Chapter 253 – 25. Clash! Dueling Trial (3)
Lemoen Citadel, checkpoint.
It was a few hours before the official letter was delivered in the name of Baron Ardenne. An unexpected incident occurred at the guard post built solidly with stone walls. It was between a man who had been promoted from a low-level soldier to a 10th division commander and still worked hard on guard duty.
Twelve wagons abruptly attacked those whose daily routine was to warm up and deal with the occasional visitor. The exterior was adorned with a familiar family crest, and a woman with an old face was holding the reins on the coachman’s seat in the lead.
“In front of you, stop right now!”
“You are in front of the city of Ardennes in the stern Northern Margrave!”
“If you want to pass by here, you will have to get off your horse and answer the question!”
Hey! The horses that were running stopped as if they were about to crash into the magnificent gray castle wall at any moment. It was because of the rapid braking of the spirit of the sentries who aimed their spears forward. Unlike before, the discipline of those who were well polished and provided with sharp weapons was really thorough.
“Hey, everyone, do that.”
Hagiya Recently, the status of Lemoang Northern has been marching high every day. It was to the extent that even the courtiers, who often visited as the king’s representative, were diligently checked when they went in and out of Ardennes out of respect for the baron.
“That’s Mrs. LeBlanc’s carriage.”
It was Antoine, who was in charge of the guard post, who calmed down the untimely commotion. Even though he couldn’t memorize the name, he recognized that the woman in the driver’s seat was the Duchess’s maid and went outside. As always, watching her open her mouth with only her thin spring clothes on despite her harsh weather, I sensed that something was firmly wrong with her.
“The lady over there seems to have an old relationship with me. I don’t remember her name very well, so please get off the horse and identify yourself.”
Her lady-in-waiting, Jean Annette, who had a distressed expression perhaps because she was severely stained by her coldness, squeezed her voice with difficulty and shouted.
“My name is Annette! I am the head maid of the LeBlanc family and serve Madame Henrietta!”
Suffering from the cold, her skin was dark and reddish. It was the appearance of a typical early frostbite patient. Still, Annette, who didn’t want to take care of herself, said she was in a hurry and continued.
“I have something urgent to say to Baron Ardennes and Madame Lemoin… !”
Standing up and shouting loudly, she was like a hero in a myth. Most impressive of all was the fact that Annette was not alone. Before she knew it, the spleen expressions of those who put their heads out one by one surprised the soldiers who were taken aback by the sudden situation.
However, there could be no exceptions to the rule.
“Everybody move! It seems urgent!”
Instead, Antoine summoned all the soldiers in the post and instructed them to carry out the prescribed procedure as quickly as possible while approaching the woman in danger.
“Miss Annette, where is Madame LeBlanc now?”
“I will tell the baron! Please let me in!”
“Please calm down. In no case can the procedure be omitted. This is a matter directly related to the safety of the city.”
“But… !”
The lady-in-waiting, nervously mending herself, sniffed her nose at her tear-stained face. Her puzzled Antoine continued her conversation, carefully soothing her. It was the moment when her years of service as a soldier shined through.
“It’s okay, so take a deep breath and answer slowly.”
“Madam, you are in danger!”
“Yes?”
“My master in the east has decided to refer Madame Henrietta to an execution trial. If he is even a little late, he will disappear into the dew of his executioner. So hurry up and ask for help… !”
It was only then that Antoine, who grasped the whole story, was stunned. The distance from LeBlanc Castle to the city of Ardennes is comparable to crossing the Gauls because of the rugged mountain range. In other words, these loyal servants had come from that extreme in one month for their master.
In order to speed up even a little bit, he threw away all the luggage of the wagon, and because of that, he got frostbite because he couldn’t even wear a winter clothes.
“Everyone, stop coming back!”
The tenth commander hurriedly shouted and lifted the horn that was strapped to his waist. He announced the seriousness of the situation with a loud horn that the soldiers on the side of the castle could hear.
“Did you say Annette?”
The lady-in-waiting, who had been exhaling immaculately, nodded tremblingly.
“I will tell the baron right now. However, you are in urgent need of treatment due to frostbite, so please follow the soldiers.”
“But… !”
“It is difficult to underestimate the coldness of the frozen soil. At a time like now, if Mr. Annette was bedridden, who would attend Mrs. LeBlanc’s side? Please follow my instructions here.”
