The King

  Chapter 291 Regicide Plan

   "Count, Xueyue Lake is one of the taboos of the Beastman Empire. The army cannot stay by the lake forever!"

  As soon as the order was issued to set up camp by the lake to establish a logistics transfer station, a group of northern nobles in the army hurried over to persuade them.

  Seeing everyone's terrified expressions, Hudson knew there must be a story behind it.

   There are many "forbidden places" on the continent of Aslant, but horror is also relative. Many threats are aimed at ordinary people, and there are very few perverts who can threaten tens of thousands of troops.

  According to the information collected by the kingdom’s officials, the three major dangers of the orc empire are the northern plateau, the western Salar hills, and the Ural mountains in the middle.

   Xueyue Lake is not mentioned in the data at all. He really couldn't think of any danger here.

   "Oh, what horror is in this lake that makes you so afraid?"

   Hudson asked suspiciously.

  As an old enemy who has been entangled for many years, the Alpha Kingdom should have a better understanding of the Orc Empire.

   Xueyue Lake covers an area of ​​thousands of square kilometers. If there is a threat to the existence of the army, it should not be ignored.

   "Your Excellency, we don't know exactly how dangerous Xueyue Lake is.

  When I went deep into the orc empire to investigate intelligence, I accidentally heard an anecdote.

   According to ancient legend, Xueyue Lake is the place where the gods fell. There is a curse in the lake. Various accidents will happen to the tribes who have lived here for a long time, and then they will decline rapidly until they perish.

  We don’t have specific evidence in our hands, but the tribes directly under the five royal families have tacitly abandoned Xueyue Lake, which is luxuriant in water and grass and suitable for agricultural production.

  The orc tribes living nearby are all small tribes that can't get along with the outside world, so they have to come and settle down.

  Even so, their tribes were as far away from the lake as possible, at least thirty miles away from the nearest tribe.

   Every year, these tribes will move to live by the lake only when there is a shortage of crops. Once you're over it, leave immediately! "

  Hearing Baron Kettley's words, Hudson's expression suddenly became serious. The ancient myths and legends may not be true, but the choice of the native orcs cannot be ignored.

  Under normal circumstances, a piece of fertile soil that was supposed to be robbed turned out to be a dangerous place that everyone can't avoid. It is impossible to have no problems.

  Deep in his heart, Hudson's dissatisfaction with the five Dukes of the North suddenly rose.

  The northern nobles under my command have only gone deep into the orc empire to do business a few times, and they all know that there is a problem with Xueyue Lake.

  But among the information provided to him, there is only one sentence about Xueyue Lake: the land is fertile and the water is luxuriant. It was clearly digging a hole for him on purpose.

  The convenience of water transportation, Hudson does not want to give up. But the danger that may exist in the lake cannot be ignored.

   Glancing at the noble children of the northern lands, Hudson asked with concern: "Is there any more specific information about Xueyue Lake, including folklore?"

   "Your Excellency, there are many legends about Xueyue Lake, which can be divided into three categories: water monsters, evil gods, and curses.

  It is said that if you live here for a long time, you will be contaminated with the unknown in the lake. When I was on a mission here three years ago, I encountered a small tribe that was wiped out.

  Out of curiosity, we examined the body carefully, but found no injuries. There are no traces of hands, the only thing that is wrong is that there is some dust on the freshly dead body.

   After realizing something was wrong, we left quickly. And secretly asked the local orcs, it is said that this kind of thing happens every few years.

   Most of the victims were members of tribes living nearby. Some people died in the wild, others died at home. The manner of death was similar, and no wounds could be found on the bodies.

  Some people say that the water monster is killing them, others say that it is the evil gods, and more people think that there are ominous things in the lake, and if they are contaminated, they will be cursed.

   It is said that the imperial court of the orcs also sent experts to check it out, but we don't know what happened in the end. Anyway, no tribe from the five major royal families came to settle here.

  In the Orc Empire, Xueyue Lake has another name—Devil Lake. "

  Baron Reno replied with a little panic, as if awakening the terror deep in his heart, and confused Hudson.

  However, he still keenly caught a message—there was dust on the corpse.

  Under normal circumstances, whether it is an evil god, a water monster, or a curse to kill someone, they are all taken away neatly, without creating a pile of dust.

   "Crater Lake!"

  In an instant, these three words popped out of Hudson's mind.

