Chapter 497 The Duchy is teeming with more and more demons.
In the twilight city, on the top floor of an unassuming hotel.
This is Erin Campbell's "safe house," but it's also more like her prison.
The news of the end of the civil war arrived like a belated storm, only occasionally wafting into this airtight attic a few days ago due to the commotion of the hotel guests.
Eileen paced anxiously back and forth in the cramped space, her boots creaking softly on the old wooden floor.
Every sound felt like a sharp sword piercing her heart.
While she battles Chaos and contends with the Inquisition in the Duchy of Twilight, a civil war erupts in the Duchy of Campbell behind her.
Her two brothers became enemies.
What she found even more unbelievable was that she had been kept in the dark and had only just heard the news!
Throughout the Civil War, she was almost entirely separated from her army, remaining her most loyal knight Theresa, who wore the alchemical mask made by Prince Colin and acted as her in Twilight City, handling all external affairs.
She was too well protected...
So good, yet like an outsider.
“No…” Eileen stopped abruptly, her emerald eyes flashing with determination. “I have to go back!”
She couldn't stand by and watch the Campbell family bloodline turn against each other; she had to go back and stop them no matter what!
Having said that, she grabbed the "Light of Praise" draped over the back of the chair and turned to walk toward the wooden door of the attic. Just then, a figure draped in a cloak blocked her way.
Sarah crossed her arms and leaned calmly against the doorframe, the shadow of her hood obscuring most of her face, revealing only her bright eyes that shone even in the darkness.
"You cannot leave, Your Highness."
"Get out of my way, Sarah! I respect you and Prince Colin, but this is my family matter! I must go back!" Eileen's voice was calm and cold, devoid of any extra emotion.
However, from that restrained tremor, Sarah could clearly hear the barely contained sorrow and anger within her.
Although her supernatural powers were inferior to Eileen's, Sarah did not back down. The Demon King had kept her here for this very moment.
She let Eileen's anger burn in the oppressive attic for a few seconds before calmly raising her eyes to look at her and ask in return.
"Your Highness, I have only one question for you. Do you wish to taint the 'Light of Praise' in your hands with the blood of the Campbells?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Eileen's impulse.
She froze, staring wide-eyed at Sarah.
"What are you saying? I... I'm not going back to fight! I'm going to stop them!" She unconsciously gripped the hilt of her sword, as if to strengthen her resolve, or perhaps to suppress the trembling in her shoulders.
Seeing her reaction, Sarah simply smiled faintly.
"Stop it? Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness Eileen, but you are too naive."
Looking into those wide-open eyes, she stepped out of the shadows beneath the doorway and stood before the brave young lady.
Looking directly into those emerald green eyes, Sarah spoke without any politeness.
"This is not a duel between knights, but a wave that will determine the future fate of the Duchy of Campbell. It will not be subject to anyone's will, including yours as a hero."
"Anyone who tries to stop it will be torn to pieces. Your only choice is to stand on one side and be overwhelmed by the flood, or to go and swallow the other side."
“If you are prepared to face all of this, His Highness Colin will not stop you from deciding your own fate and that of the Duchy of Campbell. Go ahead and do it; you are a Campbellian too, and you have the right.”
These are the Demon King's exact words.
To be honest, Sarah was a little jealous, but she wouldn't let her personal feelings interfere with the Demon King's plans.
She actually hoped that Eileen would continue to do things her own way.
Unfortunately, this guy surprisingly listened to the advice.
And he's a smart person.
This brave young lady not only understood the message "Prince Colin" left for her, but also heard the unspoken implication—
Once the light of praise is turned against its own people in this shameful war, its legend will be stained with shame.
Regardless of who she ultimately chooses to stand with, she will personally destroy the last sacred sanctuary in Campbell's heart.
Perhaps this is also the real reason why her brother didn't call her back, and why Teresa cooperated with everyone to keep it from her...
Having figured everything out, Eileen felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She took two heavy steps back and leaned against the cold wall.
