Chapter 16：Conspiracy

"Have you heard about it?"

Shawn was very annoyed by Frank's presence. Shawn has literally only just woke up and he was immediately forced to answer his front door. Shawn was hoping for a relatively peaceful morning but it seemed that his wishes will not be fulfilled.

"Heard about what? Fucking hell Frank I just woke up. How am I supposed to hear about anything?"

Shawn had to try his very best not to punch Frank in his stupid face. Times like this often make Shawn wonder why he even affiliates with Frank in the first place.

Frank didn't even seem to notice Shawn's annoyance as he continued blabbering.

"At the town centre, a recruitment notification was put out! The Dunnwal family is recruiting an army to join in the battle against the Paniards!"

Frank fist bumped the air as he exclaimed this. On the other hand, Shawn rolled his eyes as he suffered through Frank's antics.

"So what? Sounds like a good way to die young. I just pray that I don't end up getting conscripted."

Shawn went to close the door on Franks face, but the latter said something that drew his attention.

"No you got it wrong!"

Frank seemed more excited than usual as he explained himself.

"Participation in the Dunnwal army is entirely voluntary! But that's not it. They also promise a payment of 5 threans for every year of service! That's worth three lifetimes of work Shawn!"

Shawn's eyebrows raised when he heard this astounding news. The Dunnwal provinces was vast and Shawn's village was only one of the many settlements under the Dunnwal's control. Although he didn't know the exact numbers, he was sure that the amount of Threans needed to support his small village alone was tremendous.

"Really now..."

"Of course why would I lie to you? But wait there's more!"

The more Frank talked, the more Shawn got skeptical. Nevertheless, he still couldn't make Frank shut up even if he really wanted to.

"Well what is it?"

"The announcement promised that if your achievements are great enough, you may even be rewarded land... and if your merit was truly outstanding, you can be granted a title as well..."

Shawn's eyes widened when he heard what Frank had to say. It was so absurd that Shawn almost didn't want to believe it. However, he also knew that there was no way Frank can come up with such an absurd story by himself.

"That's... amazing. There's no way that it's true..."

However, Frank responded with something just as amazing.

"It is true. The notification was sealed with the Dunnwal emblem and signed by Cromwell Gorro Dunnwal himself!"

"That..."

Shawn tried to speak but he quickly trailed off into silence. This whole ordeal just seemed to be so convenient. This year's harvest went horribly and he was preparing himself to go hungry this year. He didn't expect for an opportunity to not only feed himself but support himself for three lifetimes in just one year to appear.

"Well... Are you joining?"

Although they both knew that it was very possible that the announcements were lying; the nobles liked to take advantage of the commoners after all, the payment alone was enough to persuade Shawn.

After all, Shawn would prefer to die quickly in battle rather than starving in the middle of nowhere.

With a smile he answered Frank's question.

"Why the hell not?"

...

Theodore Uldos Guiltfort continued to gaze at the map laid out in front of him. If his scout's report was correct then the enemy should be just short of 25km away from him.

Although this posed a dangerous risk, Theodore was confident that the Paniards would not take the initiative to attack anytime soon. The reason why? It was because the Paniards wouldn't want to risk Elgon City; their only port city in Drussian lands.

While a port city would be important as a logistical base for any war as supply lines through ships are still the most efficient form of transport, it is not completely necessary. However, for the Paniards, they literally need this port city if they even want to wage this war.

The reason why?

It was because the Panish Empire does not share the same borders with the Drussian union. In-between the two nations there stood a relatively powerful nation that could almost contend with the Panish Empire. The weakened although still strong Fench Empire.

It was because of how the Drussian Union used to be Panish provinces before Theodore's ancestors rebelled and sued for independence, that the Panish has gotten approval by the international community to wage war against the Drussians.

Although at first the Panish couldn't afford to declare war on the newly formed Drussian Union, they recovered faster than anyone expected. Without any land borders to sustain their supplies, they had to go for the next best thing.

And that was the port city of Elgon... a large port city, far from the reach of the major Drussian families and a city with an over abundance of Panish loyalists.

It was also the same city that Theodore was planning to take back with assistance from the Orburn and Guzzlow families. Through this military coalition spearheaded by the three heads of the major families, the Drussians will finally be able to eliminate the Panish threat.

