Why did the lord rebel

Chapter 482 Occasional vacancies

Tens of kilometers away from the Hesse Mire to the south, at the northeastern end of the Blood Front, is Swan Castle.

It has been more than ten days since the lord led the expedition team to the Hesse Quagmire, but the Frost Maple Ridge "Wagner" special force stationed at Swansea Castle is still meticulously performing the military tasks of reconnaissance, sentry and training.

On the one hand, this is because the Igor Expeditionary Force, which almost gathers the elite of the southern empire, has excellent military quality and will not be lazy without supervision; on the other hand, it is because Xiao, who took over the command during the lord's absence, Mountbatten fulfilled his duties and effectively organized the daily affairs of the "Wagner" special force;

But, in fact, the main reason is the tense situation around Thorn City in the past half month.

According to the original military plan of the Imperial Army, since the Federation Orcs have obviously withdrawn from the surrounding area of ​​Thorns City and are preparing to besiege the isolated city, the Imperial Army only needs to seize the entire hilly area around Thorns City and then slowly gnaw away at it. Thorn City is just the tough guy.

However, the Federation Orcs still taught this group of naive and optimistic Imperial staff a hard lesson.

Ten days ago, when a central army brigade of the empire was advancing eastward, it was suddenly attacked by an orc army. Since according to the initial intelligence, the Federation orcs should have retreated to Thorn City, this brigade was not prepared to encounter the enemy. The result of the hasty battle was that they were almost wiped out by the Federation orcs in an organized manner;

At the same time, the Central Army and Eastern Army troops from other directions also sent news to the headquarters, saying that they had been ambushed by orcs to varying degrees and suffered heavy losses.

Only then did the Imperial Military Headquarters finally come to their senses:

It turns out that the federal orcs had no intention of surrendering the hills around Thorn City to others!

The so-called "retreat to the City of Thorns" is just a good show put on by the Glorious Federation for the Empire; the real killer move is clearly those who use the "Meursault Invisibility Satin" to ambush in every corner, waiting for the Imperial Army Orc troops surrendering themselves to the trap!

——Obviously, the demons have made another big order with the orcs, making a fortune from war.

While the top brass of the Imperial Army scolded the demons for their bitch behavior, they also realized depressingly that the original plan to siege Thorn City seemed to be on the verge of being shelved: If the surrounding hills could not be controlled without bloodshed, then there was no point in besieging Thorn City. What about this holy city of divine grace?

The frontline troops were attacked, and the various imperial fortresses on the Blood Front certainly learned from the pain and entered a state of first-level combat readiness, fearing that they would be attacked again by the Federation orcs from unknown sources.

In this regard, even the Swan Castle controlled by Frost Maple Ridge is no exception.

In recent days, anyone who gets even slightly closer to Swan Castle will notice the majestic figure of the steel dragon hovering in the sky, as well as the "Hellcat" bionic gryphon air cavalry flying through the sky.

And as long as you boldly continue to march towards Swan Castle, an "Igor" armored personnel carrier will drive up to you, pulling a car full of fully armed Frost Maple Ridge soldiers, and check your passport documents on the spot.

As long as there is a slight problem with your paperwork, or your words and deeds are slightly suspicious, a newly developed "Kalashnikov rifle" will hit you in the head accurately from 800 meters away without the help of Frost Maple Ridge soldiers.

——It is precisely because of such tight security that for half a month, not to mention the Federation orcs, even the friendly forces of the Empire have found it difficult to get close to the surroundings of Swan Castle. Everyone has been rejected by the "Wagner" special forces indiscriminately: Frost Maple Lord Ridge's warlord and bandit habit of turning a place into his own territory every time he went was once again fully demonstrated.

However, on this day, Swan Castle still welcomed a group of guests that were difficult to refuse.

The Frost Maple Ridge scout who was on sentry duty at the head of Swan Castle, carrying a "Kalashnikov rifle", watched helplessly as a slightly bald middle-aged man in a gorgeous military uniform strode towards the city. Castle gate.

During the process, the middle-aged man did not face any cross-examination.

