Chapter 158: Eighteenth Episode: Chapter 4 (1/2)
Chapter 158: Eighteenth Episode: Chapter 4
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the Year 799, Dulin's spring came extremely early. At the end of the 2nd month, grass was already peeking above the soil to meet the sun. The confidential secretary of the Emperor Count Philip Goolean returned to Dulin, just as the weather was turning warm.
Count Goolean's holiday seemed to not have been enjoyable; he was even thinner now than when he was in Dulin. The Palace Chief Marquis Laston Cambre who welcomed him at the gate of Hamilton Palace laughed at him, and said that the Count had went too crazy with his wife. Philip was proud of this fact. Except for him, no one could understand the benefit of Monique.
The Palace Chief brought the confidential secretary to his own office, after which Laston then asked him the reason he came back so early. At this, Philip's expression darkened almost immediately. He said the Hagrid family was crumbling.
The Hagrid family was crumbling! This matter had been discussed heatedly amongst the noble circle in the Capital. The southern nobles had organized an audit group, responsible for conveying the criminal evidence of this powerful army family. However, Alfa III His Majesty had not shown his face around since. No one knew how the controller of the Empire would judge the traitor of the country.
Philip began his job on the second day he arrived in Dulin, but the people could not understand the arrangement of the Emperor's confidential secretary. He canceled all meetings of the Emperor with Marshal Alan and placed Chief of Staff of the Imperial Guards Marshal Robin Sparse to fill the gap in the Emperor's schedule.
Marshal Robin's status in the Capital immediately enjoyed a significant rise. As a result, some young widows even held some idea with this old Marshal. The nobles in the Capital could see that Marshal Alan's opinion on the problem of Hagrid family was extremely stubborn; he even openly expressed that he would investigate deeply of the accusation against the Hagrid openly in the Army Division.
Alfa III His Majesty thought otherwise, so he ordered Philip to reject the visits of the Marshal of the Guards.
From the Emperor's point of view, the people who had hurt his nephew and his daughter deserved to die without empathy. Even if this person was Alan, he still should not have done what he did. The case investigation spearheaded by Count Rudolf Hoss of the Secret Service soon confirmed all accusations of the Military Intelligence Bureau against the Hagrid family. This made the Emperor trust the words said by Marshal Robin more.... Some thoughts of Silverfox Alan was extremely dangerous.
When it was already 25th day of 2nd month, Alfa III His Majesty thought he should not drag this matter on any longer. He called Marshal Robin into his bedroom and planned to discuss a plan with this old Marshal.
”Actually.... it is obvious that this is to expel the Hagrid from the game!”
Alfa III His Majesty nodded. He did not know if he should thank Oscar, or simply beat the kid up. The Prince pulled the military family that protected Vielonna out of the game right after he reached the south. This more or less made the Emperor more worried.
”Chief of Staff, Sir, From your point of view.... Is the case of the Hagrid as simple as it is described?”
Robin already knew that the Emperor would doubt this matter, but he had already prepared his answer.
”Your Majesty. No matter what, Hagrid must receive its punishment. If not, the pride of our country and the power of our law will experience insurmountable damage. And the soldiers will think that even a huge army family like the Hagrid had colluded with the businessman. If that so, then what other high-level General of the Guards might still be clean?”
”Go....” The Emperor moaned. He hated the fact that he was aging, and everything that was happening went against his will. ”Before this, it was your previous Chief of Staff Valier Cypress; Now it is the Chief Commander of the Fifth Region Vangol Abberning Hagrid! One was a marshal of guards, another is a general of the Guards. The soldiers will be shocked by this even if they simply think about it!”
Marshal Robin laughed coldly. Valier Cypress was a poor guy while Vangol Abberning Hagrid was simply searching for his own death! On the other hand, Alan's opinion was rather appropriate, but this Marshal of Guards would definitely not beg for mercy for his friends under the risk of disobeying the Emperor.
”Your Majesty, the most urgent thing to do is to resume power and trust of the high-level generals amongst the Army Division.”