The sword "Praise of Light" slipped from her limp hand, its scabbard hitting the floor with a dull thud.
For a fleeting moment, she truly wished that her father had chosen her respected elder brother instead of her.
If the sword had been in Edward's hands, perhaps this tragedy would not have happened.
But perhaps it was all just her wishful thinking.
This civil war will eventually break out, but it will unfold in a different form, and the Campbellians will ultimately have to pay the price for growing up.
"Am I... just supposed to wait here?" Eileen's voice was slightly hoarse as she hugged her knees.
Since becoming a Diamond-level Knight, she had never felt her power so weak, possessing extraordinary strength yet unable to do anything.
Sarah gently shook her head, walked over to her, picked up the sword that held all the glory in Campbell's heart from the ground, and returned it to Eileen.
"You were not waiting in vain. You preserved the victory of the Northern Rescue Army for the Duchy, restrained the Court of Justice, and declared the Duchy's existence in the Duchy of Twilight Province to the Kingdom. You have not been discouraged by Earl Derek's betrayal. You are still standing on the stage of the game, and you have not fallen. You are even more tenacious than before."
"As expected, this civil war is nearing its end. Your brother and Prince Colin have cleaned up the mess. And the blood of the Campbellians who died in this civil war will not have been shed in vain. Those clowns who watched from the sidelines will eventually pay the price."
She already knew the outcome of the civil war, but she couldn't show that she knew everything, which was also part of the Demon King's teachings to her.
There are some things that Eileen shouldn't know.
It's not suitable right now, at least not.
Eileen was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. Just as she was about to ask Sarah about the deeper meaning behind her words, "Blood will not be shed in vain," a rhythmic knocking sound suddenly came from outside the wooden door of the attic.
Sarah stood up and stood to the side.
"Please come in."
The door was pushed open.
The knight who walked in was none other than "Eileen Campbell"—or rather, Miss Theresa with Eileen's face.
Theresa quickly closed the door, and in the instant she turned her head, she could almost immediately see the stagnant atmosphere in the attic.
Princess Eileen was sitting dejectedly against the wall, while Miss Sarah, Prince Colin's bodyguard, stood in front of her with a cold expression.
Theresa's heart tightened, and she immediately cast an inquiring glance at Sarah.
'What did you do to my prince?!'
Sarah noticed her gaze, nodded slightly, and responded to her question with her eyes in return.
Princess Eileen already knows about the civil war.
Theresa was taken aback at first, but then quickly understood the meaning in Sarah's eyes.
She stood at the door for a long time, initially looking uneasy, but soon she breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.
Finally, I don't have to hide it from His Highness anymore.
For nearly a month, Theresa has been tormented by guilt every day, living in Twilight City under her own name while keeping His Highness in the dark.
The guilt almost overwhelmed her.
Now that Eileen knows everything, she no longer has to keep the secret to herself.
Moreover, things have progressed to this point, everything has settled, and they really don't need to hide it anymore...
Theresa walked up to Eileen and knelt down on one knee.
She raised her hand and gently tugged behind her ear, and her flawless face rippled like water, revealing her own loyal but slightly tired face.
“Your Highness, please punish me for concealing the truth,” Theresa said, bowing her head.
“Theresa… I won’t punish you, but you need to tell me the truth,” Eileen said in a hoarse voice, trying to control the tremor in her voice, “When did you find out?”
“I knew from the beginning,” Theresa said softly. “The Grand Master of the Lionheart Knights tested you… or rather me. They wanted us to side with Earl Derek, but I refused their unreasonable demands. The Northern Rescue Army will not participate in this civil war, and we will stay in Twilight City, not going anywhere.”
Eileen nodded gently.
"And now?"
“I was just about to report to you,” Theresa said respectfully, her head still bowed, “that the civil war is now over, Sir Wesley’s regular army has captured Glenston Castle, and all the nobles who betrayed the Duchy have been arrested and imprisoned in the dungeons by our Emperor…”
Theresa told Eileen everything she knew.
This included the reasons that started the civil war, and some things she learned about the rear from officers in the logistics system.
