Chapter 141 : Chapter 141

Chapter 141. A Shocking Conspiracy

“What ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍is it, Lord?” Buck was startled by Eli’s sudden reaction and quickly asked.

“Something serious has happened, Captain Buck!” Eli shot to his feet, his expression so dark it seemed ready to drip water.

When Buck saw Eli like this, his heart also tightened.

He had followed Eli for a long time and knew well that this young lord’s temperament had grown increasingly steady. It was rare for him to lose composure like this.

He did not ask any further questions. He merely stood quietly where he was, waiting for Eli to sort out his thoughts and tell him the details.

Eli paced quickly through the study, his heart filled with frustration and self-reproach.

He silently cursed himself for being careless.

Some time ago, he had clearly drawn this piece of intelligence through the intelligence system—

【The Wanliu City-State occupying Storm City has learned of the drastic upheaval caused by the change of royal power within the Kingdom of Orlando, as well as the internal turmoil.

Wanliu has issued an emergency summons to the Federation forces occupying the other cities along the Western Frontier border.】

Yet he had only interpreted it as internal coordination or a defensive move by the Federation. He had never expected them to be insane enough to do this.

They had actually aimed directly at the heart of the Western Frontier—Thorne City.

He forced himself to calm down and thought rapidly.

The Federation remnant forces had chosen this moment to launch a fierce assault on Thorne.

For them, it was indeed an exquisitely timed opportunity, one that could even be called perfect.

First, with the transfer of royal power, the kingdom’s attention was naturally focused mainly on the royal capital.

The Western Frontier’s highest military commander, Marquess Marcus, and many of the powerful nobles of the Western Frontier were currently still in the royal capital attending the Great Council and had yet to return.

Second, although Sir Lucius was extraordinarily capable, his main energy at this moment was inevitably focused on preparing the enormous grain and supplies needed to recover the lost territories, as well as strategic planning and troop mobilization.

The defense of Thorne City itself would inevitably have some oversights, and its vigilance might currently be at a cyclical low point.

Finally, who could have imagined that a group of isolated Federation troops who should have become abandoned pawns and were merely clinging to life

would not only refuse to turtle up and defend themselves, but would instead dare to stake everything on a desperate offensive and charge straight at the most fortified city in the Western Frontier?

That in itself was the greatest element of surprise.

Thinking of this, Eli could not help but frown deeply.

There was another even more terrifying problem. Was their information not far too timely?

The upheaval in the royal capital, Marquess Marcus leaving the Western Frontier, the Western Frontier preparing a counteroffensive…

How had they obtained such crucial intelligence so quickly and clearly?

After swiftly sorting through the advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks, Eli let out a long sigh, his face filled with solemnity.

He looked at Buck, who had been waiting quietly the entire time.

“This has truly disrupted our entire plan.”

“Lord, what exactly happened?” Only then did Buck frown and ask.

Eli walked to the window and looked at the rising cooking smoke and busy scene outside in Obsidian Territory. He lowered his voice.

“Just now… the old butler, Sebastian, informed me.

After a secret discussion, the Federation remnant forces entrenched in Storm City and other places

intend to gather an elite force and secretly launch a fierce assault on Thorne City!”

“What?!!”

Even with Buck’s temperament, he could not help but draw in a cold breath at this moment, an expression of disbelief appearing on his face.

“They? How dare they?!

Thorne City is the capital of the Western Frontier, the fortress that the La Roche Family has managed for a thousand years!”

“No, Buck. This is indeed an excellent opportunity.

It can even be said that timing, terrain, and human factors are all on their side.”

Eli turned around and looked at Buck with a burning gaze.

“Once they succeed, even if they only cause massive chaos or occupy Thorne City for a short time, think about what the consequences would be.”

Buck followed Eli’s line of thought, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

If Thorne City were attacked, even if it was not captured, that alone would be enough to trigger a massive earthquake throughout the Western Frontier and even the entire kingdom.

First, the La Roche Family’s prestige would suffer a fatal blow.

The lord of the Western Frontier, Federico, was far away in the royal capital.

Without him to suppress his vassals, the Western Frontier’s order, which had only just stabilized, would likely suffer a fatal blow.

Moreover, the long-prepared plan to recover the lost territories would probably be completely ruined.

Beyond that, the forces within the kingdom that already harbored ulterior motives would inevitably seize the chance to create trouble…

This was simply an explosive chain reaction, one that could drag the entire kingdom into the abyss of civil war and fragmentation!

“So, this must not be allowed to happen! This battle must be won, and it must be a great victory!”

Eli spoke with absolute certainty, a trace of resolve flashing through his eyes.

“This matter is far too important. It concerns the fate of the entire Western Frontier and even the kingdom!

I am sorry, Captain Buck, but the territory’s affairs can only be entrusted to you once again.

I must immediately make another trip to Thorne City and personally warn Sir Lucius!”

Buck nodded heavily. He fully understood the necessity of this decision.

