Chapter 496 What's even harder to guess than the New Testament is the Colin family genealogy.
The first weekend after the end of the Civil War was cold and gloomy in the dungeons of Fort Glenston.
The castle towers have been adorned with the Campbell royal flag, and the bayonets standing beside the battlements reflect the cold winter light, signifying the end of an era.
The victorious sunlight shone on the faces of every patrolling soldier, while in contrast, the servants lined up to leave the castle, their faces etched with confusion.
Meanwhile, in the castle's dungeon.
The air was filled with a damp, musty smell, and a silent, flowing despair.
Traitors who betrayed the royal family are imprisoned here, including accomplices like Baron Lukeville and the head of the Granston family.
Jerok Campbell sat quietly on a haystack in the corner of his cell. He wasn't wearing his noble knight's armor, only a thin prison uniform.
Moreover, his wrists and ankles were bound with heavy silver alchemical shackles, the metal surfaces shimmering with faint runic light, completely sealing the extraordinary power bestowed upon him by Saint Sith.
At that moment, the heavy iron gate was suddenly pulled open, and a screeching sound echoed between the narrow stone walls.
Hearing footsteps, Gerald slowly raised his head and saw that the person coming was his elder brother—the ruler of the duchy, His Majesty Edward Campbell.
Edward stopped at the cell door.
He didn't bring any guards; he just stood alone outside the cell, looking at his younger brother, who shared the same blood as him, with cold eyes.
Is there anything you want to say to me?
The voice was devoid of emotion.
Similarly, Edward's silent face showed no remorse, fear, or the pleading he expected.
In the brief silence, only the flickering candlelight shone on their faces.
Finally, it was Jerok who broke the silence, his voice calm yet hoarse.
“If our father were still alive, he would definitely do the same thing.”
Edward's lips tightened.
He did not doubt what his brother said, and that was what he hated most.
It is undeniable that those nobles have made contributions to the Duchy of Campbell, but their pedantry and conservatism are becoming shackles on the Duchy of Campbell's feet!
He didn't hate his brother, or even Earl Derek, but he hated his father, Aaron Campbell!
If that sword were in his own hands, perhaps his life would have burned with sacred duty, but there would never have been this fratricidal conflict!
And Eileen wouldn't have to be dragged into a war that wasn't hers; perhaps her life would be much happier than it is now...
"very good."
Edward nodded, feeling that the conversation was no longer necessary.
He turned around, ready to leave.
At that moment, the stubborn Jerok suddenly spoke up.
When do you plan to execute me?
Edward stopped in his tracks.
He slowly turned around and let out a cold laugh.
"You're so eager to die?"
Jerok didn't answer, he just stared at him intently.
“According to the laws of the Empire, you have the right to do so. And… I expect you to do so.”
During this time, he has been reflecting on his mistakes. He shouldn't have naively thought that he could control everything.
That's something even the gods couldn't do.
When he was stationed at Glenston Castle with the loyalty of his knights and his desire to return to the past, people would call him His Majesty.
Even though he never intended to usurp his brother's throne, he only wanted to use his influence to pressure his brother to slow down his reform efforts and ease the increasingly confrontational conflict.
As it turned out, his naiveté was laughable.
His brother would never compromise, and the knights would not be content to be mere pawns on the scales.
Count Derek simply blew a breath, and the war machine began to move, regardless of anyone's will.
Perhaps, my death would be the best outcome.
His elder brother will no longer be troubled by the issue of legitimacy, nor will any more ambitious people gather around him.
Although the future of the duchy may not be what his father hoped for, at least no more Campbellans will die of boredom...
Looking at Jerok's composed expression, Edward suddenly sneered.
"It seems your self-reflection is insufficient."
This guy has once again seen himself as a savior, falling into that vain self-pity again, like a martyr sacrificing himself for an ideal.
At this moment, he was not humiliating the loser as a monarch, but as an elder brother reprimanding his foolish younger brother.
perhaps……
Such a naive knight can only wake up from his unrealistic dream by going to a deserted island.
