After Asa returned to Bracada, he heard that the new commander had arrived, so he immediately went to the city hall. He needed to explain the situation regarding the general and the five thousand soldiers to the duke.
He arrived at the commander's room and saw a valiant and handsome knight, clad in armor, with clean, neatly styled golden curls, elegantly sitting in the commander's position and staring at him. This knight's appearance was completely at odds with the rough and simple military camp, looking as pristine as he had at his wedding not long ago.
Asa frowned at him, not hiding his disgust, and asked, "Where is Duke Murak?" Although he had previously only had a mild dislike for this guy, he now realized that he had developed a strong aversion to him.
Claudius's expression wasn't good either as he replied, "The duke is delayed due to some business; I am temporarily in charge here."
Asa snorted coldly and said, "I should have known to come a few days later. I'm not in a good mood, and seeing someone I dislike makes it even worse."
For the first time, Asa felt that having a high status had its advantages. After all, he was the high priest of the Magic Academy—what could this guy do about it?
Claudius's face immediately darkened, and Asa could see that he had to exert a lot of effort to maintain his composure. Using a somewhat forced official tone, he said, "I heard that the high priest went after the general who incited the soldiers to leave without permission. Did you catch up with him?"
"I did."
"So you've been with their troops all along?"
"Yes."
"Then what about their men? Did you engage in battle with Orford?"
"They're all dead." Asa didn't want to waste more words with this guy.
Claudius's eyelid twitched, and he asked coldly, "Are you saying they all died in battle? Not a single one escaped?"
"Yes." Asa replied coldly.
Claudius's eyes scanned Asa from top to bottom and said, "How could you return safely, then? You seem uninjured, and your clothes aren't even torn. Did those orcs spare you?"
"Uh..." Asa was at a loss for words and couldn't explain how things actually happened. "I hid somewhere else to watch."
Claudius didn't respond. His blue eyes continued to stare at this obvious liar. Asa refused to back down and stared right back at him. The two glared at each other for a while until Claudius suddenly shouted, "Guards! Arrest this traitor!" A group of soldiers rushed in at the sound, all looking puzzled since they recognized that this was the high priest.
Asa shouted angrily, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Claudius spoke with righteous indignation, "You hold the position of high priest but did not direct the clerics to stabilize the soldiers' morale, which led to General Sanders inciting the soldiers to march on his own. If it weren't for your collusion with those orcs, how could all five thousand soldiers have perished without a single one escaping, while you remain unscathed? According to reports, the general's forces have already traveled several hundred miles; how could you return so quickly? Just recently, a scout reported seeing orc wyverns ten miles away, but they only appeared briefly and then flew off, and now you just happen to return. Isn't that too coincidental? Don't these pieces of evidence suggest that you are in league with the orcs?"
"This is... um..." Asa found himself unable to explain. He had indeed returned on a wyvern and hadn't considered these issues.
"It seems they said just now that the high priest walked back, not on horseback..." a squad leader chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
The soldiers began to doubt. Claudius seized the advantage, waving his hand and commanding with authority, "Isn't that evidence enough? Seize him! Anyone who resists will be executed without mercy."
"That is certainly not evidence." Someone timely entered from outside and his confident words turned the situation around. "His Majesty has ordered a retreat and plans to sign a peace treaty with Orford. General Sanders and those five thousand soldiers disregarded military regulations and attacked an ally for personal grievances, and they all deserve to be dealt with according to military law. Thanks to the high priest's efforts to mediate, those reckless individuals did not destroy the relationship between our two nations, preventing an even greater disaster." This person summarized with emotion, "Truly worthy of being a servant of the gods with compassion and devout faith; a pillar of the nation and a blessing for the people."
"Lord Duke. You arrived so quickly." Claudius's expression showed a hint of panic.
"Of course I came quickly. Otherwise, how could I have prevented this misunderstanding? Fortunately, as soon as I arrived, I heard that the high priest had returned, so I rushed over immediately." Duke Murak waved his hand kindly, signaling the soldiers to leave. He turned to Asa with a warm smile, just enough to convey friendliness and apology. "We're all young and impulsive, so it's inevitable that we may offend one another with our words. He doesn't realize that we are actually on the same side, and harboring animosity is detrimental to all. I hope the high priest can forgive us." He then turned to Claudius and waved his hand. "Apologize to the high priest."
"Forget it. There's no one else here, no need for such boring formalities. We all know the truth here." Asa shrugged. "Well, I know this isn't good for anyone. Fortunately, Lord Duke, you've come. After explaining the situation here, I'll head back to the capital to report to the bishop. No need for everyone to act so impulsively."
"That won't do, High Priest." The duke's smile today appeared particularly warm and friendly. "The reason I delayed was because of this matter; His Majesty and the bishop have an important task to assign to you. It is a significant mission, and the bishop highly recommended you, saying that you are the only one capable of completing it. I have already prepared a retinue for you to accompany you to Orford."
