Rebellion 14

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"How could this happen?"

An atmosphere of anxiety spread throughout the hall of the lord's residence.

"This is a conspiracy! It must be a grand conspiracy!"

Philip was filled with sorrow. "These vampires from the Northwest Bay have been trying to drive out the Grayman family ever since they arrived on this land. Now that Alden is thriving under the management of the Grayman family, they are envious!"

Beluga declared loudly, "Lord Ford, Lord Philip, and everyone present, we must stabilize our position immediately and unite the entire territory's strength to avenge Lord Grayman."

"That's right!" Someone began to echo Beluga's sentiment.

Beluga continued, "So I just suggested that we immediately support a new lord. Only with a lord in place can we have a backbone, and the people of the territory will respond to our call! In fact, this is also Lord Grayman's command. Julian Webster is the designated heir by Lord Grayman."

"Ah?" Upon hearing this, the previously agitated crowd immediately grew silent.

"You mean that Lord Grayman... confirmed his heir before he passed?" 

Everyone knew Julian Webster, a relative of the Grayman family and not too distant from the current lord. He had a residence in the city on the south bank of Alden and often visited the lord's residence.

"Yes, this is what Stefano relayed. Otherwise, how could I, a mere training officer, dare to say such overstepping words in such a sacred place as the lord's residence?"

After a moment of silence, the head of the administrative council, Lord Ford, spoke up, "Stefano, do you have a written order from the lord?"

Stefano shook his head. "It was too chaotic at the time, and the Earl was seriously injured, so no written order was issued."

Housekeeper Philip said dejectedly, "If we go by bloodline, Webster's branch is indeed the most qualified to inherit the lordship, but…" He cast a glance at the head of the administrative council.

No written order? Such an important matter cannot be decided hastily… A hint of doubt arose in Ford's mind.

He shook his head and said, "The heir to the territory is a matter of great importance; it cannot be decided so hastily. Moreover… we need to consult Earl Ganard, who is still in Byerldine. He is Lord Grayman's ally, and his opinion is very important."

Beluga was perplexed. "Why should we heed Byerldine's opinions regarding Alden?"

Lord Ford replied, "Watch your words. Don't you know that under the facilitation of both Earls, Alden, Byerldine, and Emden have become an inseparable whole? In fact, besides Earl Ganard, the nobles of Emden's vassal territories also have the right to voice their opinions on the heir—after all, they swore allegiance to Lord Grayman after the War of Usurpation."

Damn it! Beluga cursed inwardly. All along, his attitude toward Byerldine and Emden had been that they were lands conquered and ruled by Alden, merely needing to obey the commands from Alden.

Beluga insisted, "But this is Lord Grayman's command!"

Lord Ford also insisted, "The heir to the lord is never a matter for the lord alone! Additionally… come in!"

Two guards entered the hall immediately upon hearing the command, causing Beluga to feel a moment of panic, though he did not show it on his face.

The head of the administrative council commanded in a stern tone, "Find a room in the lord's residence for Stefano to recover properly, but he must not leave the lord's residence."

Stefano showed a look of fear in the exposed eye. "Come with us, Stefano." The two guards beckoned to the injured companion.

Stefano slightly turned his neck to glance at Beluga—this detail was noticed by many—of course, Beluga did not respond.

The two guards took Stefano away.

"Lord Chief, what does this mean?"

"He may also have defected. He could be sent back by the rebels."

Lord Ford said this, but he was reflecting on the glance Stefano had given to Beluga. He would definitely need to interrogate this Stefano carefully about every detail of Paul's attack; if he were sent by the traitors, there would likely be one or two inconsistencies.

Moreover, as the head of the administrative council, he knew that in Port Frand, there were a group of special immigrants with strange abilities, and perhaps among them, there were those who could discern lies.

Sighing inwardly, Lord Ford lamented that Lady Ladia Setia was not here; she had accompanied Lord Grayman, likely… it was he who had summoned her into the administrative council in the first place.

He had never expected things to turn out this way. Beluga quickly turned his mind. "A round trip to Byerldine would take at least two or three days, and it's even further to Emden. But now is a critical moment, regarding the life and death of Alden. If there isn't someone of equal standing with the invaders—a lord—to speak out, those outside forces eyeing us will use this gap to suppress us, placing us at a disadvantage. Therefore, I still suggest we immediately support a new lord and quickly write a letter as the lord of Alden to those with ill intentions, letting them know that we have a new leader and that we are united internally."

"This…" Lord Ford stroked his beard, pondering. Beluga had a point.

"Lord Ford, everyone present. I trust Earl Ganard, but what about the others? If they insist on bringing troops to Alden, will they not meddle in who inherits the lordship? Do you want these outsiders to have a say in this?" 

Of course, everyone was unwilling.

"Thus, I suggest," Beluga said loudly, "that we let Lord Grayman's designated heir, Lord Julian, act as the interim lord for a time, negotiating with the outside world in the name of the lord, at least to get through this immediate crisis. Once the situation stabilizes, we can discuss who will formally inherit the lordship."

"This…"

Lord Ford stroked his beard. An acting lord? It seemed like a feasible plan.

Not only Lord Ford but also many officials whispered to each other, feeling that it was possible.

Beluga felt sweat in his palms, his heart racing. If this still didn't work, he would have to call the militia he controlled from outside.

But that would complicate things a lot and would completely sever ties with the current rulers of Alden. If they refused to cooperate, then he would have no choice but to resort to violence.

(End of the Chapter)

---

Read (FF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c776.

Early Access at $5.

Translated (4) Series, (1.8K+) Chapters, (2.25M+) Words.