Without the city of Elgon, it would be virtually impossible for the Paniards to threaten Drussian interests.

And if it was Theodore who was responsible for eliminating the Panish threat then he would become renowned for his efforts. His national influence would be tremendous. The Guiltfort family would rise to the pinnacle of power within Drussian territory.

From the reports the Paniards have set up camp and fortifications along the highway around 30km away from Elgon City. With estimations of at least 10,000 men at the forward base while 7000 were garrisoned in the port city.

If he wanted to take back the city then he would first have to deal with this vanguard force.

However, this should be an easy victory, the coalition consists of nearly 15,000 men, 5000 of which were heavy cavalry consisting of knights from the three family's vassal houses. Another 3000 consisted of ranch peasants or horse riding mercenaries, adding many more cavalrymen to his army.

While he knew that the Panish tercio was a threat to his cavalry, Theodore was confident that as long as he and the other family heads correctly command the battlefield, the Drussians should come out victorious.

"My lord... we have somewhat troubling news..."

However, Theodore's thoughts were soon interrupted by the voice of an officer.

"What is it."

The knight looked around nervously before he answered.

"The commerce chambers we sub-contracted to assist in our supply lines... they declared that they are no longer able to aid us..."

Theodore's eyes instantly widened in shock. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"What did you say?"

...

"I said that the commerce chambers that were supposed to assist with the supply lines of the Drussian coalition force has been seen affiliating with Keizwell Garno Dunnwal."

Robert had to ask his messenger; Kon a second time just to confirm what he just said. After all, the implications of his message meant a great deal to Robert's interests. As a man loyal to the Orburn family, he was trusted to 'gather intelligence' in the lands of the other major families.

The family Robert was assigned to was the Dunnwal family.

And Kon's news was definitely important information.

"That means that the reason why they ceased to assist the Drussian coalition was to help Dunnwal family instead... but why?.."

As Robert pondered on this recent piece of information he quickly decided on his next course of action. He must inform his masters of this critical information immediately. Soon Robert decisively gave his next order.

"Go! Get on horse as quickly as possible and inform lord Orburn!"

"Yes!"

As Kon went to leave, Robert turned to his window to gaze at the stars as he continued to ponder about the situation. However a sudden sound soon erupted before Kon could even leave the room.

Bang!

A large gunshot temporarily deafened Robert's ear as Kon collapsed dead onto the floor, revealing the perpetrator who shot him. It was a man who seemed to be dressed in the uniform of the city guard. The man reloaded his musket as he walked into the room before pointing it back at Robert.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Unable to contain his fear and outrage, Robert shouted loudly. In response, the man smirked as more and more men dressed in the uniform of the city guard entered the room, all of which were armed with muskets which they also pointed at Robert.

Out of all them, the first one to enter took out a piece of paper before he read it out loud.

"We are under orders to arrest the man known as 'Robert' as well as any affiliates near him. We have been given the clearance to kill any who resist."

[Kill any who resist? Then why did they kill Kon? This doesn't make any sense.] Wary of these suspicious men, Robert chose to probe the situation first.

"Under whose orders?"

The man grinned before he turned the paper to reveal a signature written at the bottom. Soon after he began to read the signature out word for word.

"Sicilia. Gella. Dunnwal."

The moment the man said that, something clicked inside Robert's mind. [The bastards! They never intended arrest me alive!]. Thinking quickly Robert kicked the shins of the man inwards causing him to lose his balance.

Robert quickly ducked as the confused guards clumsily shot their muskets. Every single one of them missed. Most of their shots damaged the windows giving Robert an escape route. He quickly got back up and with all his strength jumped through a window before the guards even had a moment to think.

With a large thud, Robert hit the grass floor outside before he scrambled to stand up. He had to run. However, before he can even move his legs.

Bang!

Robert felt a piercing pain in his left thigh. Soon enough, he lost his balance and once again fell onto the grass. He ended up laying on the floor belly-up and gazing at the stars. Soon his view of the stars were blocked as a figure cloaked by the darkness of night walked into his line of sight.

Judging from her slim figure, long hair and protruding chest, Robert knew that she must be female.

Soon after he saw the dark outline of a musket barrel gently hovering over his forehead.

For a split second, before a flash of blue light erupted from the barrel, he got a glimpse of his killer's eyes.

A pair of beautiful violet eyes.