The reason is simple: he is Marquis Liam, who has just arrived at the front line, and is the new commander of the Imperial Central Army who has taken over the post of Marquis Ryan Grant.

Behind Marquis Liam were three fellow travelers, each with an extraordinary aura.

The first of them is none other than the old friend of the people of Frost Maple Ridge, Imperial Prime Minister Guillaume Gaunt. Prime Minister Gunter was wearing an elegant satin white robe, looking energetic and moving. Since arriving at the gate of Swan Castle, he has been looking at the surrounding Frost Maple Ridge fortifications and soldiers with great interest.

The second one was a silent man wearing a black monk's robe and a blood-red cloak. The man had a cold smile on his face, but he was as indifferent as if all the trivial matters in the world had nothing to do with him, and he had dedicated his soul to some noble cause beyond the ordinary. Behind the man's back, there was a polished two-handed giant sword tied with thorns, and the blade of the giant sword glowed with a faint blood.

Most of the soldiers in Frost Maple Ridge were young people, and naturally no one recognized them. This man was the sword master "The Executor" Estherville, who once dominated the empire.

Behind Estherville, the last person in the group was Urna, the "Blade of Londo" who was dressed in the same costume as him. She followed Estherville with her head held high, her body as straight as a taut steel rapier. When her sight touched the Frost Maple Ridge soldiers who were waiting in full formation, Urna did not hide the disgust and contempt on her face at all, and the horrific scar on her face became dangerously distorted.

Behind the four of them, there were no more accompanying soldiers or guards. In normal times, Prime Minister Gunter would never have dared to cross the treacherous and bloody front and trek to the Swan Castle without a team of guards, but this time, he seemed to be very confident in the strength of his companions.

As for Frost Maple Ridge, the people responsible for welcoming the four people at the city gate were Sean Mountbatten and Knight Commander Cousins.

"Welcome to Swan Castle, Your Excellency Lord Gaunt and Lord Liam." Sean bowed lightly, showing a restrained and polite smile, "Chief of General Staff of Frost Maple Ridge, Baron Xiao of Dragon Bone Peak" En Mountbatten, as well as the Duke of Igor and the Knight Commander of the Igor family, Viscount East Ice House Alan Cousins, send you greetings!”

"I thought Elliot Igor would greet us personally." Marquis Liam did not return the greeting to Sean Mountbatten, but frowned.

"The Lord is currently out on business and has not returned yet. He really has no time to greet you. I am extremely sorry." Sean replied without changing his expression.

"We informed you more than ten days ago that we are coming!" Marquis Liam said loudly.

"The lord had already gone out more than ten days ago, so he did not receive the notice." Sean smiled and looked at Marquis Liam, "But while the lord was away, I was authorized to act as the lord to handle everything here. If you have any important matters, you can discuss them with me.”

Marquis Liam was obviously hesitant, Prime Minister Guillaume Gaunt waved his hand and smiled:

"It doesn't matter. Mr. Igor is very hardworking and has many things to do every day. He is very busy on weekdays, which is obvious to everyone in our empire. Our trip is only for business, and the same goes for chatting with Chief of Staff Mountbatten."

Sean Mountbatten nodded with a smile, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally sweeping across Estherville and Urna behind the two senior officials of the empire.

With Shuang Maple Ridge's intelligence gathering ability, he could naturally tell at a glance that the two silent warriors, a man and a woman wearing black robes and red cloaks, were the mysterious members of the Inquisition. However, Sean did not recognize the specific identities of these two people. He was just secretly frightened by the oppressive strong aura of the other person.

After a few more polite words between the host and the guest, Sean Mountbatten invited the smiling Prime Minister Gaunt to the headquarters of Swan Castle for discussion. As for Marquis Liam, he had a bad face the whole time, only when he saw Frost When Maple Ridge was equipped with weapons and equipment, he showed a hint of greed that could not be concealed.

In the headquarters conference room, just as everyone sat down, several maids wearing metal breastplates came over and filled the guests with hot Tsutasugi tea.

