Chapter 205: Twenty-third Episode: Chapter 6 (2/2)
”Isn't it me?”
Alan shrugged. It was Viscount Federick who approached him first, ”Sir, you do know that tonight's action is incomplete. Moreover, I am not sure the agreement between you and Marshal Alan involved the position of Head of Secret Service Department. But of course, if you are also the niece of Her Majesty the Empress Alanis, then I believe Her Majesty will first consider you as well!”
The Head of Military Intelligence Bureau shrugged without concern. He really did not care at all! Messier already knew Alan would go back on his words when things did not go his way. He only wanted to take a look at the face of this old fox. As for the truth – he did not want to bet everything on O'Neil Andrew Morisette who had a serious mental weakness. This was the habit he had after dealing in this environment for many years. If he could choose, why go all out? It was just that the last round already proved that he had lost his bet. He could only listen to others now.
Silverfox poured wine for the Head of Military Intelligence Bureau and the young member of the Imperial family. He himself held a cup of thick milk tea. However, right before he took a sip, he put the cup down.
”I don't understand!” Silverfox Alan spread his hands wide helplessly, ”Is Andrew truly the God-chosen warrior? Twenty Narcissus knights, a colonel from the south and one O'Neil Andrew Morisette! Even if Federick employed all imperial assassins, they came back without completing their duty. At last, only Kiener himself was able to run away!”
The Marshal of Guards paused for a bit. He approached the Head of Military Intelligence Bureau, ”What sort of monster is your master? I don't think Kiener will lose, but the truth is too disappointing!”
Messier gave it a thought, ”Kiener Ritz? The Regimental Commander of Imperial Paladin. Is that him?”
Alan and Viscount Federick who was about to become the Head of Secret Service Department nodded at the same time. This made Messier smiled subconsciously. He should not know about this secret, but since the Marshal of Guards allowed him to know, this meant he did not need to wait for the time the Prince paid out to him.
”It seems that I am truly blinded by power!” the Head of Military Intelligence Bureau mumbled. He was not regretting his choice. Only that judging from the current situation, he had underestimated O'Neil Andrew Morisette. This guy's ability to understand conspiracy was terrifying. With only blurred hints, he had already guessed the truth of the whole incident.
Alan patted the shoulder of Baron Messier, ”Don't be like that. People will always have such moments in life. Moreover, the Empire needs you. Her Majesty needs you. You know the definition of loyalty! Betraying O'Neil Andrew Morisette doesn't count as not loyal. If you choose to be the same as your master – betraying the Imperial family and allowing the Imperial family and the Empire fall into a dangerous situation, that is the greatest betrayal!”
”Hmph...” the Head of Military Intelligence Bureau laughed coldly. Alan was still eloquent as usual when he spoke of such fancy words. He had already known that from before, but he had to deny one thing. He was not that clear with the concept of loyalty just like this bet! When he received the news of Rudolf in heavy injuries and the Imperial family would take action against O'Neil Andrew Morisette, surely anyone who was as smart as him would know which to choose. However, Messier chose the wrong side! Just as what the Prince had said, everything was only the excuse made up by the Secret Service Department and Silverfox Alan. The Empress seemed to not know regarding this matter. Even if Prince O'Neil survived the assassination and if the Empress truly wanted her husband's life, then things would still be fine. The key was that the Empress still had not attained her resolve!
When Messier thought of this, he had to hate his carelessness. Right when Her Majesty strongly requested Prince O'Neil to leave Dulin, he should have thought of this. That time, if he could remind the Prince to take note of the conspiracy about to happen, then everything could still be saved. However, now...
”Her Majesty was still hiding in the study room in Hamilton Palace. She refused to go out!” Viscount Federick spoke worriedly, ”Without her authorization, Marshal Alan and I have no reason to take any action against a prince!”
Messier smiled coldly. He wanted to prove his guess, ”Could it be the one who authorized the assassination of the Regimental Commander of Imperial Paladin is not Her Majesty?”
”That's different!” Alan shook his head, ”Moreover, this matter has already past! Her Majesty is still a little against the loyalty that we showed. She needs--”
”She needs someone to point out the necessity of further actions. She needs one or more reasons that she has to deal with to convince herself to deal with O'Neil Andrew Morisette! Isn't that so?” Messier looked at Silverfox proudly.
