NOVEL NEXT Chapter 98: Besieged City_1
"I don't understand what you're saying?"
Yan Xing truly didn't.
I just arrived in Nuta City less than a day ago and don't even know which way the doors of the Temple face. You're asking me to investigate the assassination of a Temple priest? Are you looking for a scapegoat?
The more Yan Xing thought about it, the more it seemed likely.
And the way Count Theodore looked at him only reinforced that feeling.
At that moment, Yan Xing realized he had indeed gotten a little carried away after successfully managing the Werewolf Clan Leader's conference, thinking that the intelligence of everyone in this world was on par with that of a werewolf's. Indeed, those who consider others fools are often the biggest fools of all. The performance he had put on in the Lord's Mansion's dining room may have been just as Count Theodore had said... A performance without the backing of real power is truly like that of a clown's. The ancients say: Reflect on oneself three times a day. The wise say: Criticize and self-criticize. Lord Yan Xing says: Other worlds are not so easy to navigate.
"Knight Yan Xing, you needn't be so tense. I bear you no ill will," Count Theodore said, a smile on his face. "I would like you to take charge of investigating the assassination case involving Priest Temple... Whether you find the assassin or not, there will only be benefits and no drawbacks for you and your domain."
Huh… What kind of logic is that? But since he put it that way, I might as well not run off just yet.
Yan Xing asked Count Theodore, "I still don't understand."
After pondering for a moment, the old Count made up his mind and slowly revealed to Yan Xing the current dilemma Nuta City was facing.
To the north, the Silvermane Principality borders the Wildland Orcs and the Snow Elves, and these border conflicts have always been a major concern for the Silver Mane Duke. Every year, the Principality expends a considerable amount of financial resources and manpower on the northern wars, fighting to the point of exhaustion. The struggle for the Wildwind Highlands, in particular, is like a bottomless pit.
As the new commander of the Principality's Wildwind Highlands Legion, Marquis Anderson took the initiative to change tactics and achieved outstanding results. One could say this gave the Silvermane Principality a chance to resolve the northern border issues in one fell swoop. If the Silvermane Principality could fully occupy the Wildwind Highlands, it could force the Wildland Orcs and the Snow Elves to sincerely sign a ceasefire agreement and not dare to break the treaty at will. The overall power and prestige of the Silvermane Principality would naturally be greatly enhanced.
And Marquis Anderson would earn an unprecedented achievement. Perhaps even... outshining his master, and thus becoming an object of suspicion for the Silvermane Principality.
Marquis Anderson knew that once he completely defeated the Orcs and Elves in the Wildwind Highlands, he and his family could face a very bleak outcome. Therefore, Marquis Anderson has always hoped that the Silver Mane Duke would ennoble him as the Marquis of Wildwind, with his fief being the entirety of the Wildwind Highlands. The Anderson Family would then guard the northern territories for the Silvermane Principality forever. In this way... the Silvermane Principality wouldn't dare to easily mistreat the Anderson Family, who would control the Wildwind Highlands. Ram Anderson could thus achieve fame and bring his family to an unprecedented peak.
But why would the Silver Mane Duke so readily grant such an important strategic territory to a vassal? Your demand for the Wildwind Highlands already indicates a problem with your loyalty. How can I trust that you and your descendants will honestly guard the borders on the Wildwind Highlands?
This has become a seemingly unsolvable problem.
The Silver Mane Duke wants Marquis Anderson to quickly conquer the entirety of the Wildwind Highlands.
Marquis Anderson's stance: I don't trust that you won't kill me and my descendants afterward; ennoble me as the Marquis of Wildwind first.
The Silver Mane Duke's stance: I don't trust that you and your descendants will guard the borders faithfully. I can give you anything, but I definitely can't give you the Wildwind Highlands.