"These are girls that our 'Wagner' special forces rescued from the orcs and bandits in the occupied areas. They refuse to go home no matter what. They insist on staying in the team as maids to repay the lord." Sean He introduced enthusiastically, "But everyone is on the front line. For safety reasons, the lord requires them to wear the minimum armor... The lord said this is called a 'battle maid'!"

Marquis Liam squinted and stared at the faces and breasts of several maids, while Prime Minister Gunter clapped his hands and said:

"Amazing, amazing!"

Of course, a dignified Prime Minister of a country would not applaud just because of the beauty of a few maids.

What really shocked Guillaume Gaunt was the generosity shown by Frost Maple Ridge in this small matter:

The value of metal armor is often beyond ordinary people's imagination. Even in today's regular Imperial Army, a considerable number of soldiers are unable to be equipped with a full set of armor due to insufficient funds. However, Prime Minister Gunter could tell at a glance that the breastplates worn by these maids were not cheap. They were definitely made by famous craftsmen using high-grade alloys.

——Even a few maids who are not in the battle order are equipped with such expensive protective gear. How powerful is the real strength of Frost Maple Ridge?

Prime Minister Gunter picked up the teacup and took a sip gracefully.

"Lord Gunter, Lord Liam, military affairs are our top priority, so I won't be polite to you two and waste my time." Sean sat at the conference table and looked at the two high-ranking empire officials with a smile, with the attendant standing behind them. The Inquisition Warrior asked, "Excuse me, you came all the way to our Swan Castle, what are you talking about?"

Prime Minister Gunter put down his tea cup and showed a bitter smile:

"Mr. Mountbatten, you must be aware of the military situation on the front line these days, right?"

It would be a lie to say you don't know. Sean nodded implicitly.

"When our army was cleaning up the surrounding area of ​​Thorn City, it was severely disrupted by the group of federal greenskins and suffered heavy losses!" Prime Minister Gunter said gloomily, "If this continues, let alone besieging Thorn City, we won't even be able to siege Thorn City. Whether the environment surrounding this bloody front can be cleared is now a question mark..."

Sean knew the other person was waiting for him to answer, but he wisely remained silent.

Prime Minister Gunter stared at Sean for two seconds, and then suddenly said: "The empire really needs the help of Frost Maple Ridge now. With your black chariots to clear the way, all orc ambush will be in vain. ...Mr. Mountbatten, I would like to ask the Igor family to send troops to help us clean up the surrounding areas of Thorn City.”

The other party's request did not exceed Sean's expectations. The chief of staff of Shuangmangling lowered his head and meditated for a while, then raised his head and showed a bright smile:

"...Is this like this? I thought...with the help of the experts from the Inquisition, the regular imperial army would be fine."

Prime Minister Gunter tilted his head and said:

"Lord Mountbatten, what do you mean?"

"Although your regular army was tricked by the orcs, didn't you regain your position two days ago?" Sean said with a smile, "A whole orc brigade is still squatting in the Tooth Beast Forest 42 miles southwest of Thorn City. They were lying in wait, but they were suddenly wiped out by forty inquisitors wearing black robes and red cloaks! Forty of them killed nearly a thousand orcs! With such powerful reinforcements, you still need them. Shall we take action at Shuangmangling?"

Prime Minister Gunter and Marquis Liam looked at each other.

Two days ago, the empire sent religious inquisitors to counter the orc ambush in the Tooth Beast Forest. This was the top secret of the Central Army and the Inquisition. Even the Imperial Military, Grimm Rosario and the Eastern Army did not know about it. Affection. But Prime Minister Gunter and Marquis Liam never expected that the secrets they kept strictly guarded would be known to the Igor family.

Why the hell is this? Guillaume Gaunt could only think of a few possibilities:

Either, Frost Maple Ridge's intelligence network on the Blood Front has become so pervasive that even a fly flying through the Tooth Beast Forest cannot escape the eyes of Sean Mountbatten; or, Frost Maple Ridge's intelligence network is so pervasive within the Empire's Central Army and even the Inquisition. An eyeliner has been installed!

