Chapter 493: Passed Unanimously

The death of the Emperor of Tamriel and the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne was public knowledge.

In recent years, after the truce between Ordulin and Tirisia, trade had slowly resumed.

Thus, the news swiftly reached the borders of the Kingdom of Ordulin—and none received it sooner than Garrett of Redpine Keep.

After all, the kingdom’s spies stationed there always delivered their reports directly to him first.

“This is our chance!”

Garrett’s heart surged with excitement. For days he had been preparing in secret, searching for a justifiable cause to strike.

He never imagined his enemy would deliver such a perfect pretext—so timely, so legitimate.

With the old king dead and a new monarch barely seated, instability was inevitable. Such moments were when border conflicts flared most easily.

“Matt, send word at once! Summon the commanders from Twinpeaks Gorge, Westwind Hill, Grayvale, Blackjade Bay—every outpost—to Redpine Keep. They must arrive by tonight. I have urgent military orders to issue!”

Key officers along the frontier all possessed flying mounts; assembling them for critical operations was swift and efficient.

Soon, a griffin knight landed upon Westwind Hill, bearing Garrett’s summons.

After dismissing the messenger, Rudar gazed across the river toward Watchtower Keep.

Placidus had been moving troops and intensifying drills these past two days—it seemed he intended to defend the fortress to the last.

Though Rudar admired their courage, without reinforcements, Viscount Placidus was doomed to fall.

“My lord!”

O’Doro entered the command hall. “We captured a mysterious figure deep in the Western Hills. She claims she wishes to speak with the Marquis.”

“A woman?”

“She wears a black veil,” O’Doro replied. “I did not see her face.”

Rudar frowned. There were no major settlements nearby—what business could a woman have here, seeking the lord?

Still, curiosity stirred within him.

“Bring her in. And summon Tom—he’s to come see me at once.”

With Moonlight Valley demanding much of his attention, and Roland immersed in his own industrial projects, he rarely remained at Westwind Hill.

Yet, for ease of communication, he had left his personal guard, Tom, behind.

Thanks to the griffins, the journey between Westwind Hill and Moonlight Valley took little more than an hour or two.

“Commander, you summoned me?”

Tom arrived quickly. Once a youth with a nervous edge, he now stood as both Roland’s loyal bodyguard and captain of a knightly squad. His boyishness had faded, replaced by the quiet strength of a high-ranked knight—aided by enhancement potions.

Though such elixirs were costly, far beyond a common knight’s pay, Roland had made special arrangements: discounted prices, even installment plans, ensuring his trusted men could rise.

“The call has come from Redpine Keep,” Rudar said gravely. “War is near. Take this message to the Marquis at once.”

Tom nodded firmly. “Understood. I leave now.”

Just then, O’Doro and several knights escorted the veiled woman into the hall. True to description, her face was shrouded in dark silk.

Rudar waved a hand. “Leave us. All except Tom.”

If she wished to conceal her identity, she deserved privacy.

The woman glanced at Tom, as if questioning his presence.

“This is Sir Tom, the Marquis’s personal guard,” Rudar explained. “You may trust him.”

Even as he spoke, his eyes studied hers intently.

He had never seen them before—but something in their depth stirred a faint suspicion.

“Very well.”

She lifted the veil, revealing a beautiful yet pale, weary face.

“Greetings, Commander Rudar. I am Melis Carmon, sister to Viscount Placidus of Watchtower Keep. I’ve come to discuss a matter with the Marquis.”

A faint smile touched Rudar’s lips. He had just been pondering Watchtower Keep—and now its lady stood before him.

“Please, take a seat, Lady Melis.”

He gestured courteously. “Regrettably, the Marquis is not currently at camp. But you’re welcome to wait. He should arrive no later than tomorrow.”

“Or, if time presses, you may share your thoughts with me, and I shall relay them faithfully.”

Melis paused, then smiled wearily. “I used a ‘Stonepath’ spell scroll to cross the mountains. The strain was great—I intended to rest here regardless.”

“So I shall wait for Lord Roland himself.”

Some matters were better spoken face to face.

Rudar asked no further questions. “Tom, you may go. Be sure to include this meeting in your report.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tom bowed and departed swiftly for Moonlight Valley.

“Lady Melis, I must attend to other duties,” Rudar said, rising. “I’ll leave you to rest. Should you need anything, the guards outside will assist.”

Exhausted as she was, and being Placidus’s sister, she posed no threat. Watchtower Keep would not attack while she was their guest.