Eileen took a deep breath of the cool air, exhaled slowly from her chest, and then asked the other question that concerned her most.
“What about Gerald? My brother… Edward… did he do anything to Gerald? Did he…”
She didn't dare say that word.
Meeting Eileen's uneasy gaze, Theresa gently shook her head.
"His Majesty the Grand Duke did not forgive his crimes."
Eileen's face turned deathly pale.
After a two-second pause, Theresa continued.
"...However, His Majesty did not execute him, but exiled Prince Gerok to an island far from the Duchy's coastline. There is a castle and a monastery there, where he will spend the rest of his life."
In the continent of Os, this was the standard procedure for benevolent monarchs after winning a civil war: they would force their opponents to swear an oath never to return to secular life, witnessed by idols and clergy, and then exile them overseas or to monasteries in the mountains.
Generally speaking, this is tantamount to political death.
"call……"
Eileen's heart finally settled back into her chest, and she straightened up, leaning back against the wall. Sarah, on the other hand, pressed her temples in exasperation, looking utterly helpless.
Can't this guy just say what he means in one sentence?
Is it fun to tease your own master...?
Sarah fell into thought.
Theresa was clearly oblivious, completely unaware of what her two-second pause had meant to Eileen.
"It's good that he's alive..." Eileen murmured to herself as she recovered, making the sign of the cross with her index finger and praying devoutly, "Saint Sith above, thank you for redeeming my brother..."
Their father is dead, but their mother is still alive.
Her mother had just emerged from the shadow of her husband's death, and if she were to lose another son now, she truly feared she would follow her father in death...
Looking at the devoutly praying hero, Sarah clicked her tongue softly. In her view, it was clearly the Demon King who had reformed her brother; what did thanking Saint Sith mean?
Does it have anything to do with Him?
That's why she hates this woman!
Unaware of the hostile gaze beneath the hood, Eileen prayed for about half a minute before finally calming down.
However, this was followed by even deeper confusion.
She couldn't understand why her second brother, Gerald, would betray her eldest brother, when they were so close.
Moreover, based on her understanding of her second brother, he was a more devout and noble knight than she was, and would never fall into injustice for personal ambition.
Although he was indeed a bit stubborn at times, she couldn't imagine that he would turn against his brother because of it.
“Theresa, I don’t understand why Gerald betrayed Edward. I still can’t fully accept it… such a thing happened in just the past month.”
Theresa opened her mouth, seemingly unsure how to explain this complicated situation. After all, she was just a knight, and her knowledge of these things stemmed entirely from her months of activity as Irene, without any real involvement in court affairs.
Just as the two were lost in confusion, a calm voice rang out from not far from Eileen, interrupting her chaotic thoughts.
“That’s not hard to understand, Your Highness.”
Eileen looked up and gazed intently at Sarah.
Do you know anything?
This mysterious bodyguard who always followed Mr. Colin had helped her a lot, and she had always trusted this lady, just as she trusted His Highness Colin.
Sarah lowered her arms from her embrace and walked to the small window in the attic, casting her gaze toward the church bell tower not far away.
"Until the very end, Gerald never turned his sword against his brother. If he had started the rebellion, it wouldn't have ended like this."
"you mean……"
"He was not innocent, but he was also a victim of manipulation. The Earl of Granstonburg took advantage of his naiveté. Whether he wanted to use his leverage to pressure his brother or achieve something else, those behind him gave him a push."
"You mean someone has coerced him?" Theresa frowned, then continued, "But who could it be?"
"Who else could it be? Didn't it all get written in the Thunder City Daily sent to the front lines?"
Sarah turned around, a hint of pity in her eyes, and looked at Eileen, who was holding her breath, and continued, "Those old nobles who feared change spontaneously gathered around Gerlock, forming a group of northern vassals led by Earl Derek. They incited the knights under Gerlock's command in the name of honor and legitimacy, and then the war machine started moving on its own."
Theresa swallowed.
"So the mastermind is the Earl..."
Yes and no.
