The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 248 - 11: Ready to Strike (Part 1)

Chapter 248: Chapter 11: Ready to Strike (Part 1)

The Duke, who was usually composed, paced back and forth in the great hall more than a dozen times like an enraged lion. Even three expensive and exquisite Crystal Cups were smashed to the ground by the Duke in a fit of fury, their value of six thousand gold shields wasted, causing pain to all who saw it, yet no one dared to step forward to dissuade him.

"Boninski, look at the mess you’ve made! And now you can’t even clarify who these rioters are in your own territory, playing the protagonist. You know nothing, and yet you have the audacity to come here and complain to me. You needn’t explain any further; I’m telling you, I’ve already sent a notice of your noble status being stripped to the Imperial Star Court. I believe it won’t be long before you receive a formal decree from the Kingdom Star Chamber Court. If you have any objections, you may appeal to the Star Chamber Court. Now, you may leave!" Philip was irate, his mood couldn’t get any worse. Five thousand five hundred soldiers, along with three valuable mages and four magicians, had not a single one return from the north shore of the Nissai River. If not for his quick reaction sending three thousand soldiers, who were training on the Busen Plain, to the Bruce Fortress in an emergency, those damned Half-Beast mobs might have crossed the Nissai River by swimming and tore the pitiful five hundred Bruce defenders to shreds.

The words of Duke Philip stunned everyone in the hall. Who was Count Boninski? He was one of the Duke’s most favored men, and even though the contributions from the Leon Region to the Homer region weren’t much, those in the know were well aware that with Leon’s wealth, the Duke wouldn’t have let this clownish fellow take the position of Lord Leon if he hadn’t received enough benefits. It should be noted that this was hereditary land—a territory that could be passed down through generations—and not just anyone could become the lord of a land with hundreds of thousands of people and such fertile soil.

"Duke, you can’t do this!" Boninski’s face turned pale with shock, looking terrified at the flushed face of Duke Philip, "Please send another army to Leon. Those damned rioters just got lucky. As long as you send troops into Leon, we will surely triumph!"

Seeing the despaired Count Boninski speaking recklessly, Philip felt even more troubled. This man who indulged in every vice had indeed made significant contributions to him, but under the current circumstances, with the kingdom already seeking faults with him, suddenly a massive problem like this arose. Someone of weight had to take the blame. If Haranto weren’t missing now, he would have been an excellent scapegoat, but it seemed he had no choice but to sacrifice Boninski. With the Leon Region suddenly becoming a rioter’s paradise, the Bruce defenders, to prevent the armed mobs from entering the Busen Plain, had even destroyed the Grand Floating Bridge, which took three years to build. The contact between Leon and Homer was now entirely severed, and with no external ports in the entire Leon Region, Leon was now effectively isolated, except for one land route connecting to Caucasus.

"Send another army? You speak as if it’s so simple. Where should I send the army from? Should they swim across the Nissai River or grow wings and fly over? Get out of my sight!" Another burst of furious scolding ensued. The loss of a third of an Infantry Division, the anguish having almost brought Philip to tears, along with the three mages and four magicians, had cost him dearly in the battle for Leon, and even worsened the situation of Leon.

"Duke, those words aren’t fair. Over the years, Leon has also contributed a lot to Homer. I have worked my heart out serving the Duke. To end up in this state seems unfair, doesn’t it?" Boninski’s complexion grew paler as his demeanor underwent a subtle shift, "By neglecting past favors like this, are you implying you bear no responsibility for Leon falling into the rioters’ hands, Duke? While the loss of the territory is indeed my fault, as its protector, what have you done, Duke? Blaming everything on me like this, even the kingdom wouldn’t just allow you to shirk your responsibilities, would they?"

Philip immediately sensed something amiss, looked deeply at Boninski, and nodded slowly, "Very well, Boninski. Fairness will prevail. It seems I was mistaken about you. As for the fault and responsibility of Leon falling to the mob, naturally, the Star Chamber Court will judge. Should you think anything about this is wrong, feel free to make an appeal to the Kingdom Star Chamber Court."

"Indeed, I will. Revoking the nobility of a Count isn’t something just anyone can do. Such a hasty decision by the Duke, I believe, is rash. You will regret this, and I hope you will carefully reconsider. Otherwise, when the Kingdom Star Chamber Court overturns your decision, that would be quite embarrassing." Boninski’s manner became gradually murkier, his tone lacking the initial panic, evidently recovering from the early harsh blow.