Chapter 69: The Marquis Moves South
It was not until dusk that Nyx returned.
His expression was grim.
"Marquis Demitri Patlin demands that the lord gather warriors to accompany him to Greenwood City, aiming to seize the position of Grand Duke by force."
"He's gone mad; power has blinded his eyes and corrupted his soul."
Corleon was taken aback, not expecting such developments beyond the issues with the fishmen and dark creatures.
Marquis Demitri's territory bordered both the Principality of Corlay and the Northern Kingdom.
Despite friendly relations with the Northern Kingdom due to Greenwood's grain production and the current turmoil in Corlay, would he truly dare to march his army to Greenwood City?
Corleon agreed with Nyx's assessment.
"A tsunami struck the east coast, and the fishmen have come ashore. Do the priests know about this?"
"They do. The Rat Path has relayed this information," Corleon replied. "Additionally, dark creatures have entered the Principality of Corlay."
"Yes, it's going to be extremely chaotic there," Nyx nodded, somewhat worried. "Given the current situation, everyone is feeling uneasy."
"So, what has the lord decided?" Corleon inquired.
"No news yet. Only a recruitment notice has been issued, instructing Knight Wolf to proceed as usual, and the tournament will continue as planned," Nyx shook his head.
"However, delays can't last long. It's said that Marquis Demitri is already assembling troops, reportedly gathering an elite force of five thousand soldiers to head straight to Greenwood City."
The elite force referred to knights, knight's squires, cavalry, and recruited warriors; conscripted militia were not included in this count.
"But to reach Greenwood City from his territory, he must pass through York Territory," Corleon realized the gravity of the situation.
An army passing through could not do so peacefully.
At the very least, a marquis vying for succession wouldn't simply pass through a viscount's land peacefully.
"Yes, this is a forced conscription," Nyx stated.
"Either join his forces or face the iron hooves of his knights."
"This guy dares to ignite a civil war at such a time."
Nyx's tone was filled with resentment.
"The woman from the Daniels family has already set out for the town; the Daniels Village lies directly in the path of the marquis's army en route to Greenwood City."
"The village was just newly established, what a pity..." Nyx shook his head and sighed.
Corleon remained silent.
Even if the report was exaggerated, a determined marquis could still muster at least four thousand troops, and such a force could easily overrun not just a village but even a viscount's territory.
However, Corleon thought of that mysterious lord.
"We should have faith in the lord. Think of Cicero," Corleon said.
"Just magical items," Nyx forced a smile.
"Such a level of mystery can't threaten knights."
"Moreover, knights are also known as mage slayers."
"Ordinary magic can't affect knights."
"But you're right, priest. We should trust the lord."
After all, facing a war between lords, their individual strength was insignificant.
Nyx sighed and returned to his hut, while Corleon placed the gold coins from the Rat Path transaction at the church entrance.
Kneeling beneath the Lord's Throne, Corleon closed his eyes and used the power of revelation, but he only saw a flag.
A red banner with golden fabric edging, depicting a dragon, with what seemed like a ruby embedded in the dragon's chest.
It was a flag he had never seen before.
Frowning, he couldn't comprehend the meaning of this revelation.
After some hesitation, he closed his eyes again, hoping for a more detailed vision.
His head spun, and he felt a dampness beneath his nose, yet the image remained the same.
Opening his eyes, he touched beneath his nose—blood.
Revelations could only provide a general image; seeking more detailed visions placed greater strain on both mind and body.
And even obtaining a general image was due to Corleon's own abilities.
If another bishop attempted a revelation, they might only see a vague flag even at the cost of their life.
Suddenly, Corleon's brow twitched; he sensed some movement outside the church.
Wiping the blood from beneath his nose, he opened the door to see a small figure, only reaching his knees, picking up the gold coins on the ground.
The figure was tightly wrapped in black cloth, resembling a large black rat.
"..."
Silence.
Then the small figure dropped a package, disproportionately large compared to its body, onto the ground and fled swiftly.
Moving quickly, Corleon could only see a blurred black shadow under the faint light of the Morning Star.
He didn't pay much attention; the Rat Path always had its unique ways of surviving under the noses of every lord.
Picking up the package, he returned to the church.
Inside were three thick parchment maps.
Looking at the largest map of the three principalities, it was clear that nearly half of the Principality of Corlay's territory had been occupied by fishmen, with the main city facing their threat directly.
Examining the map of the Principality of Patlin, all lords and territories were marked. Counting them revealed two border marquises, three border earls, and eleven viscounts of varying sizes within, along with scattered baronies and lordships.
Even Corleon was aware of the succession struggle within the principality.
The two marquises, three earls, and a viscount near Greenwood City all had claims to succession.
Before the old grand duke's death, he had designated the viscount as his heir.
However, an assassination attempt occurred during the succession ceremony.
Although the viscount survived, the attack delayed his ascension to the grand duke's position.
Subsequently, a southern marquis and three earls began vying for succession.
As for the viscount, lacking a powerful army and having not yet assumed the grand duke's title, he was not taken seriously.
Marquis Demitri's territory lay in the far north of the principality.
Despite possessing the strongest army, its distance from the principality's core, Greenwood City, put him at a disadvantage in the succession struggle.
No wonder he was so eager.
With the Northern Kingdom being friendly and the Principality of Corlay in turmoil, he seized the opportunity to march south and claim succession by force.
Even if he ultimately lost his marquisate, it wouldn't matter.
Whether he paid compensation to reclaim it, launched a military campaign, or simply abandoned it, any of these options would be acceptable for Grand Duke Demitri at that time.
"But isn't he afraid of failure?"
This puzzled Corleon.
Nevertheless, the news of Marquis Demitri's southern march was confirmed.
Finally, Corleon looked at the map of York Territory.
Though just a territorial map, the Rat Path had crafted it meticulously, marking even bandit camps.
Corleon wasn't sure if Knight Wolf possessed this map.
Moreover, the map was very recent; the eastern area was barren, marked only with the Daniels Village.
It was a map drawn after the necromancer's upheaval.
The church's location was marked with a circular symbol, more prominent than nearby York Town.