"Huh? What retinue?" Asa asked, confused.
"A retinue. To accompany you to Orford to negotiate and sign the peace treaty. You now bear the glorious mission of bringing peace between the two nations."
Although it seemed a bit troublesome, it was just an additional task and probably wouldn't take too much time. Asa frowned and reluctantly nodded.
After Asa left, only the duke and his assistant remained in the room. The duke's expression darkened, and after a moment of silence, he coldly said, "From now on, we can never act against him."
"But... this evidence is already sufficient. We can execute him on the spot for treason. With forty thousand troops here, he certainly cannot escape." Claudius tried to justify his impulsive actions. "This person's existence is simply too dangerous..."
"Killing him could just as likely lead to our downfall." The duke's face grew increasingly dark, and his voice held a hint of impatience. Gone was his usual sharpness and energetic demeanor, replaced by a look of discouragement and anger, making him appear like a businessman who had just suffered a heavy loss.
Claudius was taken aback. Though he had been with the duke for quite some time, he had never seen him display such an expression.
Feeling discouraged might not seem like a big deal. However, for a duke as cunning and wise as this one, who could navigate political waters with ease, it was shocking to see him so defeated. Claudius almost wondered if the sky was about to fall.
But of course, the sky was not going to fall. Moreover, the current situation seemed quite favorable; there appeared to be nothing wrong at all. The duke had successfully taken control of the military; as long as everything went according to plan, the next exciting drama could begin unfolding immediately. Therefore, Claudius genuinely didn't understand why the duke reacted this way.
Yet, despite his curiosity, Claudius did not ask. He had noticed something unusual in the duke's eyes and understood that a good assistant should speak less and do more. So he immediately went to inform the commanders in the army to meet the new commander.
Once alone in the room, the duke sighed heavily at the empty space around him.
He then focused his attention, listening carefully. After confirming that there was no one around, he suddenly kicked a chair, sending it crashing against the wall and shattering into pieces. At that moment, the kindness and gentility that had seemed to be part of his demeanor completely vanished; his narrow eyes no longer held any semblance of a smile, instead radiating a chilling light that could shred anyone who made eye contact with him. The once-pleasant, chubby face now displayed an aura of authority and murderous intent that rivaled any general who had been in the heat of battle.
But the next moment, after releasing his pent-up frustration, the duke's face returned to its usual state. When the other commanders and Claudius returned, they would see a warm, kind, and amiable duke, though a hint of fatigue was hard to conceal.
By his training, even in the face of great setbacks and disappointments, the duke would never reveal it on the outside. Furthermore, with his skills and tactics, even if he truly faced some difficulties, he could handle them effortlessly without leaving a trace. Thus, the reason for his unusual demeanor must be that this setback was not just "great," but rather absurdly so.
This setback was the failure of the agreement between him and Orford due to this young man's interference.
The duke's plan could be traced back several years. Upon hearing from Theodorus about his intention to establish an orc city-state, he immediately expressed extreme support. The duke intended not only to provide Theodorus with substantial material assistance but also to secretly block any news of the city's construction from reaching the imperial military.
Keeping the establishment of a city-state completely under wraps was an extremely risky endeavor, even for the duke's capabilities. Though the two were friends, in the eyes of someone with grand ambitions, no friendship could surpass the importance of self-interest. The duke's willingness to do this indicated that he had even greater interests and prospects in mind.
At the time, the duke had just been granted this extremely prestigious title, but he also understood that his political career was nearing its end. Despite being exceptionally capable and resourceful, no bureaucrat in the entire empire could outmaneuver him, yet he found himself with no further paths for advancement. As a low-ranking noble without any background to rise to such heights was already miraculous, but no matter how many miracles one achieved, a lack of background would always be a limitation. Even after marrying into the Ernie family, those entrenched hereditary nobles would only see him as a means to utilize his talents rather than truly consider him one of their own.
As for the military, it was possible for someone of his abilities to slowly ascend to power. However, in peacetime, such progress was far too slow to satisfy his immense and urgent ambitions.
To rise swiftly, he would need a chance—war and crisis. Only in a moment of peril for the empire could he fully showcase his exceptional skills. Only through upheaval and chaos could he have ample opportunities to utilize his cunning methods and schemes, removing obstacles and reaping benefits.
The sudden emergence of an orc city-state in the wilderness—land that had always been considered part of the empire—would undoubtedly catch the attention of the military, which had long sought to use military merit as political capital. War would be inevitable. But as long as Theodorus was well-prepared, and the orc forces had reached a certain scale, especially under General Grutt's leadership, the duke was confident that the empire's troops would have no chance of victory—just as one wouldn't believe that eggs could devour a man.