The Emperor nodded. ”That would be alright with other places, but the southern Hagrid is unique after all. Their family has history and tradition. Even though their soldiers are not as crazy as the Narcissus Knights, they still understand the meaning of loyalty.”
Marshal Robi's smile became even colder. ”We can use a new hero to replace the 'Hercules' that made a mistake.”
”You mean Oscar?” Alfa III His Majesty shook his head. ”Impossible. The soldiers of Hagrid hate him.”
Marshal Robin shook his head as well. ”Your Majesty. That person naturally wouldn't be Marshal O'Neil. The new Chief Commander of the Fifth Region should be a war hero that the soldiers are familiar with and a good, courageous general that is loved by the soldiers.”
”Tell me your suggestion.” The Emperor was a little expectant.
”Have you heard about the name of the single arm general? Gondol Abassia!”
”Gondol Abassia?” The Emperor frowned. This was a familiar name to him, but he was old. An old man's memory was fragmented.
”Twelve years ago, General Gondol Abassia won the Doncaster Defending War with just the strength of an Infantry Division. This was a classic example of an infantry unit winning against a more advantageous cavalry unit. This is also in the textbook of infantry officers when an officer is chosen to enter the Imperial Military Academy. At Saijo Mountain battlefield in Year 797...”
”Oh I remember now!” Alfa III His Majesty slapped his forehead. ”General Gondol Abassia was the Chief Commander during the Saijo Mountain War! I even gave him the Imperial warriors badge myself.”
”Yes yes!” Marshal Robin smiled, but he slowly lowered his voice. ”What do you think about this general?”
The Emperor was a little hesitant. He knew this single arm general was a great fighter brought up by Oscar.
”Will this cause any disagreement among the people?”
Marshal Robin shook his head. ”Then let these people stand up and state their intention. If Marshal Alan has any people to recommend, then let's make a comparison. Let's have a look at who else is more suitable to become the new Chief Commander of Fifth Region than General Abassia.”
”The military and noble title of General Abassia is...'
”Lieutenant General of the Guards and Count of the Empire. These are all given by you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor nodded. ”His titles are suitable. Well... let's choose him then?”
”Your Majesty, I have mentioned this just now. You can take a look at Marshal Alan's candidate as well. Jumping into this now is a little rash for us, Marshal Alan is, after all, the Marshal of the Guards. Appointing the Commander of a whole region has to be agreed by him as well.”
”Hmm...” Alfa III His Majesty suddenly laughed coldly. ”It's fine. Alan has too many actions going on behind my back! It's better not to let him express his opinion! I will send an order to the Army Division. The Army Division only needs to send the appointing document to the south according to procedure!”
”Yes, Your Majesty!” Marshal Robin quickly bowed.
The Emperor waved his hands. He was still a little restless. ”Even if General Gondol Abassia's name is able to control the Hagrid soldiers in the Fifth Region, might there be anything that could blindside us?”
”Of course, there will be!” The old Marshal's expression darkened. ”We have not punished the sinner of the Empire, and the influence of Hagrid family is still present. Only when we have completely eliminated them, we will truly be able to get back Burton Provine and Vielonna.”
”Eliminate Hagrid?” Alfa III His Majesty had his eyes wide open. ”But I have already agreed to the written resignation of the Hagrid family. They will be exiled! If I broke my trust with the people..... their soldiers will start a riot.”
Marshal Robin Sparse shrugged. ”We don't need to do these things at all! The few criminals that create the armed riot all think that it is Hagrid that has betrayed them. They will take their revenge! And at that time, we only need to provide some convenience to these criminals!”
The Emperor suddenly understood. ”Then we will dispatch the Hagrid soldiers who want to get their revenge into the mountain to eliminate the criminals! This way we will have discreetly lowered the pressure that may cause riot.”
”That is right, Your Majesty!”
The Emperor looked at the old Marshal, a little depressed. ”To be honest, is this your idea or Oscar's?”
