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Chapter 27: Eliminating the Root
Chapter 27: Eliminating the Root
Midway through the Harvest Moon (September), the Harvest Festival was held as scheduled.
This grand celebration was second only to the New Year in the Starlight Principality.
During this time, all noble territories held their own festivals to celebrate the year’s harvest and pray for a bountiful year to come.
From the beginning of the month, merchant caravans and travelers from afar began to enter Flashing City.
By the day of the Harvest Festival, Flashing City was bustling with people, and the festive atmosphere was palpable everywhere.
In the grand hall of Flashing Castle, adorned with lanterns and decorations, the invited guests were enjoying themselves, their laughter echoing through the air.
In a corner of the hall, a group of young men and women gathered, eating delicacies and chatting animatedly about the latest gossip.
"Did you hear that Storm Earl has been in a coma and hasn't woken up yet? His sons are almost fighting to the death for the earldom."
"That's normal. After all, it's an earldom. I would fight tooth and nail for it too."
"Rumor has it that Storm Earl’s wife even hired a wizard to treat him. Tsk, I never thought the legendary wizards actually existed."
"Heh, they're just a bunch of frauds, performing tricks like those in the circus. I heard the so-called wizard couldn't cure Storm Earl’s illness and was eventually killed by Storm Earl’s second son."
The legend of wizards had a significant market in high society.
As the conversation unfolded, many people showed interest, raising their glasses to join in the discussion.
"Speaking of which, it seems there's a wizard in Blackrock City as well."
"You mean Su Nan, the second son of the former Flashing Baron? I heard that Blackrock City has developed so much because of his efforts."
"Really? Is that true?"
When Kui and Su Nan were exiled to Blackrock City, almost no one believed in their chances of success.
After all, Blackrock City was located at the border of the Golden Rock Province, with poor geographical advantages and the constant threat of the Blackscale Lizards, making its potential for development extremely low.
With such a poor hand, the two brothers stood no chance against the current Flashing Baron.
Once Owen consolidated his power, he would deal with them.
In everyone's eyes, the two brothers were as good as dead.
But the subsequent developments took a surprising turn, exceeding many people's expectations.
Blackrock City not only revived the Blackrock Mine, ensuring a steady stream of gold, but also successfully eradicated the Blackscale Lizards.
Now, anyone could see the thriving and promising future of Blackrock City.
If left to develop, it might become one of the top cities in the Golden Rock Province within a few years.
Many were trying to understand the reasons behind the transformation of Blackrock City.
Hearing that it might be related to Su Nan, many present were skeptical.
After all, Su Nan's shy and introverted nature was no secret in the noble circles, and he was far from his talented older brother.
Such a person couldn't possibly be the mastermind behind Blackrock City's transformation.
"Wizards are nothing but nonsense."
A young man sneered.
"Su Nan is just a useless waste who can't even practice the Breathing Technique. What big deeds can such a person accomplish?"
"Blackrock City just got lucky. It won't amount to anything. My father could easily deal with them without even needing Lord Owen to lift a finger."
Recognizing the young man as the son of Zolff, the first noble to support Owen, the others smiled but didn't argue.
The conversation soon shifted to other topics.
Despite Blackrock City's recent rise, as Zolff's son had said, no one believed it could stand against Lord Owen, who almost controlled the entire Flashing Territory.
Even without Lord Owen's elite cavalry, any one of the three barons could easily handle Blackrock City.
Meanwhile, in the council chamber, Owen and the three barons sat facing each other.
"My two nephews have truly surprised me. They've accomplished so much without making a sound. It seems we underestimated them before."
Owen gently swirled the wine in his glass, the deep red liquid shimmering under the lamplight.
"Restarting the Blackrock Mine, exterminating the Blackscale Lizards, and even forming a cavalry. If we let them continue to grow, they might become a force to rival me."
"Sir, you jest. Forming a cavalry isn't easy. Even if Blackrock City has enough gold, they lack the means to acquire enough warhorses. It's nothing more than a delusion."
Zolff, a tall and muscular man with a broad back, spoke in a low, gruff voice. He practiced a breathing technique that emphasized physical strength, making him nearly two meters tall and exceptionally robust. When the former Flashing Baron was still in power, Zolff was a renowned warrior. His reputation grew even more after he recently ascended to the peak of knighthood.
"Indeed, training a cavalry is a time-consuming and resource-intensive task. In such a short time, even if Blackrock City manages to form a cavalry, their combat effectiveness will be limited and not worth fearing."
Davin smiled, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. If forming a cavalry were that easy, he would have done it himself long ago. Two inexperienced boys, flush with a bit of money, dreaming up grand schemes—truly, they had no idea what they were up against.
Seeing his colleagues speak up, Norwood also chimed in, not wanting to be left behind.
Owen narrowed his eyes and took a sip of wine. Unlike Zolff and the others, who were speculating based on rumors, Owen had concrete intelligence that Blackrock City had trained a new type of mount, which seemed to have some combat capability. The core of their cavalry was built around these new mounts. According to reports, Blackrock City suffered minimal losses in the campaign against the Blackscale Lizards, likely due to this cavalry.
It seemed he couldn't underestimate this cavalry after all. Given time, it might grow into a formidable force.
The thought sent a wave of unease through Owen. He couldn't afford to let this continue any longer.
It was time to eliminate the root of the problem and remove the last threat once and for all. With the brothers dead, the Flashing Territory would be his, and he wouldn't have to worry about any unforeseen changes.
"What are your thoughts on Blackrock City?" Owen asked, his tone neutral.
The three barons, known for their cunning, immediately understood Owen's intentions.
Zolff was the first to speak. "With your command, I am willing to lead an army against Blackrock City."
Davin and Norwood, a step behind, cursed Zolff in their minds. The big man, with his thick eyebrows and broad face, was smooth with flattery and had a hide as thick as a city wall.
Despite their internal grumbling, they quickly joined in, volunteering their services.
Seeing their 'loyalty,' Owen smiled in satisfaction and waved a hand. "An outright attack is too crude. Besides, while Blackrock City's military strength isn't strong, it would still cost us many men to take it down."
Zolff, Davin, and Norwood exchanged glances.
Davin hesitated. "Then, what do you have in mind, sir?"
Owen smiled mysteriously. "All we need is for Kui and Su Nan to die. Blackrock City will naturally fall back into my hands."
The three barons immediately understood, their faces showing a mix of realization and eagerness.
Assassination!
It was a common tool among the nobility. However, such tasks were rarely entrusted to one's own subordinates to avoid leaving traces. But if not his own men, from where did Owen plan to hire assassins?
They had heard that Kui had already advanced to the rank of Grand Knight. Assassinating a Grand Knight would be no easy feat!
(End of Chapter)
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