn't frown at a bit of cold wind, those who enjoy self-torture are few and far between.
In this respect, the farmers of Granstonburg were indeed more spirited. Despite wearing only thin clothes, they didn't even frown.
Dinner was exceptionally lavish, featuring fragrant and succulent roasted pork knuckle, tender stewed beef shank, and paper-thin slices of ham.
The guests drank the fine wine of Yinsong Town and stayed in the banquet hall until late at night before returning to their rooms, their spirits dampened.
Then came the second half of the banquet.
The Glenston family adheres to traditions, especially those concerning hospitality, and would never allow a distinguished guest to spend a lonely night alone.
Especially at a time when unity is needed.
A young maid carrying toiletries walked down the corridor, knocked on each door, and then went inside.
They didn't actually resist doing it; in fact, they felt proud of it, since in some situations, it's hard to say who benefited.
Like his knights, Gerald was also drunk, seemingly trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol.
However, he did not indulge himself.
Like many true knights who adhere to tradition, he righteously refused the second half of the banquet, just as he had the previous night.
The Campbell family has a very traditional family tradition: they must never leave behind offspring that should not be born.
As she left carrying the toiletries, the petite maid wore a clear look of disappointment, as if she regretted not winning the future Grand Duke's favor.
Neither the eldest nor the youngest liked him, and Count Derek was at his wits' end. Could it be that this knight actually preferred handsome young boys rather than women?
She only thought about it for a second before she couldn't help but shudder and quickly put away that devilish thought.
Saint Sith above, that's utterly blasphemous...
It wasn't just Gerald who didn't indulge himself; Earl Derek did too.
He remained sober throughout, and after the banquet, he dismissed everyone, took a candle, and went down to the castle's underground.
Beneath the solid granite foundations of Glenston Castle lies a space entirely different from the pastoral landscape above ground.
This is a secret shrine.
Or, it could be called a "church".
The air in the corridor was dark and damp, carrying with it the stale smell of blood and a faint trace of sulfur. The light from St. Clement's Cathedral did not reach here; only the dim candlelight illuminated the twisted and blasphemous ancient runes, and the faint sound of rats grinding their teeth could be heard from the corners.
At the very center of the altar stood a half-human-sized obsidian statue.
It has the head of a bull, the body of a human, bulging muscles, a ferocious face, and exudes pure fear and arrogance!
It is none other than—
It was the first Demon King of Thunder County!
He is also the Demon King of all time!
Derek entered the shrine alone, his expression solemn, and lit the specially made incense on the altar.
Smoke rose, emitting a pungent odor.
He drew his dagger, skillfully cut his finger, dripped the blood into the groove of the idol's base, and then chanted a holy light spell to heal the wound.
A moment later, his piety remained unchanged, and he uttered an even more blasphemous eulogy, invoking the demons of hell.
After about a minute, the eyes of the obsidian statue slowly glowed with a scarlet light, and a chaotic and immense will descended upon the room.
The statue awoke, its eyes staring intently at him.
Feeling that imposing gaze, Count Derek dared not be negligent and knelt respectfully on the ground, his forehead touching the cold stone slab.
"Greetings to you, Your Majesty the Great New King, Dragon... Please forgive my neglect in not contacting you for so long, for the situation on the surface is so turbulent that your loyal servant is preoccupied with his own affairs."
He first expressed the Glenston family’s unchanging “respect” and “loyalty”, then, with suppressed excitement, described the current “crisis” in the Duchy of Campbell.
That was bait thrown to the devil.
"Your Majesty! Just as I said, Thunder City is in unprecedented turmoil! The foolish Edward has emptied the nobles' coffers, driven the peasants to factories, and sent them to the northern battlefield. Thunder City is now internally hollow and has no strength left to fight!"
“I know Aaron Campbell left a very deep impression on you, but that guy is dead, and the Utawarerumono is currently embroiled in a dispute with the Inquisition! The city above you is like a dilapidated house; you only need to step forward and kick it down!”
Derek looked up, clenched his fists, stood up from the floor, and continued with a false fanaticism in his eyes.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—"
"There could be no better time to launch a counterattack on the surface!"
Hino Dragon: "...?"
(End of this chapter)
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