100: Chapter 100 The Marquis of Bryce's Target! The Duke of Witton's Scheme!

Holy Calendar Year 1853, Early Winter.

The Imperial Capital, Seran City.

The winter chill had deepened.

A somber, murderous atmosphere began to permeate the air.

"War has broken out again in the Western Territories!"

"The Silent Blade Legion of the Night Federation has launched a night raid on Golan Fortress!"

The battle reports from the Western Territories instantly ignited the political landscape of the entire Imperial Capital.

After a brief uproar, a deeper, more profound restlessness took hold.

Everyone understood that an offensive of this scale was no longer the minor friction and testing seen over the past few years.

The Night Federation was playing for keeps this time!

This surprise attack was likely the beginning of a new round of full-scale conflict.

The Royal Court, The Senate chambers, the Military Headquarters... all were instantly ablaze with lights and bustling with figures.

Summons for emergency meetings were issued one after another; powerful officials and nobles from all factions rushed to attend, their expressions solemn.

Arguing, assigning blame, mobilizing troops, gathering supplies...

Counterattacking or negotiating for peace...

All sorts of voices began to clash everywhere.

...

Meanwhile.

In the western district of the Imperial Capital, inside a manor with distinct stylistic features that showcased the heritage of a military aristocracy.

In the study, the fireplace blazed.

A man who appeared to be about thirty years old stood with his hands behind his back in front of a massive map of the Western Territories.

Wyatt Bryce.

The first-tier heir to the Marquis Bryce Mansion of the Western Territories.

His gaze fell upon the location of Golan Fortress, his brow slightly furrowed.

The reigniting of war in the Twilight Creek Plains was by no means good news for the Bryce family, whose territory lay behind Golan Fortress.

It meant that several contingency plans the family had prepared must be activated immediately.

"The Northern Territories..." he murmured to himself, his gaze involuntarily turning toward the top of the map.

In Will Province, the Church is leading an investigation into the Scarlet Heresy Case.

This case seemed calm on the surface, but in reality, there were quite a few observers within the Imperial Capital watching it closely.

Now that the Western Territories have indeed undergone a change, the layout in the Northern Territories appears even more important and urgent.

A flash of decisiveness crossed Wyatt's eyes as he turned to the butler standing by and asked:

"Has Emir already accepted the invitation?"

"Yes, Young Master."

"Good..."

...

The Silent Night Club.

Inside a hidden private room.

The lighting was soft, and the incense was elegant and light.

Wyatt Bryce and Emir Windsor sat opposite each other.

Clear tea was set on the low table before them, but neither touched it.

Dispensing with idle pleasantries, Wyatt got straight to the point.

He hoped the Windsor Family could provide support to their allies in Northern affairs, and the Bryce family would offer a corresponding return.

Emir listened quietly, his eyes shimmering with light.

The Bryce family was a well-known military aristocratic family in the Empire; his aunt was the current Marchioness Bryce.

Now that the other party had made a request, both for public and private reasons, he should provide a positive and prudent response.

However, the one currently handling the Scarlet Heresy Case in the Northern Territories was Aria, the most gifted of the family's current generation.

He didn't know if this sister of his would consider his suggestion.

If his sister's cooperation was needed, it might be more secure to ask his father or mother to intervene.

After a long silence, he spoke slowly: "Sir Wyatt's sincerity and foresight are admirable."

"Although the Crimson threat in the North has temporarily subsided, the aftermath is not yet over; it indeed requires capable individuals to stabilize the region."

"The Windsor Family... in principle, is willing to join hands with friendly and devout allies. However..."

...

The two negotiated for a while longer.

Ultimately, a tacit agreement was reached.

The Windsor Family would use its influence so that during the final disposal of the Gino County Scarlet Heresy Case, the recommended candidate for the lord of the Purple Thorn Territory—which 'already has no legal heir and faces reclamation'—would be set as Vanessa Bryce.