  In the memory before crossing, there was a message about you about Crater Lake, which happened to be similar to the situation of Xueyue Lake.

   Whenever a volcano erupts, it will release a large amount of harmful gas and dust, which ordinary people simply cannot resist.

  For orcs who lack knowledge reserves, it is normal to guess blindly when encountering unknown things.

   "Send an order to move the camp 30 miles upstream along the Green Jade River. Send people to the lake to investigate to see if there is a crater."

   Hudson ordered decisively.

  The truth can be found slowly, but the source of danger must be kept away. In case of bad luck and a volcanic eruption, the army will have to suffer heavy losses.

   If the judgment is wrong, it will be even more terrifying. Unknown dangers are far more terrifying than known risks.

  Looking at the crystal clear lake water and the schools of fish shuttling back and forth, Hudson always felt something was wrong.

  According to normal circumstances, there should be no fish in the volcanic lake, and the surrounding environment should not be so comfortable.

  However, this is a different world, and the rules of the world's operation are also very different. The theoretical knowledge before time travel may not be correct here.

  …

  On the prairie, a human army suddenly broke away from the main force and headed towards the coastal area that deviated from the direction.

  Looking at the map, leading the team to **** forward, Duke Pias's nerves were tense all the time.

  As the vanguard of the army, the military tasks and risks he undertakes are the highest in the entire army.

  Although according to the news from the flying dragon cavalry, the orcs did not deploy heavy troops in the coastal area, and there were only some small and medium tribes entrenched along the way, he was still worried.

   There is no way, who let the news come from the Holy See? If the Kingdom's air force hadn't been severely damaged, he would definitely not have panicked at the news from his own people.

   "Duke, Bishop Simon of the Holy See is here to visit."

   What the guard said made Duke Pias slightly taken aback. Immediately after reacting, he hurriedly ordered: "Please!"

  The relationship between the Alpha Kingdom and the Holy See is not harmonious, but now is the period of joint operations. In theory, the two sides should settle their differences and help each other together.

  If at any other time, people from the Holy See came to visit with such great fanfare, Duke Pias would have to consider avoiding suspicion.

  …

   "Your Excellency, how are you thinking?

  The Locknard family, the current situation is not very good. Caesar III has long since eliminated you, but he has not been able to find a chance to do so.

  If he hadn't thought about you, he would not have appointed Earl Hudson, who has a blood feud with you, to come over as the commander of the army.

   Whether this is easy to deal with, your Excellency has already experienced it. Being a pioneer is just the beginning, and there will be more annoying tasks waiting for you.

  The Earl of Hudson is best at boiling frogs in warm water. If it takes too long, the Lochnard family will suffer a lot! "

   Bishop Simon tried his best to provoke.

   It is inevitable that Caesar III had opinions on the nobles of the North, but it would be an exaggeration to say that they should be eliminated quickly. Even if you really want to do it, it can't be now.

  With the military power of the Alpha Kingdom greatly damaged, no matter which faction it is in the country, they dare not provoke internal fighting at this moment.

  If the last family property is lost and foreign enemies are peeped, then it will be over.

  For example: The Holy See, which has been eyeing the Alpha Kingdom for a long time, has been looking for an opportunity to interfere in the Kingdom's internal affairs.

   "Your Excellency, you have taken the matter too seriously. Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and will never do things that hurt loved ones and make enemies happy at this time.

  As for the Earl of Hudson, do you think I'm afraid of him? So what if he is the commander of the coalition army, there are still so many nobles in the army watching!

   Besides, even if I promise to cooperate with you, it will have no effect. With the strength of the Lochnard family alone, they are simply unable to control the situation in the kingdom! "

   Duke Pias replied a little nervously.

  As a member of the great aristocracy, he is also a "firm" royalist, and has no good impression of the Holy See. However, the benefits promised by the Holy See were too great, which shook his will.

  Once the plan of the Holy See is completed, the Locknard family will be the most powerful family in the kingdom. In addition to being unable to ascend the throne directly, the power in his hands is not much less than that of the king.

  The only problem is that the success rate of the plan is not high enough. Even if the previous plans are successfully completed, it will be difficult to control the kingdom with the strength of the Lochnard family.

  I don’t know if other families will object, but the newly rising Koslow family will definitely jump out and fight them.

  In terms of comprehensive strength, the Locknard family is several times, or even ten times, that of the Koslow family.