The Silver Mane Duke wants to change commanders, but with Storm City under Marquis Anderson's control, no one in the Principality dares to go there to take over Anderson's military command. Nor does the Principality dare to cut off Storm City's supplies. If the Human Wildwind Highlands Legion were to be annihilated by the Orcs and Elves, it would truly be a loss beyond redemption. T$h&is+ c$o#n*t%ent* is h#[email protected]!d@ at M|V%|L%E^+MP^Y.R.%
Moreover, Marquis Anderson's political enemies, fearing that the Silver Mane Duke might actually award the Wildwind Highlands to Anderson, are constantly using various means to influence the Duke's decisions.
Therefore, the current equilibrium in the Wildwind Highlands is not only due to the balance of military power among the three parties but also because of internal issues within the Silvermane Principality.
Beyond these forces, the Gryphon Heart Empire also does not wish for the Silvermane Principality to gain control over the Wildwind Highlands. To the Empire's ruler, stability is ensured when subordinates are preoccupied with their own affairs. If the Silvermane Principality were to solve its northern border issues, the balance within the Empire might also be disrupted.
The Temple represents the Gryphon Heart Empire in supervising the territories of its vassals. Naturally, the Central Shrine within the Principality also does not wish to see the Silvermane Principality obtain the Wildwind Highlands.
It could be said that within the human sphere of influence in the Wildwind Highlands, the interests of various parties are complex and deeply intertwined. All manner of ghosts and goblins abound.
Recently... the Orcs and Elves have shown signs of joining forces to launch an offensive against the Principality's Wildwind Highlands Legion. Marquis Anderson is stationed in Storm City, and the entire Wildwind Highlands Legion is actively preparing for war, with no spare attention for Nuta City at the rear.
This unique power vacuum has naturally invited many hands to reach in.
Nuta City is the logistical base of the Human Wildwind Highlands Legion. Any problems here would inevitably affect the supply lines for Marquis Anderson's Great Army. If someone could oust Count Theodore and take control of Nuta City, it would be akin to severing one of Marquis Anderson's legs.
That's why the recent incident of Priest Temple's assassination occurred.
As Yan Xing listened to the old Count describe the current situation in the Wildwind Highlands and Nuta City, he was inwardly exhilarated.
This intricate plot is almost as compelling as reading "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." It even makes one eagerly anticipate what dramatic developments will unfold next. And what's more... it seems I'll have a role to play in this unfolding drama. Interesting, very interesting!
But...
Yan Xing then asked Count Theodore, "Since the opposition deliberately orchestrated Priest Temple's assassination, their target must surely be you. How could they possibly let an outsider like me investigate this case? I don't have the strength to convince them either!"
While recounting the story, the old Count had been observing Yan Xing's expressions. The information he shared, though seemingly covert, wasn't difficult to obtain for someone with the right channels. Yan Xing's reaction, however, was genuine; he was as engrossed as if listening to a captivating story.
It was only then that the old Count confirmed that Yan Xing truly did not belong to any faction.
In that case, he might just be the key to breaking this stalemate.
The old Count said, "You do have strength, but it's not those little alchemical devices you carry. Actually, ever since I learned that a territory had emerged on the plains north of Nuta City, near the Thunderous Swamp, I've been secretly sending people to search for your Eternal Domain. It wasn't until yesterday that a Griffon Knight I dispatched brought back a segment of magic footage..."
As he spoke, the old Count extended his right hand. A cyan light converged in his palm, and a sphere of water materialized out of thin air, swiftly expanding into a globe about ten centimeters in diameter.
Inside the water globe was a magic image: an aerial view of the Eternal Domain.
Within the Eternal Domain, large groups of Werewolves were gathered. They wielded tools, digging moats around the territory and transporting materials. Even more Werewolves were spread out from the Eternal Domain towards the Thunderous Swamp; they could be clearly seen digging a canal.
The scene was spectacular.
However, at this moment, the magic image suddenly began to shake; the Griffon Knight filming the magic image was fleeing in panic. In the shaky footage, swarms of Poison Flies could be seen approaching.
Yan Xing knew... the Griffon Knight spying on the Eternal Domain had been spotted by an automatic patrol drone flying at a higher altitude.