Sarah nodded slightly, then shook her head slightly.
“A mere earl cannot stand against a duke, because no one can promise him greater benefits, and the risk of failure is something he cannot afford to take.”
The answer is obvious.
Sarah paused for two seconds, looked at the brave young lady who was shocked by the king's evil, and then revealed the last and cruelest part of the truth.
"The only person who can bribe the count is, of course, another king."
The silence lasted for a long time.
Theresa sighed, made the sign of the cross, and whispered the words that Eileen had been unable to say until the very end.
"This is... even more brutal than the Demon King."
Sarah: "..."
What did the Demon King do to you?
...
The knights, confined to the attic, lamented the misfortunes of the duchy, while Thunder City was engulfed in jubilation.
On the main road leading to the city hall, soldiers wearing medals on their chests marched in neat square formations down the street.
The crowds of onlookers lined both sides of the road, shoulder to shoulder.
They whistled, craned their necks to look around, or shouted familiar names... searching for their neighbors and friends among that group of nameless heroes.
Girls carrying flower baskets tossed freshly picked petals into the air. The priest sprinkled holy water on the ground, blessing the soldiers returning from battle.
A grand celebration is underway.
Edward had been advised to carefully consider the increasingly tense relationship between the commoners and nobles within the duchy and to handle this victory discreetly.
However, ever since the Grand Duke returned from Granston Castle, he has changed his attitude. Not only does he want to hold this celebration, but he also wants to make it a grand celebration, preferably even more grand than the celebration when the Demon King was defeated!
All three counts of the duchy had fallen from their horses, and no one could stop this ambitious emperor.
He seemed determined to stand with the emerging nobles and commoners who supported him in winning the civil war.
So that morning, all the newspapers in Thunder City carried a bold headline—
"His wise Grand Duke has thwarted the northern vassals' plot to overthrow the duchy!"
Amidst the bustling crowd, besides the official narrative, there were also a variety of voices from the public.
"Those damned nobles of the Kingdom of Ryan! I knew they were the ones stirring things up behind the scenes!"
"I never imagined that an old noble like Earl Derek would forget his ancient honor and collude with the kingdom's forces to turn against our own people!"
People were discussing it angrily.
These nobles claim that the citizens of Thunder City have sold their souls to demons, but it is clear that they themselves are the true traitors!
They betrayed the ancient oath and their homeland.
Although the Duchy of Campbell had long been independent of the kingdom and had gained many autonomous powers, including in diplomacy, their dukes were still nominally loyal to the king... However, the concept of "nation" was being imprinted so clearly in the hearts of every commoner for the first time.
They gradually realized that personal honor and disgrace, factory orders, bread on the table... all of these were closely linked to the fate of the duchy.
If they cannot unite against those who are hostile to them, foreign nobles will join forces with the nobles inside and seize everything they have accumulated through blood and sweat!
Along with the concept of "nation", the concept of "class" also emerged.
However, at this time, the common people were not yet divided by numerous labels; they were simply another class in contrast to the nobility.
Serfs, free farmers, workers, industrialists and merchants, bards, and even factory owners all belong to this category.
Even some members of the royal family who sided with the common people were regarded as one of their own.
After all, in the tradition of the continent of Os, free cities were mostly the direct estates of the royal family or great nobles. They were inhabited by "nobodies" who had fled the noble territories. They made a living through their skills and trade, forming various professional guilds, and were not bound by feudal lords.
For a long period of time, guilds were the lords' main source of tax revenue.
In such cities, sometimes the king directly appoints the mayor, and sometimes he allows various guilds to nominate their own mayors. The king then appoints a governor to convey the royal decree.
Thunder City belongs to the latter category.
At that moment, Governor Goethe Wilson of Thunder City stood on the terrace of the City Hall facing the square, representing his esteemed Emperor Edward.
"Fellow citizens, fellow countrymen! Soldiers returning from the front lines, and workers supporting the front from the rear! Today is the day of victory for Thunder City! Let us cheer for our victory! We have thwarted the demons' plot in winter! We have protected our duchy!"
