Pioneer Wizard's Notebook

Chapter 80 Solving the Puppet

The meeting had just begun.

He could hear Baron Falco still going on and on, recounting the treaty of mutual assistance between the allies.

Baron Byron interrupted:

"Stop spouting nonsense. What happened that you called us all this way?"

Though the words were crude, the principle was sound, and Baron Byron's words were quickly echoed by the other barons.

With the territory busy in winter, they don't have much time to waste listening to nonsense.

Baron Falco, somewhat displeased that his remarks as the leader had been interrupted, had no choice but to return to the main topic.

"There's been a problem in Windcliff City. The Sky Church has completely sided with Jason, and the original balance has been broken."

Upon hearing this, the barons' expressions changed.

The Church of the Sky is the state religion of the Kingdom of Rosa, accounting for over 90% of the kingdom's religious beliefs.

Just as the saying goes, "God the Father is above," the church has long been a part of people's lives.

Previously, Viscount Yacintos and his heir had died, and Windcliff City had been occupied by the usurper Jason.

But the consequences of lacking a legitimate reason for this soon became apparent.

The city quickly split into two major factions.

One faction, mainly composed of city officials, chose to submit to Jason, the usurper.

Another faction, represented by businessmen and judges, strongly opposed Jason's rule.

Aside from these two factions, the two most powerful forces in Windcliff City, the Radiant Knights and the Sky Church, chose to remain on the sidelines.

The Knights of Glory continued to maintain order in the city, busy apprehending criminals, and showed indifference to the struggle for the viscountship.

The Sky Church continues its regular services, maintaining its distance from secular power.

Due to the neutral stance of these two major forces, Fengya City maintains a delicate balance.

Jason and the opposing nobles were evenly matched.

But this situation changed five days ago.

Baron Falco continued, "A Sky Knight from the Griffin Knights has arrived in Windcliff City, and it is likely that he has reached some kind of agreement with the Church to support Jason's appointment as Viscount of Windcliff City."

"We can't stand by any longer, otherwise Windcliff City will fall completely into Jason's hands, and then he'll target us next!"

The Griffin Knights, also known as the Royal Knights, are directly commanded by King Raman II.

Without a doubt, the Sky Knight brought the King's order, which was what persuaded the Church to change its attitude.

"King Raman II! What is that cold-blooded swindler up to now? He actually dares to interfere in the succession of territories in the northern provinces!"

The barons were cursing each other, but then they greeted the king and his family with friendly inquiries.

Linde was also troubled. Jason was a pawn in Raman II's interference in the power of the North, a consensus among the barons.

The problem is that after learning about the war in the North, Lind is unsure whether the King is aware of it.

Was the placement of pawns in the Rahman II regime simply a move to consolidate power, or was it a strategy to better defend against foreign enemies in the future?

If it's the latter, then even if I manage to take down this usurper, I'm now at odds with Jason.

When the dragonborn army attacks in the future, the king's attitude will be a big problem.

Returning to the current topic, Baron Byron couldn't help but curse, "What the hell are those sons of bitches of the Radiant Knights doing? The Viscount and the Heir were murdered right before our eyes, and not a single one of those gatekeepers uttered a sound?"

"Even a dog needs teeth! Are these useless idiots blind?! Anyone who didn't know better would think Jason was the viscount's son!"

As he said, the inaction of the Radiant Knights, the guardians of the city, is the biggest reason for the chaos in Windcliff City.

Baron Falco said helplessly, "Perhaps they are afraid of the king's name, or for some other unknown reason, in any case, we can't count on them, we have to find a way ourselves."

On the other side, Baron Balk shook his head and said:

"A solution? What solution? Should everyone here send troops to besiege Windcliff City, and then wait for Jason to obediently lie on the ground and surrender?"

Sitting in the chair with the centaur emblem, Baron Roy shrugged and said, "I can provide thirty soldiers, and ten more if that's not enough."

Baron Byron of High Cliff Castle replied, "Then I'll offer forty-five, five more than you."

The barons, one after another, managed to gather over three hundred soldiers, and ended up amusing themselves.

"Heh, do you think we can withstand a few shots from the Radiant Crossbows on the city walls when we're besieging Windcliff City?"

"How many shots? The ballistae flashed, and the soldiers were probably all gone by then. Guess what? Not a single one of them from Wind Cliff City was wiped out!"

The pressure from the Icefield Ghosts and the constant stream of bad news from Windcliff City had left the barons feeling stifled, and they were now venting their emotions.

The military alliance's strength was certainly far greater than just three hundred soldiers.

However, roads are covered in snow in winter, making it difficult for the army to move around, and there is also the threat of Ice Demons in the wild.

The barons are unlikely to send their main force to cause trouble for Windcliff City.

Baron Falco was aware of this, and after they had vented their anger, he spoke again:

"There's no need to make it so complicated. Although Jason is the king's puppet, as long as we get rid of him, Raman II will naturally have no reason to continue interfering in Windcliff City."

Baron Byron's expression froze, his face hardening. "Eliminate? You wouldn't mean to?"

Baron Falco nodded and said, "That's right, just as you all thought."

He didn't say it directly because it would be an insult to noble honor, but the barons present naturally understood.

Assassination? Lind wondered.

This is probably the most sensitive word for the nobility.

Baron Falco wouldn't have made this suggestion in public if the situation in Windcliff City hadn't been so dire as to be unstoppable.

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Baron Falco initiated a vote at the meeting.

"There are nine people present. If more than half agree, it means the military alliance has passed this bill. Now, let's begin the vote."

Baron Byron snorted and abstained.

Baron Roy followed Baron Falco in casting his vote in favor.

Six votes in favor, one abstention, and one vote against.

Seeing that the proposal had been passed, Lin De stopped worrying and cast his vote in favor.

Let's solve Jason's problem first.

As for King Rahman II? The King has his objections, and so does he. We'll see who cares more then!

Linde relaxed.

Baron Falco smiled and said:

"Now that the resolution has been passed, please go back and make preparations immediately."

"Seven days from now is the Winter Solstice Celebration of Windcliff City—the Glowing Pilgrimage. Jason will appear at Dragon Shadow Square in the city center then, where the crowds will be dense, making it the perfect opportunity to make a move."

"The Shadow Order will take care of things then, so you don't need to worry."

Baron Byron scoffed, "Looks like you've got everything arranged. Then why did you call us here? Are you short a few spectators?"

"Of course not, the plan can't succeed without everyone's help."

Baron Falco added, "Someone will need to lure the Knights of Glory and the Church away. Each of you will need to send a transcendent knight into Windcliff City beforehand to cooperate with this plan."

"Don't worry, there shouldn't be too much risk if everything goes smoothly."