Episode 217
In the grand hall, the empty throne of the Duke of Lancaster loomed behind them, as various branches of the Lancaster family gathered, each vying for the coveted seat.
“How dare a woman with not a drop of Lancaster blood in her veins covet my brother’s throne?” sneered John Lancaster, the Duke’s younger brother, his expression icy and mocking. His words were echoed by the other branches of the Lancaster family, who joined in with jeers and taunts.
It was a pointless prelude to the war that was about to begin.
“The Duke officially named me the rightful heir to the Lancaster family,” said the young woman standing before them, who had claimed the title of the Sword of Heaven.
“The Imperial Court announced it during the Sword Trial, and I believe you are all well aware of that fact,” she stated calmly, presenting the truth as it was.
“The Duke of Lancaster is dead, and it happened at the Saxon wedding,” someone retorted.
“Indeed, that woman was nothing but a puppet of Saxony from the start! She must have seduced the Duke with some sinister intent!” another voice accused.
“From beginning to end, the Duke was merely a pawn in Saxony’s hands!”
“The assassination of Prince Richard is highly suspicious! His death in Saxony’s territory reeks of their treachery!”
Amidst the uproar, Dale remained silent, observing the familiar faces among the Lancaster branches, including the adopted son of the Blood Duke, heir to the Red Tower.
This could only mean one thing: the Red Tower was backing them. Unlike the previous War of the Roses, they would not act passively this time, seizing the opportunity to swallow the Lancaster family whole.
In contrast, Dale could not easily mobilize the Saxon forces without political repercussions, as it would appear as if Saxony intended to conquer the Lancaster family from the start.
Yet, war seemed inevitable.
After contemplating, Dale spoke softly.
“I have listened to your words and given them much thought.”
The Black Prince of Saxony’s voice drew the attention of everyone in the hall, and silence fell.
“And I cannot deny the legitimacy of my wife, Charlotte Lancaster’s claim.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! This was all a ploy by you Saxons to take over the Lancaster family from the start—”
At that moment, a shadowy cloak spread from beneath Dale’s feet, enveloping the area in darkness. The Lancaster family heads gasped in shock, while Ray Lancaster remained silent.
“I could kill everyone here and take this place by force if I wished.”
”……!”
A chilling screech echoed from the lake of shadows, where the Shadow Lurkers, now monstrous in size, lurked. As Dale grew stronger, so did his creations, now truly deserving the name of beasts.
Yet, they did not reveal themselves. The hall remained frozen in silence as Dale continued.
“However, I choose not to do so because I do not wish to tarnish the legitimacy granted by the Duke to his daughter.”
The Shadow Lord spoke.
“The Duke risked being branded a traitor to the Empire to pass the sacred sword, Vadel, to Charlotte Orhart, and officially adopted her as his heir during the Sword Trial. This was proclaimed in the name of the Imperial Court.”
Calmly, he assessed his political cards.
“And most importantly, it was not Saxony that brought down the Duke of Lancaster. You all know this well.”
Dale’s voice was cold as he looked at the silent executor of the Red Tower.
“It was the Blood Duke, the father of Ray Lancaster, who did it.”
”…….”
“The Duke himself accused the Blood Duke of orchestrating Prince Richard’s assassination. You cannot deny this. Are you trying to cover the sky with your hand?”
Dale’s cold laughter echoed, and finally, the heir of the Red Tower broke his silence.
“What do you want, Black Prince of Saxony?”
“Charlotte Lancaster has the rightful claim to lead the Lancaster family. That’s all.”
“I believe my wife, Linne Lancaster, is equally justified.”
“Are you suggesting war, Ray Lancaster?”
“You said you wouldn’t use Saxony’s forces to seize Lancaster. How do you plan to wage war without soldiers?”
Ray questioned, and Dale replied icily.
“You need not worry about my soldiers.”
Understanding the implication, the Lancaster family heads swallowed hard.
“I will fight solely for the honor and legitimacy of my wife, Charlotte Lancaster.”
“Even if you seize this castle by force, the Lancaster duchy is vast,” Ray Lancaster responded.
“This isn’t a battle you can win by capturing a few castles or fortresses.”
He was right. No matter how powerful, victory required winning the hearts of the entire Lancaster duchy, including its branches and vassals. Without their support, victory would be elusive.
“I am well aware of that.”
Yet, Dale nodded quietly.
“Shall we proceed to take this castle by force, as Ray suggested?”
He spoke without hesitation.
“What are you doing…!”
Voices of confusion echoed, but nothing changed. From the lake of shadows, the Shadow Lurkers emerged, monstrous and wielding scythe-like limbs.
Those with swords drew them, while others trembled in fear.
At that moment, flames erupted. A barrier of fire encircled Ray Lancaster and the family heads gathered around him, protecting them.
It was the Ark of Fire.
The world seemed shrouded in darkness, with the last flames burning brightly.
And towards those flames, petals of blood-red blades surged from the shadows.
The petals tore through the flames, shredding the Ark of Fire. The last survivors trembled in terror.
“Ray is right. Killing everyone here won’t win the hearts of the people.”
The Shadow Lord spoke.
“Therefore, I will show mercy.”
His voice was devoid of emotion.
“From now on, I will continue to fight until all of Lancaster acknowledges my wife Charlotte’s legitimacy.”
”……!”
“I will burn their lands, their people, their castles, and their soldiers until they surrender. No matter how vast this land is or how many oppose me, I will not stop.”
Through the order of power revered by the Empire and the Red Tower.
“This is your last chance. To join my wife and share in the glory and honor of victory without a scratch.”
It was a final ultimatum. Those who resisted would pay the price, while those who complied would not.
“Rest assured, Ray will not harm those who come to me.”
Dale smiled coldly.
“In a battle for the hearts of the people, Ray would not commit such atrocities.”
”……Very well.”
Ray Lancaster nodded silently.
They knew of Dale’s infamous reputation and ruthlessness. Even those who had fiercely defended Lancaster’s legitimacy had to reconsider in the face of this fear.
Choosing sides was the first step for any noble.
Was the rope held by Ray Lancaster and the Red Tower truly the right one?
In the end, it was not they who would sit on the ducal throne. It was a power struggle between Saxony and the House of Yuris, with Charlotte and Linne Lancaster as pawns.
Their goal was to back the victor and reap the rewards, not out of any noble mission.
Thus, it did not take long for Dale’s intimidation to sway their hearts.
In the silence, the family heads and vassals gathered in the hall began to make their decisions, each choosing their side.
“Prince Dale.”
At that moment, amidst the meticulously coordinated movements of the hyenas, Ray spoke up.
“I have always been stopped and defeated by the wall of the ‘Black Prince.’”
”…”
“Honestly, I’m not sure if I can defeat you in this battle either.”
As Ray said this, a few of the family heads quickly rushed toward the “new lifeline.”
“However, I have sworn to stop the winter you bring and to kindle the spark of spring in this world.”
— Child of falsehood, shall I reveal the truth to you? You will never even reach the shadow of that child, the Shadow Lord.
That day, in the winter of the universe, Ray Eurys faced the truth. His existence would never even touch the shadow of the Shadow Lord. Yet, knowing this changed nothing.
“I will not let this world end in ice.”
“Regrettably, I have little interest in the end of the world.”
Hearing this, the Shadow Lord laughed, as if Ray Lancaster’s existence had never even entered his field of vision.
“However, I have no intention of conceding to you, Prince Ray.”
To the Shadow Lord, the end of the world was a matter of complete indifference.