Night of the Soulless Heathens – 382



#382. Winter’s Entrance 2

Since Azadin paved the way from the Chadra Plateau and came down to the regions of Naisandhokar and Sandhokar the nobles and royal families of the surrounding areas had been on edge about Azadin’s actions.

On the surface they were disparaged as a soulless ungodly and unlucky herald clan but it was absurd to pretend not to know about the forces that were explosively growing in power and moving around their territory.

So Count Ivechek of Sandokar surrendered to Azadin and saved face by being appointed Margrave of Naisandokar a region he could not occupy anyway.

Prince Sram was also well aware of Azadin’s past actions.

Prince Sram openly laughed at him as he gathered the refugees.

‘You gather the hearts of the people by just giving favors without thinking do you think other kings are thoughtless and save food? It is a shallow favor. How foolish. It is inevitable that you will try to imitate the nobility with your lowly status but if you do not know how to foresee the future you will not last long.’

But while saying that he secretly felt jealousy and envy.

Although he ignored Azadin’s lowly status he unconsciously acknowledged that his actions were noble and right.

I thought so but after hearing Azadin’s words…

‘He was much more fearsome than I thought. All of his good deeds were based on his own calculations. Even if that were true for me then what about Bishop Akenar his sponsor…’

Prince Sram suddenly thought of Bishop Akenar. To him she was a younger mother. Could it be that she who had willingly sacrificed herself to the impulses of the nobility and the royal family had supported Azadin even though she knew his true colors? It couldn’t be. It would be easier for this cunning and sinister messenger to deceive Bishop Akenar than to turn over a hand.

“You bastard. I heard that Bishop Akenar was your patron. Did she know about your evil nature?”

“No I would go as far as to say that it was an evil act just because I acted a little strategically. But why Bishop Akenar?”

Azadin paused for a moment when Prince Sram suddenly mentioned Bishop Akenar.

“I thought you joined the Knights Templar thanks to his favor but you… I never thought you would be such a villain who would deceive even such a benefactor for your own gain. I can forgive you for deceiving me or the world but isn’t it too much to deceive Bishop Akenar?”

“Hmm.”

Azadin was lost in thought as he watched Prince Sram’s expression of affection shine through him whenever he mentioned Bishop Akenar.

‘I tried to use her by tricking and tricking her. Was this guy related to Bishop Akenar? If so I can’t treat her like a plotter even for her sake.’

Although Bishop Akenar is no longer alive her kindness was of great help in helping Azadin gain a place in the Order of the Salvation.

Even out of consideration for her favor Azadin could not treat those who showed her favor with trickery.

“Prince Sram over there?”

“Something. Count Azadin.”

“I want to pick up what I just said.”

“what?”

Prince Sram became suspicious again as he watched Azadin suddenly change his attitude.

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‘Do you know me by any chance?’

*********

I used a cheap trick and ended up making things more complicated and harder to solve.

However Azadin was holding Prince Sram’s new recruits hostage so he had plenty of time to convince him.

Azadin revealed to Prince Sram that he truly paid homage to Bishop Akenar.

Even if he was an unforgivable villain like he initially appeared to be or even if he was a good man who valued each and every life of his people and tried to take them all by any means necessary Prince Sram convinced him that it was more beneficial to cooperate with Azadin.

If Azadin is a hypocrite and a villain it would be good to be able to consume his food.

If Azadin is a good man it would be good to be able to help him in his good work.

In the end Prince Sram although feeling uneasy turned to Azadin’s side.

Prince Sram while still a hostage took on the role of overseer of the Arangians and set out to rebuild Coxhal.

When Prince Sram the commander took Azadin’s side and began the restoration work on Coxhal his subordinates followed him without question and the work speed increased even more.

*********

“This is what happened.”

Azadin explained to Count Ivechek what had happened with Prince Sram.

Count Evechek clicked his tongue.

“That’s surprising. I can’t believe he convinced the enemy general to take over the engineering work for our army. But if it’s Prince Sram I understand.”

“That prince?”

“Ah it’s a famous story in this area. Originally Prince Sram who was Bishop Akenar fell in love with Princess Haweol of Chitai at first sight and asked his father to marry her. However King Arangi the father quickly took her as his wife. It’s such a famous story that the bards of this area have sung it over and over again.”

“Oh. Did something like that happen?”

“Yes. The messenger clan will know right?”

“I didn’t know because I was in charge of the east not here. That’s why.”

Was the longing and admiration that Prince Sram showed toward Bishop Akenar something like that? Azadin thought and clicked his tongue.