Edward turned around, concealing the weariness in his eyes, and with his back to Jerok in the cell, uttered a cold yet slightly warm judgment.
“I will not kill you. No one, except His Majesty of the Kingdom of Ryan, will be pleased by your death.”
“But I will not pardon you either. I will exile you to Cranto Island. There, far from the coast of the Duchy, there is a thousand-year-old castle and a monastery. You will spend the rest of your life there and watch the Duchy of Campbell rise like the morning sun.”
"Then you'll realize just how wrong you were."
After deciding the fate of the losers, Edward, with the little warmth he had left, left the corridor that seemed to swallow up all the light.
Jerok watched his brother's departing figure silently, accepting his fate with equanimity.
Exile or death made no difference to him. He would spend the rest of his life on the island, praying for the souls who had died because of him.
Just then, the torch in the jailer's hand illuminated Edward's face, and the dim light outlined his profile.
In the dim light, Jerok suddenly noticed that his brother's slightly curly blond hair was reflecting a pale silver light.
He was stunned.
When was that...?
A sudden, inexplicable pang of pain crept into his heart.
He suddenly realized that he was filled with the "legitimacy" and "glory" of the duchy, but had never truly cared about his brother.
He loved every abstract person, but never a concrete one.
A trace of pain finally appeared on that calm face. Jerok knelt down in front of the iron gate, pressed his forehead against the lock, and confessed to the god in his heart.
Perhaps his brother was right.
His self-reflection was indeed too superficial...
...
Edward left Gerlock's cell, the sound of his boots echoing in the cold corridor. He then passed the cell where Earl Derek was imprisoned.
The old count, who had spent decades in military campaigns, now sat quietly on his bed like a withered corpse.
Failure drained him of his energy and spirit.
However, as the mastermind, he did not despair or grieve, but faced everything calmly and prayed fervently to the god in his heart.
That unrepentant attitude is disgusting.
This guy who sold his soul to the Demon King actually deserves to pray like a martyr!
Edward, who had captured Granston Castle, already knew the secret beneath the castle. Although the Granston family had tried to destroy the evidence, their methods were clearly not sophisticated enough, and they still left traces that could be traced back to the source.
There are also witnesses hidden among the servants.
In order to avoid attracting the attention of the Inquisition, which was suppressing heretics in the Twilight Province, and causing a similar tragedy to occur in the Duchy, Edward had no choice but to reluctantly destroy the evidence for this blasphemous traitor, feeling as if he had swallowed a fly.
Fortunately, the Demon King of Thunder County was inherently suspicious and didn't try to take advantage of the situation. Otherwise, even if the royal family achieved final victory, it would certainly have ended in a Pyrrhic one...
Edward stopped and gestured for the jailer to stop, then turned his undisguised hostile gaze to the Earl in the cell.
Seemingly sensing the condescending gaze, Earl Derek also raised his head and looked at the young Archduke Edward.
Their eyes met between those inside and outside the iron bars.
No one spoke, yet it felt as if they had been talking for a long time.
Knowing his days were numbered, Derek suddenly smiled—a smile that came from a gambler who had lost everything to the victor.
'Well played.'
Failure is nothing more than death.
He was not afraid of death.
Because his soul will return here, and in a younger form.
Edward understood the deeper meaning in that smile, and then a cold smile curled up at the corner of his mouth.
I won't kill you.
'I will make you watch as the glory of the Granston family is wiped off this land, leaving only shame nailed to the crumbling walls.'
The royal reforms will begin in the Valley Plains, with Glastonbury serving as the capital of the future direct province.
From now on, there will be no more serfs in the land of knights.
Since these parasites are afraid of change, let the change come even more violently!
Having personally broken the duchy's trident, he was now fearless!
Derek seemed to read something more terrifying than death in that cold laugh. His smile gradually froze, and a look of fear appeared in his cloudy eyes.
