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The reason they are called the “old Imperial Guard” is to distinguish them from the Misty City Imperial Guard established after the founding of the Goldflower Kingdom. The old Imperial Guard are veterans who have protected the king since the Western Kingdom era, the most combat-effective, honorable, and loyal troops in the country.

They obey only the will of the king himself, equivalent to King Louis’s “private army.”

Marshal Loren’s military career started here.

He is the pride of the old Imperial Guard.

King Louis’s deployment of the old Imperial Guard also means that he does not want this war to be restrained by the parliament. This simultaneously means that if the Circle Tower cannot give an answer that satisfies the king, the Spirit Mages’ allies in the political arena will have no chance to stop the war from starting.

This is King Louis’s response to the rebellion!

Resolute, decisive, cruel even to the point of being cold-blooded, he even skipped the step of sending envoys to inquire. Either bow down in submission or accept annihilation!

A single report obviously could not have such a clear effect.

This is enough to prove that for a long time in the past, Louis IX had some hidden dissatisfaction with the Circle Tower, and now he just seized the opportunity to vent this pent-up dissatisfaction.

Marshal Loren did not want to consider these things.

He was not planning to be a politician who observes words and watches facial expressions, but before he was about to set off after taking a short rest at his official residence in the capital, he welcomed a “guest.”

“I’ve always disliked being disturbed while eating, but you’re an exception.”

In the dining room of the marshal’s residence, Marshal Loren, eating his dinner in large mouthfuls with the posture befitting a soldier, said without looking up to the person who walked into the dining room:

“I have some things to ask you. About the destruction of Kadman City, I thought it was just a bloody revenge between compatriots, but now I find that there seem to be some factors hidden in it that cannot be ignored.

Edward!

You have to tell me, what role did the Wolfsbane Clan play in this matter?

And is that sub-space rift opened underground in Kadman City your handiwork?

Most importantly, did you exploit my sovereign and me?”

“Bang”

The dinner knife in the marshal’s hand was placed on the edge of the plate.

He raised his head and looked at old Edward in front of him, dressed like the most standard old gentleman of Misty City. Loren reached out to take the handkerchief handed over by the dwarf attendant beside him and wiped his mouth. A loaded dwarf hand cannon with griffin carvings was placed next to the marshal.

Meanwhile, a Silver Dwarf Earth Priest with ancient tattoos on his face and his body concealed by an earth-yellow hood also appeared silently at the entrance of the dining room.

He made no attempt to conceal his close connection with the Earth Spirit, and with each step he took, it seemed the entire marshal’s mansion would tremble a bit. The dust falling from the roof told everyone present that this was no illusion.

This was a Golden rank Earth Priest!

On the second floor of the dining room, several dwarf assassins hidden in the shadows also drew their dual guns and aimed downward. The scene suddenly became tense, just short of playing the BGM of “Ambush from Ten Sides.”

Faced with this scenario that would basically mean certain death if a fight broke out, Edward Spencer Gongreau, the grand duke of the Wolfsbane Clan, showed no fear. There was no obvious change in expression on that always gloomy face.

Leaning on his exquisite cane, he pulled out the chair opposite the dining table amid the crisis and handed his exquisite black-gray top hat along with his cane to the dwarf attendant beside him.

This gentleman-like figure reached out to remove the monocle that served as a decoration for his left eye, held it in his hand, and took out a handkerchief to wipe it. He said in a low voice:

“I knew in advance what Salrokdar was doing in the Blood Vulture Halls, but that wasn’t because I set up this scheme. Marshal, I can only tell you that I learned all this because a woman who had an intimate relationship with Salrokdar was driven mad by that cold-blooded old bastard.

She threw herself into Wolfsbane’s embrace, only praying for revenge.

So, I generously fulfilled that poor lady’s wish, and incidentally added another stroke to the century-old grudge between my clan and the Blood Vultures.

In D-Plan, my clansmen were only responsible for closing the city barrier and providing spirit energy positioning for the Circle Tower while making a small fortune on the side. Other than that, we weren’t involved in any other dangerous plans.

