Chapter 671: Act 33 – Another Chance IV
At the end of the Year of the Sword, history did indeed witness the second invasion of the Blood Staff.
This unruly Necromancer King conspired with Count Rendener to create unrest, attempting to manufacture an excuse for invading Elsen. The deeper intention was to escape the control of the Supreme Emperor of Madara, or at least to weaken the other’s prestige.
Thus, this was entirely a well-staged play orchestrated by the Blood Staff, though some had planned for the grand opening without foreseeing the final outcome. Once invincible and having swept through the eastern regions of Karasu, the Blood Staff ultimately buried itself in this war, first defeated by the united forces of Aike, Yula, and Duke Vieiro, and then ambushed during the retreat to the Spider Lands by the army of the so-called unwilling-to-submit Elf-lady Queen Alwahite, leading to its demise.
Not long after its death, the territories originally ruled by the Blood Staff, particularly the Blood Forest region, were partitioned. Instalung inherited the largest portion. Subsequently, after a symbolic resistance, the Elf-lady Queen Alwahite surrendered to the Supreme One of Madara. The whole process seems to depict the Necromancer King digging a hole for his own burial.
Before leaving Erluin, Instalung covertly coordinated with Count Rendener, who then promptly sought an alliance with the Blood Staff. It would take a truly empty-headed, dark-corrupted necromancer to think that nothing was amiss.
The Elf-lady Queen Alwahite is also highly suspicious, but that is not something Brendel intends to concern himself with. What captivates his attention is the realization that this historical ‘September Conflict’ presents him with a tremendous opportunity, potentially allowing him to resolve the troubles in the Southlands once and for all.
If the assumption succeeds, then the Princess will have at least one to two years of developmental time after unifying the Southlands. Furthermore, if Erluin prepares for war in advance before the Emperor of Madara is ready, the newly risen Black Rose might seriously consider a westward route.
As Brendel pondered, he momentarily lost himself in thought. His fingers lightly tapped on the envelope; the opportunities within were clear only to him—he distinctly remembered this historical moment—the autumn twilight of the Year of the Sword, when the Blood Staff chose to advance east from present-day Buche, entering Golan-Elsen through the Silman region, and then rendezvousing with Count Rendener on the northern border of Duskwood Forest.
Then the Blood Staff’s army would march north to attack the capital area of Golan-Elsen, seeking to open the route from Lake Valenden westward toward Vieiro.
However, the Undead Army encountered an ambush from the coalition of Aike, Yula, and Duke Vieiro near Shallow Water Town, leading to a rout. The Blood Staff was killed by Alwahite during its retreat to the Spider Lands, and the armies of the princess and Duke Anlek soon invaded the capital of Rendener’s territory, Magitan.
The September Conflict began in the Harvest Month and lasted until the middle of Autumn Twilight Month, lasting just over a month. Afterwards, neither Madara nor Erluin acknowledged it as a war, formally agreeing in writing that it was a private raid and retaliatory border conflict by the lord. Brendel had personally participated as a player in this war at that time.
Not long after, Count Rendener was expelled and fled to Madara, joining Instalung’s forces, but that no longer concerns Brendel. He raised his head to gaze at the enormous map of the Southlands of Erluin hanging on the wall of Firburh Castle’s hall, his gaze lingering on one particular line.
That line extends south from Silman to Kurk Castle. Historically, the Blood Staff had captured Kurk, but this time Brendel clearly would not allow that dim-witted necromancer such vast advantages; the Southlands, for the princess, now seemed like something hers for the taking, and Brendel was not so generous as to hand over his possessions to others.
The key was that this was the best opportunity to win over Duke Golan-Elsen, and Duke Vieiro would undoubtedly join in; now all that remained was to hope that the old fool Anlek would also act foolishly. If their coalition was entirely wiped out, the flames of war in the Southlands would effectively be extinguished.
Brendel’s gaze settled on the starting point of this war in the Silman region, and he suddenly recalled some individuals.
Those guys should have already established themselves firmly by now.
Then the plan was set.
He curled his fingers and gently tapped the table. This motion made Antinna, standing nearby, tremble slightly; as his aide, she knew well that he had made up his mind about the forthcoming plans.
Brendel indeed raised his head, first casting a glance at Delphine, who was pinned down by Xi in her chair. This woman puzzled him somewhat, but her ordering subordinates to harm Freya enraged him even more. The Valkyrie had previously rushed in with a bandage pleading him not to act impulsively, yet that only left Brendel’s heart colder.
He pondered for a moment; a killer should be prepared to be killed, and this woman harbored ill intentions. Though ultimately unsuccessful, she at least attempted murder. Moreover, it was not due to her own moral awakening; if it weren’t for Xi being present, Freya might have also fallen victim along with Romaine.
However, even in battle, one does not kill envoys; although this envoy had committed acts that warranted disdain, Brendel was not so petty as to quibble with a woman. Furthermore, killing Delphine would likely leave Freya feeling guilty. He did not wish to sow discord between the future Valkyrie of this kingdom over such minor matters.
Yet, while death could be spared, living offenses could not escape. Besides, Brendel believed that sometimes death was a form of liberation. The venomous woman stared at him with hatred in her deep purple eyes; she was most likely wishing for a swift end. She was the daughter of the Chancellor of Cruz, and given her seemingly distinguished status, a clean finish would likely lead to a genuine war between Erluin and Cruz afterwards.
