Chapter 398: Generational Gap
Camilla watched Gregor's movements, her face flushing red. She suppressed the tremble in her voice and said, "I will become your wife, so naturally, I must learn in advance about Greenwood’s traditions and taboos, to avoid causing unnecessary trouble."
"And I believe, no book can match the New Testament Scriptures in this regard."
Gregor rested his head on Camilla’s lap, feeling the delicate smoothness of the girl’s skin. The people of the Woodlands consumed a lot of fruit, and Camilla’s skin was as moist and tender as fruit.
He said, "That’s true. And because the New Testament Scriptures are extremely cheap, costing only a single silver coin, for some commoners who can’t afford to send their children to the Academy, buying a sturdy and content-rich New Testament Scriptures like this one for their children's enlightenment—or even to teach them to read—is quite common."
"The Priests are always glad to teach them how to read the Scriptures."
Gregor's hair was coarse and stiff. Camilla could clearly feel the hardness of Gregor’s skull pressing into her lap, making it ache slightly.
But this pain was minor—entirely bearable.
Hearing Gregor speak in a somewhat amused tone, she responded with a complicated look on her face, "A single York silver coin is worth at least two gold coins in the Woodlands—high-purity gold coins at that. But in the Woodlands, it's hard for commoners to even see a gold coin. They trade with seed-stone coins instead."
Gregor asked, "What’s this? Are you sympathizing with the commoners?"
Camilla shook her head and said, "I’m just realizing the gap between the Woodlands and Greenwood."
Gregor looked immensely proud and said, "Greenwood is the greatest region in the world. York City is the center of the world. And naturally, Doyle City, the second most prosperous city in Greenwood, is the second world center."
Camilla couldn’t help but say, "But I’ve heard that Adrian City is the second most prosperous city in Greenwood."
Gregor reacted immediately. He growled, "I don’t like that name. Remember this, Camilla—you are the Marchioness of Doyle Territory. You should be proud of your status. Likewise, remember: Doyle Territory, second only to York Territory, is the most prosperous land."
"You’re not of age yet, so I won’t punish you. But once you come of age, you’ll regret saying what you just said."
Camilla said, "You're nearly forty already. A few years from now, will you still be able to ride through the Woodlands so valiantly?"
Gregor replied, "You’ll find out then. For now, read the New Testament Scriptures to me. Jeremiah told me to study the Scriptures more while I’m here in the Woodlands."
Camilla shifted and picked up the New Testament Scriptures. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, "Father admires Greenwood greatly. He hopes to be accepted by it—but he doesn’t want to give up his own territory and title. It's a nobility passed down for a thousand years. Moreover, there are some customs of Greenwood he cannot accept. And lately, too many of those hereditary nobles in Greenwood have vanished."
Gregor said, "So it seems your father is greedy as well... Wait, those words—was that his suggestion?"
Gregor finally picked up the hidden meaning in her words.
Of course, if it had been Jeremiah, he might have sighed that someone was finally able to understand such a simple implication.
Camilla was just about to reply, but Gregor immediately pinched her lips shut and said, "No, no, no. Whether it was his suggestion or not, I don’t want to know right now. Wait until he comes back to Doyle City with us. Let him talk it out with Jeremiah. Of course, if Jeremiah allows, you can participate as well. But if you want to speak, remember—by then, you’ll be speaking on behalf of Doyle, on behalf of me."
Camilla silently nodded.
Gregor withdrew his hand and said, "Alright then, can we now read the Scriptures without any other thoughts?"
"Jeremiah once said, when reciting the Scriptures, it's best not to have impure thoughts. One should empty the mind."
Camilla said nothing more and began to read aloud from the Scriptures.
Gregor took Jeremiah’s words to heart and emptied his mind.
So, by the time Camilla had only read the title of the first volume, Book of Genesis, he had already fallen asleep.
Five days passed quickly in this exchange between two different civilizations.
Marquis Shalier had assembled his most powerful forces to accompany Gregor to Doyle City.
Marquis Shalier himself, his army, along with four subordinate Barons and seven subordinate Lords, had gathered.
Together, they had nearly thirty Tier Four Knights or Windwalkers, more than 1,200 elite warriors, 3,000 auxiliary foot soldiers, and local Church Priests who served the Sacred Relics.
In addition, there were over five hundred attendants, driving the Woodland’s unique stag-drawn carts, each laden with the core wealth of the nobles.