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the square.
The governor raised his hand, smiling, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
After the cheers subsided, he cleared his throat and continued speaking in a solemn tone.
"This victory belongs not only to Campbell, but also to everyone who has shed blood and sweat for the Duchy! Especially to the citizens of Thunder City, the Royal Family salutes you. Without your support, we could never have defeated the united traitors from the North."
"However... victory does not mean stagnation. In order to make our Thunder City stronger, His Majesty the Grand Duke said that our reforms must continue. If we cannot hold up this sky with our own shoulders, then someone will use that as an excuse to make us kneel down."
The crowd gradually quieted down.
Everyone was waiting for the governor's voice; they needed to know who their enemy was and who they should turn their guns on next.
This time, however, the governor did not mention the enemy, but instead, unusually, focused on a question that His Majesty had previously deliberately avoided—
"Thunder City will expand its council! Now, not only will each guild nominate its candidates, but every district in Thunder City must have at least one city councilor to represent the citizens of that district at the regular weekly and monthly meetings. The specific number will be determined by the district's tax revenue and population... His Majesty the Grand Duke declares that any citizen who has paid more than one silver pound in taxes for the Duchy for six consecutive months is eligible to participate in the nomination of city councilors!"
A commotion erupted in the square.
One silver pound!
This is not out of reach for hardworking people!
The leaders of various guilds and stakeholders were clearly caught off guard.
They never expected that after supporting Ta Kung's bonds, Ta Kung would turn around and treat them like a chamber pot, directly expanding its membership and diluting their power.
this……
Isn't that inappropriate?
Unfortunately, their voices were too soft and insignificant in the square, and their slight surprise was quickly drowned out by the cheers.
Ever since the textile factories of Thunder City defeated the small workshops of textile workers, the power of guilds has become negligible, and many guilds have even become puppets of their patrons.
This did not happen in 1054 AD, but existed long before Grand Duke Aaron Campbell was alive.
For example, the Andean family were the owners behind many guilds.
Outside the city hall, in the "VIP seats," some bankers were eyeing the Andes.
They knew this guy was Edward's advisor and the one who received the most passive cakes, so they hoped to get some explanation from him, or even just a little comfort.
Andes seemed to have been prepared for the gazes directed at him, and spoke in a very soft voice.
"Please trust our Emperor, he has prepared other cakes for us, but there are some things we must give up... This is for the good of all of us."
He's a smart man and knows his place very well.
The year 1054 in the Os calendar was a turning point in the fate of commoners and nobles, but not in the fate of the Andean family.
Edward needs a new generation of nobles to replace the traditional nobles' niche, but if they attempt to become earls capable of challenging the authority of the royal family, they will definitely be the next group to die.
After a pause, Andes continued.
"And don't think you're so innocent. You haven't always stood firmly by His Majesty's side, have you? His Majesty didn't mention the 'silver pound' issue, but that doesn't mean he didn't know... He told me to tell you that this matter is settled, and you owe him."
Without the support of the Principality of Colin and the Kingdom of Gutaf, the economic reforms in Thunder City would certainly not have gone so smoothly in the end.
Even if it is ultimately implemented through the Grand Duke's administrative means, those who pushed for it will inevitably pay a considerable price.
The bankers all wore grim expressions, but perhaps knowing they were in the wrong, they ultimately chose to swallow their anger.
In fact, many people regretted their decision after witnessing the successful issuance of the silver pound. If the Andes were to hold another meeting, they would surely be scrambling to sign the agreement they were initially unwilling to sign…
"Damn it, why are you so calm? You're the one who's suffering the most losses, aren't you worried at all?" a banker couldn't help but ask.
"Didn't I tell you? His Majesty Edward has prepared something else for me."
What is it?
Facing the probing gazes of his peers, Andes smiled without saying a word.
Of course, he wouldn't mention that just last night, Edward approached him and discussed the establishment of a "China Banking Regulatory Commission."
Soon, he became their direct supervisor...
The speech on the city hall terrace continued.
