NOVPUBChapter 293: Chapter 276: Sudden Conflict_2
Whether to invade the Feis Kingdom had become the focal point of contention between the two sides, drawing the attention of many within the Dillon Kingdom.
However, from Lis’s observations, it was undoubtedly King Lukar who had the upper hand, as many pre-war preparations had already formally commenced. Duke Ward, on the other hand, was powerless to stop any of it due to his loss of control over key positions within the Kingdom.
Overall, everything was progressing as Lukar had anticipated.
As this imbalance in power began, more and more neutrals also chose to join the side favoring the invasion of the Feis Kingdom, intensifying the conflict between the two sides.
At that time, Duke Ward was attacked!
It happened while Duke Ward was traveling to the Royal Palace by carriage, assassins ambushed from the shadows on both sides of the road and attacked his carriage.
...
Fortunately, during this time, Duke Ward, sensing the worsening situation, always brought his most elite guards wherever he went. Thus, under the intervention of several Gold Level warriors, the assassins’ attempt was thwarted.
But as they fled, they threw a Magic Alchemy Bomb at the carriage. Although it was not as powerful as the bombs used by Lis, it still destroyed the carriage and adjacent streets, causing dense smoke and injuring or killing dozens of civilians present at the scene.
Rumors had it that Duke Ward was seriously injured in the attack, and there were even whispers of his death, but none were confirmed by the Ward Family.
…
“What are they trying to do?!”
Duke Ward’s face was extremely grim and angry; his current location was a secret stronghold of the Ward Family, not within the family manor.
Beside him were Marquis Milne, Viscount Bates, and some high-ranking Kingdom officials, though many of their positions had already been revoked by His Majesty the King in recent days.
Unknown to Lis, King Lukar and Duke Ward had secretly crossed swords many times by now, and currently, Duke Ward was at a complete disadvantage.
Even so, Duke Ward hadn’t expected Lukar to dare to make a direct attempt on his life. Did he think he had a sure victory and decided it was time to openly turn against him?
During the attack, Duke Ward was just in the carriage. If not for his personal guards fighting desperately to save him, and a precious Magic Item protecting him, he might have already met with his father.
“At this point, are you still hesitating?”
Bella Mierne spoke to Duke Ward in a calm tone. Those familiar with this Duchess of the Kingdom knew this was her expression of utmost anger yet also her calmest demeanor, and no one dared to provoke this madwoman at such a time.
“Yes, Stran, we have no way out now.”
Viscount Bates by his side spoke earnestly.
His Majesty the King’s series of maneuvers had made everyone realize that this young king’s depth of thought and cunning tactics had been in preparation for years to cut off Ward’s influence placed in the high echelons of the Kingdom. The situation wouldn’t be so lopsided otherwise.
Thus, the people present were all core subordinates and allies of Duke Ward, whom King Lukar would never accept, otherwise Duke Ward couldn’t guarantee their loyalty.
After the two nobles who were only second to Duke Ward in status gave their opinions, others also spoke up, mostly suggesting that Duke Ward abandon any illusions and take up arms for a final battle.
Duke Ward was well aware of these people’s thoughts.
In truth, due to the King’s relentless targeting, Ward’s followers within the higher levels of the Kingdom had dwindled significantly, hardly affecting any of the Kingdom’s decisions.
But the reason these people believed Duke Ward still had a chance if he fought hard was due to the two armies in his command.
The [Snow Bear Legion] and the [Snow Eagle Army]!
These were two elite legions founded by the previous Duke Ward, with the Snow Bear Legion responsible for dealing with threats from the northern icy plains’ Magic Beast Tide, and the Snow Eagle Army tasked with expanding the eastern wilds of the Dillon Kingdom.
These two legions had built a significant number of merits alongside the former Duke Ward and were the cornerstone for the resurgence of the Dillon Kingdom.
Although the former Duke Ward had long passed away, these two elite legions still staunchly upheld their duties and mission under the current Duke Ward’s support.
Their strength still towered above all other military forces of the Dillon Kingdom.
This was the crux of Duke Ward’s strength!
But Duke Ward was still hesitant; these were two armies that maintained the Kingdom’s security, a responsibility he had inherited from his father.
Duke Ward still remembered how, in his final moments, his father, tormented by pervasive injuries, looked at him with a compelling, resolute gaze, imploring him to promise never to use these two legions in a civil rebellion within the Dillon Kingdom.
Why, Lukar?
“Why must you press me so?”
Duke Ward recalled the intimate, trusting look in King Lukar’s eyes when he first ascended the throne, a reflection of trust in the Ward Family’s unyielding loyalty to the Dillon Royal Family. Yet, how had it come to this dire point where it was a matter of life and death?
Nevertheless, the Ward Family’s bottom lines could not be compromised!
Recalling the recent days when Lukar demanded the command of the Snow Bear Army and the Snow Eagle Army to focus efforts on invading the Feis Kingdom, Duke Ward felt it was an outright challenge to his limits.
Duke Ward tightened his grip with his right hand, looking up at the people before him,
“Prepare yourselves, although I do not wish for this, it’s clear Lukar does not intend to let us go.”
“Alright!”
Bella and the others nodded. Now that their leader had made up his mind, they finally had a chance to fight back.
They needed to show the young King that they were not mere slime to be manipulated at his whim.
Dillon Kingdom was not a kingdom for one man alone!
—————–
After everyone had left the secret chamber, Duke Ward sat in his chair, rubbing his temples with his right hand.
He did not know if his decision was right, only hoping that he would not regret it in the future.
Although he was not a follower of the Ice and Snow Goddess, at that moment, Duke Ward suddenly felt the urge to pray to the divine.
“Heh, since when did I become so weak, to place my hopes in those elusive deities?” Duke Ward said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Then, he suddenly felt that the secret room had gotten even colder.
“Heh heh heh, my dear Stran, instead of praying to those despicable deities, why not believe in my lord Demogorgon!”
“The great and merciful Son of Demon will grant you eternal life and immense strength!”
A faintly blood-tinted figure appeared behind Duke Ward, whispering gently into his ear.
“Merciful?”
Duke Ward scoffed, saying with a tone of derision,
“Wood, are you sure you’re talking about Demogorgon, and not the God of Justice?”
The Demon Envoy, Shaz Wood, said indifferently,
“Too many fools fail to comprehend the greatness of my lord.”
“But you are different, Stran, you possess the qualities to become an apostle of my lord, just like me.”
Duke Ward, upon hearing this, did not reject it outright like he had before but fell silent for a moment before speaking:
“If I were to come into conflict with His Majesty the King, what assistance could you offer me?”
“Oh oh oh oh!!!”
“My dear Stran, have you finally seen the light?”
In Duke Ward’s eyes, the black mist twisted and dispersed, revealing a youth with a face of surprise, insane joy painted on his features.
The pitch-black hair and not entirely pure clothes, along with the many screams and blood mingled in his aura, gave him an eerie and chaotic aura, his handsome yet pale face twisting maniacally.
“Come, let us bring darkness, fire, and blood to this beautiful city, and bring forth the blessings of my lord!”
Watching this man’s face flush with madness and his body radiate a profound chaos and evil, Duke Ward furrowed his brows.
Was this really the right thing to do?
