Chapter 123: Declaration of War
Werewolves were, after all, Dark Creatures. The noble society dominated by humans would never permit the existence of the Nation of Werewolves—this made it a perfectly suitable target to justify territorial expansion.
Thus, the werewolves needed a shield, and the ambitious Belair was a most fitting partner.
Of course, Belair would never formally enter into an alliance with the werewolves, as such an action contradicted the political correctness of the human nobility.
Hence, he had to choose to kill the envoy of the Wolf King.
At least, on the surface, he indeed declared war against those werewolves.
And indeed, he was strangling the werewolves within his territory.
George was unwilling to stoop so low with the werewolves, yet he knew that this approach suited Belair.
He was not surprised.
Now he understood that as long as he had no expectations of those noble Gentry Families, he would not be disappointed.
Still, he could no longer continue cooperating with such a Belair.
"Now that the situation has stabilized, I too should take my leave."George tapped the beak of the White Dove perched on his shoulder.
"Very well. Though it was a pleasure working with you, I have no reason to stop you,"Julian sighed and said.
"The lord once said that you may depart freely. Of course, you will always be his friend, and he will forever welcome your return."
"Please convey my gratitude to the lord for his assistance,"George said.
No matter what Belair had in mind, at the very least, he had indeed restored order to this region and killed the werewolves here.
As for their original transaction, neither of them brought it up.
"I will."Julian gave a slight nod, then asked,
"Forgive my impertinence, but are you planning to go to the Cross Painted in Blood Theocracy?"
It was during the march that George received the White Dove on his shoulder, and the dove had brought a command from the Church of the Sanctuary.
Of course, George claimed that the dove was the Lord’s Messenger, bringing the lord’s Gospel.
However, to Julian, he was merely surprised at the notion of delivering messages via birds.
If employed in warfare, it might be quite convenient.
And at that time, George had also mentioned the Cross Painted in Blood Theocracy.
"Yes, the Bishop asked me to make a trip there,"George nodded.
"It’s quite chaotic there now, even more so than here,"Julian said.
"When I got the latest news of the Cross Painted in Blood Theocracy from the Rat Path, if not for my understanding of the Doctrine of the Church of the Sanctuary that Knight George serves, and the distinctions between them, I might have plotted to kill you the moment I heard what they’ve done."
"The Cross Painted in Blood Theocracy is currently massacring nobles and Gentry Families like mad dogs, drawing the resistance of some nobles from the Principality of Corlay."
"Their Nation Founding Manifesto and Doctrine state that all nobles and Gentry Families must be eradicated. How could that possibly be? Without nobles and Gentry Families, what would this world become—perhaps a hellish place."
"They are destroying order, more sinful even than Dark Creatures. No one would tolerate their existence."
"It’s just that, right now, everything is a mess, and no one has the time to deal with them."
"Still, personally, I suggest that the Church of the Sanctuary should take some actions to draw a clear line between themselves and them. Otherwise, when the time comes and they are dealt with, the Church of the Sanctuary might get implicated because of them."
Julian gave his advice with utmost sincerity.
"These matters will be decided by the Bishop,"George shook his head.
He knew his own limits. Regarding such complicated affairs, he felt he could never fully comprehend them.
"Very well. I hope the Bishop you speak of is a wise one,"Julian said, then suddenly added,
"However, he might not have time to care about this side now."
George paused, not understanding what Julian meant.
Julian smiled faintly and continued.
"After all, the information cost three thousand gold coins, and the Marquis’s cause of death was among it."
"The Marquis was bludgeoned to death, surrounded by a group of warriors, and someone hammered him, one strike after another, until he was mashed meat."
"For someone with the title of Marquis, such a manner of death was far too humiliating."
"Oh right, the one who killed the Marquis was the Lord of York Territory, Viscount Pegiraov Lundex."
Silence fell. The news left George too shocked to speak for a moment.
"Very surprising, isn't it?"Julian saw through George’s shock.
"Even though the Marquis was not the Viscount’s liege, he could still be considered a patron. And this was done while still serving in the Marquis’s army."
"The Marquis was the most favored heir to the position of Grand Duke. But of course, the dead are no longer eligible to inherit."
"However, Greenwood City has already issued a proclamation: among the nobles with Patlin blood in their veins, whoever can kill Viscount Lundex shall inherit the position of Grand Duke."
"The news from the Rat Path is always swift. If we’ve received this news here, perhaps York Territory has already descended into chaos."
—
"We cannot allow ourselves to fall into disorder, which is why I must take the initiative to march out and sweep clean the Three Western Baronies."Knight Wolf, clad in full armor, said to Corleon.
Just now, Knight Wolf had arrived in full armor, bringing news of the Lord’s declaration of war against the Patlin Family.
Although Corleon still could not use Revelation to see the situation in the southern part of the Principality of Patlin, based on other observable regions' information, he could generally infer that Pegiraov had killed the Marquis, though he had not truly declared war on the Patlin Family.
Rather, it was the Patlin Family that had declared war on Pegiraov.
Of course, in the battle for succession, killing the Marquis was indeed tantamount to declaring war on the Patlin Family.
"The battle over there has only just recently ended. If you go now, it should be easy to sweep them aside,"said Corleon.
"Sweeping them aside is easy, but ensuring no unrest arises there is not so simple,"Knight Wolf said.
"That area is near the Northwind Mountains. Those three barons over there also serve to suppress the Dark Creatures. If I sweep that region clean, there won’t be enough knights left in the territory to keep watch over the Northwind Mountains."
And those Dark Creatures would never miss an opportunity to emerge from the mountains. Although they weren’t something to be feared, if the southern nobles were to invade, the territory would be beset from front and rear and fall into chaos.
"So I hope the Bishop can assist me,"Knight Wolf looked at Corleon.
"You hope I can fend off the invasion of those Dark Creatures?"Corleon asked.
"Yes. The Church of the Sanctuary wields the power to suppress those Dark Creatures, so I hope you can recall the warriors who had gone to the Marquis's territory,"Knight Wolf nodded and said.
"The situation in the Marquis’s territory is chaotic but stable for now. The werewolves have established their Nation, and an ambitious noble lord is occupying the land between us and the Nation of Werewolves."
"He is a natural barrier preventing the werewolves from invading York Territory."
"Now, before the southern nobles react, is the best time to eliminate those three barons."
"I will offer half the assets of the three conquered Western Baronies to the Church—not just gold coins, but also books."
"I will capture their scholarly advisors and deliver them to the Bishop. Perhaps you will need the knowledge they possess."
"Until the Lord returns, I will dedicate all the output of that land to the Church."