Chapter 405: Silent and Unnoticed
The other three fell silent.
Krat calmed himself slightly. After settling down, he spoke, “So, if it’s the Senate that intends to replace the nobles with officials, and we just happen to be the first batch of nobles unfortunate enough to be targeted for removal, what should we do?”
As if answering his own question, Krat continued, “Look at Marquis Gregor. The purge of the remaining members of those noble families has been thorough slaughter. There are even certain forces helping Marquis Gregor to block their avenues of communication.”
“Perhaps it's those guilds that have been hiding. That unified force of bards — you’ve all seen it. And those scholars — it hasn’t been that long, but they’re already about to replace the traditional system of appointing officials. Then there’s the Merchant Guild. Back during the intervention in the Northern War, they played no small role. Now, a unified guild has linked the fragmented noble territories together through commerce.”
“In the process, could they have also been passing messages? Or perhaps, could they infer our true intentions based on what goods we nobles demand from merchants? After all, words can lie — but the goods we pay gold for reflect our real needs.”
“Then there’s the Warrior Guild, which intervened in our internal forces from the very moment we were at our weakest.”
“And the Thieves’ Guild — who knows whether they might become the Rat Path of Lundex.”
“And then there’s Councilor Fenrir. Every senator is in charge of a guild — and what about him?”
“Hahaha. Just adding all that up, it’s clear that the Senate has already infiltrated every inch of our flesh and blood with their power. And yet, the only resistance they’ve met has been a bit of noise from York City.”
Krat laughed as he spoke. It was a laugh of mockery — mocking his own stupidity, that he, a man of noble blood, only realized this now that it had come to his doorstep.
“This is such a disgraceful way to die. We’re not dying with honor on the battlefield — instead, we’re to be killed for such a ridiculous reason.”
His laughter grated on the ears. At least, Evans and Randall’s expressions had grown extremely grim.
Only Hobert had a probing and contemplative look in his eyes.
He suddenly spoke. “But... the Senate’s actions aren’t just aimed at us, are they? Not even just at the nobles of Greenwood. It’s aimed at all nobles — across the world.”
Krat stopped laughing. His expression returned to calm as he said, “I know what you’re thinking, Baron Hobert. I see the ambition in your eyes.”
Hobert retorted, “And what of it? The throne is empty. Isn’t it waiting for the true king?”
Krat nodded and said, “Yes, of course it is. I fully support you doing this. But where will you find the army to resist the Senate’s forces? And are you sure that mysterious king won’t appear? After them, will the Church of the Sanctuary truly refrain from political meddling as they claim?”
By now, even the most foolish noble could see that the Doyle Incident had the tacit approval — even the push — of the Church.
One could say that although nobles still employed priests, they no longer trusted them as they once did. Given the chance, they wouldn’t hesitate to play a few tricks on the clergy.
Of course, the four nobles sitting here had never trusted the clergy to begin with.
Hobert said, “Why should we fear? This world is, after all, ruled by nobles. Even if Greenwood and the Northland are already under their control, there are still eleven regions beyond this land.”
Krat chuckled. “The Woodlands are likely under control too by now.”
Hobert laughed lowly. “Then now it's ten against three.”
Krat said, “Perhaps you don’t fully understand the nature of nobles. Just as the Senate was able to silently seize our power because we were not united, nobles across the world are the same. In the eyes of all nobles: bloodline outweighs power, and power outweighs life. Therefore, even if they form a coalition, they will engage in a power struggle before the war even begins.”
Hobert said, “The Altlinsmann Empire of the South united its nobles even earlier than Lundex.”
Krat replied, “But they had an Emperor.”
Hobert said, “Then I shall become the new Emperor.”
Krat looked stunned. He had expected Hobert to say something bold, but not this outright.
An Emperor — he dared say that?
Look at Evans and Randall — both were now glancing around nervously, afraid someone inappropriate might be eavesdropping.
Or perhaps, the two of them were already alarmed that this conspiracy might be overheard.
Krat knew — they were already tempted.
But Krat ignored them. He simply looked at Hobert and asked, “What do you plan to do?”
Hobert’s lone eye glinted as he said, “I plan to do four things.”
“First, head to the Woodlands. There must be those dissatisfied with Marquis Gregor and Greenwood. Especially now, as the Senate’s forces are making no effort to hide their intention to consume the entire Woodland region.”