”You are really smart!” the next Head of Secret Service Department applauded. He held Messier's shoulder, ”There is still a way! No one will be more suitable than you to convince Her Majesty! You only need to tell her...”
”O'Neil Andrew Morisette is preparing all force in his hands to attack the palace...” the Head of Military Intelligence Bureau expressed his imagination explicitly.
”That is right!” Viscount Federick clicked his finger, ”You are the right-hand man of Prince O'Neil. What you say is the solid truth! Moreover, isn't the Prince really gathering his people? Her Majesty only needs to get a person to Kenshin Palace to take a look, then she'll know the Special Combat Brigade is preparing weapons. They seem like they are about to engage in battle!”
”But they are preparing to leave Dulin!” Messier glanced at the young man in worry.
Alan shook his head, ”Wrong! They are preparing to attack the palace!”
The next Head of Secret Service Department nodded, ”Marshal Alan is correct! This is proven jointly by the Army Division, Secret Service Department and the Military Intelligence Bureau.”
Messier's smile was without a choice. He had no other choice but to drink the bitter wine in his hand.
The wooden door opened once again. A squadron of knights immediately prepared to move out. When Marshal Alan's skinny figure appeared at the door, the knights had worn their armor as if they were about to go on a battle.
Alan and Viscount Federick jumped onto their horses. The young Head of Secret Service Department spread his hands at the Baron towards the carriage surrounded by the knights, ”Please. There is nothing to worry about. The Marshal of Guards and hundreds of Secret Service agents are protecting you!”
Messier looked at the soldier nearest to him and then at the carriage. He still felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart.
A soldier who wore silver mask opened the door to the carriage swiftly. Messier looked in fear. Thankfully! There was nothing in the carriage! When Messier stepped into the carriage, he still smiled in self-mock. Wasn't he worried about nothing? Maybe O'Neil Andrew Morisette still had no idea what was happening. Until his death, he would not know what happened to him.
However, that smile was frozen on his face. A sharp dagger stopped the breathing of the Head of Military Intelligence Bureau. Messier fell into the carriage. He saw the door closing on him slowly. That soldier was glancing at him with an icy stare.
That was…was that Black Devil? No wonder it looked so familiar! The Baron heard a thud. The door closed, and that deadly gaze had disappeared. He coughed blood and both of his hands pressed onto the wound crazily. He wanted to scream for help. Maybe he wanted to say something, but at last, he only said lightly in the familiar tone of his master, ”Ola...”
Then...Messier De Quicote's consciousness turned into darkness.
”Ola, ola...”
Facing the wide mirror, O'Neil Andrew Morisette yelled in satisfaction.
He was dressed nicely from top to bottom. New Faran wool hat, new aquamarine wool coat new golden-laced pants and new ox-skin boots. Oh right! His medal and Marshal title were wiped clean using alcohol just now. With this gleaming Marshal sword, the mirror showed a perfect young man.
”Shaw is back!” Paul mumbled lightly.
Oscar turned around and saw the once Imperial assassin was still fidgety in a corner.
Black Devil shook his head and made a slitting gesture with his finger.
Oscar retrieved his gaze. He did not know what he should say about this matter. Yet another companion had left him. Or he should say...yet another companion had betrayed him. However, he found himself disinterested in this matter. He did not even get mad.
”Let's move out!”
The Prince's order was conveyed from the palace to the square in front of the palace. Around a thousand fully armed knights immediately moved out. The sound of horses stepping on the ground rang. The yell of the officers and all sorts of order seemed to fill the night sky.
O'Neil Andrew Morisette walked out of the palace gate, surrounded by his trusted generals. The Prince was relieved that no one asked where the understanding Messier was. But, facing the knights who were fully prepared, he immediately realized an awkward situation.
Rayshure twisted its ankle. That beautiful, ”bullet-proof” carriage was given to the little Devil who had not gone past the critical stage. The people seemed to have forgotten to prepare a horse for the Prince. General Murat who was the second one to realize this immediately gave an order. He shouted to the knights in the square, ”Abandon your horses!”
