CHAPTER 546: REBELLION 14

TL: Rui88

“How could this be?”

An atmosphere of anxiety filled the great hall of the Lord’s Manor.

“This is a conspiracy! This must be a huge conspiracy!”

Philip was overcome with grief. “These bloodsuckers of the Northwest Bay, ever since the Grayman family came to this land, they have been ostracizing the family. Now that Alda is flourishing under Grayman’s governance, they’ve become envious!”

Burgan said loudly, “Lord Ford, Lord Philip, and everyone present, we must immediately steady ourselves and unite the entire domain’s strength to avenge Lord Grayman.”

“Well said!” Someone began to agree with Burgan.

Burgan added, “That is why I suggested immediately enthroning a new lord. Only when the lord’s seat is not empty can we have a backbone, and the people of the domain will heed the call! In fact, this is also Lord Grayman’s command. Julio Webster is the heir appointed by Lord Grayman.”

“Ah?” After Burgan said this, the people who had been filled with righteous indignation immediately fell silent again.

“You mean, Lord Grayman… confirmed his heir before… before his death?”

Everyone knew of Julio Webster. As a branch of the Grayman family and a not-too-distant relative of the current lord, he had a mansion in the southern district of Lakeheart Town and would occasionally visit the Lord’s Manor.

“Yes, that’s what Stefano relayed. Otherwise, with my status as a mere officer of the training section, how would I dare to say such presumptuous words in a sacred place like the Lord’s Manor?”

After a moment of silence, the Director of the Administration Council, Old Ford, finally spoke, “Stefano, do you have a written order from the lord?”

The guard named Stefano shook his head. “It was too chaotic at the time, and the Count was also seriously injured, so he did not give a written order.”

Butler Philip said dejectedly, “If we go by blood relation, it is indeed the Webster branch that is most qualified to inherit the lordship, but…” He turned his gaze to the Director of the Administration Council.

No written order? Such a momentous matter based solely on a verbal message… A trace of doubt arose in Director Ford’s heart.

He shook his head and said, “The succession of the domain is a matter of great importance and cannot be decided so hastily. And… and we need to discuss it with Count Ganard, who is still in Baylding. He is Lord Grayman’s sworn brother. Lord Ganard’s opinion is very important.”

Burgan was very puzzled, “Why should we listen to Baylding’s opinion on our Alda’s affairs?”

Old Ford replied, “Watch your words. Don’t you know that under the promotion of the two counts, Alda, Baylding, and Emden have become an inseparable whole? In fact, besides Lord Count Ganard, the vassal nobles of Emden also have the right to express their opinions on the matter of the successor…after all, after the War of the Usurper, they also swore allegiance to Lord Grayman.”

Damn it! Burgan cursed inwardly. All along, his attitude towards Baylding and Emden was that they were conquered and ruled lands, and they only needed to obediently follow the directives from Lakeheart Town.

Burgan insisted, “But this is Lord Grayman’s order!”

Old Ford also insisted, “The succession of a monarch is never a matter for the monarch alone! In addition… men!”

Two guards immediately entered the hall upon hearing the command, causing Burgan’s heart to panic, though he managed not to show it on his face.

The Director of the Administration Council commanded in a dignified tone, “Find a room in the Lord’s Manor for Stefano to recuperate, but he is not allowed to leave the Lord’s Manor.”

A look of terror appeared in the one eye of Stefano that was visible. “Come with us, Stefano,” the two guards who entered called to their injured comrade.

Stefano turned his neck slightly to glance at Burgan…a detail that was caught by many…but of course, Burgan did not respond to him.

The two guards led Stefano away.

“Director, what is the meaning of this?”

“He might have also turned traitor. He might have been sent back by the rebels.”

Old Ford said this, but in his mind, he was replaying Stefano’s glance at Burgan just now. He had to find time to interrogate this Stefano thoroughly, asking him about every detail of Paul’s attack. If he was sent by the traitors, there would surely be a flaw or two.

Moreover, as the Director of the Administration Council, he knew that in Port Fran, there was a group of Horn Bay immigrants with special status and strange abilities. Perhaps among them were people who could discern lies.

Alas, thinking of this, Old Ford sighed inwardly. It was a pity that Miss Ladi Sertia was not here. She had gone with Lord Grayman, so it was highly likely she also… He was the one who had summoned her to the Administration Council back then.

Unexpectedly, things had turned out this way. Burgan’s mind raced. He said, “A round trip to Baylding, even on a fast horse, would take two or three days, and it’s even farther to Emden. But these are extraordinary times, a matter of life and death for Alda. If there is no one of equal status…at the level of a lord…to speak out, those external lords who are eyeing us covetously will use their difference in status to suppress us, putting us at a disadvantage. Therefore, I still suggest we immediately enthrone a new lord, and immediately write a letter in the name of the Lord of Lakeheart Town to those with ill intentions, letting them know that we already have a new leader and are as solid as a rock internally.”

“This…” Old Ford stroked his beard and pondered. What this Burgan said also made sense.

“Lord Ford, and all of you present. I trust Lord Ganard, but what about the others? If they insist on bringing their troops to Lakeheart Town, will they meddle in who inherits the lordship? Do you want these outsiders to meddle?”

Of course, everyone was a hundred percent unwilling.

“Therefore, I suggest,” Burgan said loudly, “that we first let Lord Julio, appointed by Lord Grayman, act as regent for a period of time, to negotiate with the outside world in the name of the lord, at least to get through the current predicament. We can discuss who will officially inherit the lordship after the situation has stabilized.”

“This…”

Old Ford stroked his beard. A regent? It seemed like a feasible plan.

Not just Director Ford, but the officials present also whispered to each other. Many felt it was acceptable.

Burgan’s palms were sweating, and his heart was very nervous. If this still didn’t work, he would have to call in the militia under his control from outside.

But that would complicate matters greatly and would completely tear off the facade with this group of powerful people in Lakeheart Town. If they refused to cooperate, he would have to resort to a massacre.