Edward left the dungeon without looking back.
There were many other things waiting for him to deal with, and he didn't have time to waste on a body that wasn't yet buried...
...
The winter sky rarely clears up.
On this sunny day, the battered Granston Castle, after returning to the embrace of the Duchy, welcomed another special guest.
On the castle, the Campbell family's royal ceremonial flag fluttered in the cold wind.
Two rows of fully armed soldiers stood at attention on either side of the city gate, carrying "Rocksey 1053 Rifles" on their shoulders and wearing gleaming medals on their chests.
They were the most elite soldiers under Sir Wesley's command, and now, on behalf of the Duchy, they were paying the highest tribute to their most important ally.
The welcoming ceremony was grand and enthusiastic.
As for Prince Colin, who was invited by the Grand Duke, Luo Yan did not come alone, but brought his two uninvited family members with him.
As members of the Colin family, they will witness the Duchy's return to peace after the war and offer their blessings for this hard-won peace...
The real reason was that Luo Yan was worried about leaving the two little ones alone in Thunder City, and even more worried about them in the maze.
So he simply took the two of them with him, at least within his sight, so that he could remedy any problems that might arise.
Vivian, always clingy, jumped for joy at this arrangement, swearing that she would obey and never cause trouble for her brother.
Although Nanfu was reserved, he was clearly full of curiosity about the human world. Besides, being able to stay by his older brother's side was definitely safer than following Vivian around causing trouble.
And so, Prince Colin gained two little burdens by his side.
The carriage carrying the three quickly arrived at the castle gate, where Edward Campbell, dressed in his finest attire, was already waiting.
He was dressed in a dark blue ducal suit, and his striking silver-white short hair was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, which surprised Luo Yan.
I remember the last time I saw this Grand Duke, he only had a few strands of white hair on his head. How come he has turned white hair in the blink of an eye?
However, now is clearly not the time to ask that question.
As Colin stepped down from the carriage, Edward strode forward, a broad smile on his face, and gave his old friend a firm hug.
"Colin, my friend! Welcome to Glenstonburg! Your arrival is more of a surprise to me than anything else!"
"Long time no see! My friend, it's an honor to meet you again on this sunny day... There's no better news than your good health." Luo Yan smiled and responded to his enthusiasm with a warm hug.
Edward released Colin's shoulder and was about to exchange a few pleasantries with a smile when his gaze suddenly fell on the two little ones behind Luo Yan.
He looked at Colin with just the right amount of confusion on his face and asked.
"Uh, my friend...didn't you say you didn't have a sister?"
It was in late autumn when the two of them had a long, heart-to-heart talk at the Andes Manor about Eileen's problems.
He remembered Colin saying this at the time—
'I don't have a sister, but even if I did, I would never knowingly exploit her kindness to carry out my plans when there is danger involved.'
Luo Yan knew this guy had a good memory, and sure enough, he remembered this sentence. He was just about to make up a reasonable explanation without changing his expression.
However, before he could speak, Vivian spoke first in a melodious, bell-like voice.
“My name is Vivian Colin. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Edward Campbell. I’ve often heard my brother tell stories about you. Also, according to the Colin family tradition, my brother can’t really be considered my brother…we have a different relationship.”
After saying that, she secretly glanced at Luo Yan, her smug little expression seeming to say—see, am I not smart?
I neither lied nor failed to cover for you!
Luo Yan responded to her smugness with an ambiguous expression.
Using the human brain's ability to "automatically fill in frames" to complete the Colin family genealogy is a vague excuse that can only be described as passable.
Objectively speaking, she still deserves an 80. Moreover, her proactive explanation did indeed resolve many problems for her.
Some statements, when made by one person, may inevitably lead to self-contradiction, but when made by different people, they become “cross-validation”.
As for why Vivian wasn't praised?
That's because I'm afraid she'll get too cocky.
However, Luo Yan didn't know if it was just his imagination, but his "cold reaction" touched the most sensitive spot in Vivian's heart.