It was a theory. After hearing Antoine’s words, Annette reluctantly agreed.
“Ah, okay…”
There was no need to worry. Baron Ardennes is a person whose love for his family is extraordinary.
“First, put on my coat. I’ll light a fire inside the guard post, so everyone on the other side should come and warm up.”
Antoine, who knew this better than anyone else, gave the weary employees a rest. He finally let go of his time and paid attention to their behavior. I was amazed at the personality of the duchess, thinking that I would not normally do this for the nobles I serve.
“Lady LeBlanc was brought to trial for execution due to the Duke’s purge. Is there anything else I should know or convey?”
“Witch. In fact, the adult owner must have also fallen for the woman’s tricks. Originally, he was a child under me, but he is a monster who has mastered all kinds of magic. I used to seduce the duke without the madam’s knowledge and play around with it.”
“Are you saying that the woman is behind this?”
“I can’t think of any other way than that!”
“A witch, I understand.”
The city’s borders are now fully secured. Hearing the sound of a trumpet from the side of the gate, Antoine waved to the volunteers who came running and briefly explained the situation, asking him to take his seat.
“It’s here! Since they are Mrs. LeBlanc’s people, please respectfully accompany them to the official residence in the city!”
“Leave it to me!”
One of the lower end soldiers responded loudly.
“You take care of the guard post for me. I have to report to the baron right away.”
“Okay. Don’t worry and go.”
The 10th chief who replaced me also showed a trustworthy attitude. Indeed, he immediately led the soldiers at the checkpoint.
“We will start with the organization of personnel again so that there is no disruption to all members, inspections and searches!”
“Ancient!”
“In case you don’t know, call the driver on duty first, and let those who are off duty contact you!”
Annette and her 15 employees were finally relieved to see the sight. Admiring Antoine, the head of the 10th division, showing such a level of leadership, he patted his surprised heart.
“Please, concentrate on taking care of yourself. As soon as I get an answer from the baron, I will send someone to let you know.”
“I would like to express my gratitude…”
“I am just doing my duty.”
“Ah…”
And all of a sudden, Annette, who was about to answer with a bashful smile, turned her head.
“Miss Annette? Annette!”
“Antoine! A patient who collapsed here too!”
“Damn it, call the doctor right now!”
“I’ll take care of it, you go to the baron!”
“I get it!”
Those who forgot their limits and rushed in desperation met a belated reaction.
* * *
In the Winter Mansion, in the well-prepared drawing room, a meeting table gathered with Northern dignitaries like Giraseong.
The seat of honor was, of course, Romuald, Baron Ardennes. Also, next to him was Oriane, who was known as the foreign courtier.
Her daughter, Lucienne, was watching the meeting from behind the two of them, while her maid, Françoise, was a step away from him, ready to answer the call.
“Everyone must have heard the news.”
In the chairs prepared to the left and right, the head maid Marion and the old knight Mathieu, as well as Fabien Dupuy, Hugo Henry, Guillaume Giraud and Antoine were present.
“An hour ago, Annette, Duchess LeBlanc’s maid of honor from the East, delivered an urgent message.”
Arno, the dragon onslaught, is about to put her second wife on trial for execution. Although it goes through legal procedures, it is merely an act of catering to a person with high authority, such as a duke. As soon as the royal ashes fall, Henrietta will be her dead body.
“The problem here is that I don’t know much about Valorant. In the past, he helped the Duke’s work in Fontaine, but it was only at the level of force. Moreover, even at that time, Arnaud LeBlanc was living in seclusion.”
In that sense, they were called together. Rom looked back and forth at the two elders sitting on either side of him. He then lightly sighed and asked for their opinions.
“Maid, Sir Peltier.”
“Yes, Baron.”
“Please tell me.”
“Let’s start by listening to the words of two people with thick bones. Is there anything I should know before discussing the matter?”
Marion was the first to respond. She, who was also from the Aquitaine family’s nanny, gave her comments about her dukedom. She was a very easy-to-understand summary, befitting a person who had attended and educated the royal family.
“Dragon Mang is a brilliant and strong hero. He was also a close friend of Prince Alexandre Dior, the father of the former baron. He was a nobleman who could dare to be called the best of his time.”
Next, the old knight spoke. Having acted as the margrave’s henchman in the past, he seemed to have had several experiences facing the duke in the same vein.