“Of course,” she replied politely, then settled quietly into meditation, restoring her spent energies.

With final instructions given, Rudar mounted his griffin and soared toward Redpine Keep.

Though his last visit there had ended unpleasantly, he felt no anxiety now.

Before departing, he had stopped at Grayvale—the territory governed by Wushan.

Named for its broadleaf trees with ashen bark, the camp was now under Melonika’s command.

They had fought side by side several times, and knew each other well.

As expected, she too had received the summons.

They didn’t rush. They spoke briefly, and Melonika asked a few questions about cultivation techniques. Only then did they set off together.

When they arrived at Redpine Keep, many nobles had already gathered.

Among them were Gu Shan and You Ge, both Silvermoon ranks whom Rudar had met before.

But the most striking figure was a man with a hawkish nose and delicate features—Yiben Toransy.

Captain of the Royal Griffin Knights, Baron of Twinpeak Ridge, this young man had neared Solar Radiance rank years ago.

Others present included Lord-Viscount Willis, who controlled the rare Blackjade ore used in crafting legendary weapons; the commander of the Valgith Knightly Order; and Mojarro of Screaming Isle—one of the famed Meteor Knights.

“Now that all are assembled,” Garrett strode into the fortress hall, scanning the room. His brow furrowed slightly. “Lord Roland is absent again?”

Rider rose. "The Marquis has returned to Moonlight Valley; he is not directly involved in the current war."

Since other nobles were not required to be present at the front lines, Ronin naturally had the same privilege.

All eyes turned to Rider. They all knew this young man was a Radiant Knight—though lacking noble title, his influence weighed heavily.

This time, Garrett showed no sign of anger, merely nodding faintly. "Since he's absent, you may relay it to him on my behalf."

With that, he produced a letter and handed it to Kosan beside him.

"Latest intelligence: King Tymrael of Trisia has passed away. His son, Taro, has ascended the throne. The kingdom, having just endured rebellion from its duchies, now faces further instability due to the king’s sudden and unexplained death. It will undoubtedly enter a period of turmoil."

Garrett spoke loudly: "Now is precisely the best moment for us to launch our campaign!"

He glanced at Kosan, who was reading the letter, then continued:

"My father, King Auduin V, has appointed me Supreme Commander of the front lines, with Kosan as Deputy Commander, and Lord Ronin as Military Advisor. This is his letter."

Kosan felt a flicker of doubt, yet the handwriting was unmistakably His Majesty Bruno’s, complete with the royal and personal seals of the kingdom.

"The Crown Prince speaks truly," he said, passing the letter to Iben, who in turn passed it along—to Rider, then to Melonica.

The letter not only confirmed the appointments but also authorized Garrett to initiate offensive actions at an appropriate moment. It specifically urged him to set aside pride and heed the counsel of Kosan, Ronin, Iben, and others.

Iben spoke: "It is early September now. In three months, winter snows will blanket Misthaven. If we are to strike first, it should be before December arrives."

Garrett turned to his brother-in-law. "So—you support my decision?"

"Of course!" Iben smiled. "We’ve been preparing nearly a year. We’re ready to wage war at any moment."

Viscount Willis of Hei Yu Bay stroked his beard. "Indeed, a fine opportunity. I have no objections."

Their lands lay on the border, and both men harbored ambitions to expand outward. After such prolonged preparation, they naturally desired swift action.

"What of Lord George?"

Garrett turned his gaze to the commander serving under Duke Valgris.

George paused briefly, then nodded. "I am in favor."

"And Viscount Mogaro?"

Garrett went one by one through the heads of each great house.

Without exception, all agreed.

"Rider, though Ronin is absent, since he has entrusted you with full authority, until he arrives, you may assume the duties of Military Advisor in his stead."

Garrett’s voice had lost its arrogance—perhaps a change of heart. "And so, what is your opinion?"

Rider hesitated slightly.

This war had always been part of the plan; launching it now was nothing out of the ordinary.

Moreover, as Iben had said, if they did not act within the next three months, they would have to wait until next year.

From Ronin’s perspective, this conflict offered the perfect chance to bring the talents within Watchtower Keep into his fold.

Rider nodded. "I agree."

A faint smile curled at the corner of Garrett’s lips. Though the letter was forged, as he had anticipated, no one suspected a thing—because for years, things had always been arranged exactly thus.

And oh, how intoxicating it felt—this silence of unanimous consent. (End of Chapter)