I came here personally to explain this point to you, hoping that you and King Louis won’t misunderstand us, these Children of Midnight who have already pledged our loyalty.”

“Heh, your dog nose is really keen,” Marshal Loren mocked. “Did you hear some wind? You actually ran over so proactively to explain all this, but speaking reason is absolutely not the style of the Wolfsbane Clan. Yet you come to speak reason with me, you’re afraid!”

“I don’t deny this point. King Louis’s majesty covers this country like the sun, and as is well known, we vampires who live in the shadow zones fear sunlight the most. Who wouldn’t be afraid?” Old Edward shrugged.

He touched his belly, seeming to have come in such a hurry that he hadn’t even had a decent dinner. The marshal made a gesture, and the kitchen immediately brought out a simple but sumptuous dinner and placed it in front of the Wolfsbane grand duke.

He politely expressed his thanks to the dwarf chef, then tied on his napkin, picked up his knife and fork to cut into the pork chop on the plate, and sent a small piece of meat smeared with tomato sauce like blood into his mouth. This food that dwarves love most was cooked quite well, even for vampires.

As the “King of the Underworld” who controls the dark side of Misty City and even the entire Greenleaf Island, old Edward has supreme authority in the sewers where sunlight cannot reach.

Since the “Wolf’s Calamity” event in the year 1040 of the era, when the Blood Vulture Clan betrayed them, leading to the joint extermination by the old religion and the Circle Tower, causing them to lose all their mainland territories, the Wolfsbane Clan, in a miserable state and almost extinct, migrated to Greenleaf Island under Edward’s leadership.

To survive and continue the clan’s legacy, old Edward completely abandoned the ancient conservative vampire laws.

He and his servants began to absorb criminals and thugs that no one else wanted on a large scale. After 70 years of development and expansion, now at least 4 out of every 10 crimes that occur on this island are related to the Wolfsbane.

They are the Sovereign in the night of Greenleaf, the most ruthless and brutal streak in this country’s vast shadow, and this dark force is held in old Edward’s hand.

It’s worth mentioning that the year 1040 of the era is also a memorable day for Marshal Loren, as he was born in the winter month of that year.

In any case, against this background, the Wolfsbane Clan’s intelligence-gathering ability on Greenleaf Island is absolutely top-notch. His Majesty the King gave the order in the afternoon, and by nightfall, old Edward had already rushed over, travel-worn.

He certainly feared that the king’s malice towards the Circle Tower would implicate the Wolfsbane Clan as well.

Shadows are always shadows.

Even the most enormous shadow only needs a ray of sunlight to dissipate.

Old Edward never underestimates human power, especially the reforms that King Louis is promoting across the country, which make him fear from the bottom of his heart. He knows that after humans learn and master the steam technology of the halflings, the era when they, the transcendent clans, ruled the continent might be facing a great reform.

That is the wheel rolling forward!

The general trend has formed, and old Edward does not want to be the mantis crushed by it.

“Mmm, thank you for your hospitality, sumptuous food always soothes the heart.”

The Wolfsbane grand duke finished the pork chop, while Proficiently picking up bread to dip in the gravy and putting it in his mouth, he said with a smile to Marshal Loren who was staring at him:

“If you need, my servants are very willing to act as the vanguard in suppressing the rebellion. As you said earlier, ancient hatred should always have a decent end.”

“It’s not that I need it! But that you should be loyal to His Majesty.”

Marshal Loren did not believe that the Wolfsbane Clan was pure and unblemished in the Kadman City incident, but at present, the most suspicious was obviously the Circle Tower. Moreover, weakening the Wolfsbane’s power on Greenleaf Island was already His Majesty’s strategy, so the half-dwarf marshal did not refuse this assist that was voluntarily delivered to his door.

He said to old Edward:

“You’d better really not have been involved in this matter. His Majesty detests traitors, and so do I.”

“Hmm, actually, so do I. No normal person would like traitors, unless he himself is one of them.”

Old Edward smiled, raised the wine glass beside him to the dwarf marshal, and said:

“Then here’s to your war going smoothly, if it really breaks out.”

“Hmm?”

