Chapter 29: 【Blazing Flame Bow】
Red Eagle Territory, once the fief of the Bourbon Family a century ago, was among the most prosperous lands within the southern regions governed by two marquises, six barons, and eight great noble houses. Even across the entire Tyrella Kingdom, it ranked prominently.
Notably, it was renowned for the Shattered Diamond Mountains, Swan Lake, and the Flame Maple Forest.
However, following the downfall of the Bourbon Family, Red Eagle Territory fragmented. The six major vassal families that once served under the Bourbons each carved out their own domains.
The most powerful among them, the Senels Family, seized control of Bayor Territory, which encompassed Swan Lake.
Unlike the Forest Territory and Red Soil Territory, which pledged allegiance to the Griffin Family; the Red River Territory and White Mountain Territory, which aligned with Count Shuvaric; and the Gem Territory, which turned to Marquis Visen, the Senels Family of Bayor Territory maintained a stance of neutrality over the past century, refraining from siding with any faction.
Both the Griffin and Golden Lion Families, wary of the Senels potentially favoring the other, tacitly accepted their neutral position.
The Senels Family's unique status in Red Eagle Territory was attributed to their profound heritage and formidable strength.
A century ago, before the Bourbon Family's demise, the Senels were already esteemed as the Bourbons' trusted allies.
At that time, the head of the Senels Family was merely a Fourth-Tier Bloodline User.
Following the Bourbons' collapse, the Senels benefited from the division of their former master's assets.
Over three generations and a hundred years, they cultivated a Fifth-Tier Bloodline User, who, now in his prime, held promising prospects of ascending to the Sixth Tier, thereby elevating the Senels to the rank of a count's family.
In addition, the Senels boasted two Fourth-Tier Bloodline Users and four Third-Tier Bloodline Users.
This formidable lineup enabled the Senels to remain self-reliant and neutral amidst the fractured landscape of Red Eagle Territory.
In terms of overt strength and latent potential, they were second only to Marquis Visen and nearly matched the Kasein Family.
However, with news of the Red River Territory's fall, Viscount Bayor recognized that their era of neutrality had reached its end.
As the Griffin and Golden Lion Families redirected their focus away from the Withered Wood Forest, and Count Shuvaric relinquished his ambitions for Red Eagle Territory, Marquis Visen's long-awaited opportunity to dominate the region finally arrived. He would brook no interference with his aspirations.
Viscount Bayor, harboring ambitions of elevating his family to a count's status, had no intention of challenging Marquis Visen's authority, especially upon learning of the recent demise of Visen's rising star.
Consequently, upon receiving news of the Red River Territory's downfall, he promptly dispatched a letter to Marquis Visen, formally declaring his family's allegiance to the Kasein Family, mirroring the oath their ancestors once swore to the Bourbons.
Just yesterday, a reply arrived from Marquis Visen, graciously accepting the Senels' fealty. He hinted at the possibility of deeper ties between their families and extended an invitation to Viscount Bayor to attend an upcoming banquet hosted by the Kasein Family.
Yet, at this moment, Viscount Bayor, Agley Senels, paid little heed to this letter, his attention captivated by another report.
"So, Baron Ster has successfully returned to the White Mountain Territory?"
"Yes," responded the young man who had just handed the report to Viscount Bayor.
He was the viscount's second son, a Third-Tier Bloodline User nearing the Fourth Tier.
However, given his advancing age and the nearing limits of his bloodline potential, the experienced Senels had determined that the Fourth Tier would be his ceiling.
Thus, he had begun involving him in the administration of Bayor Territory, primarily overseeing intelligence gathering and analysis.
"That's somewhat unexpected," Viscount Agley chuckled. "The Forest and Red Soil Territories suffered significant losses this time."
After breaching the Red River Territory, the viscounts of the Forest and Red Soil Territories were preoccupied with competing against Baron Gem for spoils and wealth.
Consequently, none of the three paid much attention to Baron Ster, merely aiming to trap him atop the Red Stone Peak and retrieve his corpse come spring, using the opportunity to feast and divide the White Mountain Territory.
Yet now, Baron Ster had returned to the White Mountain Territory, coinciding with the onset of winter, rendering further military campaigns unfeasible.
Next spring, agricultural activities would resume, delaying any suitable time for warfare by at least half a year.
