Free Web NovelChapter 304: Chapter 292: A Reenactment of the Purge?
A dead silence fell over the banquet hall, as if even the floating crystal chandeliers had dimmed.
"A spy?"
"H-how is that possible?"
"His Majesty suspects there’s a traitor among us?"
After the initial shock, suppressed, panicked whispers spread rapidly among the nobles.
Every face beneath the fine clothing was etched with disbelief and suspicion. The glances they exchanged were filled with scrutiny and distrust.
The once cheerful and relaxed atmosphere vanished, replaced by a cold suspicion that spread like a plague.
Amidst the commotion, Prince Lucius shot to his feet, his aged face contorted with rage.
He jabbed a trembling finger at Sean, who was still kneeling on one knee, his voice so shrill it nearly broke.
"Nonsense! Utterly absurd! You base soldier, how dare you spread such malicious rumors at a sacred Royal Palace banquet, in front of all these loyal nobles! You defile the wisdom of His Majesty Morne and shake the very foundations of the Kingdom!"
His chest heaved violently as if he couldn’t breathe, but the fury in his eyes burned fiercely.
"What traitor? This is nothing but an excuse you’ve fabricated to absolve yourself of your failures on the front line! Or perhaps you’re a spy sent by the Beastmen to disrupt our morale and sow discord between the sovereign and his subjects! Guards! Guards! Execute this lying traitor on the spot!"
The heavy tramp of boots echoed as several brightly armored Royal Palace Guards strode forward from both sides of the hall. Their gauntleted hands rested on their sword hilts, their cold gazes locked on Sean.
Seeing this, Roland, who was standing in a corner, furrowed his brow tightly.
His hand had already settled silently on the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white.
Sean was his brother-in-arms. He could not possibly stand by and watch his friend die unjustly for dutifully delivering the King’s secret order.
’His gaze swept across the hall, calculating the number of Guards, the path to the door, and the immense turmoil that a forced rescue would inevitably cause...’
’It would be tantamount to making an enemy of the entire Golden Valley Kingdom. The consequences would be unimaginable.’
’But no matter what, he had to try.’
The atmosphere in the banquet hall was tense enough to ignite with a single spark.
Princess Gloria’s expression changed. She took a step forward, her red lips parting, clearly prepared to speak out and stop this at all costs.
However, before she could speak, a steady, deep voice filled with a reassuring Power echoed through the hall, perfectly breaking the deadly stalemate.
"Your Highness, please, calm yourself."
All eyes were instantly drawn to him.
Duke Anno was seen stepping slowly out from the crowd.
His stout build was like a mountain clad in a magnificent velvet formal suit, and his face wore its usual kind and magnanimous expression.
He first bowed slightly to the furious Prince Lucius, his posture impeccably respectful. Only then did he speak in his usual unhurried tone, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.
"We swear in the name of the Sacred Tree and the Golden Grain that our loyalty to His Majesty and the Royal Family is without question. Captain Sean’s intrusion upon the banquet was indeed reckless, and whether the intelligence he brings is true still requires careful judgment."
Duke Anno’s words were steady and powerful, like a rock that temporarily stemmed the restless tide in the hall.
Prince Lucius’s chest still heaved, his face flushed with anger, but he did not immediately refute this Duke of immense Authority.
Anno then turned to Sean, still kneeling on one knee, and his tone softened.
"Captain Sean, His Highness is not an unreasonable man, but your accusation—that a traitor is hidden among our Kingdom’s nobility—is bound to cause a tremor. Do you have any evidence besides your word?"
Sean looked up, the despair in his eyes receding slightly, replaced by a sliver of Hope.
Without hesitation, he reached into his tunic and from deep within his armor pulled out a Sheepskin Scroll sealed with dark red wax.
"This is the proof!"
Sean held the Scroll high, his voice regaining some of its Power.
"His Majesty Morne entrusted this to me personally and ordered me to present it to Prince Lucius in person!"
Duke Anno stepped forward and took the Scroll with a grave expression. He carefully inspected the integrity of the wax seal and the clear insignia upon it. A moment later, he turned to Lucius and gave a solemn nod.
"Your Highness, the seal is genuine. This is indeed a letter in His Majesty Morne’s own hand."
He broke the wax seal in front of everyone, pulled out the letter within, and scanned it quickly. Then, taking a deep breath, he faced the nobles, who were all holding their breath, and announced in a deep voice.
"The orders in this letter are exactly as Captain Sean stated."
"His Majesty has become aware that our military operations have been repeatedly leaked. There is indeed a traitor within our ranks. This letter is a secret order commanding Prince Lucius to mobilize all available Power and conduct a full investigation for the spy in the Royal Capital and its surrounding areas to ensure the stability of the realm!"
The truth was out.
