Chapter 523 (1/2)

Chapter 523: The Blood Pearl

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

In the evening, Calvin Kant summoned the nobles of the Northern Region to the castle.

The fireplace in the banquet room burned brightly with swaying flames, causing the guests’ shadows on the walls to dance up and down as if they formed a very unusual painting.

Four long tables traversed the hall, each placed full of steaming hot meat dishes and wine. It appeared to be a highly sumptuous dinner, yet the atmosphere was not relaxed at all. This was even more so after the Duke announced that King’s City had been seized.

“I’ve dispatched men to rescue the platoon that was sent out four days ago. Thankfully, they’ve returned alive,” he declared in a deep voice while sitting on the host’s seat. “But today, the question I want to ask you is… what should we do about the Northern Region?”

The nobles looked around the room blankly. Perhaps, the news that Timothy was defeated in a day was so astonishing that everyone in the hall was speechless and afraid to reply. Calvin could see the fear and regret in the eyes of the lower nobles. “Edith was right. We can’t depend on these people to defend against Roland Wimbledon. Dividing the land was never an option from the beginning—there’s only one path ahead.”

However, for the nobles who had only recently sought refuge with Timothy, it was rather embarrassing to openly turn around and switch allegiance.

“Why don’t we send a spy to eavesdrop on Prince Roland?” Someone in the room suggested after a long period of silence.

“If he doesn’t disturb the Northern Region, we may as well endorse him as the new king.” These words immediately garnered the approval of another noble. “These are the Wimbledon Family’s issues. It doesn’t make a difference to us who becomes the king.”

Upon hearing this, Earl of Lista laughed grimly. “No difference?”

Calvin frowned slightly and knew that the keynote was coming.

Indeed, after the Earl spoke, everyone in the room became silent, and this made Calvin feel a little uncomfortable. In reality, the three families were equal in strength, while the Kant Family was slightly inferior to the others. It was only because he had heeded his daughter’s advice and was first to play up to Timothy that he was able to obtain the position of Duke.

Of course, he also understood that this was one of the new king’s balancing tactics. Timothy was probably glad that the other two families belittled and were dissatisfied with him.

“Have you forgotten about Duke Ise? He was arrested for treason and executed.” Lista asked the room callously. “He didn’t actively provoke Timothy. If we admit defeat so early on, the noose may be tied around our necks at any time, and it would then be too late to struggle! In Prince Roland’s view, we’ve already participated in treason and none of us can deny our relations with Timothy!”

“What else can we do but admit defeat? If King’s City couldn’t even last a day, we would simply be throwing eggs at a rock…” One of Calvin’s feudatories, who looked like he had lost his usual vigor, retorted softly, in accordance with the agreement. Under the incensed gaze of the Earl, he was unable to enunciate the latter half of his sentence.

“Even if we only have eggs, I’ll try my best,” Ed Howes proclaimed. “The rebel king murdered my elder brother! He has to pay for it!”

“It may not be us holding the eggs. The Northern Region’s full of hills and mountains, and dangerous roads are all over. Roland’s army may be able to travel quickly over plains and rivers, but it’ll be a whole new game here.” Earl Howes followed up swiftly. “At worst, the Horsehead Family will retreat to Coldwind Ridge, where I don’t believe that his army will be able to reach.”

“That’s as good as baring your entire back to the church,” Calvin silently thought. “Those f*ckers don’t harbor any good intention for the Northern Region either.” He had heard about what happened to the eldest son of the Howes Family. “It appears that he died in a fight against the lord of the Western Region… but death is inevitable in any war. If shouting could injure or kill enemies, there won’t be a need for weapons and armor.”

The hall started to become rowdy. As the Lista and Howes families stated their opinions, the voices which proposed to “halt the troops and get ready to fight the advancing enemy” gradually suppressed the ones which proposed to “actively pry on Prince Roland’s position and express friendliness.” Although Calvin remained silent throughout this discussion, he was beginning to feel quite anxious.

Surely Edith hasn’t run into trouble?