For a Bloodline Noble, six months was ample time to accomplish much.
For instance, defecting to Marquis Visen's camp.
For others, such a shift in allegiance might warrant deliberation.
But Viscount Agley knew that Marquis Visen would undoubtedly welcome it.
Even a moment's hesitation would be seen as disrespect.
After all, it was no secret in Red Eagle Territory that the White Mountain Territory's lord previously served Count Shuvaric.
Given the longstanding animosity between Marquis Visen and Count Shuvaric, a former vassal of Shuvaric switching allegiance would be a direct affront to Shuvaric, an opportunity Marquis Visen would not pass up.
Especially considering...
"‘Blazing Flame Bow’ Akar? That's quite a moniker."
"Reports say his archery is exceptional. From over a hundred meters, he unleashed nine consecutive arrows, killing a First-Tier Bloodline User," the young man replied. "He fired eighteen arrows in total. Two First-Tier Bloodline Knights under the Forest Viscount barely took a few steps before being shot dead."
"Apparently, during the nine-arrow volley, both knights could only withstand the first three arrows. By the fifth, they were overwhelmed, their defenses breached by the seventh, and the final two arrows sealed their fate."
"Breaking defenses with seven arrows and killing with the last two, that's plausible," Viscount Agley mused. "But claiming kills from over a hundred meters? That's exaggerated."
The young man looked puzzled.
"According to the report, this Akar is only a Second-Tier Bloodline User. He didn't use physical arrows but conjured them from flame. Your own bloodline ability belongs to the Void Stream lineage. Back when you were at the Second Tier, could your abilities reach targets over a hundred meters away?" Viscount Agley shook his head.
"Thirty meters was likely your limit. Beyond that, either he's stronger than reported, or his awakened bloodline is exceptionally unique."
Initially indifferent, the young man now appeared astonished. "An exceptionally unique flame bloodline..."
"In Red Eagle Territory, bloodlines and abilities related to fire or lions remain taboo topics, even after a century," Viscount Agley remarked.
"The Forest and Red Soil Viscounts suffered significant losses this time and won't easily forgive Baron Ster, especially this ‘Blazing Flame Bow’. They'll likely emphasize the ‘fire’ aspect in their narratives. But those two have let their anger cloud their judgment. Had they claimed a fifty-meter range, perhaps our Marquis Visen would be unsettled. But a hundred meters? Our marquis won't miss this chance to undermine Count Shuvaric's reputation."
"Alternatively, perhaps the rumor didn't originate from those two viscounts."
"Hahaha," Viscount Agley laughed heartily. "Then it's even more embarrassing for them. Unable to control the narrative, they've inadvertently provided Baron Ster with an escape route. I bet the baron is overjoyed, perhaps even considering thanking them personally."
The young man dared not respond to his father's blatant mockery.
After all, his father, a Fifth-Tier Bloodline User, could openly ridicule two Third-Tier Bloodline Users. But as a fellow Third-Tier, joining in would be deemed inappropriate.
"By the way, the report mentions that Akar has an older brother?"
"Yes," the young man nodded. "Details about his brother's strength are scarce, but it's noted that Akar holds him in high regard. Moreover, his brother pledged allegiance to Giggs, not the Bole Family."
"This family is quite intriguing," Viscount Agley observed.
The report indicated that all three members of Akar's family were Bloodline Users. However, specifics about his father, Ion, and his brother, Yam, were lacking.
Additionally, the report mentioned an assassination attempt on Giggs Bole and Lily Bole. Details were scarce, but it was noted that, aside from Lily, Giggs, and Yam, everyone else at White Forest Castle perished, including a First-Tier Bloodline Knight loyal to the Bole Family.
While others might overlook the underlying plot, Viscount Agley immediately recognized it as Count Shuvaric's handiwork.
He was confident that Baron Ster would see through it as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dispatched a personal letter to the Kasein Family's residence just three days after returning to his territory.
"Let me pose a question," Viscount Agley said, placing the report back on the table and smiling at his second son. "If you were in Baron Ster's position, how would you safeguard your family's status and power?"
The young man pondered, "By pledging allegiance to Marquis Visen?"
"That's merely a basic survival tactic. It doesn't address the territory's vulnerabilities," Viscount Agley replied, shaking his head. "Think carefully, what's the most appropriate and urgent course of action now?"