His expression remained unchanged, he nodded to Sean Mountbatten and said:

"Mr. Mountbatten's intelligence is indeed very good. However, the Inquisitors were able to achieve such a record mainly by catching the greenskins by surprise. After all, the size of the Inquisition's troops is limited, so how can they compete with your powerful Frost Maple Ridge?" In comparison? It is the army that wins the war, not a few magicians and high-level warriors. Mr. Mountbatten must know this better than me."

Sean looked sideways and said:

"So, the empire definitely needs our troops from Shuangmangling to help?"

"Exactly." Prime Minister Gunter stared at Sean.

Sean Mountbatten pinched his chin thoughtfully, his eyes passed over Estherville and Urna who were silent behind Prime Minister Gaunt and Marquis Liam, and then moved to the families who were arriving in the conference room one after another. On the faces of the senior officials: After Master Laurie and Master Molière accompanied the lord, Master Calvino, who assumed the responsibility of commanding the family's elemental power, was talking to Chris Mann and Master Heinkel. They were discussing something loudly, and Knight Commander Cousins ​​gave him a look full of meaning.

"We know the difficulties of the Imperial Army..." Sean smiled sympathetically, "But it's a pity..."

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of Prime Minister Gunter and Marquis Liam suddenly changed, while Estherville looked at Sean with amusement.

But the Chief of Staff of Shuangmangling continued without pause:

"...While the lord is away, I do not have the authority to mobilize troops to carry out military operations without authorization."

"But..." Prime Minister Gunter was stunned, "You just said that while Lord Igor is away, you can handle the affairs here on behalf of Lord Igor!"

"——But it is limited to handling daily affairs, and arranging troops for daily training, patrols and vigilance according to the deployment of the lord before he leaves." Sean's expression was quite helpless, "However, arranging troops to participate in imperial military operations is completely beyond the scope of The scope of my authority must be decided by the lord himself. Please understand that our principle in Shuangmangling has always been that the lord commands the gun..."

Prime Minister Gunter was stunned and speechless, while Sean leaned close to the Prime Minister's ear, lowered his voice and said furtively:

"My Lord Prime Minister, let me tell you that all officers of the Pioneer Army, including myself, must be strictly supervised by the Frost Maple Ridge Military Statistics Bureau led by Karim Lodge to prevent any possible disloyalty and Malfeasance of duty. Although I am the chief of staff of Shuangfengling, I am always cautious and vigilant, for fear of being recorded by my brothers from the Military Statistics Bureau..."

Before Prime Minister Gunter could speak, Marquis Liam slammed the table, stood up, and said angrily:

"Then you, Shuang Maple Ridge, are not willing to send troops to help?!"

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but I don't have the right to overstep my authority and send troops without permission in the absence of the lord." Sean Mountbatten's expression was so upright that Zhuge Liang, Yue Fei, and Wen Tianxiang even doubted whether he was not loyal enough. "Everything We have to wait until the lord comes back to decide!"

"Frost Maple Ridge is also in the Empire's fucking order of battle!" Marquis Liam roared like a wounded beast, stabbing Sean Mountbatten in the chest with his index finger. "Now His Majesty the Emperor, the Empire The army and the military have ordered you to send troops to destroy the federal orcs! Why do you disobey, you filthy wasteland bastards-"

This sentence can be regarded as a slap in the face.

There was only a crackling sound of tables and chairs falling over, and the Frost Maple Ridge people present stood up one after another, glaring at Marquis Liam angrily. Under the leadership of Knight Commander Cousins ​​and Chris Mann, the officers and soldiers of Frost Maple Ridge present all drew their sharp blades and pointed at the newly appointed Central Army Commander without hesitation; as for the one a little further away Master Calvino Spiritual Song has even begun to brew a magic spirit ball with evil intentions in his hands.

At that moment, Marquis Liam was suddenly in a daze, as if he was not a powerful leader of an army, but a piece of grass that was allowed to be killed and harvested by these Frost Maple Ridge thugs at will.

