Chapter 356: A pack of mad dogs (1/2)
Chapter 356: A pack of mad dogs
The seven grand dukes all took special care to ensure their own safety. They paid attention to every detail so as to protect themselves, particularly in this Sakamimir Valley.
After leaving Alec Ambridge’s tent, Han Shuo took a trip to visit Duke Nehem Beige of Bisli Duchy. He had originally intended to make a move on this Nehem guy. However, Han Shuo had yet to draw near when he sensed a holy presence from within the latter’s tent.
Han Shuo was very familiar with this holy presence and immediately understood that a member of the Church of Light was in that tent. It was no ordinary member either, the intensity of the presence was a good testament to that person’s strength. It was most likely to be Kosse of the Church of Light.
As a result, Han Shuo didn’t touch Nehem Beige. He hid himself deep in the underground, only using the yin demon to spy on that area from afar. Only when dawn broke did he see Kosse and his group quietly leaving that tent through the yin demon.
Nehem Beige himself was a sky rider. Out of the seven grand duchies, Bisli Duchy hosted many Light Temples of the Church of Light. This duchy guided its civilians’ beliefs so that they would offer their faith and devotion to the God of Light.
At that moment, Han Shuo was witnessing the close relationship between Nehem Beige and Kosse, which made him recall the friendly attitude between Bisli Duchy and the Church of Light. Han Shuo had this faint feeling that this Nehem Beige himself was a believer of the Church of Light. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spared so much effort to support the Church of Light.
After Kosse left, there were still light magic pulses inside Nehem Beige’s tent, in addition to two hidden powerful presences. Dawn had broken, but Nehem Beige and his subordinates were still deep in discussion even after Kosse had left. Han Shuo pondered for a bit and decided to give up on dealing with Nehem Beige.
Today in the Sakamimir Valley, the seven grand duchies discussed the matters regarding Brettel City. After the assault the previous night, Alec Ambridge dragged himself on his bandaged stiff left leg, and loudly cursed Benedict Sackville out as soon as he arrived, accusing the latter of despicably ambushing him the previous night.
Benedict Sackville had already felt like he’d been greatly wronged the previous day. Now that Alec Ambridge was bringing an unfounded accusation against him and ridiculing him to boot, Benedict could no longer suppress the fires of anger in his belly. Neither of the two men were willing to let go of the issue and they almost fought it out right inside the tent. Had it not been for the other grand dukes coming forward to stop them, the two might have escalated things to a brawl. Even though they were forcibly separated afterwards, their fury didn’t disperse. A ferocious light flashing in their eyes, no one knew what kind of insidious scheme they were plotting against each other.
Grand Duke Burt Zili of Boulet Duchy came to the fore at this meeting, vociferously dissatisfied with the current distribution of benefits. He insisted on taking the five mines as his own after Brettel City was captured. Burt Zili was persistent, but the other grand dukes also desired the mines, so they were naturally unwilling to agree. Today’s discussion once again ultimately ended in each of them going their own way.
“At this rate, the seven grand duchies would be already at war even before the attack on Brettel City can be launched. These people can never join hands unless they are well and truly backed into a corner. Only because the Lancelot Empire came knocking on the doors last time did they learn to quickly work together.”
“It seems they have yet to take the threat of Brettel City seriously. These people only know to quarrel all day; what grand deed can they actually accomplish?” Going back to her own tent, Helen Tina complained to Firewind with a frown.
“Just let them fuss. The day will come when Brettel City really attacks, and they will learn the meaning of fear.” Having joined the discussion in the tent with Helen Tina, Firewind had seen the expressions of the seven grand dukes clearly. Even though Firewind didn’t have to right to speak, she still inwardly despised the other six grand dukes who only cared about grabbing fame and benefits.
“Your Grace, Grand Duke Burt Zili of Boulet Duchy requests an audience.” as Helen Tina and Firewind whispered their complaints to each other, the guard’s voice rang out.
“What is this fellow coming to our place for? The smell on his body really makes me uncomfortable.” Firewind frowned and spoke to Helen Tina when she heard the guard’s words.
“Invite him in.” Helen Tina told the guard outside before turning to Firewind, “This person has always been the sworn enemy of Bisli Duchy. This time, Nehem Beige of the Bisli Duchy was the one who proposed to join forces and attack Brettel City. As I see it, this Burt Zili seems to be deliberately destroying the stability of the alliance. I don’t know what this man has come to see me for.”
As Helen Tina and Firewind continued their conversation, Grand Duke Burt Zili of Boulet Duchy came in with a slight smile on his face. Burt Zili was an old summoner. However, rumors had it that he had signed a contract with the Evil God. His summoning could often call upon monsters from hell.
Burt Zilli’s body seemed to emanate a frighteningly sinister aura. Even when he was smiling kindly, other people would still feel his smiling face to be vicious. The fire phoenix was a holy super rank creature, so she was extremely annoyed at the smell coming off Burt Zili’s body. Therefore, the fire phoenix instinctively kept a distance between them upon seeing him come in.
“Grand Duke Burt, what business do you have with me?” Helen Tina’s territory was quite a distance from Burt Zili’s Boulet Duchy, so there was no real conflict between them. However, Helen Tina disliked this sinister grand duke. Moreover, her mood hadn’t been every good lately, so she naturally didn’t give him face.
“Heh heh, I come here to discuss the matter regarding Brettel City with Grand Duke Helen Tina. Since you’ve stayed at Brettel City for a period of time, what do you feel about Brettel City and its city lord?” Burt Zili exposed an amiable smile and asked Helen Tina in a friendly manner.
Her face growing colder by the second, Helen Tina said, “Grand Duke Burt, did you come here to especially make fun of me?”
“No, no!” Burt Zili hastily waved his hands, gesturing that Helen Tina shouldn’t misunderstand him. He then explained, “As the saying goes, know your enemy and know yourself, and a hundred victories out of a hundred battles. Amongst us seven grand duchies, Grand Duke Helen Tina must be the most familiar with Brettel City. I want to hear your point of view on Brettel City and that city lord.”
Letting out a snort, Helen Tina said with a stern face, “I’m not very familiar with Brettel City, but I know that city lord Bryan is no ordinary person. You haven’t truly seen what you’re dealing with. He alone repelled the group of Red Archbishop Kosse and several Templars of the Church of Light. This person is ruthless without measure. Once he sets his eyes on something, he won’t hesitate to go for it, using any means, fair or foul. Whether you believe it or not, this person is far from easy to deal with. If the alliance keeps wasting time like this, we’ll simply be giving Brettel City time to prepare.
“Heh heh, it seems his person is very much to my taste, interesting, interesting!” Burt Zili said with a wicked laugh, before fixing his eyes on Helen Tina, asking, “Grand Duke Helen Tina, what have you prepared to deal with Brettel City this time? Are you interested in forming a secret alliance?”
“I’m not interested at the moment, sorry.” Helen Tina politely refused, her reply neither warm nor cold.
Nodding his head, Burt Zili cackled creepily without any further offer and said, “You can try thinking about it. I’m very interested in cooperating with you. Alright, I have disturbed you enough today. My apologies.”
“Mm, I won’t see you off!” Helen Tina said.