Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Ice Bear Marquis
The northern Ice Bear City remained brightly lit even after nightfall.
For the nobility, the Winter Moon was often spent attending endless banquets to stave off boredom. Though the harshest winter had passed, these gatherings would continue until the chill fully dissipated.
In one such estate, guests holding invitations were ushered into a grand hall.
As the banquet commenced, low, melodic string music resonated through the room.
Servants weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of wine and glasses, while the round tables were laden with steaming dishes.
The nobles indulged in food and drink, chatting about their latest insights and gossip.
"What?! The Frost Wolf Duke has ascended to Grand Knight?"
"Impossible! Where did you hear such rumors?"
"Indeed! The Frost Wolf Duke was known to be a bloodline-locked failure. How could he suddenly reach such heights?"
"Even if he somehow activated his bloodline, advancing to Grand Knight in such a short time is inconceivable!"
As one noble shared news from the Frost Wolf Ridge, the other attendees reacted with skepticism.
They recalled that the Frost Wolf Duke was barely twenty years old. A Grand Knight at such an age? It seemed a preposterous lie. A resurrection of the old Frost Wolf Duke would be more believable!
"This information came directly from the Frost Wolf Ridge. I heard that both Hawkwing Castle and Silver Fox Town, along with their respective families, were completely annihilated by the Frost Wolf Duke. Most of the independent families have already re-pledged their loyalty to him. This is no hoax."
The speaker's earnest defense began to sway the crowd.
"Both Hawkwing Castle and Silver Fox Town?"
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances. These families were not insignificant players in the north. Furthermore, both had ties to the Ice Bear family. Cutting ties with Ice Bear City would be highly unusual under normal circumstances.
Their growing belief in the validity of the news left them stunned. Could the Frost Wolf Duke truly have advanced to Grand Knight?
Beyond Ice Bear City, similar rumors rippled across the northern territories, stirring unrest.
Grand Knights were rare in the north, and the Frost Wolf family's past glory was deeply etched in everyone's memories. If the old Duke had not died prematurely, the north would undoubtedly still be under Frost Wolf control.
Many eyes turned toward the Frost Wolf Ridge, particularly those who had participated in the division of the family's wealth during the Northern Rebellion. The Duke's resurgence could spell disaster for them.
Conversely, those who had secretly aided the Frost Wolf family felt a sense of relief and pride.
The northern territories' surface calm was once again disrupted, as turbulent undercurrents began to churn.
In the city lord's council chamber, the Ice Bear Marquis examined the intelligence report in his hand, his brow furrowed.
Unlike the speculations of lesser nobles, his intelligence was more detailed and precise.
Hawkwing Castle and Silver Fox Town were indeed destroyed.
His spies within the two territories confirmed witnessing the Frost Wolf Duke manifesting aura energy, a definitive mark of a Grand Knight.
"Little David, you've truly surprised me," the Ice Bear Marquis murmured.
To ensure the annihilation of the Frost Wolf Ridge, he had secretly deployed the Blood Mercenaries, a group he had groomed for years.
Yet, the Frost Wolf Duke had hidden his Grand Knight status, thwarting all assassination attempts.
An eighteen-year-old Grand Knight with such patience and cunning—it was enough to inspire a deep sense of dread.
The Marquis's eyes turned cold and ruthless.
He had initially planned to eliminate the Duke covertly, erasing the Frost Wolf family quietly.
But now, sensing the rising threat, he realized he could no longer afford to wait.
The Frost Wolf Ridge had to be obliterated before it fully rose again, and the Duke had to be killed along with his entire family.
With the civil war within the Silver Moon Kingdom in full swing, this was the perfect time to act.
Under the protection of the Second Prince, it was the ideal opportunity for the Ice Bear family to demonstrate their loyalty and cement the
ir position in the north.
The Ice Bear family had no room for retreat.
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