Chapter 140
Murmur, murmur.
The central hall of Ashton Castle was bustling with people for the first time in a long while.
“Calling everyone together like this… could it be that something bad has happened to the head of the family?”
“Hush, don’t speak such ominous words. The atmosphere is already tense.”
“More importantly, have they identified the scoundrels who attacked the inner castle?”
“For heaven’s sake… What were the knights and soldiers doing while the heart of the Count’s domain was under attack?”
Gathered in the central hall were blood relatives of the Ashton household who resided in Conford Castle, officials holding public office, neighboring lords who had hurried over upon hearing the news, and other influential figures currently in the castle.
They were summoned by an interim leadership comprised of Baron Carlo, the commander of the Silver Bear Knights; Baron Dwayne, the Guard Captain; Waylon, the top-level knight of the Golden Bear Knights; and Philip, the Knight Commander of the First Knights and Raul’s representative.
The interim leadership had convened the influential figures of the territory to discuss a pressing issue.
Boom, boom, boom.
A small drum echoed, and the aforementioned four leaders entered and took their places on the podium.
“Attention, please. We have gathered you all today to discuss a particular matter and seek your opinions.”
Waylon spoke as the representative.
“How is the family head’s condition?”
“When will the central forces return to the castle?”
“Is there any word from the acting Count?”
“Who were the attackers of the inner castle?”
“Have the kidnapped individuals been rescued?”
The nobles in the hall, who were still in the dark about the detailed situation, bombarded the leaders with questions, causing a commotion.
The attack on the inner castle and the abduction of prominent family members had sown unease among the other nobles residing in Conford Castle.
Bang, bang, bang.
Waylon struck the gavel on the table to call for attention.
“Allow me to brief you on the current situation.”
He explained that while the Count had not regained consciousness, he was receiving treatment. He also mentioned that the forces that had departed the castle were making a swift return and that the attackers had been repelled and were being pursued.
“The central forces stationed within the castle are thoroughly protecting the inner castle, and the guards are maintaining security in the outer castle as well. Please do not worry excessively and follow the leadership’s directions.”
Despite Waylon’s reassurances, the unrest in the hall did not quickly subside. The situation within the castle was too chaotic for his words alone to quell their anxiety.
“So what’s the reason for this gathering? Don’t tell me you’re planning to conscript retainers?”
“That’s ridiculous. With brigands running rampant, how could we offer up our retainers?”
“The situation shouldn’t be that dire; surely we’re not short of soldiers…”
As more voices joined the conversation, waylon frowned slightly and got to the main issue.
“We’re not here to draft anyone forcibly! Today’s agenda concerns a different matter.”
A magical screen unfurled on one side of the podium, projecting a document.
“What’s that…?”
“A letter?”
As people inspected the magical screen, waylon began speaking again.
“This is a magical dispatch that arrived last evening.”
The document was lengthy, and as attendees read it, their expressions varied. When the last page and the signature finally appeared, the hall erupted in noise.
“My goodness, Viscount Jaden?”
“A traitor who betrayed the family over a decade ago now has the nerve to come back?”
“He’s the Count’s brother; there’s merit to his words.”
“This should be welcomed, right? Increasing the main family’s strength is good news.”
The magical dispatch from Viscount Jaden had stirred up quite a commotion.
The contents of the dispatch were summarized as follows:
– He had wandered far from the family but never forgot them.
– He had raised knights and soldiers hoping to be of eventual help to the family.
– Upon hearing of the unprecedented gate crisis and the family’s struggles, he sought ways to assist.
– He learned of the Count’s critical condition while in the capital.
– Shocked by news of external attacks on the main house, he could no longer remain idle.
– He was bringing his trained knights and soldiers to the Count’s domain, hoping to unite and overcome the family’s crisis.
Bang!
A white-haired old man stood up and shouted.
“What utter nonsense! That filthy traitor thinks he can step back onto this land? I will never forgive him!”
He was Baron Jerrod de Ashton, a relative of Count Melvin and the current head of the Ashton household’s elder council.
“Indeed! Think of the damage he caused to the family. Now he dares to return with impunity? This cannot be accepted!”
Viscount Jaden, upon leaving the family, sold the lands granted to him by the previous Count to Marquis McNeil. To reclaim that strategically central land, the Count’s estate had to incur significant financial losses and make numerous concessions.
Not only that, but Jaden also siphoned off young knights trained by the Count’s household, weakening their forces. Consequently, they were unable to adequately respond to the ensuing monster wave, resulting in numerous casualties.
Many elder blood relatives of the Count’s family lost brothers or subordinates in that chaos, and Baron Jerrod de Ashton, head of the Ashton household’s elder council, was among them.
“But do we really need to cling to past grievances?”
Suddenly, a voice rang out, belonging to a relatively young man in his thirties.
“Cling to the past? We’re talking about a traitor, baron Isaac!”