“Arnaud LeBlanc was also friendly with my former lord. The swordsmanship of the two heroes is so great that it is difficult to compare which one is superior. However, in this old man’s personal opinion, I think the margrave had a slight advantage over the duke.”
“What is your personality like?”
“He’s not someone who gets drunk with power or moves carelessly.”
“I heard that too. I’ve heard several rumors that Miss Henrietta is not on good terms with her husband, but I never thought it would be so…”
“Then, there is a possibility that the witch of the ducal family is behind it, as the decree commander told us.”
Certainty is, of course, inconceivable. However, it was necessary to keep all possibilities open, as if listening to the words of the two elders.
“It’s difficult to underestimate Valor. It’s not that I don’t know that the baron’s skills are outstanding, but the deceased lord was at a level comparable to yours. Even if the duke can’t defeat you, he won’t lose easily.”
“Sir Peltier, since you know him on the battlefield, you can ask. How do you think the duke will act at this point in time when the purge of Madame LeBlanc is rumored?”
“You are a thorough-going person. Yet, on the other hand, there is a condescending side. He may not pull his foot off because things are wrong, but he can push even more boldly. Whatever it is, he won’t be easily defeated once he’s made up his mind.”
“Are you saying you can end the trial on the same day?”
“A day trip? If the conditions are right, it will be done in an hour or two. Once you’ve committed something, it’s easier to get back to you if you finish it. There’s no way you’re sloppily examining the circumstances around you.”
In other words, if the royal family’s ashes fall, Henrietta LeBlanc will be executed on the same day.
“This is getting in trouble…”
Rom, who clicked his tongue, expressed disapproval. It wasn’t long after the defensive battle against Ruth in the far north, it was a burdensome decision to start a new war with the East.
No matter how much the situation in the frozen land has improved unlike before, the funds cannot be abused recklessly at a time when the success of the Snowfield Trade Corps is not certain.
“So what are you going to do, Baron?”
“I don’t know how Lord Peltier views me, but I don’t have the option of abandoning my family.”
The old knight’s eyes twinkled. The hot-blooded Fabian also blew his whistle, implying his approval of the baron. Furthermore, Guillaume and Hugo also nodded in agreement as if they were right.
“East, the Duchy of LeBlanc is another huge country. Although the growth of the frozen land is dazzling, it will not come close to it in terms of military. Even if you are there, war and battle are different.”
“I agree. As someone who considers this place to be my hometown, I also do not want our home to be devastated. In that sense, I would like to ask for the cooperation of the people here.”
“What is that?”
Glancingly, before answering the question, Rom turned his head to the side for a moment and met his gaze with his women.
“Duel Trial.”
And soon, he answered with eyes full of encouragement and support from his three lovely wives and concubines. He said that the traditional New Testament trial of the Western Continent would not be the answer.
“Let’s drive the guilt or innocence to a contest between the plaintiff and the defendant?”
“I don’t think there is any other way.”
“It’s not bad, but will the royal family really allow the two powerhouses of the northeast to fight for their lives?”
“You just need a good cause. I have my own idea for that, so leave it to me.”
“What do you mean cooperation is needed?”
“It’s not just a dueling trial.”
Mathieu was taken aback. Rom was talking about the envoy of knights who had now gathered with himself at the head.
“No way, the big battle… ?”
The purpose is not diplomacy, but armed negotiations.
“If I were to challenge the duke by myself, wouldn’t it be possible for him to avoid the duel even at the risk of stigma? It shouldn’t be like that. In that sense, it will be a grand battle.”
The duel between the Baron of Ardennes and the Duke of LeBlanc is interesting, but that’s all. Even if Yongmaengong avoids fighting with Rom, he won’t be at a big disadvantage. Since the age difference between the two is not small, it is not a disgraceful choice.
But what if it goes into a grand battle, a northern versus eastern structure?
Moreover, the winner was the famous Henrietta LeBlanc. It is the origin of the Four Seasons and the first and foremost castle that dominates the Gallic social world. Needless to say, it will be a major event that attracts public attention.
“Above all, if we win, it’s not only to protect Mrs. LeBlanc.”
“We can spread the perception that the North has won over the East. The weight of the political world and the upper world might shift from there to our side. You can even take the same loot as if you won the war without shedding a drop of blood.”
“So, are you willing to help?”
Mathieu Peltier and the three knights blinked their wide eyes. It wasn’t long before he grinned and spit it out in unison.
“Just lay the plate.”
This is a great welcome.