Brendel scrutinized her, convinced that the malice written in her eyes conveyed this very meaning.
“My Lord?” Antinna seemed to sense his thoughts and quietly asked.
“I don’t want to see this wretch for now. Wasted such a beautiful face while harboring a heart that disgusts. Take her to the water dungeon beneath Firburh; I’m sure Lady Veronika will provide me with a satisfactory response.” Brendel coldly replied.
“The water dungeon?” Antinna asked incredulously, unable to suppress her sympathy as she glanced at Delphine. Comparatively, being executed outright might be somewhat better. The dark dungeons beneath Firburh were established during the Grudin era; the lowest levels’ water dungeon was covered with an iron cage, containing waist-deep foul-smelling water, which had likely never been cleaned. Countless bodies, whether human, rodent, or otherwise, floated within; some things were too grotesque even to mention—one could not expect prisoners to refrain from excretion, right?
She found it hard to imagine what condition the Chancellor’s daughter would be in after being held there for days; a beautiful woman like her could hardly not care about her appearance. Moreover, Brendel would wait for Veronika’s reply, meaning that until she did, Delphine would likely remain in there for life.
The aide shuddered at merely thinking about it.
Yet, she glanced at Delphine and sighed; this woman was reaping what she had sown. When she commanded injuries against Freya, the entire territory had nearly erupted with outrage.
“I understand.” She nodded softly and prepared to order the soldiers to drag the Chancellor’s daughter away.
However, at that moment, Laurena, who was magically restrained in her chair by Charles, could not hold back and spoke up, “My Lord…”
She was the one who had truly harmed Freya, yet she and her fiancé were treated the best, while other Cruz knights had been tied down helplessly, whereas she and Phillas were merely bound to their chairs by magic. From this, the lady knight could faintly sense that this Count might not be as unreasonable as she thought.
Moreover, as a knight from a military background, she understood well what those dark dungeons entailed. Delphine, coming from a noble family, would not likely last more than a day in such a place.
However, before she could continue, Brendel interrupted, “Lady Laurena, I know you are a righteous and kind knight. You understand well what would have happened had I been unable to prevent that scene; if Freya had died from it, or even been severely injured, I would have immediately declared war on Cruz.”
He looked at the lady knight. In fact, he had not placed Laurena and Phillas in chairs because he believed they were innocent; rather, it was because they were historically known figures, among the few Cruz commanders that Brendel admired. The reputation of the righteous Laurena persisted well into the Holy War, and he believed she would not act against Freya without cause.
“Do not doubt my capability,” he paused and continued, “Lady Laurena, you are well aware of my relationship with the Gray Saint. Should Erluin become hostile toward the Cruz, the inevitable outcome for both kingdoms would be bloodshed; because of this woman’s selfish actions, hundreds, if not thousands, would die. Compared to my current cold demeanor, this Chancellor’s daughter before you resembles a cold-blooded executioner.”
“Furthermore, when she ordered you and Mr. Phillas to act, she likely did not consider your safety. You should know this. If you had acted, you would have been in enemy territory, and the consequences of failure are not hard to imagine. In fact, if not for encountering me, you may have already met with disaster.”
Laurena was momentarily taken aback and found herself unable to respond.
“This is truly the logic of a robber; the war between Cruz and Erluin is merely your decision, my Lord. However, feel free to pin it on me and make me the executioner, my Lord.” Delphine, pinned in her chair, sneered coldly.
Brendel gazed at this woman with some pity, slowly answering, “Compared to a woman like you, who lacks any normal human emotions, it is indeed difficult for you to understand the bonds of kinship and affection between people, as these matters are far too complex for you. The blood flowing through your veins is icy, while I can declare war on the Cruz for Freya. That is the greatest difference between us—”
“You—” Delphine seemed suddenly struck at her weak point, unable to help but bite her lip and glare at him fiercely.
“Ms. Delphine, I can vouch for the Earl of Toniger’s words to ensure he is not speaking alarmist rhetoric.” Princess Grifian, who had been silently observing, suddenly interjected at this moment.
She replied calmly, “Mr. Brendel is correct; this is not about logic or interests. A killer must pay with their life, and Erluin has the capability to protect its citizens.”
Brendel turned to face her.
He gazed at the princess with some gratitude, aware that there were elements of winning people over in her words, but at least she stepped up to stand alongside him in front of outsiders, indicating she would always support him in this matter.
Not only Brendel, even Laurena and Phillas were taken aback and exchanged surprised glances at this Long Princess of Erluin, instinctively reevaluating the Count’s standing in her eyes.
Evidently, it was likely even closer than what rumors suggested.
Delphine glared coldly at Princess Grifian, trembling slightly as she responded with venomous tones, “I understand. But you’d better kill me; otherwise, I swear if there comes a day you do not kill me, I will definitely strike at those around you!”
“You won’t get the chance, Ms. Delphine,” Brendel replied coldly. “I know what you are thinking, but I am far more intelligent than you imagine.”
With that, he had no desire to continue engaging with this cold-hearted woman. He turned back to his aide and said, “Antinna, take her down. Everyone must be held accountable for their actions.” The aide nodded slightly before leading the soldiers to escort the Chancellor’s daughter away. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote for it on qidian.com; your support is my greatest motivation.)