Marshal Robin shook his head with a smile. ”Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. Even though the investigation against the Hagrid family is carried out by the agents of the Prince's Military Intelligence Bureau, the following arrangement is carried out by the Commander of Southern Army Group General Eugene, and myself.”
”General Eugene?” The Emperor was a little confused.
”General Eugene already knew about this when the Military Intelligence Bureau interrupted the investigation. He had provided many conveniences for the Military Intelligence Bureau, or else it would have been extremely difficult to collect the criminal evidence of Hagrid family in the south. As the Commander of the Southern Army Group, General Eugene naturally worries the most about the situation in Vielonna. He hopes the Army Division can send an exceptional commander into the Fifth Region.”
”Is that so...” Alfa III His Majesty nodded in understanding.
”Alright! There's one more thing related to the south.” The old Marshal said as he took an official document from his file. ”The Chief of Staff of the Southern Army Group General Dario Gonzalez is currently being investigated by the local Army Division. You know many businessmen in the south have some strings pull with military and political officials. General Dario....”
”Alright alright! God of Light bless this General so that he is not found guilty! To receive a bad reputation at such old age is terrible.” It seemed that Alfa III His Majesty was extremely annoyed by the southern people. He chose to lie down instead and pulled the blanket over his body.
Marshal Robin spread the official letter sent by the Southern Army Group without a choice. ”Your Majesty, General Eugene has recommended a candidate that is suitable to take up the role of Chief of Staff of the Southern Army Group. You should at least take a look.”
The Emperor snatched the official letter, stamping his name without so much as a glance. He could not care less about such matters. Moreover, he was not familiar with the huge and complicated relationship between the officials of Guards. He only knew a few that were worthy of his trust.
”General Eugene's recommendation is sure to be good. I rest assured I will have Eugene in the south!” The Emperor threw the document back to the old Marshal and ranged the copper bell.
The meeting was over now. Marshal Robin did not say anything more. At last he said the words that wished for the Emperor's health, but that only annoyed the Emperor.
”Let me have some time to myself! Leave me alone!”
The old Marshal then excused himself from the room.
As the Emperor's confidential secretary, Count Philip Goolean heard troubling words on a daily basis. He had to arrange the meeting of many officials with the Emperor, especially during the time the Emperor was sick in bed. Other than that, he still needed to accept all sorts of documents, then to convey all sorts of orders. Even though Philip had no rights to determine these orders, his rights determine the execution order of those Imperial Orders.
”Thus, Your Majesty, this suggestion by the Ministry of Agriculture needs to be replied as soon as possible. Or else, we will miss this year's harvesting period!” Philip looked at Alfa III His Majesty, who aged a little more every day with worries.
”This is a huge amount of money!” Alfa III His Majesty looked at the proposal in pain.
The confidential secretary sighed. ”This is inevitable. The southern farmers are poor. They have nothing. If there is no help from the Ministry of Agriculture, there will probably be no harvest this year. Moreover. This money will be let out in the form of loan by Prince's O'Neil's Military Intelligence Bureau. The Prince has seized the illegal profit from the business in the south. That is a huge amount of money as well.”
Alfa III His Majesty suddenly stopped talking. He glanced at his confidential secretary whom he trusted the most with worries.
”Hey... What does my son-in-law want to do there?”
Philip Goolean was a little odd. He had a guess in his heart but saying it out loud now was a little too early.
”Your Majesty, I think Prince O'Neil's initial moves in the south were very effective. After this year, the effect will be even more obvious. Even the southern nobles can see that this Prince truly wants to recover the southern states.”
Alfa III His Majesty nodded slowly. ”But he destroyed Hagrid. This is out of my expectation.”
”Your Majesty, you should say... That Hagrid deserves all of this! Prince O'Neil did not make up any of the accusations.”
Alfa III His Majesty also felt there was nothing more to say to that. He hinted to his confidential secretary and Philip quickly came forward.
”How is Ashfin?”
Philip smiled. ”Rest assured, Your Majesty. Madame Count Antonia Horman is taking care of the First Prince. Prince O'Neil hid them in an extremely discreet place. Moreover, didn't you send a unit of Paladin as well? I suppose...”
