Chapter 206 – 20. Interlude (6)
If you were to pick one capital city in western Gaul, it would be Grand Mande. The tumbleweed rolling across the yellow and dry desert and the cracked ground, and in contrast to that, the seaside port city laid out in indigo and jade was truly a paradise for the outlaws within the kingdom.
Murder, rape, looting, arson, and trafficking.
At one time, this land was Surado. Crimes of every kind imaginable by man were committed every day, renewed in heinousness. It was a place where criminals from the western continent settled one by one while looking for a place to hide for a while, and because of that, it was also an area where no one dared to stand at the top.
Until Dominique Ravel, a man who appeared on the back of an order of knights directly subordinate to the archbishop, established order based on strict discipline and faith.
“Where should we go over the situation?”
And again times have changed. Now that the bishopric has fallen, it is the Seokhwadan here that represents the west, like the northern marquis, the eastern dukes, and the southern grand dukes. He is the owner of a wandering theater group composed of dancers, musicians, and entertainers.
Esmeralda Zafiro.
His hair black as charcoal and plentiful as cotton, his eyes shining bright green as if they contained fresh greenery, and his tanned skin full of healthy beauty were lined with tattoos containing shamanic meanings unique to wanderers. With her distinctive features, slender face and voluptuous body, she was truly an autumn stone.
The temple of the Celestial God, the only one in the wilderness, is now the home of those who use lust as their weapon. So, at the performance hall, which had been transformed with a podium and chairs by removing her sacred statue, Lady Gaul Seok led the meeting. Among her comrades who united, supported, and nurtured me as the focal point.
“All of Ashka’s assassins were taken prisoner?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Please explain.”
It was Salome who stood up from the low table where everyone was seated, nodding her head. She is a middle-aged woman with an exotic and deep beauty like her sister. Despite her age of forty-three, she still boasts her charm and is the left arm of Autumn Seok, who is mobilized by many beauty circles.
“Asuka, a high-class dancer and chief assassin, was dispatched to the northern frozen land to assassinate Baron Ardennes. To be precise, with her at the head, ten of her elite were selected to form her group. But the only one who returned was Valentina, a junior dancer and official assassin.”
“How is Valentina?”
“There are no specific injuries. But she thought it would be best to let her rest for a while, considering her frightened state. Because she can’t even make a statement properly.”
Resting her chin with one of her hands, Esmeralda immediately fell into contemplation. Even at that moment when she was drowning in the swamp of pleasure, she remembered the label that warned her anxiously. It’s not like I’ve never heard of the reputation of the knight who led the Great Offensive in Limousin, but where was the job of an assassin standing upright with a knight?
The power of the opponent is not much to consider for the clan that is aiming for the vital point in the dark and carelessness.
Even so, Ashka and her nine assassins were captured. Unless you’re an idiot, you can’t help but think of someone you shouldn’t touch, just like the bishop said.
“Mr. Ashka must have been Chief Salome’s younger brother, right?”
The dancer sitting in the last seat carefully raised her hand and asked. At a young age, she was a woman selected as a candidate for an executive position within the Seokhwadan. Salome, who was not too uncomfortable with her younger junior’s question, replied calmly to her.
“The achievement of the martial arts sword rose to the top, and if you looked at it simply in terms of force, it was next to Danju. It was just a story before the star sea joined.”
“It did.”
“From this, we can infer three possibilities. One is that Baron Ardennes’ inaction may be so lofty as to find no match for him. Two are that Mr. Ashka and his assassination squad could have been destroyed by means other than force.”
“What about three?”
“Worst case scenario, if both are true.”
Salome and the other officers shook their heads. Needless to say, it was the most plausible conclusion at the moment. While the lord pondered over the past, the women who could not stand the silence added one word at a time.
“Would a man named Romuald be that strong?”
“Yeah, I’ve always thought that rumors were exaggerated.”
“What is certain is that the Baron is a much tougher opponent than we expected. At least it means that it’s different from the old days when only one Marquis had to take care of it. You shouldn’t underestimate him as a talented person who will change the game in the battle for the throne.”
The die was cast anyway. Esmeralda, who finished a long thought while brushing her cheeks herself, joined the conversation. It’s peaceful on the outside, but on the inside it’s festering, revealing a desire to monopolize this kingdom that doesn’t know when it will collapse.
“As long as the abolished prince has returned to the central political world, I think civil war is only a matter of time. In fact, the battle for the throne between the three siblings had been going on for a long time. It was just the difference between being subtle and explicit.”
“Yes, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Somerset Swordsman Guild mobilized by Jacques de Gaulia is the best mercenary group on this continent. Naturally, the King and Princess Jang, who are inferior by force, would not like a military clash.”
In short, this is a tightrope walking between political strife and war. If the civil war reached its extreme enough to fight by exchanging agreements between the armies, it would be a victory with only wounds due to the invasion of neighboring countries. Whoever holds the throne.
The eastern nobleman, the private soldier of the Duke of LeBlanc, is also busy defending the business interests within the family.
The baron of the south, the privates of the Grand Duke of Tarn, are busy restoring the Dominion in ruins.
The barons in the north, the privates of the Marquis of Lemoang, have just finished fighting in the far north.
Therefore, there is no all-out war. Their social gatherings, adorned with wealth and fame, will continue to be held under gorgeous and dazzling chandeliers. And Esmeralda Zapiro predicts that the most important battlefield in this fight will be there.