In exchange, the Bryce family would pay the agreed-upon price.

...

Northern Territories, Will Province Provincial Capital, Aksai City.

Black Lion Duke Mansion, Study.

The dancing firelight from the fireplace cast the tall silhouette of Duke Witton onto the wall.

He had just put down an urgent secret report regarding the Western war, and a faint, subtle smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Exactly as I expected... those fellows from the Church of the Night couldn't hold back after all."

With chaos in the West, the Empire's attention would inevitably be drawn away in large part.

This was the perfect opportunity.

"Go and invite the Dawn Knight, the Bone Wastes Knight, and Eggy to my study."

Duke Witton instructed the butler beside him.

"Yes, Master."

The butler exited the study.

A moment later.

The study door was silently pushed open again.

Three figures entered in single file.

Leading them was a young knight.

His face was handsome but carried a trace of subtle weakness.

The second person was quite eye-catching.

It was a giant of a man, over two meters tall.

His muscles were knotted, his skin was the greenish-white characteristic of Northern Barbarians, and his face was painted with blood-red war tattoos.

He wore only simple leather armor, and his entire body radiated a thick scent of blood and killing intent.

The third person was his son.

Eggy Wheaton.

Duke Witton's gaze first fell upon Mason Tudor.

His tone carried a rare hint of concern:

"How are your injuries?"

Mason nodded: "Barely stabilized..."

Duke Witton nodded slightly; he knew the other's injuries had not fully recovered.

A trace of regret couldn't help but cross his mind.

Had all three sacrifices succeeded, the gathered high-level Crimson Brew would have been enough to fully heal Mason's injuries.

This would have also allowed him to exert greater influence within the Royal Family.

Unfortunately, the Mist Whisper Town sacrifice was disrupted by the Church.

But he quickly gathered his thoughts and turned his gaze to the Bone Wastes Knight, his tone becoming direct:

"Bone Wastes Knight, how are the preparations for your Red Gravel Tribe?"

The Bone Wastes Knight grinned, revealing forest-white teeth, his voice coarse: "Rest assured, Duke. The warriors have long been hungry and thirsty for battle."

"As long as you provide accurate intelligence on the border defenses of the Lance Family territory, the iron cavalry of our Red Gravel Tribe can surely tear through their defensive lines like ripping sheepskin, letting that old fellow Marquis Lance have a good taste of blood and fire!"

"Very good." A cold light flashed in Duke Witton's eyes. "The intelligence will be delivered on time."

"Remember, act fast and be ruthless. Creating enough panic and destruction is sufficient; there's no need to linger in battle."

He looked at Mason again: "Mason, what about your side?"

Mason furrowed his brows slightly and said in a deep voice:

"Once the Lance Family is attacked and the situation in the North becomes volatile, I will use the excuse that the Empire should not fight on multiple fronts to push for peace talks with the Northern Barbarian Tribes in both the Royal Family and The Senate. I will also agree to open some border cities and sign trade agreements."

"Of course, I will also have people handle the Scarlet Heresy Case. The Windsor Family is not without rivals within the Church. At this juncture, they also need to submit to the big picture."

"The Dark Night Council is the Empire's true arch-enemy!"

Eggy Wheaton added from the side:

"Father, at that time we can support tribal representatives close to us to participate in the peace talks and trade, gradually bringing the magic beast materials of the Northern Wastelands into our hands."

"At the same time, we can use their power to further weaken the Lance Family and other disobedient border nobles."

Duke Witton looked at the Dawn Knight and nodded with satisfaction.

Mason was a representative figure put forward by the Royal Conservatives. Even if he had failed and been heavily injured while breaking through to become a Sky Knight, his status remained, and he still carried great weight within the Royal Family.

He knew that certain factions in the Royal Family and the Church were very dissatisfied with him, which was why he had pushed for his youngest daughter's engagement to Mason...

The Royal Conservatives wanted him to stabilize the North.

