CHAPTER 680: CHAPTER 6 GWEN’S DECISION

Miss Rabbit couldn’t understand. Sir Hirodod had been captured, and the Blood Moon Association had lost its leader. It seemed they were on the brink of collapse, so how had they revived from the ashes and even seized Duolin City?

Moreover, was the position of the High Priest of the Silver Moon Church cursed? It was known that six high priests had died at once just over a year ago, and now, six had died again not much long after.

Would anyone dare to become the High Priest of the Silver Moon Church in the future?

It was not only the Lady who found it hard to understand. In Rock Snow City, Lord Gaven’s face was also full of astonishment as he questioned Quintus the High Priest.

"How did you guard Hirodod, having him right under your watch and still something went wrong?! Besides, isn’t Duolin City your territory, Silver Moon Church? The people there have an unshakeable faith in Pisya. Why would they turn to Hirodod?"

"The Blood Moon Association also worships Pisya," Quintus reminded him.

"Really, but the Silver Moon Church has had a presence in the Western regions for thousands of years, hasn’t it? And you can’t even contend with the Blood Moon Association?"

"Under normal circumstances, the majority of the city’s people still support us; only a small part have been misled by the Blood Moon Association."

"Then why has it turned out like this?" Gaven’s expression was hostile, ready to hold someone accountable.

"Because of Shapiro," Quintus sighed.

"Shapiro?" Gaven thought for a moment. "The Raimondi family head, the Lord of Duolin City. Does he have any issues? I heard he’s a staunch supporter of yours, actively pursuing Hirodod and the accomplices of the Blood Moon Association.

His father and brother were apparently killed by Hirodod. Could it be that he too has betrayed? Hirodod must indeed have some persuasive skills."

"Shapiro hasn’t betrayed us, but the issue is that he was too zealous."

Quintus said, "Initially, in his revenge for his father and brother, he killed twenty thousand people, sowing the seeds of hatred. When Hirodod previously occupied Duolin City, the city was in chaos, and many joined his new army just to protect themselves.

"As a result, Shapiro indiscriminately killed all those people, who had relatives and friends in the city. After I became the High Priest, I spent a great deal of effort trying to dissipate some of the resentment in people’s hearts.

"But Shapiro didn’t stop there. He even intensified his efforts, hunting members of the Blood Moon Association everywhere, suspecting anyone slightly doubtful and throwing them into dungeons for brutal torture until death, even taking pleasure from this.

"I have advised him many times, but he refuses to listen to me. After capturing Hirodod, he repeatedly administered extrajudicial punishments to him in private and even had people drag Hirodod onto the streets, strip him of his clothes, and expose his wounds to the public.

"This finally triggered the ultimate riot. Shapiro and his guards were dragged from their horses by the angry crowd and torn into several pieces."

"These mobs!" Gaven scoffed coldly. "How dare they lay their hands on their lord; they must be punished severely!"

"Now is not the time to dwell on such matters," Quintus said. "Moreover, it was Shapiro who was in the wrong first. He should not have incited the city’s population, effectively pushing them to the Blood Moon Association’s side.

"He even turned Hirodod into a martyr, raising his reputation to its peak."

"Could a mere mob capture Duolin City?" Lord Gaven expressed his doubt.

"Of course not, there must be people from the Blood Moon Association behind this, stirring things up. Thinking about it now, Hirodod was probably intentionally captured by us," Gaven continued.

Quintus expressed some regret, "We should have killed him right from the start, but he knows too much about the Silver Moon Church, and probably guessed we wouldn’t do that."

Lord Gaven felt a headache coming on and stood up, pacing the room before asking Quintus again, "How many men do you think it would take to take Duolin City?"

"At least tens of thousands..." Quintus pondered, "I’m not too knowledgeable about military matters, but Duolin City is known as a fortress in the western regions, and Hirodod is quite adept at stirring the hearts of the people."

"Tens of thousands of troops." Gaven showed a troubled expression, mainly because he had already lost many men in the Dragon Ridge Mountain Range, and Hels had taken ten thousand to reinforce Lion Heart Castle.

Although Lion Heart Castle was now lost, Hels wouldn’t be back anytime soon, and it wasn’t easy to gather another ten thousand men.

Seeing Gaven’s continued frown, Quintus reminded him, "The Arias family should still have some manpower... Sir Irelia has been preparing those from the Wing Tribe and expanding the army, and I have already sent for her help."

Without even thinking, Gaven refused, "She won’t do."

After finishing his sentence, he realized his phrasing might have been inappropriate and explained, "There’s no need to ask for Sir Irelia’s help. She has just led her troops to a victory against the dwarves; let her rest properly. We will handle the matter of Duolin City ourselves."

Lady’s prestige in the western regions was already high enough, Gaven did not wish to add another achievement of defeating the Blood Moon Association and recapturing Duolin City to her already impressive record.

Moreover, in Gaven’s eyes, although Hirodod and the Blood Moon Association were troublesome, countless western nobles had failed to deal with them because they always hid in the shadows.

But once they stepped into the limelight, they were no longer fearsome.

If only he had enough men at hand, Gaven would have led his troops there himself.

He was very confident in his own military leadership skills, far superior to a schemer and plotter like Hirodod.

"Let’s wait a bit longer," Gaven told Quintus, "I’ll send messengers to the families right away to gather a large force. Once the troops are assembled, I will lead them myself to attack Duolin City. For now, let Hirodod live a little longer."

Quintus opened his mouth, wanting to warn Gaven not to underestimate Hirodod.

Because those who had previously underestimated Hirodod had not met a good end, but Quintus had interacted with Gaven several times and knew well that the noble before him was very stubborn.

Once he was set on something, he would listen to no advice, so even if Quintus spoke up, it would just be pointless.

Thus, Quintus could only nod, "Then we’ll do as you say, Lord Gaven."

"Not everyone left in the city is a supporter of the Blood Moon Association. I managed to escape from the city with the help of some people. I’ll try to contact them again and see if we can work together from the inside and outside to recapture Duolin City," Quintus added.