This sentence made the marshal blink his eyes. He asked in return:

“Have you heard some news?”

“Oh my, an old dog’s ears are always keener, that’s how to survive better. I’ve also heard some interesting news from far-off White Cliff that I was about to share with you.”

The Wolfsbane grand duke waved his hand, as if old men sharing secrets.

While chewing on bread soaked in tomato juice, he said mysteriously:

“As far as I know, just a few days ago, a team of Spirit Hunters under the Circle Tower was mobilized.”

“They’re already dead.”

Marshal Loren said expressionlessly:

“Your kinsmen, the last remnants of the Blood Vultures, slaughtered them in a swift and clean midnight raid. A full 600 heads were piled up on the border of Transia, with the declaration of war ‘blood debt must be paid in blood’ written on them.”

“Hmm?”

Old Edward’s expression changed slightly.

By his estimation, the Blood Vulture Clan, battered to the brink of extinction, shouldn’t have had the ability to do such a thing. However, the Wolfsbane grand duke appeared nonchalant, waving his hand and saying:

“This is how we vampires do things, always avenging before the night is over when we have the ability. It seems the Blood Vulture Clan has a true leader again, what a pity.”

Marshal Loren stared at old Edward’s feigned calm expression. He was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said:

“I have definite information that the Thorn grand duchess, Lady Shani, and her entourage also participated in that massacre.”

“Snap”

The wine glass in old Edward’s hand was instantly crushed. His face also darkened.

The remnants of the Blood Vultures teetering on the edge of extinction didn’t matter.

But with the Thorn Clan, which is secluded in the Nordtov Kingdom and has great power, also involved, things were not so good. The Wolfsbane Clan and the Thorn Clan have never been friends, which made him immediately smell malice directed at him.

A thousand years of intra-racial strife had long made ancient beings like old Edward feel bored and weary, but the worst part was that it was like a cursed game that never ended.

Betrayal, alliance, selling out, and extermination, this is the eternal melody between vampire clans.

It’s so damn annoying!

Ah, merciful Night Mother, why don’t you send down a bolt of lightning to strike all those hateful bastard kinsmen dead, leaving only us, the Wolfsbane Clan, to walk in the night and proclaim your majesty?

“Let’s talk about the main issue.”

Old Edward took out a handkerchief to wipe the wine from his fingers.

He no longer smiled, but listlessly shared his information. Having lost interest in mystification, he said bluntly:

“The mobilization of that Spirit Hunter team was not on the orders of the Circle Tower’s high-level, it was the private decision of the Shaping Grandmaster. Hmm, perhaps he should be called the ‘former Shaping Grandmaster’, because the day after they set out, the Circle Tower sealed off the White Cliff territory.

I received news that the Spirit Mages seem to have had a civil war.

I don’t know the specific battle situation.

But I guess King Louis will soon receive an apology sufficient to delight his heart and mind, and one of the Circle Tower’s three towers, the Shaping Tower faction, is likely to welcome a new Shaping Grandmaster, as well as a cold-blooded purge frightening enough to make even us vampires feel fear.

Those Spirit Mages seem united.

But their internal struggles are even more naked, like a group of beasts wielding power, tearing at each other, always accompanied by large-scale executions. They kill their own people more viciously than when they massacre others, and they call it the ‘necessary price’ for pursuing truth.

So, who are the bad guys after all?”

At this point, the Wolfsbane grand duke stood up.

He had brought good news sufficient to appease the angry marshal, but received a terrible bad news as a “return gift”. This left old Edward with no mood to stay and continue playing riddles with Marshal Loren.

The Wolfsbane grand duke politely bid farewell:

“In any case, I came to advise you not to let the old Imperial Guard warriors overexert themselves. Perhaps you will soon return to the battlefield you’ve been yearning for. After all, major events like the Black Disaster still require outstanding commanders like you to be responsible for the resistance.

I will dispatch the elites from my family to participate in the Black Disaster. The ambitious Greyclaw faction, eager to demonstrate their power, has already set out as the vanguard towards Transia.

I hope you can make good use of them.

Of course!

It’s fine if they’re used as cannon fodder too.