Oscar looked at the confident Corps Commander in question.
Murat shrugged, ”You are right! We should walk out of Dulin. Let's see who will block our way!”
A star slowly hid at the center of the eastern sky. A thin fog slowly befell Dulin city. The fog moved slowly, and the city seemed to be moving slowly because of it. The yellow light of the street lights appeared blinking in the fog. All stars had lost their color and the night sky seemed to blend with the weak light of the city.
At the deep part of the fog, neat stepping sounds slowly approached them. The city became nervous. The rumbling of the horses and the band of light made of fire torches avoided the streets in which the sound of stepping sound was most dense. They ran at the two sides of the street.
O'Neil Andrew Morisette's figure was the first to crash out of the streets. Behind him, soldiers walked out of the fog. Their armors were covered with morning dew and decorated by the light of the street lights. The weapons on the soldiers even let out a series of sharp metal clanking sound as they walked.
The military officer who was responsible to guard the street was nervous. He had never been to a battlefield and had instinctive fear against these warriors who walked out of the fog with the face of a death god. He was shivering and thinking of his words. He knew that he had no reason to block the legendary O'Neil Andrew Morisette, but he had to carry out the order his superior had given him. He must complete his mission.
”Halt!” the strange pitch more or less showed an inner fear, but Prince O'Neil and his warriors still paused.
The footsteps on the street stopped. Thousands of breathing sounds blended into one.
Sudden pressure and the killing aura made this military officer unable to look directly at the Prince and his warriors. The military officer lowered his head at the opportunity to look at their document.
”The order of Military Affairs Chancellor Marshal Vann Hewitt Alan!” the officer sneaked a glance at Prince O'Neil's expression. He only cheered up after seeing the smile on the Prince, ”Due to a small number of enemy who wants to topple the country's political power in the Capital are taking their actions, all units of the Guards and person must not leave the city. The unit and person who violated this emergency action will be treated for treason!”
Oscar pressed on his Marshal sword, ”Prince of the Empire, Marshal of Guards, Head of Military Intelligence Bureau O'Neil Andrew Morisette and First Special Combat Brigade of Military Intelligence Bureau hereby request to leave the city!”
The officer wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He was praying in his head, ”In the name of God of Light, this is not something that can be decided by a small guard like myself.”
”I am sorry, Your Highness! Without the direct authorization of Her Majesty or the Marshal of Guards, no one can leave--”
”Let me repeat myself!” Oscar interrupted the officer, ”Prince of the Empire, Marshal of Guards, Head of Military Intelligence Bureau O'Neil Andrew Morisette and First Special Combat Brigade of Military Intelligence Bureau hereby request to leave the city. Please remove the post immediately and move the road blocks away!”
The officer pursed his lips. He looked behind him. Leaving here meant going towards the junction leading to the highway at the outskirts. He had no right to do so, but would the hundred-man here be able to stop the infamous Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette?
All of a sudden, a dense sound of horses came from near and far. Oscar only glanced at the officer in front of him with focus. He did not even care about the sniper on the roof at two sides of the street and the knights who came from all directions.
Prince O'Neil's thousand-man division was blocked in the middle of the road. The nearest left house had its window wide open. Every window showed a few spots of gleaming light that came from the iron arrows. The horses of the knights breathed in the chilly dawn. White breaths formed a new layer of fog. This warm fog seemed to have no end. In front and at the back of the street, the armors of the knights formed a suffocating wall of bronze.
”You...you can't leave Dulin!”
Oscar stepped forward. He left his unit, ”Why? On what basis are you stopping me?” the Prince spread his arms at the soldiers of the Guards around him, ”On what basis are you stopping me? Do you know who I am? I am O'Neil Andrew Morisette! Do you know what this name means?”
The echoes traveled on the street and became nothingness under the sky. Oscar was suddenly impatient. He kicked the wooden fence in his way away and the loud noise triggered a series of sword-pulling sound! All soldiers in Dulin city had pulled their swords out against Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette and their comrades the First Special Combat Brigade!
The sound of weapon-pulling spread from near to the far, hiding in the foggy street as if it was endless. No one knew how many soldiers were gathered at this junction. No one even knew what was going to happen next!