Seeing the cheeks suddenly flushed red, and the aggrieved yet helpless look in her eyes, Luo Yan, who had been expressionless, felt a storm raging in his heart.
No way—
This can be rewarded?
Edward, who was not involved, did not sense the twisted emotions. After hearing the explanation, he showed a look of sudden realization.
I see.
Being a member of the royal family, he understood almost instantly the unspeakable secret hidden behind the phrase "another relationship."
It seems that this Miss Vivian was not born to the first wife, but rather was a debt of love left behind by Mr. Nanfu Colin before his death.
In that case, her identity was indeed something the Colin family found difficult to talk about, so it was understandable that Colin hadn't mentioned it to her.
On the contrary, it was I who pried into such an insignificant matter, causing a lady to reveal her painful past.
Edward looked apologetic.
"I apologize, Miss Vivian, please forgive my rudeness just now."
“No need to apologize, Mr. Edward,” Vivian smiled, snuggling closer to Luo Yan and affectionately taking his arm, gently shaking it playfully. “After Nanfu passed away, we were very happy. My elder brother accepted me very kindly, and we were so—so, so very grateful!!!”
Gratitude?
Seeing Vivian suddenly stiffen and even crack her voice, Edward paused for a moment, then subconsciously asked a question.
Are you alright?
"I, I'm fine... I'm just a little anemic, please don't worry about me." Vivian's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her shoulders were trembling slightly, but she still managed to force a smile.
This guy is definitely getting a bit cocky.
Luo Yan didn't want to do this either, but in order to preserve Prince Colin's glorious image, he had to resort to some underhanded tactics.
Although he was full of questions about the word "gratitude," Edward was, after all, an elegant gentleman and would not embarrass a lady in a social setting.
Realizing that they were not on the same page, he quickly ended their conversation.
"...I admire your friendship. I think my sister would be very happy to be your friend. She has always wanted a sister."
Vivian was almost enraged a second away, but fortunately Luo Yan, who was standing next to her, anticipated her reaction and controlled her once again.
Meanwhile, Edward cast an admiring glance at Colin, who was supporting Vivian.
That was heartfelt admiration.
Reconciliation with an illegitimate child is never easy. Even blood relatives can hardly avoid fratricide, let alone those with pure blood facing unclean blood.
Only those who have experienced it firsthand can truly understand the feeling.
Clearly, His Highness Colin is a truly good person.
His kindness and compassion weren't just directed at strangers in foreign lands; he also maintained a good relationship with his family.
He felt completely at ease entrusting his younger sister to such a person.
Edward's gaze then shifted to another boy.
The boy was handsome, with features that bore a resemblance to Colin's, especially his deep purple eyes.
The only difference was that the boy's eyes showed more trepidation and timidity, like a fawn wandering in the forest.
Colin's pupils, on the other hand, were even deeper, like those of a deer leader—gentle yet ambitious, and just as ambitious as Colin himself.
Perhaps because it was his first time attending such a grand occasion, the young man seemed more nervous than Vivian, his brows furrowing with barely concealed unease.
"...And who is this?" Edward asked in a gentle tone, trying not to put too much pressure on him.
Nanfu kept his elder brother's teachings firmly in mind.
Before Luo Yan could even begin to introduce himself, he blurted out his new name with all his might.
"Gutaf Collin!"
"Gutav..."
Edward pondered the name, then a thought struck him, and an approving smile appeared on his face. "Is it the name of the Dragon God?"
“Exactly.” Luo Yan nodded with a smile. “My father named him this in memory of the friendship between the United Kingdom of Gutaf and the Principality of Colin.”
"What a majestic and powerful name!" Edward chuckled and patted the boy on the shoulder. "May your future fame be as enduring as a dragon's... I have high hopes for you; your future will certainly not be inferior to that of your respected elder brother!"