I don’t like that overly ambitious descendant. He worships power but despises wisdom, without any decency of a midnight aristocrat!

Alas, what a fool, just like myself when I was young. I cultivated him back then because I thought he was like me, but the problem is, he’s too much like me.”

With that, old Edward took back his top hat and cane, put on his monocle, and bid farewell to Marshal Loren. He left the official residence, got into a black carriage, and disappeared into the night.

Marshal Loren obtained news about the Circle Tower. He didn’t think this was a deception by old Edward, that cunning Wolfsbane grand duke knew when to tell the truth. Which means, the punishment for the Circle Tower had ended before it even began.

“Phew”

Marshal Loren lit his pipe and blew a smoke ring.

In the gloomy evening light outside the window, he thought:

“This is good too. The kingdom needs unity, and the head of a Shaping Grandmaster is enough to soothe the anger of a dwarf after being exploited.”

Thinking thus, the marshal summoned the Silver Dwarf priest serving him. Under his instructions, within a dozen minutes, an ultra-long-distance spirit communication was sent to the frontier fortress. It was still the loyal and dutiful Lieutenant Frayzer who received the communication.

“Make some arrangements.”

The marshal said to the spirit projection maintained by two Earth Priests before him:

“I want to talk with the lord of Transia, tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir, general… no, Marshal!”

Lieutenant Frayzer gave a military salute.

As for why he, thousands of kilometers away, could know about Marshal Loren’s promotion so quickly, it’s actually not surprising.

The Carpe family is one of the three ancient noble families of the Western Kingdom, with considerable authority in the Goldflower Kingdom. As the young heir of a staunch royalist family, Lieutenant Frayzer was even held by the current King Louis when he was born.

“After you’ve done this, go back on leave.”

Marshal Loren blew a smoke ring and said to this young man he valued highly:

“There’s less than 6 months until the Black Disaster arrives. I’ll give you 2 months of leave. After you’ve completed your big life event, report back to the frontier fortress. Lieutenant Frayzer, I guess your family has already paved the way for you.

So, if you can survive the Black Disaster and earn a few more merits, I might have to address you as ‘Brigadier General’. Do you need me to prepare a wedding gift to send to the Carpe family?”

“Please don’t joke like that, Marshal.”

Lieutenant Frayzer shook his head and said:

“The country is in peril, and the Black Disaster will threaten the entire continent. In the face of such a major event, my personal honor and life events are no longer important.

I have already sent a letter to my father.

As long as the Black Disaster is not quelled, I will not start a family. This is the oath I’ve made for the country and His Majesty. I believe my father will understand me.”

“But young people should always taste the flavor of love.”

Marshal Loren wanted to persuade him, but Lieutenant Frayzer seemed a bit impatient on the other side. He seemed unwilling to discuss this issue and answered somewhat carelessly:

“I see you as my idol, Marshal. You’re not rushing into life’s big events, so why should I?”

“Hmm?”

The half-dwarf nearly choked on the smoke.

He glared fiercely at Lieutenant Frayzer and reprimanded:

“Go do your job! Don’t pry into adult matters!”

With that, the long-distance spirit communication was cut off. A few minutes later, the Silver Dwarf old priest who had been protecting Marshal Loren pulled his hood and whispered to Marshal Loren:

“You must return to Silver Citadel, little Loren. The High Lord and your cousin Livrosa are both waiting for you.”

“By dwarf lifespan standards, my cousin is not even of age yet! By Gaia above.”

Marshal Loren covered his eyes in pain.

He weakly retorted, but the old priest rolled his eyes and also took out a dwarf pipe, clenching it between his teeth. He drawled:

“But by human standards, your cousin is already an old maid. You can’t keep her waiting too long! Moreover, you both have feelings for each other, it’s not like twisting a melon off its vine.”

“Could you all stop pressuring me? I’m begging you.”

The marshal rubbed his aching brow. He sighed and said:

“I have responsibilities to my country and sovereign, so at least wait until after the Black Disaster is over-”

“But you said the same thing before the Ten-Year War started!”

“This time for sure! This time for sure, I promise!”