Oscar's Special Brigade warriors all held their shields high. They use the shields to block in front of their body while placing their weapons at the back of the shield. All officers were observing the movements of the Marshal. If O'Neil Andrew Morisette ordered to attack, then they would move forward to their death with the soldiers behind them! That was right. There was only a dead end in front of them. No one expected to come out of this encirclement alive.
However, time passed by slowly. It seemed nothing was happening. Only the sound of horses became quicker and denser in the dark fog!
”Keep your weapons...keep your weapons...”
The people looked behind them oddly. A messenger separated the strict unit on his battle horse. He held a scroll in his hand.
”Chief of Staff of the Guards Marshal Robin Sparse is here...”
The messenger's shout did not stir any emotion in the crowd. This officer urged his horse furiously, running back and forth the units.
”Soldiers! Can you not hear me? Chief of Staff of the Guards Marshal Robin Sparse is here! Keep your weapons and stand straight!”
Someone put their arrows down first. Then, the knight's spears followed, then the shield of the ax-users and at last, the proud snipers. These highly-skilled archers released their bows slowly. That figure of the Prince also slowly thinned out under the crossbow's trough.
Marshal Robin was rearing a jujube horse as he approached them as relaxed as if he was taking a stroll. He smiled slightly at Oscar, then received the scroll from the hands of the messenger.
”Order of Her Majesty the Empress!”
The officer who guarded this post only knew to salute to the Chief of Staff. He received the scroll in fear. With the aid of the light of the fire torch, he quickly scanned through the words. Then, he saluted with relief.
”With the order of Her Majesty the Empire...let them pass!”
The soldiers quickly moved the road blocks away. The knights near and far also turned their heads around respectively.
Along the journey, Oscar and Marshal Robin walked side by side. Neither of them spoke. They simply kept walking. The scenery on the two sides of the road kept changing and the figure of the city slowly blurred. Forest began to show itself. The branches swayed slightly in the chilly spring wind.
At the camp of the First Special Combat Brigade, Oscar thought it was time to bid farewell, but Marshal Robin still did not say anything. Oscar arranged his unit with gritted teeth. This time, he found himself a nice horse, so he rode side by side the old Marshal. The action of the Special Combat Brigade did not take much time. The Prince already saw the figure of Swan Hill in the thin fog when the first ray of sunlight arrived on the ground.
Murat and his team of knights ran past the Prince first. Not long after, they sent out their scout and the scout mentioned that everything at Swan Hill was as usual. After the turning in front, they could see the Red Tiger who was fully prepared.
Marshal Robin halted his horse and Oscar also paused. Both of them glanced at each other and at last reached out their hands.
”Child! This is as much as I can do for you! Also...this is what Her Majesty wanted me to convey to you, too!”
Oscar nodded. This only showed that his wife was not a good Empress. Alanis Alfa Morisette was only suitable to be a princess. If she was the Empress, she should not let her husband go when she had all the advantages. Thinking about it, Oscar was not as strong as he seemed to be. His weakness was very obvious in Dulin, but Alanis still did not plan to destroy him, just like how he never intended to force her off the throne.
”I don't understand...even so, why is it still this way?”
Looking at his confused student, Marshal Robin only shrugged, ”The relationship between two people does not count as politics, but that of three people counts!”
”Don't try to mess with me with such ancient philosophical viewpoint!” Oscar turned his head away furiously.
The Chief of Staff pointed to the sky that slowly brightened up, ”Then ask God of Light! The God will tell you that everyone's fate is a trajectory. People's life tracks will intersect with each other. However, after the intersection point, that is the situation with you and Her Majesty right now.”
Life trajectory...had they left the intersection point?
As Oscar was thinking about it, he saw the fog leaving the forest. The forest was dissolving this moisture full of water droplets eventually. Sunlight fell on the ground from the eastern horizon. A team of knights holding the Fierce Tiger Narcissus Flag came running towards them from the edge of sunlight.
Oscar smiled to the old Marshal, ”Take care of Torry for me!”
The old Marshal nodded. He waved at the Prince who ran towards the Red Tiger.
Oscar suddenly halted his horse and turned around to face his past teacher, ”Starting from the beginning...it's not such a big deal!”