Vivian, standing next to him, almost couldn't hold back her laughter; her shoulders trembled, and Luo Yan, who possessed the strength of the Amethyst level, almost couldn't control her.
Nanfu's face turned bright red instantly, and he clenched his fists excitedly.
The Grand Duke has good taste!
He actually recognized my masculinity at a glance, which is far superior to Vivian, who only knows how to cause trouble and loves to shift the blame!
Although he's still far from being as good as his older brother!
In Nanfu's heart, his elder brother was in a league of his own. After all, the pitiful state Vivian looked when she returned that day had truly shocked him.
"Congratulations, Your Highness. It seems the chaos in the Duchy has been completely quelled." Luo Yan changed the subject at the opportune moment.
Watching Youyou laugh so hard she was rolling on the floor, he started to feel a bit of pressure.
Seeing that Prince Colin had brought the topic back to business, Edward put away his joking expression and replaced it with a look of respect.
He held Colin's hand tightly.
"Thanks to your help! Please allow me to express my gratitude to you again, Your Highness Colin. Without your help, we would have shed much more unnecessary blood, and... this tragic event might have lasted much longer."
He truly believed that.
Whether it was the "Rocksey 1053 Rifle," the overseas markets that underpinned Thunder City's economic reforms, or the advice on family and politics, this prince from the Empire provided him with irreplaceable help, both materially and spiritually.
Without Colin's support, he might still win, but the final result would definitely be a Pyrrhic victory, and it might even affect the Duchy's plans in the Twilight Province.
"I only did a few insignificant things," Luo Yan responded modestly. "The Campbells were able to achieve victory mainly because of their deep-seated desire for change. I think that without the support of so many people, no amount of aid would have been in vain."
At this point, Prince Colin's tone shifted, and a sharp glint gradually appeared in his still gentle eyes.
"Now we can focus on dealing with the mastermind behind this war."
Edward's smile remained the same, but his resolve was just as strong as Edward's.
"yes."
He turned his gaze northward, towards the Kingdom of Ryan.
The blood of the Campbellians will not be shed in vain, and the outcry in the Thunder City newspapers is also the roar of his heart.
He vowed to make the Devalo family pay the price.
Don't even mention that they have demigods—
Even if Saint Sith stood behind them, he couldn't save the king who was stirring up trouble!
Sensing Edward's determination, Luo Yan nodded.
As before, he will provide all necessary assistance.
In a friendly and warm atmosphere, the grand welcoming ceremony came to a close.
Bathed in admiring gazes, the two walked side by side through the castle gates, while Vivian and Nanfu followed closely behind, also basking in the welcoming applause.
At this moment, Luo Yan's gaze finally fell on Edward's head, and he asked him the question that had been lingering in his mind for a while.
"By the way, Your Highness."
"What's wrong?"
"Your hair..."
Edward noticed that Colin was staring at his forehead.
He smiled knowingly, raised his index finger to play with his slightly curly, silver-white short hair, and said casually.
“I’ve thought carefully about what you said, and I know I did something wrong regarding Eileen. Although what’s done is done, I think… if someone could share some of the stares and judgment, it might ease Eileen’s pain. In any case, I can’t let my sister bear all this alone.”
A genuine look of surprise flashed in Luo Yan's eyes.
"So you..."
Edward gave a calm smile.
"I dyed my hair silver. Coincidentally, I found that the color suits me quite well. Perhaps this is some kind of divine will."
Although there were other reasons involved, the reason he publicly stated was indeed what he truly believed.
People used to think he was too young, that his face, barely in his thirties, was not enough to replace the great Aaron Campbell in shouldering the future of the entire duchy.
But now, probably no one thinks that way anymore.
...
Long before King's Landing at Glenston Castle, Edward had already appeared in the Duchy's army with his silver hair.
To prevent his enemies from seeing through his weariness and pain, and to keep his supporters from wavering because of his haggard appearance, Edward, after careful consideration, simply dyed his long, golden hair silver, giving those who were watching him a plausible explanation—
Eileen sacrificed her beauty and youth for the Duchy, and Campbell's Grand Guild shared her pain of loss!