  However, the game of the big family is not only based on the overall strength, but at extreme moments, the military strength in hand is more important.

   In a short period of time, the military strength of the two families is still unknown.

   What's more, in the past years, the Lochnard family has not only had one enemy left by the Koslow family.

  They want to control the power of the kingdom, and the enemies who are driven into a hurry are entirely likely to take risks and join hands to give them a hard time.

   After all, rules are only rules if everyone abides by them. You can't destroy it yourself, and expect others to continue to abide by it.

   "Your Excellency, there is no need to worry. Your family is not enough, so let's bring in a few more allies!"

  The five major families in the Northland have been united for so many years, I think your Excellency must have a way to drag them into trouble.

  Combined with the power of your five major families, you can basically suppress the nobles in the south. If you can't do it, you can bring in a few more allies.

  As long as you are stable enough and don’t violate the core interests of the southern border nobles in the early stages of taking power, civil war will not break out.

  Your Excellency the Duke, think about it carefully, right now is the best opportunity. Once the guys in the south regained their strength, the situation will be very different.

   In terms of recovery speed, they are much faster than you. Once you let them recover first, it will be your end.

  Some things happen as they happen, and no one can undo them. "

   Bishop Simon warned with a smile.

  There are too many broken things about the nobles in the North, and it is not surprising that they have a handle in the hands of the Holy See.

  My family's reputation is already bad, and Duke Pias doesn't mind exposing some dark history. What really worries him is that there will be no pie in the sky.

  The Holy See kept saying that it would help them control the Alpha Kingdom. This spirit of selfless dedication really moved him too much.

  As Bishop Simon said, some things cannot be undone once they happen. Now what they have to do is—regicide.

  Even if you are not the protagonist, just creating opportunities for the people of the Holy See, that is killing the king.

   For any orthodox nobleman, the inner impact is huge.

  The Holy See can be indifferent. There are not only one or two kings who have been killed by them in history, and they don't care about the life and death of Caesar III at all.

  The Duke of Pias is different. The five major families in the Northland are connected with each other, and they are just a combination of interests. If it involves killing the king, he can't guarantee whether the other four will follow up.

   Once this kind of thing is exposed, it will be their end. Don't say that the enemies of the Lochnard family will not let them go, and even the vassal nobles under their command will have a high probability of fighting back.

   Don't expect the support of the Holy See to play much role. You must know that the collapse of the Holy See's rule back then was sending a king to the barbecue grill, which triggered a wave of anti-Holy See in the aristocratic world.

  If it is really exposed, it will be too late for them to throw the blame, so how could they come out to carry the thunder.

   Bearing the charge of regicide, the Pope couldn't bear it either. This is a taboo that all monarchs cannot tolerate.

  As long as someone is willing to take the lead, everyone will definitely not mind forming a coalition army to attack the Holy See and pull out the danger on their heads.

   "Your Excellency, now is not the time. Why don't you help us take Fengyue Port first and severely damage the Orc Empire?

   If the hidden dangers in the north are not cleared first, once the kingdom falls into chaos, the pressure on our family will be too great! "

   Duke Pias tentatively proposed.

  The most important thing in cooperation is trust. As the weaker party, Duke Pias needs to consider more issues.

  For the Holy See, as long as Caesar III died, most of the plan would be completed, but for the Lochnard family, it was just the beginning of a new trouble.

  If you want to control the government, you can only infiltrate slowly, instead of just rushing in and becoming a powerful minister.

   Even in the early stage, you have to be quiet, pretending that you have no preparations. Where there is a little overstepping, it is easy to be linked with the regicide case.

"no problem!"

   Bishop Simon agreed.

  Originally, they were not prepared to cooperate with the five major families. After all, the strength gap between the two sides is huge, and they are not equal allies at all.

  However, killing the king is a technical job. Without the cooperation of internal personnel, the killer would not be able to touch Caesar III.

  The killer sent by the Holy See has been lurking in the capital for several years. None of them found an opportunity to get close to Caesar III, but lost a lot of manpower.

   As a last resort, I can only find partners in the Alpha Kingdom. If it's other things, it's easy to operate by bribery, but this time is an exception.

  No matter how good the friendship is on weekdays, as long as they show the slightest intention of killing the king, the other party will immediately turn against them without showing any affection.

  (end of this chapter)