Chapter 201: Chapter 161: Commission from the Lord (Ben ow starts gaining weight for winter)_1
Not long after, a piece of news exploded across the entire Sky Province.
Rumors spread that the North Tower Fortress used by the Thalr to imprison the Rebel Army and other convicts was burned down overnight, with the flas rising high into the sky. By the ti the soldiers arrived, all they saw were the ruins of the castle consud completely by the fire and the bodies of the Thalr soldiers pierced by long spears and standing upright in the snow around the castle.
As for the prisoners, they were nowhere to be found.
Naturally, this caused a strong ripple throughout the Empire. Soon, soldiers were dispatched to search, and so prisoners previously incarcerated at the North Tower Fortress were re-captured, tortured, and interrogated. However, their confessions startled everyone—according to these prisoners, they had no idea what had transpired; they rely went to sleep, and when they woke up, they found themselves on a sunlit plain instead of the cold dungeon within the North Tower Fortress.
Because of this, these prisoners firmly claid it was a Godsend from Talos that saved them. This left the imperial soldiers doubtful, unsure of how to react. After all, they understood that the continent was indeed under the protection of a deity. Although the idea of divine intervention by Talos might sound absurd, they couldn’t completely dismiss it.
After all, the fact was that there were no traces of prisoners escaping around the North Tower Fortress. It seed like the prisoners had just evaporated. After that, these prisoners reappeared at the center of the Sky Province. Unless all of the prisoners had grown wings and could fly, the only plausible explanation left was a miracle.
Not only that, subsequently, every Thalr fortress across Sky Province was attacked. No one knew who had assaulted these places, but each Thalr fortress was thoroughly destroyed. The bodies of Thalr Elf soldiers were impaled on long spears and implanted into the ground. It was a reminiscent scene.
This triggered imnse excitent among the people of the Sky Province. In fact, even the Empire itself had a sort of ambivalent attitude about these events. On one hand, they obviously disliked the arrogant deanor of the Thalr, but on the other hand, they worried about the repercussions from the Thalr.
In reality, the Thalr ambassador had already summoned the king, demanding a thorough investigation into this matter. Otherwise, the Thalr elf army would mobilize to completely obliterate the Empire!
“Do we really have to wait further, Mr. Knight?”
Sitting in the tavern, Greiya was restlessly handling a cup of wine while Duanmu Huai nodded.
“Indeed, to obliterate all Thalr outposts, kill the Thalr elves, all this is to instigate Thalr into declaring a war. Once their army is assembled, I can completely annihilate them. The re Thalr fortresses are not our target, this is nothing more than bait laid out to obliterate the Thalr.”
“But the Empire… Don’t we have to let them know?”
“This is a matter between the Tribunal and the Aliens, it has nothing to do with the Empire.”
Duanmu Huai shook his head.
“I will not make the Empire mistakenly think that I am siding with them. The Tribunal guards humans, not any particular regi. As a rule, we do not get involved in local power disputes proactively. If the Empire can stabilize its footing during this ti, it would be great. However, if the Empire loses its ground due to incompetence, we will not worry… Do you understand?”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Greiya, as a princess, was not foolish and obviously understood Duanmu Huai’s intentions. If Duanmu Huai was to collaborate with the Empire, no matter how, it would lead to an impression that they were working together. The Empire could possibly take advantage of the backing of the Tribunal and act tyrannically. Then the Tribunal may end up shouldering the bla for the Empire’s atrocities.
This is why Duanmu Huai separated the Empire entirely; it was a matter of you carry out your operations, and I conduct mine. As Duanmu Huai said, the Tribunal guards humanity, not the Empire; the continuity of the Empire is irrelevant to the Tribunal. If a regi more favourable to the humans than the Empire erges, the Tribunal will not object to them overthrowing the Empire.
Of course, the prerequisite is that they do not conspire with the Chaotic Demons.
“Dum dum dum–!”
At that mont, the clear sounds of a lute rang out. Duanmu Huai turned his head to see a bard strumming a lute and singing by the edge of the bonfire.
“The next is dedicated to the fearless warriors!”
As the bard said these words, he started playing and singing the song.
“On the barren snowfields of the Sky Province, the free winds blow.
People drink hearty pints of barley beer, praising blood and glory.
But the wolves, they co sniffing, trying to shatter this mirthful feast.
Guests scream in horror, fleeing in all directions.
With heads held high, the wolves rejoice in successes.
But the great God sees these wolves.
His warriors descend from the black steel war car, from the sky.
They wield their weapons, skin the wolves, tear them to bones, and leave them in desolation.
Frail and feeble, the wolves tuck their tails, fleeing without daring to glance back.
For they know, behind them is the divine executioner’s blade!”
Soon the song ended, the patrons of the tavern cheered, raising their cups in jubilation.
Duanmu Huai sat in his chair, nodding in satisfaction.
“Hmm, this is sung quite well.”
In fact, this ballad started circulating after the Thalr fortresses were destroyed. The wolves in the ballad represent the utterly detestable high elves who ca uninvited; this is a clear allusion to the Thalr. It is said that the Thalr ambassador was so outraged upon hearing this song that he smashed his glass.
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