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Chapter 151: News of Duke Joseph's Death in Battle
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 02:28:10 +0000 UTCCharlot Mecklenburg left the Radiant Lord's temple, not sparing a thought for the handsome, young virgin guard. A single thought echoed persistently in his mind: "There's something wrong with that ancient painting."
"High Priest Auguslatin said: after crossing an ocean and under the gaze of the Lady of the Black Moon, the power of the Labyrinth God Agmirlas could no longer create labyrinth guardians."
"But Machubi clearly still managed to produce labyrinth guardians."
"High Priest Auguslatin also said: while the labyrinth's power is wondrous, it cannot trap a transcendent individual whose rank surpasses mine."
"Yet it has clearly trapped Lord Leo, once held Venie Arsenault captive, and confined Harriet Alva. Even some of the warriors from the Redback Bear Tribe, who rank above me in transcendent abilities, were caught."
"Could it be...? No, it's impossible that my transcendent rank surpasses theirs."
"Let's eliminate the absolute wrong answer first."
"It must be that there's something wrong with the painting."
Walking through the streets of Silver Dove Castle, Charlot noticed the people of the city seemed significantly more spirited than when he first arrived.
He didn’t realize that, to the people of Silver Dove Castle, the South Seraph restorationists were invaders. Defeating them brought immense morale to the locals.
Particularly during Charlot's time there, he had abolished all taxes and canceled nearly all debts. For many Silver Dove residents, the heavy burdens they had carried for years were suddenly swept away, instantly easing the lives of over thirty percent of families.
On the Old Continent, many people owed debts to their lords due to an inability to pay taxes and numerous fees, no matter how diligently they worked. Their lives remained arduous.
Charlot had only performed what he considered basic "transmigration operations," but to the people of Silver Dove, he was akin to a divine messenger descending from the heavens.
Compassionate toward all, radiating infinite light.
Charlot occasionally overheard people on the streets singing his praises. Some of the laudatory words made him blush, as they were exceedingly exaggerated.
Though admittedly, it was pleasant to hear.
Charlot couldn’t say for sure if he would make Silver Dove Castle labyrinthine again if given another chance.
After all, Machubi and Silver Dove were fundamentally different. The former was an abandoned fortress of the ancient Orc Kingdom, devoid of inhabitants. The latter was a bustling, elegant commercial city that could rival Earth's trendy destinations and tourist hotspots.
"I will never let the people of Silver Dove become labyrinth guardians like the warriors of the Redback Bear Tribe."
"I will stop the invasion of Agmirlas."
Charlot silently made up his mind, then murmured to himself, "Although High Priest Auguslatin told me some things, he doesn’t have all the answers. Maybe I should find a way to meet the widowed princess and ask her about the painting, or perhaps I should venture to the New Continent..."
But Charlot knew he didn’t have the time to pursue these paths.
Squatting down, he touched the ground of Silver Dove Castle, knowing that he could perform the second labyrinthification of the city if he wanted to.
But Charlot chose to abandon the idea—not because he couldn’t stay in Silver Dove Castle for another eighteen days, but because he didn’t want to harm its people.
"Are you afraid?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Charlot didn’t look up and asked, "Grandma Saint Karen, you know I made Silver Dove Castle labyrinthine?"
Grandma Saint Karen smiled. "Of course I know. Did you think you could pull such a trick under the noses of two Saint-ranked individuals without us noticing?"
"Besides, you and Annie were both caught in the Evil God’s Corridor back then."
"The Count personally intervened to cleanse the taint of the Evil God’s power from Annie."
"I saw you enjoying yourself and didn’t stop you. But don’t rely on it too much."
"Agmirlas is, after all, an Evil God, and one from the New Continent at that—not as omnipotent as you might think."
"That lady merely turned the basement of 25 Mignan Street into a labyrinth."
"I understand," Charlot replied quietly.
Now, Charlot realized there were hidden secrets surrounding Agmirlas, the labyrinthine Evil God of the overseas New Continent—secrets even High Priest Auguslatin and Grandma Saint Karen didn’t fully understand.
What they described didn’t match Charlot’s personal experiences.
Grandma Saint Karen sighed. "Regardless, you must make your way to Mostar Castle now."
Surprised, Charlot asked, "What happened?"
Grandma Saint Karen answered, "Duke Joseph has fallen in battle at Interlaken. The Behemoth Principality's forces have been utterly defeated, and Lady Nancella's forces are about to counterattack."
"Your second wave of rewards is already on its way."
"You will join Baron Febollet to form a solid defensive line against the South Seraph restorationists."
"The Empire will not send a single soldier in this direction. The Emperor intends to settle the decisive battle with Byron in Farsland."
Charlot didn’t expect to hear of Duke Joseph's death in such a casual manner. Lowering his voice, he replied, "I’ll head to Mostar Castle immediately."
Machubi had already undergone its third labyrinthification, and the West Wind Knight Order had nearly finished recuperating. Charlot wasn’t a keyboard strategist and could only accomplish so much. Dragging things out further seemed meaningless.
Though Charlot still loathed the idea of going to war, his conversation with Hughes had revealed Lady Nancella’s true intentions. She loathed the Behemoth Principality so much that she would commit wholesale slaughter. As a transmigrant, Charlot felt compelled to do something.
Even if it was just to save one more life.
Grandma Saint Karen’s voice faded, and Charlot bought some things casually from the streets before heading back to Machubi.
Though Grandma Saint Karen had spoken lightly of the matter, Charlot knew he could not ignore the Duke's messenger or toy with Duchess Belisa’s envoy, but he dared not treat the old grandmother’s words as mere noise.
This time, he didn’t bring all the members of the West Wind Knight Order.
Even as a military novice, Charlot knew that a knight order with over ten thousand members was far too large, creating an enormous logistical burden.
Charlot took only himself, Dubin, Yellow Bear, Bancroft, and Gwen, along with Bancroft’s elite team. He also selected ten well-staffed combat squads, totaling about three thousand people, and set off with half the supply wagons.
He now possessed about fifty wagons, with over twenty contributed by Baron Febollet. The ones he brought were primarily transport wagons; the luxurious carriages owned by the two barons were sealed within the third labyrinth.
Aside from pack horses, he brought only a small cavalry detachment for reconnaissance. He avoided bringing more horses because of the logistical challenges and his lack of skilled cavalry commanders within his ranks.
This time, Charlot left Dolores Soumet behind in Machubi.
First, the thousands remaining there needed someone to manage them. Second, the Soumet family's lady was unsuitable for battle. While Charlot had previously lacked options, now that he did, he preferred to keep her safe and bring her back to Strasbourg unharmed.
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