“I believe the nobles there only need to be shown what the Senate is doing and the consequences — they won’t sit in their fortresses and wait for death.”
“The Woodlands are uniquely positioned. If I can block them there, Greenwood will be trapped. The Demis River surges to the south, and the Northland, even if they support Greenwood, must come through the Woodlands.”
“Besides, the forests in the Woodlands are natural defenses. Even if they possess powerful Magic Cannons, trying to wipe out the entire forest — the Will of the Woodlands won’t just watch that happen.”
“Once I block them, I’ll have time to head to the Land and then further, to the Broadlands.”
“Second, I must kill the Administrator. Even if he didn’t create this whole system, he upholds at least seventy percent of it. If he dies, this entire transformation will naturally fall apart. Besides, he’s just a normal man — maybe a Tier Three warrior at most. Even if he’s a knight — slit a knight’s throat, and he still dies.”
“Third, head south and lobby the Altlinsmann Empire. Greenwood still hasn’t recovered from the War of Unification. Now is the best time to swallow them. If Greenwood recovers and then devours the Northland, they may surpass the Altlinsmann Empire — I doubt their Emperor would allow that.”
“Fourth, the eastern ocean. I suspect the lifeforms in that sea won’t mind raiding a weakened, war-torn nation.”
Hobert laid it all out, as if he had long planned it. Yet the more Krat listened, the deeper his frown became.
He glanced at the other two men, who were also frowning in thought. Clearly, they were pondering — and didn’t seem impressed.
Finally, Krat said, “No offense intended, but you are after all a first-generation noble. You don’t quite understand the wisdom of nobles themselves.”
“Of course, noble blood is naturally wise — but they live their whole lives on their lands. Their worldview is too narrow for their wisdom to flourish. Such nobles are proud and obstinate. They won’t follow you merely because of your words.”
“Killing the Administrator is impossible. Even if he has left the Church, who’s to say he isn’t still under the Lord’s Protection? Besides, he lives in York City — who knows what terrifying figures might be hiding there?”
“As for the Altlinsmann Empire — the Demis River is a major barrier. They’d rather go around and attack the Rainy Lands first than cross it.”
“And those oceanic beings — they’re aberrants. And aberrants cannot be trusted.”
Hobert nodded deeply, as if accepting Krat’s words. His single eye stared at Krat, gleaming with greed.
That look made Krat shiver.
Hobert said, “The reason I dare to look toward the throne is because I have the strength to back it.”
As he spoke, he sat upright. A faint pressure made the three of them slowly widen their eyes.
“Tier Five Great Knight?” Krat asked with difficulty.
They had felt this same pressure during the Crusades — from the royal guards of King Pegira.
Only then did Hobert ease his aura slightly and said, “I believe this level of strength should be enough to make them listen to me.”
Krat fell silent. A Tier Five Great Knight — that was enough to make any noble listen calmly.
Hobert continued, “I will depart for the Woodlands in three days. As for the remaining three tasks — do them or not, that’s your choice.”
With that, Hobert stood, leaning forward slightly, exuding pressure. “Of course, I should remind the three of you — you’re all on the list. And the people on that list... only have at most five days left.”
With those words, Hobert turned and left.
Krat watched his retreating figure. A strange glint flashed in his eyes, and he fell into thought.
Evans broke the silence. He asked, “So, what should we do?”
Randall sneered, “Do we have a choice? Either we follow his plan and survive, or we sit here and die — and not just us, but every drop of blood in our families.”
Krat said, “I’ll stay hidden here. Even if I can’t succeed in assassinating him, I can at least pass on some intel to Baron Hobert.”
Randall said, “Then I’ll go to sea, see if I can make contact with those oceanic aberrants.”
Evans looked around helplessly. “Well, I guess that leaves me with the Altlinsmann Empire. Oh, those lunatics...”
His face was full of gloom.
Randall asked, “What about our families?”
Krat replied, “Scatter the children among the commoners. Send the able-bodied to Baron Hobert — I doubt he’d mind a few more warriors. As for the useless ones, leave them behind — a tribute to appease Marquis Gregor.”
The other two sighed. “It’s all we can do.”
With the plans made, the three dispersed.
And two days later, the three met again in York City — and for a moment, they stared at each other in silence.