Chapter 84 - What Lies Underneath The Palace
"This is why."
Lord Esmond kicked one of the heads by his feet towards Lord Weld. The head rolled and smeared his shoes with its half-dried bloody texture.
Being a water-user, Lord Weld was the epitome of hygiene. He washed the smudge off his shoe at first notice with a frown. But no matter how much he washes himself; he would never be able to wash the smell of blood off his hands.
"And what is this?" Lord Weld asked with a low voice. He was displeased with Lord Esmond's action. Not only could he not garner any information out of the decapitated head of some unknown figure, his shoe was also soiled. Although he washed it off, the smell may stick and add to what he already has.
"The plan was compromised. These sneaky rats are obviously well trained in nimble and stealth arts and were not weak. It was by chance that we were able to catch them spying on us. We can only assume that they belong to the either Duke's forces or the Royal faction itself. Either way, it could only mean that our plan had been compromised and to proceed with it was. You should have received the retreat message long ago."
Lord Esmond explained.
"Retreat message? Hmph! I've received no such things!! Don't you all think it's too late to retreat without losses once the battle had started!? It is too late to turn back now! We are now in open conflict with the Royal faction and will soon be labelled as rebels! We must act soon and succeed
Lord Weld roared furiously. Just thinking about his tremendous loss filled him with great fury. Fortunately, he still has a grandson to continue the family lineage. Otherwise, he would have really gone crazy and attack them.
"You didn't get the message? Those fallen nobles are so fucking useless! They had one job and they couldn't even do it right. But it explains why you have only arrived now." Lord Grey commented coldly.
"Hmph! These fallen nobles are just a bunch of boneless chickens! They talk about their loyalty to the alliance, but when the time comes to show it, they all cower and run away at the most crucial moments. The way I see it, they were always part of the Royal faction and were trying to worm their way back into the Queen's good graces." Lord Esmond added.
"Enough talking about those flip-floppers!"
Lady Harriet, who had been staying quietly all this time, finally spoke coldly. She could not hide the disdain she held for men.
"A bunch of old geezers talking about useless crap. We should be focusing on how to deal with the Royal faction! Now that the Duke's side have entered the palace, they are untouchable. Unless we want to push forward our plans and decide everything in one frontal assault on the palace, I suggest we find an alternative solution to deal with them."
"Hmph! Old hag, you're not good either! Isn't the solution painfully obviously? If we can't fight them inside the palace, can't we just force them out to fight?" Lord Esmond scorned.
"Who are you calling an Old hag!? If you're so great, why don't you go ahead and tell us how we can force them out?" Lady Harriet rebuked. She was a lady. She might be aged but being called old hag was unacceptable.
Her words were immediately met with contemptuous looks from both Lord Esmond and Lord Grey. Only Lord Weld frowned in thought, while listening to the three of them talk. It was apparent that they did not try to sabotage him, but the fallen nobles. He was no longer angry at the three families as his anger was redirected.
"The answer is obvious. If we just start killing people openly, razing buildings to the ground and setting fire to the whole capital, they would have no choice but to come out to stop us. The Queen without her iron fortress would be much easier to cope with. Unfortunate, she still has the Duke and Duchess by her side, making the upcoming battle a tough one." Lord Grey took the chance to explained before Lord Esmond could.
Listening to this point, Lord Weld's frown deepened.
"No, we don't stand a chance unless we find more helpers. They still have another unknown 9th step expert among their ranks. I was forced to flee due to his appearance." Lord Weld recalled.
"Is that true? We weren't the only one hiding ourselves? The Royal faction had hid themselves well... but where can we find capable helpers to aid our cause? We don't have much time left..."
The four great families have yet to realize the immensity of the earth and the measure of their opponent's strength. They were just frogs at the bottom of a well, looking up at a narrow sky. Their plots and schemes were nothing but a joke to the eyes of those who are truly strong like Queen Elizabeth.
Their ambitions were doomed to never succeed. But due to their ignorance, the addition of another expert did not sway their determination by much.
There was only shock and desperation caused by the bomb-like news, Lord Weld dropped on them. They have yet to give up, for giving up means accepting their deaths. Their lifespans were reaching the limits of how much their secret method could extend it by.
Where in Crawford Kingdom, could they find another 9th step expert to help them? General marquis Hendrick was guarding the west and had no interest in the matters of the capital. Otherwise, they would have been able to convince him to join their alliance long ago.
"There is one person that comes to mind." Lord Weld suddenly mentioned.
"Are you talking about Sir Zagan of the Valaran Kingdom?"
Their eyes lit up as the same person all came to mind.
To them, Sir Zagan was a person of immeasurable depth and worthy of utmost respect. Not only was he a powerful awakener, he was also greatly knowledgeable in human history and ancient ruins.
They had once entered an ancient ruin belonging to the Valaran Kingdom together and made great gains. During their breaks, they would converse with Sir Zagan and learnt deeper history and secrets regarding their own kingdom.
The greatest treasure to ever by uncovered from an ancient ruin was none other the transcendent-grade technique, the Hero King left behind for his descendants.
Aldrich Crawford was no genius, but he had a great fortuitous encounter to uncover the technique from an ancient ruin and allowed himself to stand out among all early awakeners to rise to power.
From the ancient ruins, it was clear that history of awakeners existed for a far longer period than the start of the great cataclysm that changed the world.
As for the location of that ancient ruin, it was precisely underneath the capital, but the only entry point was located within the palace.
Should people attempt to dig into underground ancient ruin from any other point, they would find themselves in a large insect nest and be attacked endlessly.
The 4 great family naturally lust for the royal family's transcendent-grade breathing technique. But if they could not get it, exploring the large underground ruin to find a suitable transcendent-grade technique was their next best hope to breakthrough and greatly extend their lifespan.
"Yes. Luckily for us, Sir Zagan had been staying in the nearby Rainwallow city for the last couple of years and is only a few hours' drive away."
"That's great! We will organize our forces, while you make haste to Rainwallow city and ask for his help." Lord Esmond immediately designated Lord Weld to the job.
His expression darkened immediately. He understood the hidden meaning behind Lord Esmond's words, which were like a jab in his sore spot. His people were all dead, so they chose him to go.
"Hmph! Let's go, Alf!" Lord Weld stomped his foot and walked away.
Alf, who stood behind him quietly the whole time, followed obediently.
Some distance away from the Grey's mansion in a secluded alley, Lord Weld stopped.
"I'm entrusting you with this technique. Go find a fresh batch of loyal servants for the Weld family and start training them immediately, while I make the trip to Rainwallow city alone.
"Yes, my Lord." Alf accepted the task without hesitation, but some thoughts swirled in his mind. "M-My lord, is it okay if I abolish my cultivation to also train in the technique?"
Steward Alf was already at the 6th step, but he had no hopes of advancing further. Without the resources invested, it would be too difficult. He had hopes for the Lancaster's technique even if he must start over.
"Are you certain?" Lord Weld looked at him deeply.
It was unknown whether Alf could reawaken as a fire-user, but it was a chance he was willing to take.
"Y-Yes." Alf answered with gritted teeth. He was prepared to stake it all on the chance to become a future powerhouse.
"Good. Since you have made your choice, then I will not stop you. Do not regret it. Go now and carry out your task." Lord Weld ordered.
"Yes, my Lord!"