“When military forces and military forces fight against each other, variables always arise. No one wants to gamble without knowing what the outcome will be in a situation where each person has hidden a trump card to catch them off guard. That’s why I chose to defy the will of the princess and stand tall as a powerful westerner.”
“You made up your mind. It’s time for the news of the annihilation of the Knights’ Order to reach the Archbishop’s ears, but there’s still no response. I think it’s proof that even Albert Monet couldn’t find a way to easily respond to Danju’s rise to power.”
“Salome, I have no regrets about that either. I also agree with you. But Ashka’s failure is painful. If the topic of overthrowing the bishop is thrown at the rough outlaws of the west, someone will surely try to challenge my authority. Therefore, first of all, the key is to settle the internal affairs of the West.”
The taxes collected in Grande Mande and western cities are not so great. In particular, it would be embarrassing to call it a blow to a big hand in the upper world like Princess Marianne or a religious figure like Archbishop Monet.
The question is, is the coast a geographical factor?
The dancers, actors, and musicians dispatched to various parts of the kingdom under the secret orders of the Seokhwadan report the situation in the area they are assigned to every single day. So, now that we know that the south has been devastated by the invasion of the kingdom of Aragorn, it is not an exaggeration to say that Grand Mande is the only sea route possessed by Gaul.
Because the coast of northern frozen land, which tends to freeze every winter, is difficult to function as an ice-free port.
“Princess Marianne is not just a promiscuous woman. I chose to wait and see because the situation was unfortunate, and one day I will definitely be punished for my sins. So we have to conquer the West as soon as possible.”
Esmeralda raised her hands on her table and looked around at the people sitting on either side of her. I also met the eyes of the female warrior who silently stood guard with an ax at the entrance of the concert hall behind me. Even though she trusted herself in the shadows, she didn’t care too much, she was the best even under my standard of witnessing many strong people.
“The Petrified Clan is an organization dedicated to caring for those who have fled from the persecution of this cruel world. As for Ashka and her family, they are undoubtedly my family. So, this Esmeralda will never let go of their will to save them.”
The Rose of the Wilderness added, realizing the unspoken bond they shared.
“However, let’s not forget that from the moment we defeated the bishop, we became a clear political force. In order to win the final victory between the factions of the abolished prince, the faction of the princess, and the faction of the king, it is necessary to distinguish between what to do and what not to do.”
Jacques belongs to the Somerset Swordsman Guild and the Duke of LeBlanc.
The Marian faction had a countervailing influence with Archbishop Monet.
The Alphonses are a group of middle-ranking nobles who are packed with loyalists.
“I will do this.”
Finally, having decided on the direction of the women I lead, she opened her mouth.
“The first priority is to correct public sentiment and order in the West. Originally, this internal affair was to be left to Ashka and her assassination team, but since the situation is the situation, I will take care of it.”
“Everything, the Dan Lord himself?”
“What is lacking is not an assassin, but a leader who will command them. After all, the only powerful people in this lawless area are those who are cheap even if they die, so things should be easy.”
Ugh, Esmeralda took out a curved dagger and a dime of Gallic gold coins from between her clothes and put them on.
“If appeasement does not work, death.”
“… What about Ashkazo?”
“Let them trust their spirit. Even if he would take his own life, he is not a comrade who would sell our secrets.”
It’s no surprise that the game is changing in today’s situation. It is clear what actions the Petrified Clan must take now that they know that Romuald Arden in the northern frozen land is a considerable enemy. Along with a full-scale revision of the strategy, it is to strengthen internal stability.
“Salome, unlike Asuka, the force officer, you are responsible for our shamanic support and information management system. Needless to say, it’s a key job. But I am quite worried that the fact that my brother was taken prisoner will shake his heart.”
“Since my sister and I were saved by the Lord Dan, we have sworn to give our lives. I will do my best to do my duty without being swayed by such feelings.”
“I believe it. For the time being, make sure your talented and beautiful kids have access to as many factors and social events as possible. Because this civil war will be a fight where the side with more intelligence than the level of force will win.”
The rose’s thorns sprout more fiercely every day. Esmeralda spoke of a goal she would aim for after stabilizing her western base. It’s a pity that the attempt to capture the northern part, which was considered relatively weak, went to nothing, but luckily a better place came up for sale.
“Now that Archduke Lucien has been kidnapped, the southern Dominion of Tarn is actually Muju communism. We will quickly rule this region and aim for it. Although Charles, Count Dior, is an outstanding man in politics, he will not be free from assassination.”
“Yes, if the royal family can carry out the work until the governor is dispatched, he will be able to occupy important places such as Limousin.”
“Negotiations for the release of the Baron of the Northern Territory and Ashkazo will be postponed until then. It won’t be a short time, but I hope everyone believes in me and follows me. Trusting my determination for more comrades.”
The executives sitting at the table said, of course, that they agreed. Esmeralda, who finally wrapped up today’s meeting, asked the heroine who stood out in the shadows with her beautiful off-white color, the sea of stars across the sea with an ax on her shoulder.
“Sansar, can you trust me in the worst case?”
Tamir, the eldest daughter of the great warrior who commanded the far north limit, was unknown and legendary.
“Your skills that even the Iron-Blooded Empress couldn’t match.”
Kamag’s Sansar gave a short answer, blinking bluntly.
“No problem.”