However, Marquis Liam immediately saw with satisfaction that the two religious inquisitors, Estherville and Urna, had also drawn their swords in an instant, with their swords guarding them in front of them. Estherville's expression was still calm, only the huge "Holy Blood Heart" in his hand was rippling with blood; as for "Blade of Londo" Urna, her eyes had become fanatical and bloodthirsty, and she was obviously looking forward to it. A fight to the death that leaves no one alive.

"What are you doing? This is rebellion! Rebellion!" With the support of two religious inquisitors, Marquis Liam's voice became louder again, "I am the commander of the Imperial Central Army! How dare you point a sword at me?! This It's a rebellion!"

"Our Igor family once 'rebelled', do you remember?" Knight Commander Cousins ​​said with a cold voice, holding up his sword, "Lord Marquis Liam, do you want to force us onto this path again? "

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing!" Prime Minister Guillaume Gaunt took a step forward, stood between Estherville and Knight Commander Cousins, stamped his feet and said quickly, "The enemy is now, you guys Are the people in the empire still fighting among themselves? Allen! Tell your people to put away their weapons! Mr. Estherville, please don’t—”

"Do you think rebellion is a glorious thing, Mr. Knight?" Estherville ignored the Prime Minister's mediation and continued to sideline the "Holy Blood Heart", showing a cruel smile towards Knight Commander Cousins, "Don't you Do you think that you who are so domineering in the Soul-Splitting Land can really run rampant in Haiwen Continent?"

Knight Commander Cousins ​​had a gloomy face and said nothing.

There was no other reason: he had just clearly heard Prime Minister Gunter calling the name "Estherville".

Youngsters may still use "youth and ignorance" as an excuse, but it is impossible for veteran Allen Cousins ​​not to have heard of "Thunder Dragon" Samuel's great apprentice, "The Killer" Estherville name.

But he never expected that the "Slayer" who had tested his sword with human blood and killed countless enemies, but disappeared without a trace overnight, would actually have joined the Inquisition.

Knight Commander Cousins ​​knew very well that even though the Igor family had the absolute upper hand in terms of numbers in this conference room, the only ones with real fighting power were Calvino Spirit Song Master and a few Frost Maple Ridge. There are only a few knights.

With these people alone, if they really take action, I am afraid they will never be able to gain favor with the "Holy Blood Heart" of the sword master Estherville - not to mention that there is a scar-faced woman next to him. The magistrate watched eagerly.

If you really want to defeat the legendary "Beheader", you must find a way to win over the other masters in Swan Castle...

Marquis Liam saw the hesitation of Knight Commander Cousins ​​at a glance and sneered:

"Why, you Igor bastards usually show off your power, but now you are afraid? Don't you know that there are people outside the world and there is a sky outside the world?"

"Lord Liam!" Prime Minister Guillaume Gaunt was really a little angry, glaring at Marquis Liam who looked generous, "Lord Elliot Igor is the Duke and President of Frost Maple Ridge of the Empire. Southern Military Affairs! Even if you are the commander of the Central Army, this is not a reason for you to insult the Igor family!"

Marquis Liam sneered "Hey" without saying anything, while Estherville looked at the silent Knight Commander Cousins ​​indifferently.

"Okay, everyone, put away your weapons!" Prime Minister Gaunt stretched out his hands and shouted, "This is an order!"

Estherville and Urna looked at each other and both retracted their weapons. "Blade of Londo"'s expression was obviously a little regretful.

Sean Mountbatten whistled crookedly, and the Frost Maple Ridge men and horses in the conference room also retracted their weapons with the sound of gold and iron rubbing against each other.

However, although the weapon was put back into its sheath, no one present sat down again. The tense tension in the air did not ease much.

Seeing that the situation was under control, Guillaume Gaunt breathed a sigh of relief and said helplessly:

"Okay, since Mr. Elliot Igor is not here, let's visit another day..."

"Don't wait for another day. If you have anything to say, let's make it clear today." Someone said calmly at the door.

"Who? Who said that?" Marquis Liam turned his head viciously, trying to find the source of the sound.

"——That's what 'Igor Bastard' said."

Before he finished speaking, the Duke of Frost Maple Ridge had already stepped through the door, swung his arms, and knocked Marquis Liam to the ground with one punch.