”No! No! No!” The Emperor suddenly shook his head repeatedly. ”I am still restless! You should go, too. Go back to the south quickly.”
Philip only showed a bitter smile. It had only been a week since he returned to Dulin.
”Good work!”
The confidential secretary quickly thanked him. After that, the pair discussed some not-so-important matters again, however His Majesty was the focus his mind at all. Philip stopped his talking after a few futile attempts, and at last, he said that he would move out tomorrow. Only then did the Emperor lie down with ease.
It was fine lying down. The scariest part was not waking up. The weather in the mountain area was worlds different than its exterior. The melting of the snow brought the heat in the air away. It was nail-biting cold in the night, and did not seem to be any warmer in the day. The direct unit of Special Combat Brigade of Prince O'Neil had fought in the Alden Mountain area for more than a month, but they had no results at all. They did not even meet an armed criminal unit that had more than 100 people.
According to the rough location given by the Boustead family, the Special Combat Brigade had already carried out a careful plan. They found an extremely hidden location in the middle of the 2nd month, but all armed members of the criminal unit had already moved. Only an empty base that was made with woods and rocks was left.
The base was located at the center of the valley, and the locals called this 'Coyttshag', which meant 'A dazzling journey'. The fighters understood this accurate translation. After all, the Coyttshag was surrounded by dangerous cliffs; huge rocks extended from the bottom of the valley to the waist of the mountain, and from there, the mountain soared steeply into the skies. Snow and trees gathered to completely covered the mouth of the valley of Coyttshag, and if the fighters of the Special Combat Brigade were none the wiser about the base of the criminals at the bottom of the valley, no one would actually have the idea of looking through that area.
Producing a road that they were able to pass through near that area had taken a week for Marshal O'Neil and his knights. Except for the guarding unit around the valley, all soldiers of the Special Combat Brigade had focused on this task. Even the Marshal was not exempted.
Just when Oscar's bear-skinned gloves broke, the road towards the 'Dazzling Journey' was finally cleared. To avoid an attack by the criminals from two sides of the mountain road and for the cramping of soldiers in the narrow mountain road, the Marshal only ordered a middle-sized unit of knights to first enter the valley. The knights assigned to check out the path began their journey in the morning, and only returned to the base after the sun had set.
It was without a doubt that this unit of knights were attacked, but the Captain that led the unit was a smart and strong head of knights. Even though his middle-sized unit lost a quarter of its forces, he was able to chase the criminals who were hiding in the mountains with crossbows and fire arrows. At last, the criminals left more than 50 corpses here, then disappeared in the forest in front of their base.
Oscar reached the criminal's lair at night. His warriors were all over the place.
The soldiers had lit up the torches, and some had crossbows at the ready. They even cut off a few tall shrubs along the way.
Until the afternoon the next day, Coyttshag resumed its cold, calm demeanor, but the wooden castle buried in the middle of the forest was already completely exposed under the sun. The warriors of the Guards had cut off all tall trees that were more than ten meters in height near the base, leaving the huge wooden logs to lie in the snow. They looked stronger than isolation moats and iron fences.
How should we describe the criminal's castle? Oscar did not know because he had never seen such architecture so close to the mountain. The criminals utilized a leveled area in the geography of the mountain to build an isolation moat and firewall made of bricks. Above that, they built the main building of the wooden castle. The main buildings consisted of two blocks, east and the west, with a main house at the middle and four wings attached to it. There was also an observation deck that was around 30 meters in height at the center, and a copper bell at the top.
”I thought they hated the God of Light!” Oscar glanced at the top of the castle. If it were not for the sharpened wood at the outer area of the castle, people might have thought that this was an ancient monastery, or the mansion of a certain official.
”Who knows? They hate God of Light because the god did not care about them, but they do not dare to stop the praying.” Brigadier General Luke Citel mumbled. He had fought in the mountain before and was only one step away from this place. But he had never thought that there would be such a place behind the trees.