Anno turned to Lucius, whose expression was flickering with uncertainty, and advised him earnestly.
"Your Highness, His Majesty’s decree is perfectly clear."
"Captain Sean braved the dangers of crossing the front lines to deliver such a vital order. Not only should he not be blamed, he should be commended!"
"I implore you to obey His Majesty’s command and begin the investigation at once to stabilize the confidence of the army and the people. You should also recognize Captain Sean for the loyalty and courage he has shown."
The moment Anno finished speaking, the banquet hall was plunged into a state of absolute, ice-cold panic.
This panic stemmed not just from the existence of a "traitor," but from a deep-seated Fear of the methods King Morne was about to employ.
The faces of several older nobles instantly turned deathly pale.
They all exchanged glances, their eyes filled with terror, as if they had just heard a most ominous portent.
"Investigate the traitor... a direct order from His Majesty..."
A Count muttered to himself, his voice trembling.
"Could it be... is the purge that followed the ’Blood Moon Rebellion’... going to happen all over again?"
These words, like a Giant Stone dropped into stagnant water, instantly stirred the deepest nightmares of the many nobles present.
Although no one described it in detail, the very term "Blood Moon Rebellion" was enough to awaken a collective memory of bloodshed and oppression.
The rebellion, started by commoner Knights, had been suppressed, but it was the large-scale purge King Morne had launched afterward, fearing another uprising, that was the true Ghost haunting their minds.
During that time, the slightest suspicious sign could lead to utter ruin. Countless families were implicated, even the interests of established noble houses were severely damaged, and the entire Golden Valley Kingdom was gravely weakened as a result.
King Morne’s ruthlessness and decisiveness, along with the "efficient" methods of the cruel officials under his command, had long become an indelible Fear embedded in the hearts of the Kingdom’s upper class.
Now, with setbacks on the front lines and a direct order from His Majesty to investigate a traitor...
It was almost a repeat of the signals from that time.
No one doubted His Majesty’s determination to root out the traitor, but everyone feared what kind of tempestuous Storm this investigation would ultimately become, how many old scores would be settled, and how many innocents would be sacrificed under its iron rule.
In this atmosphere of repressed and agitated unease, Duke Anno seemed to suddenly remember the delegation from the River Domain.
His customary affable smile returned to his face as he walked over to Reggie and Roland, his tone gentle and tinged with the perfect amount of apology.
"Master Reggie, Roland, my sincerest apologies. I am embarrassed you had to witness that."
"The Kingdom has encountered a sudden crisis, and His Highness must attend to urgent military affairs. I’m afraid tonight’s banquet must come to an end here. But please, do not worry. This incident will in no way affect the friendship between our two nations."
Master Reggie and Roland quickly exchanged a look, each seeing the resolve in the other’s eyes.
’This is no place to linger. The study tour must end as soon as possible.’
Reggie took a deep breath, stepped forward to take the conversational cue, and spoke in a tone that was as considerate and tactful as possible.
"Your Grace, you are too kind. We understand completely."
"And precisely because the Golden Valley Kingdom has encountered such an urgent matter, it would be even more inappropriate for us to impose. In my opinion, perhaps this study tour and exchange should come to a..."
However, before he could get out the words "premature end," Duke Anno gently raised a hand, interrupting Reggie with a gesture that was both undeniably firm and exceedingly cordial.
"Ah, Master Reggie, you need not worry."
Anno’s smile remained warm, but the weight of his words seemed to make the very air around them freeze for a moment.
"It is precisely because the Kingdom has met with some turbulence that we must maintain our scheduled relations with friendly nations, to project an image of stability and normalcy."
"All matters concerning the study tour and exchange will proceed according to the original plan. This is the promise of my Golden Valley Kingdom, and it will not be altered due to internal affairs. I must insist you all rest easy at your residence."
His words sounded full of goodwill and assurance, but the decisiveness hidden beneath his gentle tone cleverly sealed off any room for refusal.
Master Reggie’s words died on his lips. He and Roland glanced at each other again, and both saw a hint of helplessness in the other’s eyes.
Duke Anno had already elevated the matter to the level of international relations and the Kingdom’s credibility. To insist on leaving now would be inappropriate, and might even arouse unnecessary suspicion.
Left with no choice, Reggie could only nod slightly and swallow the words he had left unsaid.
"If that is the case, then we will follow Your Grace’s arrangements."
A satisfied smile appeared on Duke Anno’s face, as if he had just solved a small puzzle.
"Excellent. In that case, I will not disturb your rest any further."
He gave a slight, elegant bow, then turned and walked back toward the bewildered crowd of nobles.
And so Roland and his party, under the guidance of an Attendant, quietly departed the banquet hall, which was still shrouded in tension and suspicion.