Such as the universally accepted currency in Greenwood—gold and silver—along with precious gems and jade, high-quality unregistered plate and leather armor, weapons, exquisite pottery, and silk garments.
It looked less like an engagement negotiation and more like a relocation.
"It seems those remnants really scared them." Julian held an envelope in his hand.
He looked at Jeremiah beside him, who had seemed increasingly weary over the past few days—so much so that he now looked aged.
He said, "My people sent word. All the nobles in Marquis Shalier’s territory have moved out their core assets. What’s left in their lands are only fringe gentry and Tier Two warriors as guards."
Jeremiah coughed, cleared his dry throat, and said in a weak voice, "This doesn’t quite match our original plan."
Their initial plan was to first sweep away the old nobles in Doyle Territory, using their blood to fuel the momentum of the Guild operations in York. At the same time, Guild operatives—both open and covert—would infiltrate the Woodlands, while they also stationed troops and researched new tactics.
But Marquis Shalier’s reaction had been far more 'extreme' than expected.
"What’s his goal? Any concrete intel?" Jeremiah asked.
"My Rangers aren’t skilled enough to infiltrate noble circles," Julian replied. "Of course, my lads are still more capable than those Bards."
He managed the Rangers’ Guild.
"In fact, the most useful intel came from the Merchant Guild’s network. They said that after the Woodlands nobles were hit by those people, they gathered at Marquis Shalier’s castle. Once they left, they looted the wealth of their own territories and followed Shalier to Doyle."
Jeremiah said, "That doesn’t look like they were driven out by fear. It looks more like a voluntary abandonment."
Julian said, "The Tier Four military scholars sent by the Scholar’s Guild—or as they insist, Tier Four Researchers, which is such a convoluted title..."
"Of course, I’m not criticizing those Researchers. Though they’re now petitioning the Scholar’s Guild to give military scholars their own distinct title, which only adds more layers of complexity."
"Still, I must admit their simulations are impressive—especially those sand tables they brought."
Jeremiah chuckled. "It seems they’ve given you a bit of a headache."
Julian, usually stoic, showed a slight change in expression and sighed. "I respect their capabilities, but their thinking is all theoretical. It’s hard to apply practically. They even mapped out charts for casualty rates and morale dips. But they don’t understand how much morale a single Knight can boost on the battlefield."
Jeremiah smiled and said, "It’s precisely because they don’t understand that they’re here to study—as Researchers. If they fully understood, they’d already be Tier Five Analysts or Tier Six Truthbearers."
Julian replied, "Let’s hope they grow fast. At least they save me trouble with site selection, supply planning, and the like. As for this situation with Marquis Shalier, their analysis is that he wants to join the Kingdom and seek its protection."
Jeremiah asked, "Do you think that’s possible?"
Julian shook his head. "He’s a Marquis. I don’t believe he doesn’t know what Greenwood is like right now—Sacred Relics must be surrendered, and any Old Testament nobles who make the slightest mistake are purged. He’s a Marquis whose title has lasted nearly a thousand years, across more than twenty generations—not even counting the time before he became a noble."
"How could a man like Marquis Shalier survive in the Kingdom?"
Jeremiah pressed further, "I assume those Researchers aren’t fools either."
Julian said, "No, they’re not. They’re all Tier Four Scholars. I don’t know why they didn’t join an Academy after leaving the Monastery, but they hold Tier Four certification from the Scholar’s Guild. That makes them honored guests in the eyes of any noble, no matter where they go."
"And these wise Scholars’ conclusions are based on economic disparity, trade imbalance, productivity gaps, systemic differences, technological lag, cultural infiltration, military gaps, arms disparity, and force deterrence."
"I barely understood any of it. But I know one thing: the Kingdom is powerful—so powerful that even enemies who lost to the Kingdom’s Knights in a single night are enough to intimidate a proud Marquis."
Jeremiah said, "I can understand half of that, so I believe their analysis is plausible."
Julian said, "Perhaps."
Jeremiah asked, "What did they suggest you do?"
Julian replied, "Naturally, to welcome him, negotiate terms, clarify his bottom line, and then coordinate with the Senate to see if he can serve as an example. Maybe then, other nobles will choose to surrender to us."
Jeremiah asked, "So will you follow their suggestion?"
Julian smiled and said, "I think these Scholars... Researchers... before they make their suggestions, they ought to study the traditional war protocols of the Old Testament Era first."