Rather than letting people speculate about his health and attribute his premature aging to some vague "divine punishment," he simply accepted his fate.
It was precisely because of his frankness that this seemingly unconventional choice unexpectedly produced a remarkable effect, earning him the title of "Silver-haired Duke" in the new army, which was mainly composed of civilians.
That's not all.
His declaration inspired many who were mired in the civil war and offered some solace to those who were struggling with the Campbell family's "fratricidal strife"... at least their Grand Duke and Princess Irene still had a harmonious relationship.
The Campbells lost a lot in this war, but fortunately, they also had something they didn't lose.
As for what that thing actually is, different people have different answers.
This winter is colder than ever before, but fortunately, a sliver of warmth remains in people's hearts...
Meanwhile, on the other side, upstream of the rushing river, in the most inconspicuous slum of Roland City, a sudden, raging fire engulfed the shacks of ragged beggars.
Baron Wickton eventually came up with a solution that wasn't really a solution, forcing those peasants who couldn't contribute taxes but were unwilling to leave to give up their dilapidated but indestructible shacks.
He doesn't need to lift a finger; those poor bastards who collect coal ash for warmth will accidentally set themselves on fire.
All he needed to do was have the night patrol soldiers take a longer route, have the church bells ring later, and have the guild's craftsmen delay their actions.
Ultimately, he will lead His Majesty's soldiers to turn the tide, and then turn his attention to these unruly paupers, perfectly completing the task His Majesty has entrusted to him.
The terrace of the royal palace.
Theoden de Vallout, holding a wine glass in his hand, wore a pleasant smile, having finally enjoyed a truly satisfying performance.
The firelight illuminated his capital.
As winter drew to a close, Baron Wickton ultimately did not disappoint him, completing the task assigned to him admirably.
Perhaps he should be appointed as the governor of the Twilight Province.
On the first weekend of the year 1054 in the Os calendar, the capital of the Kingdom of Laine was engulfed in flames, and the devastation of the night was beyond description.
As dawn broke, Baron Wickton and the Royal Guard managed to avert the raging fire that nearly engulfed the city.
On the slum, now reduced to charcoal, a group of children with faces red from the cold were picking up charcoal from the ruins.
Further away, another group of children, their faces red from the cold, were haggling with a cunning merchant, putting on a show of composure as they tried to find a way out for themselves or their younger siblings.
Children need to bargain, while the strong and healthy are much luckier; they quickly sell themselves for a good price.
Now the citizens have enough firewood, and the nobles' estates have a batch of cheap farm tools, and in the spring they can free up a large area of land to build new houses.
They even had surplus manpower to clear land in the Dusk Province, lest the Campbellians seize the most fertile royal lands.
However--
Not everyone is willing to leave.
A man who lost everything in the fire sat dejectedly at the entrance of his burnt-down shack.
He stared silently at the charred remains on the ground, muttering names that no one cared about, as if trying to bury his despair in the howling wind and snow.
In this winter that is about to end, it's hard to say whether those who survived are lucky or unlucky.
Just then, a dark shadow obscured the ashen face.
It was a man wearing a cloak, with an ordinary face and a faint scar on his face.
Like many others here, he was also looking for tools.
However, he was different from those compassionate "good people"; he specifically targeted those "waste" who had been squeezed dry and burned to ashes.
Someone once advised him that to accomplish great things, you shouldn't look for people who have a way out; you should look for rats who have been cornered.
This one in front of me looks pretty good.
"Your name?"
"..."
Hearing the voice above him, the man did not respond, but sat there silently, waiting for Saint Sith to take his soul away.
The cloaked man gazed at the surrounding ruins in thought for a moment, then rephrased his question.
"Do you want revenge?"
This time, the man who had been like a ghost finally reacted and slowly raised his head...
(End of this chapter)
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