The father after hearing his son’s request for marriage took the woman away instead. What a terrible father. Seeing that Prince Sram had finally turned his back on his father and betrayed him I could feel that the position of King Yaegasu was truly solid.

*********

Prince Sram is being held hostage by Count Azadin and is being held for ransom.

Such a message reached King Arangi but of course King Arangi had no intention of paying even a single coin.

Prince Sram’s maternal lineage also has no reason to make such an investment in Prince Sram who will never become king anyway.

Rather voices grew louder in the royal family of Arangi calling for the opportunity to execute Count Azadin.

“How ungrateful of you to dare capture the prince of the Arangi royal family and demand ransom. Wasn’t it a favor from our noble Majesty to choose him as a count in the first place?”

“Repaying favor with enmity? The Jeonryun clan is truly a double-faced people. We must take this opportunity to punish him and take away the Naisandhokar and Sandhokar that he has taken.”

All the civil and military officials of the Arangi royal family raised their voices in unison saying that Azadin must be subdued.

It was unforgivable that he had claimed the throne of the Banreung Kingdom which was the long-cherished desire of the Arangi Kingdom and it was also confirmed that he had stockpiled a large amount of food as he accepted refugees from various places.

Of course not everyone advocated suppression.

“I am ashamed to say this. Count Azadin is by no means an easy opponent. Naisandokhar was originally a land that we had abandoned because we could not handle it with our troops and manpower even when the world was at peace. Wasn’t it because his strength and talent were extraordinary that we appointed him as a count? The recent conquest of the Kingdom of Banryeong was ostensibly the actions of the Salvation Knights but it was Count Azadin who benefited. So is there any need to be hostile to him?”

When everyone was talking about the war the one who surprisingly poured cold water on it was Giadel the new queen of the Arangi Kingdom and the daughter of the Northern Emperor Cohen Lionaire.

Born of an elf and a northern emperor she was a half-elf. She was over nine feet tall giving her an extraordinary presence even when sitting on the queen’s throne.

But the royal vassals were openly annoyed.

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In the kingdom of Arangi the queen was nothing more than a powerless decoration who would eventually be banished to a convent.

Moreover the current queen is not to King Arangi’s taste and has no real power.

The alliance with the Northern Qi was the only centripetal force that kept the queen’s crown on her head.

How could someone like her be involved in state affairs?

“You don’t seem to know anything Your Highness. The first one to show his teeth to the royal family was Count Azadin.”

“Yes. He has claimed the throne of Banreung. Isn’t that a serious crime in itself? Leaving it alone will damage the dignity of the royal family.”

“Furthermore he is preaching heretical teachings. He will surely shake the public sentiment and deceive people with his nonsense. Dealing with him before that happens is the best way to eliminate the root of the problem.”

The vassals were talking about why they had to attack Azadin now.

But the queen did not back down.

“You speak as if victory is guaranteed if we just mobilize our troops to Count Azadin.”

“No Your Highness…”

“If he claims the throne of Banreung and preaches heretical teachings the King’s Church will definitely take action and it is not too late to act after seeing that. There is no need to put your hand in while the furnace is burning is there?”

“No. He must have quite a lot of food considering how many refugees he takes in.”

“The Chadra Plateau is actually famous as a granary.”

Aranggi’s officers did not hide their true intentions.

The royal vassals are plotting war out of a desire to plunder like a group of bandits.

But they were confident.

Originally when winter approached the feudal states prepared for war.

When the peasants have finished harvesting and are resting for a while that is a good time to wage war. This is because it is a season when you can conscript the peasants and wage war without causing much damage to productivity.

So the monarchs of the continent of Hybris have the authority to call up troops for 90 days at a time.

During the 90 days of winter the conscription of vassals is free of charge to the monarch.

Winter was thus the traditional season of war.

“Are you willing to sacrifice the lives of your people to support the business of a bandit gang? I can’t believe it.”

Queen Giardel was astonished at the sight of all the officials gathered at the Arangi Palace.

King Karnago IV of Arangi was annoyed when he saw that sight.

“Your Majesty go inside and rest. You should not carelessly step into a position where military affairs are being handled.”

“However….”

“hurry.”

As the king gestured the queen’s maids surrounded her.

‘Tch you don’t even know what you’re doing. You were sold to your father and now you’re trying to interfere with internal affairs? When will you realize that you’re not a hostage but a tribute?’

King Carnago IV of Arangi dismissed his queen and her maids and prepared his men for war.

Winter is the season of war.

And this winter was expected to be unusually long.