Wilson raised his voice, drowning out the noise, and shouted at the clamoring crowd.
"...And you, the city councilors you elect, will have an obligation to be accountable to every citizen in your neighborhood! Not just those who pay taxes!"
The governor gave a humorous smile and continued.
"Furthermore, listen up! Stop sending all your grievances to the Governor's Office! Our Grand Duke simply can't handle them all, and neither can I! Of course, if your councilors aren't doing their jobs, that's a different story. We need to know who they've been paid by, and... why isn't His Majesty's share included?"
The crowd erupted in good-natured laughter.
They all knew that His Majesty the Grand Duke was not short of money; after all, the silver pounds were printed using his crown, and he could just print as much as he needed.
Someone blew a loud whistle, and thunderous applause erupted in the square.
Amidst this sea of joy, factory owner Horace suddenly felt dizzy and his face instantly turned pale.
In the past, the councilors were all prominent figures in their respective guilds, making them incredibly easy to bribe. This is why the swamp insects of the Southwest knew they were a group of mascots.
Those lizardmen were clearly not knowledgeable enough to understand the complex social relationships between people, and the human emotions hidden in the ecological niche.
Why would he need to spend money to bribe someone?
They all had intricate business connections, and he only needed to give a word to the guilds that supplied him with wool, and they would take action to ensure that the damned "Act 6" would never pass.
However, the Duke has once again delegated power to him.
Horace's heart was bleeding. How could it be that after the "naive" Eileen, even the wise and mighty Emperor Edward had sold his soul to the devil?
Saint Sith above, just how many demons does the Duchy of Campbell have!
His operating costs are getting higher and higher!
“This threshold is too low…” he groaned in despair, but his voice was drowned out by the cheers. “What contribution can one silver pound make to our duchy? At least… it should be raised to five silver pounds!”
As for why it was 5 silver pounds?
As shrewd as he was, he had certainly calculated it; only his manager and accountant at his textile factory could barely meet the requirements.
He could control them very easily.
Governor Wilson raised his hands, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
The noise gradually subsided, and everyone sensed that the real climax was about to arrive.
Wilson took a deep breath and announced the second most important piece of news at the celebration, besides the victory in the war!
"His Majesty the Grand Duke has decided that the first item on the agenda of the expanded parliament will be to re-discuss and vote on the details of 'Bill Six'!"
"It's time to let it meet the citizens of Thunder City!"
A brief silence fell over the square, and disbelief filled the faces of everyone present.
Both Horace and his weavers doubted their ears and for a moment forgot how to speak.
The long-sealed memories are gradually being unlocked.
They finally remembered the bill proposed by Princess Irene regarding minimum wage, severance pay, and unemployment benefits for the new industrial zone.
Because many of the concepts were too advanced and the long period of discussion seemed endless, they almost forgot about it.
What awakens everyone is the chiming of the hour.
The next second, thunderous cheers almost lifted the square off its face!
"Long live Princess Eileen!"
"Long live Edward!!"
"Long live the Duchy of Campbell!!!"
The voices of the workers, especially those from the new industrial zone, were particularly excited.
Some people excitedly threw their hats into the air, while others embraced each other. The distant parliament was not enough to evoke their cries from the depths of their souls, but the bill that concerned their vital interests reminded them that they were citizens of Campbell.
The prestige of the royal family reached its peak at this moment.
Private Raman, standing in the corner of the square, looked surprised and turned his gaze to the "little glasses" who was looking at him with a smug expression.
He was right...
Hearing the thunderous roar of "Long live Campbell!", the "generous" Mr. Horace let out a desperate wail.
Although the wailing sounded so insignificant amidst the deafening cheers that it was even mistaken for another kind of cheer, he inexplicably received a strong hug.
"Damn it! Who won this civil war?!"
Unable to bear the suffocating frenzy, he sighed and withdrew from the crowd, disappearing into the corner of the revelry, his tattered clothes disappearing into the coal dust blown by the wind.
"I think I should just close my factory down!"
(End of this chapter)
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