Story 18. A short break from the hunt
Chapter 240
So of the guards from the First, Second, and Third Divisions were selected to be sent to Acreia. Their mission was to collect evidence against the Acreian noblen. Sir Mahogal and Sir Jainno accompanied them to lead the team. Both n were from a powerful Acreian noble family, which ant that they must be familiar with a nobleman’s library.
So thought that perhaps the emperor should send even more soldiers in case of a rebellion within Acreia, but Lucius the First decided that it was not necessary. This was because all the noblen who may start a rebellion against him were all arrested and imprisoned in the Yapa jail.
Of course, the elders and so of the high-ranking nobles were illegally holding private armies of their own. The question was, would these soldiers be loyal to their masters, or will they disperse on their own. Lucius the First betted that these soldiers wouldn’t go against him. After all, their masters, who were supposed to lead them and pay them, were all imprisoned.
In fact, the emperor gathered the heads of these armies and asked them, “Will you really go against ?” The soldiers didn’t seem too interested in starting a war. The power of Lady Rebecca’s accusations was greater than she expected. Most elders ended up confessing their cris voluntarily. Sir Bentier continued to pretend he was still on the elders’ side. In fact, it was Sir Bentier who scared the elders and the noblen into confessing. Sir Bentier told them about what happened to those who were captured during the conquest. The royal families and the noblen who fought against Lucius the First were severely punished.
Sir Bentier claid, “At this rate, it is very likely that our entire families will be executed. Our lands will be confiscated. We might not even die a decent death; we might end up being ripped into pieces in public to show everyone what happens to traitors.”
Sir Bentier explained that although the emperor looked like an easy-going man, Lucius the First was a cold and decisive. He claid that he witnessed a very scary side of the emperor during the war. Sir Bentier continued, “If we confess right now, he might at least let the won in our families live.”
This wasn’t sothing Sir Bentier planned with the emperor, but he was certain that the emperor would not be cruel to the won just because they belonged to traitors’ families. Sir Bentier suspected that only the actual traitors would be punished.
In addition, although Lucius the First had been an emperor for over 10 years, he was still at an early stage of power. The emperor knew better than anyone that it would be unwise to be seen as a cruel ruler.
Most elders, when they heard their grandsons and granddaughters may survive this situation, gave up without a fight. They admitted their defeat and they were ready to accept whatever punishnt willingly. They all acted submissively and Sir Bentier shook his head in disappointnt, ‘If only these old n acted this way from the beginning…’
If these noblen were loyal to the emperor, they would’ve been treated with respect for the rest of their lives. The elders could’ve led peaceful lives and end up dying with tranquility in the arms of their family.
The last person Sir Bentier visited was Marquis Seeze. Most noblen were imprisoned with their families together in large jail cells, but Marquis Seeze was put in a private room by himself. There was only one reason for this and it was because he was deed the most dangerous of them all. As soon as Sir Bentier walked in, Marquis Seeze glared at his grandson. It seed that Marquis Seeze now knew how his grandson betrayed him.
Of course, it was actually his granddaughter, Lady Tory, who ended up betraying him in the biggest way possible.
Marquis Seeze said to Sir Bentier coldly, “I assu it was you who convinced and trained Tory to betray .”
“I am just as shocked as you are, grandfather. I didn’t expect this.”
“That can’t be! How could a re girl co up with sothing like this! She couldn’t have done it on her own!”
At first, this was Sir Bentier’s exact thought. Although he had witnessed Poliana’s incredible accomplishnts, he always thought she was an exception, but now that he had the ti to think, Sir Bentier realized that he had been wrong.
n would always think that won can’t do anything. Yet ironically, n use won all the ti. The won bear children and take care of their hos for their n. Won were often used as obedient spies to get information, and they could successfully carry out their missions.
Sir Bentier did not voice his realization to Marquis Seeze. He knew his effort would be wasted. Marquis Seeze, who was set in his own way, would never believe his grandson.
Marquis Seeze asked angrily, “What did Lucius the First promise you for this? What is it that he gave you that you are willing to betray your own family!”
“His highness promised the gift of overwork for the rest of my life.”
Sir Bentier was already promised a great land and rank as the heir to Marquis Seeze. He didn’t have to side with the emperor for wealth. The only thing he gained from being on Lucius the First’s side was an overabundance of work.
Marquis Seeze scread, “This isn’t the ti for your stupid jokes! Just what is it that he promised you?”
Wealth and power. Everyone dreamt of these two things. Logically speaking, Sir Bentier didn’t get to gain too much by siding with the emperor. In fact, if he stayed on the marquis’s side, he could’ve ruled the Nanaba, the old capital, like a king himself. So n would’ve preferred this over working as a chancellor for the rest of their lives.
Only
But Sir Bentier had seen too much. He witnessed what deadly heat could be. He saw different types of lizards and he watched how corrupt the nobles in the mid-continent and south regions could be. Sir Bentier realized that what he saw and experienced in Acreia was too limited. What he thought was the world was only a very small part of sothing much bigger.
His realization began at Koemong River. From there, he continued on with the emperor, and Sir Bentier was able to see the end of the continent. Lucius the First kept his promise. Sir Bentier was there at the edge of the cliff as the knights and the soldiers cried out the emperor’s na in admiration and joy.
The emperor did not have to keep his promise of freeing the people of this continent. He did not have to make their lives better. He was the emperor of the entire continent, so he could’ve done whatever he wanted, but Lucius the First kept his promise. He was a good honest ruler, which was a rarity. The emperor was also lucky to have so many amazing and loyal people who followed him, and this was why Sir Bentier decided that he had no choice but to help the emperor achieve his dream.
Sir Bentier replied to Marquis Seeze, “You would not understand even if I explain it to you, Grandfather.”
Sir Bentier could not understand Marquis Seeze and the elders. Sir Bentier did not ask Marquis Seeze to confess, because as the leader of all the traitors, there was no way Marquis Seeze would not be executed.
This was going to be the last private conversation they will ever have.
Marquis Seeze refused to stop condemning his grandson. Sir Bentier remained quiet and respectful like a dutiful grandson.
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