“I understand. It seems that the group of bandits wielding strange weapons that we encountered outside Lucerne City before

is probably inseparable from this conspiracy as well. They were either their vanguard or their scouts.

The road to Thorne is long, and I fear it will not be peaceful.

For your safety, Wolfgang and I will lead a squad of elite knights to escort you there!”

Eli shook his head. “Speed is the essence of war! A large party would move too slowly, and the target would be too large. It would make it easy for unexpected complications to arise.

I must reach Thorne as quickly as possible! So… I plan to ask the old butler for help.”

When Buck heard Eli mention Butler Sebastian, his tightly furrowed brows immediately eased considerably.

“Lord Sebastian… If he is willing to assist, then there is indeed no need to worry too much about your safety.”

That mysterious old butler’s strength was still a mystery in Buck’s mind.

“There is no time to lose. I will go find him now!” Eli made his decision on the spot.

“Captain Buck, immediately convene an emergency territory meeting in my name.

Briefly explain the situation to the various administrators and arrange the defenses of Obsidian Territory and Lucerne City.

After that, immediately set out for Lucerne City and have Brandon raise his guard and enter the highest state of war preparedness. As for the worst-case scenario…”

Eli took a deep breath.

“If… if the worst truly happens in Thorne City,

or if the Federation forces launch a large-scale attack against us…

I authorize you, when necessary, to abandon Lucerne City.

Withdraw all manpower and supplies that can be mobilized from both cities back to Obsidian Territory.

Concentrate all our strength and ensure that our foundation is preserved!”

Captain Buck’s expression was incomparably solemn. He struck his chest heavily with his right hand and answered in a deep voice.

“Yes, Lord! Please rest assured! As long as Obsidian Territory stands, I, Buck, will stand! I will definitely defend our home!”

After saying this, Buck no longer hesitated. He turned and strode out of the study, immediately sending people to urgently summon the various administrators.

Eli, meanwhile, did not pause for even a moment. He quickly passed through the corridors of the lord’s keep.

He arrived outside the old butler Sebastian’s small room and knocked on the door urgently.

“Butler! Sebastian! Something happened! Open the door quickly!”

The door opened soundlessly. Sebastian was still wearing his immaculate butler’s uniform.

He held a steaming cup of black tea in his hand, and his face bore the same calm expression that had never changed.

He looked at Eli, who stood anxiously outside the door, and stepped aside slightly.

“Lord, please come in. What happened to make you so hurried?”

Eli stepped into the room. “There is no time to explain in detail! I will tell you on the way!

Now, take me to Thorne City by the fastest method!

The one… the method you used last time when we returned after going deep into Nightsong Forest!”

Sebastian gently blew on the black tea in his cup and took a small sip.

His face still carried that calm expression, as though even the sky collapsing would not move him.

“Very well. However, please wait a moment while I finish this cup of tea.”

“Stop drinking! What time do you think this is?” Eli was so anxious that he nearly jumped in place.

“I obtained some top-grade Greenleaf Morning Dew from Sir Lucius. I will give all of it to you! Let us go!”

“Oh?” Sebastian’s originally unruffled eyes finally flickered, revealing a hint of interest.

He put down the teacup and pondered for a moment, as though calculating something.

“The Shadow Escape Art is not an unlimited-distance teleportation technique. It has its restrictions.”

Sebastian calmly explained, “Reaching Thorne City directly from here is too far. The energy consumption would be enormous and unstable.

The safest and most efficient method is this: we ride first, traveling day and night in the direction of Thorne City.

After roughly… three days, once we enter the range where I can stably perform long-distance Shadow Escape,

I can take you directly through the shadows and arrive inside Thorne City.”

“Good! We will do as you said! There is no time to lose. We set out immediately!”

When Eli heard that there was hope of reaching the city quickly, he immediately agreed.

Sebastian nodded slightly, but his feet had already begun moving outside.

“Please wait a moment, Lord. I will change into clothing more suitable for movement and prepare a few necessary items.

Please make your own preparations as well. We will meet at the stables.”

A short while later, in front of Obsidian Territory’s stables,

Eli and Sebastian, who had changed into a simple dark-gray outfit, mounted the two warhorses with the strongest legs and greatest endurance in the territory.

Prepared waterskins and dry rations hung beside the saddles.

Eli glanced back at the vibrant Obsidian Territory behind him, and a trace of reluctance flashed through his eyes. But in the next moment, it was replaced by determination.

He abruptly tugged the reins.

“Hyah!”

The two fine horses shot out like arrows released from a bow, charging through the gates of Obsidian Territory. They kicked up dust all along the road as they galloped northeast toward Thorne City.

Eli Pendragon, who had only recently ended his journey to Thorne and returned to his territory,

had no choice but to leave Obsidian Territory once again for a piece of shocking intelligence that might overturn the entire kingdom’s power structure.

The road ahead was long, and every moment counted.