The utter defeat of the forces fighting against the orcs would instantly plunge the political arena into chaos. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the duke could use his daughter's marriage into the Ernie family and his favorable relations with the military to position himself in a role where both sides regarded him as one of their own. With some maneuvering and his well-known abilities, he could naturally be entrusted with significant responsibilities at a time of national crisis.
Once he took control of the military, the battle itself would be purely performative. As a condition for assisting Theodorus, the duke requested coordination on the battlefield.
Winning the war was essential, but it wouldn't be entirely smooth sailing—losses and bloodshed were unavoidable. The terrifying combat prowess of the orc forces was already well-known, and true great generals emerged in times of crisis, turning desperate situations around. However, the casualties would ideally be those hard to control and buy off—those difficult-to-manage large-eared creatures would serve as perfect cannon fodder.
After a standoff on the high ground, Theodorus's pre-arranged diplomatic strategies would come into play, compelling the politicians to stop fighting due to the mounting international pressure. At this time, the duke could leverage the subtle setups he had planted earlier, transforming from a war hero into a peace envoy, facilitating negotiations for a peace treaty. Of course, this transformation would require excellent performance and tactics, and with his allies' cooperation, the duke could handle it seamlessly.
The final outcome would naturally be one of mutual joy. The establishment of Orford would be a given; he would hold military power, gain unparalleled achievements, and significantly increase his political capital while eliminating dissenters. Being second only to one man would be a small matter; the key was to lay a solid foundation for even larger moves and broader prospects in the future.
This was indeed an immensely grand strategy, with intricate designs and unique insights that could be called an art form. Even the duke felt proud of this plan. The numerous factors to consider and the intricate details to manage made the requirements for this endeavor intricate and interconnected. Looking across the world, perhaps only a master of political intrigue like the duke could execute it successfully.
However, this was also an extremely dangerous operation. Any leak or misstep could lead to a complete failure. Both the imperial military and the Ernie family would never allow someone with such deep and dangerous machinations to exist—much like how even the most forgiving person would not dare to live with a venomous snake. No matter how skilled he was, he would end up with no chance of escape.
Thus, he cautiously implemented his plan, remaining vigilant and eliminating anyone who could potentially leak information. He watched Orford rise day by day, eagerly awaiting the perfect conclusion.
But he never anticipated that just as he had put in countless efforts and was ready to reap the fruits of his labor, a foolish country bumpkin would suddenly appear, causing enormous upheaval in a plan he could not comprehend.
Initially, the duke didn't pay much attention to this fledgling soldier. He thought he was just a deserter—eliminate him, and that would be that. He had dealt with far worse nuisances before.
However, by an unbelievable twist of fate, the bishop intervened. The duke was somewhat surprised but remained calm, as the bishop had never meddled in politics before; he likely only acted out of a momentary whim. The duke thought that with his methods, he could easily manage this soldier and render him ineffective, thus ensuring the broader situation would remain unchanged.
But soon he discovered that the bishop's relationship with this soldier was quite unusual. The duke's interest piqued; perhaps this wasn't just a waste, but a valuable piece to ally with the bishop. However, after exhausting all his means, the duke was astonished to find that this person was utterly resistant to manipulation. He couldn't be used or eliminated, and despite violating the rules of the game, he stood there, causing the entire situation to spiral out of control.
The subsequent developments left the duke even more bewildered and at a loss. The bishop, who had always avoided political matters, suddenly advised the emperor to withdraw troops and negotiate for peace, significantly accelerating the arrival of peace and leaving the duke with no time to take command of the military and display his prowess.
Furthermore, under the bishop's strong recommendation, the soldier was selected as the negotiator for peace talks.
All the effort put into a plan that risked his reputation and was meant to establish his power ultimately turned out to be in vain. Even someone with ten times the duke's composure would likely find it hard to restrain their anger. And this was just the beginning; even more troubling matters lay ahead.
Previously, when the soldier appeared uninterested in the power circles, the duke had felt somewhat reassured. But now the bishop had suddenly decided to nurture the soldier carefully. This soldier, whom he couldn't kill nor recruit, now held an immense secret of the duke's—a sword of Damocles hanging over him. From then on, every action had to be taken with caution, restraint, and limitation, living in fear and being bound hand and foot.
Such a situation was utterly intolerable for the duke; his intricate schemes, good reputation, and countless laid traps now felt useless against his unending ambitions.
Thus, the duke found himself extremely frustrated, irate, and agitated. He almost wished he could tear that soldier into tiny pieces with his own hands.
However, he was still a duke. No matter how frustrated or agitated he felt, such emotions would never cloud his noble reason. Upon reaching this point, he exercised utmost self-control, using his refined temperament to suppress all his feelings, gracefully and skillfully diffusing the tense atmosphere.
Emotions could never solve any problem. Even the most challenging issues could only be resolved through carefulness, rationality, and practice. However, the duke knew that he would be occupied for quite a while with this big problem.