Chapter 334: Chapter 221: Calamity Response (Part 2)
But fortunately, David’s reason still persisted, knowing that if he really did that, he wouldn’t be far from being jointly beaten by the nations of Central Earth.
If he were to crush the allied forces of the nations in one fell swoop, the day when the Pan-Faerun Deities cast their gaze upon him would also not be far.
The power shifts in the mortal world reflected the changing influence of the gods, and the gods’ chess game likewise deeply affected the development of civilized society.
Tch, so before reaching the territory of the Elven Kingdom, in the end, it still comes down to humans, huh?
So-called proxy wars, that is.
「...」
At the same time, David was contemplating a dilemma: should he risk drawing the attention of the Pan-Faerun Deities by leading a charge with his dragons, or should he spend time cultivating proxies to strengthen his forces before advancing into the High Elves’ kingdom? While he pondered, earth-shattering news spread rapidly through most of the Valden Duchy: David, this Crimson Calamity, along with hundreds of dragons, had descended upon Port of Wallens. He had effectively occupied this frontier city of Luwalden without a single casualty. This news, spurred by the flight of the former Governor of Wallens who sought refuge, was also quickly disseminating to the nations of Central Earth.
「Luwalden Royal Capital.」
The hall of the Royal Capital was deathly silent, as if everyone was awaiting something.
Klinsmann Hadad, who had just succeeded the throne from his mysteriously deceased brother, sat listlessly on his throne, his face expressionless as he stared ahead.
More precisely, ever since the murder of the former king forty-five years ago, in this ongoing great rebellion, he was already the fourth king to be placed at the forefront according to the line of succession.
He was nothing but a puppet with power and commands controlled by the nobles present. Most matters were not for him to decide until he found an opportunity to form his own faction.
"Port of Wallens has been occupied by the progeny of the Crimson Calamity; only the Governor of Wallens escaped. He has sent a letter to the Royal Capital, hoping His Majesty can deploy troops to retaliate and reclaim the fief. To compensate for the royal army’s expenses, he is willing to provide half of his fief’s tax revenue for the next ten years," a messenger reported in a low voice, his words echoing in the silent hall.
A chill spread through the banquet hall, and some of the lesser nobles, just learning of the news, exchanged glances. The polite smiles on their faces disappeared, replaced by a deep fear and apprehension. Their eyes searched for answers, but no one could provide them.
Everyone had heard the name Crimson Calamity, and this fear had accompanied the memories of three generations.
Yet, none had expected to hear it again at such a formal occasion after so many years, even if it was in the name of its offspring.
Seeing the Royal Court in silence, Klinsmann, who had also learned all this from the letter, felt a sudden thrill in his heart.
Perhaps, the opportunity had come into his hands.
He feigned a fearful demeanor and uttered the sort of platitudes expected of a puppet, "We must do something."
But coincidentally, that was exactly what the leaderless nobles were hoping to hear, and they immediately began presenting various suggestions.
For instance, one noble, not knowing the specifics, blurted out, "We should send troops immediately, take back Port of Wallens."
Without even needing Klinsmann to rebut, another noble shot back with a gaze as if looking at an idiot, "Viscount Dimitri, under the command of that Red Dragon are hundreds of dragons. Will you personally lead the troops to battle?"
"HISS!" Some of the uninformed nobles then realized the severity of the situation.
Normally, hearing about the appearance of a single chromatic Evil Dragon was already a disaster.
Hundreds of great dragons gathered! The Dragon Breath of a single one of them would be enough to level their Royal Capital!
What on earth was happening to the world?
"But as far as I know, only about twenty of those are True Dragons, and most are adolescent or young dragons."
Hearing this, people’s taut nerves finally relaxed a bit.
As long as there were no mature dragons, otherwise they would indeed have to flee en masse in the night to another country.
Just then, a countess put forward a relatively reliable suggestion, "Your Majesty, the Crimson Calamity’s offspring, accompanied by hundreds of great dragons, has converged on Port of Wallens. This is not just a matter for our Luwalden to handle alone. At times like these, we must spread the word, invite nations of Central Earth to discuss this matter, unite against the Evil Dragon. Otherwise, if Luwalden falls, they won’t escape either."
Klinsmann, seeing that no one opposed, relaxed inwardly and immediately responded, "Let it be so!"
Then he added, "The Popes and Pastoral Heads of all the churches should also be invited. Dragon swarms cannot be countered by secular armies alone; a mere Dragon Might is enough to rob mortals of their fighting power. We must gather all possible allies and assemble all magical tools and weapons available against dragons to form an elite dragon-slaying corps."
This slightly ’out of line’ remark immediately provoked another argument among the nobles. But he had to seize this opportunity to make an ’ally’, to pull himself out of this damned quagmire, even if it meant betraying some of Luwalden’s interests. No matter who he was! Otherwise, under the manipulation of these idiots, his Hadad bloodline might well be the last of a line of failed kings. Yes, there would be no successor!
Another minister stepped forward and asked, "Then, do we need to invite Count Pablo?"
The Royal Court suddenly fell silent.
It was well known that Count Pablo was originally a mere noble on the frontier near the Elven Kingdom, but in recent years, he had flourished through various overseas trade and smuggling ventures.
He had also, under various pretenses, annexed the territories of many minor nobles around him, effectively becoming another power besides the Royalist Faction and the rebels.
And the reason why this count could transform from an insignificant frontier noble to a person of great importance in Luwalden, even to the point of instilling fear just by the mention of his name, was quite simple.
The count had been infiltrated and captured by the Drow from a young age, soon after he ascended to his position.
In other words, he was merely a puppet controlled by the Drow matriarch Naferutali.
Yet, even so, Klinsmann envied this somewhat distantly related royal uncle.
As puppets being controlled, at least the one named Naferutali, the Drow matriarch, indeed possessed sufficient strength and wisdom. Unlike his own situation, where he was surrounded by a bunch of ’good-for-nothing’ incompetents.
Seeing that no noble engaged in this taboo subject, King Klinsmann nodded, "Invite Count Pablo to discuss the plan for slaying the dragon."
After the ministers had dispersed, the puppet king lay on his back, looking up to the sky from his rather spacious throne, his youthful cheeks firming with resolve, fists clenched tight.
Son of the Crimson Calamity, David Uthos, huh? Thank you for this opportunity.
I will cherish it and seize it!
Definitely!
He intended to use this crisis to put an end to the forty-five years of turmoil in Luwalden and become the king whom Bards would vie to sing about as the great revitalizer.
「...」
On the frontier of the Elven Kingdom, in the domain of Count Pablo.
The former Drow matriarch Naferutali lay naked on a sofa draped with vines on the balcony, gazing thoughtfully into the distance.
The 62-year-old Count Pablo, along with his eldest son and two grandsons—a line of three generations of nobles—fawningly licked and massaged the Drow’s body, like dogs licking their master.
They were all willing subjects beneath her skirt. Willingly so.
At that moment, a guard, his handsome face and armor more reminiscent of fetish wear, seemed already accustomed to the sight before him, and respectfully reported the same news, "Port of Wallens has been seized by David Uthos, the son of the Crimson Calamity. He has brought hundreds of dragons with him from Skanis on the Old Continent."
PFFT.
The reaction here sharply contrasted with the scene of collective effort at the Luwalden Royal Court.
"David Uthos?!" The Drow matriarch shuddered in fright, spitting in the old count’s face. It was as if the nightmare from thirty-two years ago came surging back. The nightmare had become reality.