Amber Sword
Chapter 129 - 55 scenes Sword, Light_2

Chapter 129: 55 scenes Sword, Light_2

Based on the foundations of dukedoms and baronies, lords established small ’states’. Within these states, the lords had full local legislative and executive powers. However, in terms of taxation, the king retained the first taxation rights over all mines, forests, and farmland within any territory, while the nobles had secondary taxation rights. Furthermore, aside from militias and guard teams, the nobles were forbidden from forming their own private armies, with local defense being managed by various royal family-controlled legions.

Through the tax officer-central army system, in an era when royal authority was strong, the royal family tightly monitored the localities and established a powerful Erune Kingdom. Yet, Brand knew that as long as humans existed, mistakes would be made. Behind a moment of brilliance lay hidden woes for the kingdom, and as royal authority waned, these flaws gradually became evident.

The conflict originated from a division within the royal family. Since around sixty years ago when the ’Devout’ Edward ascended to the throne, Erune entered the Kerkova Dynasty period. Holding inheritance rights himself, Duke Anlek harbored resentment for this. After the internal division within the royal family, local legions also began to form different factions.

When the royal family realized they could not effectively control the vast army, their central authority at the local level began to weaken; in fact, since the Cave Beast Year, the king’s tax officers could not even enter one-third of the territories, demonstrating how much the royal family’s prestige had been eroded.

He knew that ever since Duke Anlek, who inherited his father’s duties eleven years ago, forced Oberg VI at the time to amend new defense decrees, the military forces truly controlled by the royal family were reduced to just the Imperial Guard, the Black Blade Legion in Sipah, and the Eleventh Free Cavalry Formation stationed in Ambeser.

Under this context, the royal influence on the localities, though waning, still saw local nobles and legions engage in fierce power struggles. In Golan-Elsen, for instance, the feud between Count Pula and Duke Golan Elsen was a well-known gossip topic.

In Ridenburg, such conflicts were embodied by Lord Jin Guo’s faction and Luc Besson. Although they held a consensus on abandoning the Bu Qi Region, the ultimate responsibility fell to their own capabilities and strategies— Luc Besson had been at a disadvantage, but the appearance of Brand’s group brought a turning point.

This turning point hinged on whether they were indeed militias from Bu Qi. Their presence would render Lord Jin Guo’s prepared excuse a lie, deceiving the king and committing a crime not taken lightly. Though the royal family was nominal, a justified inquiry by the central authority could serve as an excuse for the nobles to attack each other.

Understanding this, Brand realized there was no immediate danger to his life. Perhaps Lord Jin Guo wanted him dead, but Luc Besson’s cooperation was still necessary.

Brand suddenly felt a bit sad. He had long known all this but couldn’t explain it clearly to Frey. If the girl knew all their efforts were destined to be thwarted by those still fighting each other at the critical moment, she might not be able to accept it for a while.

But sadness aside, he had to thank Martha for their short-sightedness to seize this opportunity. Listening to Luc Besson’s words, he couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh: "How ridiculous, gentlemen."

His abrupt remark left everyone stunned.

"Ridiculous?" Luc Besson laughed condescendingly from his horse: "What is ridiculous?"

Brand thought you won’t be laughing soon and motioned the Stone Statue Ghost to his side. He tossed the Elf Sword in his left hand to his right.

"Sir Luc Besson," he turned: "Lord Jin Guo, do you want me to let this fat man down?" He patted Burnley’s face, recalling the scene from a few hours ago when he first saw these people.

Count Du’en had confiscated his sword and then raised it—

These memories flowed through his mind like water, calming him down. He looked up and said, "I find it laughable that some people are oblivious to their imminent doom. Do you really believe Ridenburg is invulnerable and that Madara’s army wouldn’t dare set foot in Erune?"

"Madara?" Luc Besson and Lord Jin Guo were taken aback.

"Boy, what are you trying to say?" Lord Jin Guo, considering his relationship with Wizard Gab, urged his horse forward and asked.

Brand ignored their questions and instead placed the sword at Burnley’s neck. Before he could say anything, the Elf Sword shone brightly, its surface glittering.

"Sir Burnley, wealthy and knowledgeable, can you tell me the origin of this sword?" Brand suddenly sneered, mimicking someone’s tone.

The fat man, seized by the Stone Statue Ghost, struggled violently, retreating frantically.

But Brand didn’t care. He had confirmed his suspicions and couldn’t help but angrily rebuke: "This sword is called Azure Light Piercing, a treasure sword born from light. All undead are revealed before it. It’s a pity you were too busy admiring the sword to realize the significance of Count Du’en acquiring it, you ignorant fools."

"Gentlemen, did you think this fat pig was your ally? How laughable. Tagus had planted a spy among you long ago—"

Luc Besson and the nobles were dumbfounded, unsure whether to believe him. Though the White Mane Legion’s Swordsmen Captain subconsciously trusted Brand’s words, he still hoped it wasn’t true.

But Brand had already raised his sword and stabbed Sir Burnley’s round body. The latter let out a wail, his body rapidly shriveling and morphing into a hideous, shriveled monster.

"Corpse Witch!" Luc Besson recognized it instantly.

Lord Jin Guo, stunned, collapsed onto his horse, exclaiming: "Impossible!"

His reaction startled everyone, and they turned their eyes on him. Only Brand remained indifferent, recognizing what had happened. History hadn’t changed; it was only now he understood what transpired on this day and why Ridenburg fell so quickly.

Lord Jin Guo felt cold sweat on his brow, every word previously said by that damn fat man now seemed like a venomous trap. To pursue Brand’s group, he had replaced one-third of the castle’s defenses with Burnley’s private soldiers.

As for those private soldiers, it now seemed obvious what they were.

While hesitating, they suddenly saw a blue flame rise from the west and northwest of Ridenburg. Without a word, everyone realized what was happening.

For a moment, the knight felt the world spin.

"Retreat, quickly, withdraw through the east gate!"

...