Chapter 343 - 249: Truce? Impossible

"However, Marquis Cross used military contraband, and he will face the judgment he deserves!"

Her words were final, signaling the end of the negotiations.

Fulina’s words were as hard as stone; no one could change her mind.

Not even the King could, let alone a marquis and a garrison commander.

Lancelot, seemingly aware he couldn’t change his disciple’s mind, departed with a worried expression. Marquis Cross, in contrast, had grown calm and was escorted by the guards back to the Water Prison.

The meeting ended on a sour note—for the Southern Territory’s side, at least. The Northern Nobles, on the other hand, could hardly conceal their smiles.

After all, with Damon and the South’s main army having been off the radar for some time, everyone had been on edge. Now, knowing their enemy was bogged down in the quagmire of White Bone Fortress and unable to escape, a great weight was lifted from their shoulders.

Kolon, with its obviously depleted defenses, was now an apple ripe for the picking.

They were so overjoyed that they couldn’t wait to hold a celebratory banquet. It was said that all the noble ladies and their daughters from Black Stone Castle would be in attendance.

After the meeting, that weasel Andao secretly revealed it was to be an orgy, adding that if the Lord attended, his achievements would grant him the right of first pick.

Levi gave him a stern and righteous refusal, though the real reason was that Fulina had asked him to stay behind after the meeting.

"Do you think I’m selfish and cold-blooded?"

The once-bustling castle hall was now deserted. Only the foul-smelling smear of blood on the wool rug proved that what had just transpired was not a dream.

’Kolon, once so out of reach, was now truly defenseless. And the Demons, gone for a millennium, were also truly back.’

"Not at all. If it were me, I would do the same."

Levi poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip. Smacking his lips, he decided he couldn’t quite get used to such expensive stuff. The vintage brewed by those Elves was more to his liking.

Fulina smiled. She gazed up at the hundreds of jewels adorning the vaulted ceiling and said pointedly, "First, the Zor Elves emerged from the Dark Nether Realm. Now, Demons missing for a millennium have returned. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Undead showed up next."

They had both agreed to keep the matter of the Zor Elves a secret, so the only ones who knew were those who had participated in the campaign north.

After all, if word got out, it would cause an unimaginable stir. It was just like this situation with the Demons—only nobles had been present. Debei was clearly not yet prepared to let the common folk know.

"I heard an interesting theory from a Priest once," Levi offered. "The Magic in this world is like a tide. When it ebbs, certain creatures recede with it. And when the tide flows, they reappear."

"Right now, Casters can clearly feel the rising concentration of Magic Power and can control stronger Magic than ever before. In turn, creatures that once vanished will gradually reappear."

"A very apt description." Fulina nodded in agreement.

She knew even more than the Lord of High Cliff Castle. In fact, this theory was already circulating widely among the upper echelons.

"After they discussed their views on the state of the world, Fulina finally got down to business. ’This supposed ceasefire Lancelot proposed... it’s just the King trying to muddy the waters.’"

"If I agree to a ceasefire and head to White Bone Fortress to provide support, only one outcome awaits us."

"’We suffer heavy losses fighting the Demons, leaving us too weak to take Kolon, forcing us to retreat to Bailiu City,’" the Lord finished her thought.

"Exactly. That is likely the King’s true objective: to stop the war between our territories. If we return empty-handed this time, the Northern Territory won’t have the strength to march south for another five years."

"I know it will be a problem if we let these creatures run rampant, but it’s precisely because I know this that I have no intention of sending aid," Fulina nodded. "Most importantly, if the situation were truly that dire, our dear King would have dispatched a grand army to help them long ago."

’That was true. After all, besides the Duke of the South himself, the person who most wanted to prevent a disaster in the Southern Territory was the King.’

"Regardless, we must first take Kolon to seize the initiative." Fulina stared at the Lion Hunter Knight before her. "I intend to put you in charge of Kolon’s flanking wall."

"As you wish."

The Lord gave a slight bow.

When it came to attacking other cities, he was more than happy to slack off as much as possible, but Kolon was different.

Even if Fulina hadn’t planned on including him, he would have volunteered for the siege.

This was the war that would decide the balance of power between them.

...

When the Lord returned to his quarters, he found them still brightly lit. A gust of cold wind followed him inside, where he found Fatir and Liya.

The two had clearly been waiting for some time. Before Levi could ask, Fatir, the Saintess of the Church Court, stated her purpose directly. "Levi, I’ve come to bid you farewell."

"Because of the Demons?" Levi asked, slowly unbuckling his Sword and setting it aside.

"Yes. No one understands the cruelty of Demons better than we of the Holy Light Church. The scriptures documenting them would stack as tall as a person. Their return means disaster. I’ve decided to go with Lord Lancelot to deal with them."

"Do you need me to send an escort?" The Lord wasn’t surprised; it was as if he had expected this.

’After all, how could a Holy Light Priest willing to expend her Magic Power to heal commoners possibly stand by and do nothing while Demons, a far greater menace, ran rampant?’

’Besides, Demons and the Undead were the mortal enemies of the Holy Light Church. Any encounter was a fight to the death.’

The moment he saw the Demon, Levi knew Fatir’s departure was a foregone conclusion.

"No need. The Holy Knight Order will be accompanying me." Fatir shook her head. "Master Bodoff will be there as well. This war should be over quickly."

Though she was the Church Court’s Saintess and a powerful Caster in her own right, Fatir’s tone held obvious respect for the Mage named "Bodoff."

Levi happened to know a little about this Mage. He was a top Caster from the Mage Tower, held the position of Imperial Mage, and possessed profound Magic Cultivation. It was said he had already reached the High Tier Peak.

"Alright. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me," Levi nodded.

Having received the Holy Word Treasure Manual and two Divine Magic spells from the Saintess, he wasn’t about to be stingy with any help he could offer.

’Though he was usually annoyed by the Saintess’s clumsy flirting, the reality of her departure made the Lord feel a little reluctant to see her go.’

Early the next morning, the Griffin Knight Order, which had only just landed, was forced to take to the skies again, heading south. With them were the fully-armed Holy Knight Order and Fatir.

Faced with a choice between Fulina and their own Saintess, it was obvious which one the golden-armored giants would obey.

Fulina, however, showed no displeasure at this. In fact, she gave them her full support, providing them with all the supplies and equipment they would need to reach White Bone Fortress in the south.

The next few days were peaceful. Then, two days later, the Northern Soldiers, who had expected to rest for a few more days, finally received their orders: march south to Kolon.

And along with those orders came news of Marquis Cross’s death.

No matter how many earth-shattering battles the Old Marquis had fought in his youth, the manner of his death could only be described as disgraceful.

In the center of Black Stone Castle’s square, he was tied to a Cross, doused in wildfire, and burned alive.

The Northern Nobles, who watched the entire spectacle, found this eye-for-an-eye retaliation deeply satisfying.

The Lord felt a sudden surge of emotion. The saying ’history is written by the victors’ felt more profound to him than ever before.

If Cross had been the victor, his use of wildfire would have been another glorious entry in his long list of accomplishments. But he had lost, and so he personally experienced the torture of having his own flesh seared by it.

’Fulina must have known this. That must be why she was so determined to reject a ceasefire.’

Finally, Monvert, who stood nearby, could no longer bear to watch the Old Marquis—a man who had once mentored him—scream in agony. He ended the man’s suffering with a single arrow, and a look of relief spread across the Marquis’s face as he died.