He also needed the Royal Conservatives to deal with the hostility from some forces in the Imperial Capital, buying him more time.

The four of them discussed the matter for a long time, hammering out most of the details.

As the discussion neared its end, the Bone Wastes Knight suddenly spoke, a flash of blood-red light in his eyes:

"That fellow the Bloodthirsty Knight is still guarding Aksai City, and he's obsessed with that Windsor girl who captured the Pale Knight alive."

"He sent word asking, if the Church really gets desperate and forcibly breaks the Crimson Guardian in the Pale Knight's mind..."

"Can he find an opportunity to give that little priestess a vicious blow? To kill her directly."

Hearing this, Duke Witton's brow furrowed slightly.

Kill Aria Windsor?

The Windsor Family was not to be trifled with. This Church family, which had been deeply rooted in the Inquisition for years, had the Empire's top-tier experts backing it.

To make an enemy of the Windsor Family for a Pale Knight who had already lost most of his value was not worth it.

The backup plans he had originally arranged in Gino City were for emergencies, to control the situation if necessary, not to be used for assassinating a well-connected Arbitration Priest.

Besides, once the flames of war rose in the West and the Empire's focus shifted, the Scarlet Heresy Case in the North would inevitably no longer be investigated as deeply as before.

With the pressure on the Church increasing, they would likely choose to close the case as soon as possible.

While the secrets in the Pale Knight's mind were important, it was unlikely the Church would investigate a Northern Great Duke at this time based on some unverifiable intelligence.

The Church of the Night in the West was the true mortal enemy of the Church of Dawn; they should know how to weigh the pros and cons.

But then he thought again: the Church's previous stern public inquiry had caused him to lose a lot of face.

Letting the habitually arrogant Windsor Family suffer a little seemed not bad either?

She was just a junior, after all.

Besides, the one taking action would be the Blood Barbarian [Bloodthirsty Knight]; what did that have to do with Duke Witton?

At this thought, the displeasure on his face softened slightly. He neither explicitly agreed nor opposed, only saying faintly: "Regarding the matter in Gino City, act as you see fit."

"Remember, the big picture is paramount. Do not actively seek out unnecessary trouble."

"Unless... the other party really takes action to forcibly break the guardian power in the Pale Knight's mind."

These words were ambiguous, but everyone present understood the implied permission.

The Dawn Knight's brow furrowed slightly, but he did not speak.

His healing this time had not been fully successful, and he would still need the assistance of Duke Witton and the Blood Barbarian tribes later on.

Furthermore, the one who disrupted the Mist Whisper Town sacrifice plan was precisely that Windsor priestess.

The blood-light in the Bone Wastes Knight's eyes grew even more intense, and he nodded with a savage grin.

The meeting ended, and the news was quickly transmitted back to Gino City through secret channels.

In the noble manor where Theodore Witton resided.

Inside the study, there was only him and a guard who looked plain and unremarkable.

"The Duke and the others have decided. With the war in the West starting, the Scarlet Heresy Case here in the North is expected to be concluded as quickly as possible."

"Here in Gino City, the Pale Knight's value is no longer great. The Duke's meaning is, if the Church insists on digging deeper, you can... act as you see fit."

Theodore spoke in a low voice to the guard behind him, relaying the Duke's ambiguous instructions.

Upon hearing this, the Bloodthirsty Knight's perpetually lowered eyelids suddenly snapped open, his eyes exploding with a crazed aura.

He licked his somewhat dry lips, a low, rasping chuckle escaping his throat like the panting of a wild beast:

"Act as I see fit... hehe, I understand."

"I've long been annoyed by that posturing Church priestess!"

"Pale is a piece of trash too, actually getting captured alive by a little girl."

"..."

Theodore looked at the Bloodthirsty Knight's undisguised killing intent, his heart shivering slightly.

But thinking of the family's plan and his father's tacit approval, he could only secretly hope this fellow wouldn't play too far and wouldn't actually kill that priestess of the Windsor Family.

...