“That’s what I’m saying. Honestly, it’s true Viscount Jaden’s actions brought shame upon the main house, but he disposed of his land legally. In these troubled times, do we really need to turn away someone trying to help the family?”
“You insane fool! Are you aware of what he did and yet you speak such nonsense?”
“Please, no insults. The issues arising from the succession should be blamed on the former Count, not on adjacent lands. Now more than ever, we need to think about the future of our family with a forward-thinking and magnanimous attitude.”
“You ungrateful wretch! Do you dare speak in such a manner before the Count who appointed you as a lord?”
“That kind of outdated thinking is what’s gnawing away at the family. Letting emotions cloud rational judgment leads to repetitive old mistakes. Am I wrong?”
“What? Are you looking for a fight? You young brat!”
The debate escalated into a verbal brawl between the elders, led by Baron Jerrod, and the younger nobles, led by Baron Isaac.
Small scuffles erupted, turning the meeting hall into a scene of chaos, and knights had to intervene to calm both sides.
The Count Ashton’s family was more than just a family.
Endowed with the title of Frontier Count, the Ashton household was granted many privileges by the royal family to protect the kingdom from the western monster-infested border territories.
For instance, the southwestern regions surrounding the Count’s lands paid taxes to the Count’s family instead of the royal family. The Count would pay only one-tenth of this to the royal treasury, using the rest to maintain their own military forces for border defense.
Furthermore, they had the right to incorporate newly reclaimed lands from the territories into the Count’s domain without royal approval and could appoint lords to these lands.
As a result, the Count’s estate was akin to a small kingdom, with numerous vassal families under its banner, and its combined territory rivaled the size of the Korean Peninsula.
This led to frequent disputes over various interests within the family and factions based on differing perspectives.
Even among the dozens of nobles gathered in the hall, alliances formed based on personal interests, leading to frequent arguments.
Bang, bang, bang!
“The matter concerning Viscount Jaden is ultimately for the Count or the acting Count to decide. However, the situation is urgent. Scouts have reported that Viscount Jaden and his supporting lords’ entourage will arrive at Conford Castle by tomorrow.”
Senior Knight Waylon’s words chilled the atmosphere in the hall. Although the dispatch mentioned bringing forces to the domain, it did not specify the timing or the method.
Typically, bringing forces to another domain required formal procedures, which naturally took a considerable amount of time.
The fact that Viscount Jaden and his forces would be arriving within a day’s march was a shock to those who had just heard the news.
“How could we not realize they were this close until now?”
“This is outrageous! He dares to bring forces into the Count’s domain without permission?”
Naturally, the elder nobles who valued tradition and formality expressed their outrage loudly, and those in the military frowned deeply.
At that moment, baron Isaac asked, “Was there any violent conflict or pillaging?”
“We have not received such reports.”
“Hmm. And who are these lords supporting Viscount Jaden?”
“Some lords from the eastern parts of the Count’s domain appear to have opened roads for him and are accompanying him to Conford Castle.”
“Then what’s the issue? They didn’t force their way in. The lack of conflict suggests that Viscount Jaden does not intend to be hostile towards us, doesn’t it?”
It was clear that Baron Isaac was in favor of accepting Viscount Jaden. And it seemed he was not alone, as others also raised their voices in agreement.
“We can take him in and discuss with the acting Count when he returns, can’t we?”
“It’s unbecoming of a noble family to turn away someone offering help. He’s part of our clan; we should talk to him directly.”
As the hall began to grow disorderly again, one individual observed keenly – Philip.
‘Master’s words were spot on.’
His cold eyes swept over specific individuals—some of the blood relatives raising their voices, including Baron Isaac.
This was not a matter that warranted such an impromptu assembly. The reason for convening this meeting was to uncover certain truths.
Boom, boom, boom.
At Philip’s signal, the drum’s sound subdued the crowd.
“We’ve heard your opinions. But I must now relay the acting Count’s instructions, which I received just moments ago.”
At Philip’s words, some nobles flinched. All eyes turned to the magical screen.
“My apologies for the delay in communication. This is Acting Count Dylan.”
Dylan’s image appeared on the screen, standing in a tent. The connection was live via a magical orb.
“I extend my gratitude to everyone diligently fulfilling their duties despite the unrest. I have several decisions to convey from our discussions. Firstly, from this moment, all gates of Conford Castle are to be sealed, and all entries and exits strictly controlled. Secondly, senior Knight Waylon is appointed as the temporary commander of Conford Castle, and all forces within the castle are to follow his orders. This remains in effect until I or the Chief Commander arrive at the castle. Any violations will be punished under martial law.”
With Dylan’s message concluded, the meeting came to a close amid murmurs from the nobles. Though Dylan was not physically present, his authority was legitimate, and no one dared to voice dissent.
However, as some individuals left the central hall, their expressions were far from settled.
‘Hmm. Will they act as expected?’
Philip watched their retreating figures coldly before heading somewhere.
(To be continued)