Chapter 535: Chapter 6: Grantham’s Plot

Marshal Grantham had rebelled.

News of this quickly reached the Royal Capital.

When Louis III first received the news, his reaction was nearly identical to that of Marquis Oscillate.

’How could he have rebelled?’

’I haven’t pushed Grantham that far, have I?’ Louis III thought.

Although he had considered having him killed, he had never acted on it.

The reason was simple: Grantham was too powerful and his reputation too great. At this critical juncture in the war between the Frank Kingdom and the Beastman Empire, it was not a good time to move against him.

Louis III’s plan had been to deal with Grantham after the war ended.

By then, he would be close to meeting the Lord of Dawn. One last burst of power before his death would pave a better way for Noah.

But, without any warning, Grantham had rebelled.

Treason. It was an absolute disgrace. In hundreds of years, the Frank Kingdom had never produced such a rebel. Even when rebellions did occur, they were typically instigated by heretical cults.

But no one had ever heard of a heretical cult successfully inciting a high-ranking noble to rebel.

Louis III, whose mind had been groggy, was jolted wide awake by a surge of anger. He immediately summoned Daniel Chancellor.

Daniel didn’t know what had happened, only that the King was furious. He rushed to the Royal Palace at once.

CRASH!

Just as he arrived at the Royal Palace, he saw Louis III smash a favorite vase to smithereens.

Daniel frowned, then bowed.

"Your Majesty."

"Daniel, you’re here."

Seeing Daniel, Louis III’s anger subsided slightly.

"Grantham has rebelled."

"Huh? What?" Daniel didn’t immediately comprehend.

"Grantham. My Marshal."

"He’s rebelled!" Louis III snarled through clenched teeth.

"The Marshal has rebelled!" Daniel Chancellor was stunned.

His shock was fleeting, his expression quickly calming.

"Your Majesty," Daniel asked, "if I may, what is the current state of the war?"

"There’s no news. The central route has been cut off. Not even the Griffin Knights can get through. Grantham somehow summoned a flock of Undead Thunderhawks."

"I’ve sent men to Novovich Province to inquire about the Fengman Clan’s current status," said Louis III.

"Does anyone in the Royal Capital know?"

"Of course, I’ve contained the news," Louis III said.

The Royal Capital is already a chaotic mix of all sorts; international aid has brought more than just its boons.

If this news leaks, there’s no telling what we’ll have to face. Besides, the Beastman Empire isn’t blind to the affairs of the Human World.

Daniel Chancellor nodded.

"Marquis Oscillate is a capable military commander, and he should have nearly ten thousand Extraordinary troops under his command."

"Grantham will be no match for him."

"The only thing to worry about is the army’s logistics—that’s an army of several hundred thousand men."

’As expected of Grantham,’ Daniel thought. ’Even with just the remnants of his military faction, he still managed to find a potential opening to turn the tables. Never mind anything else, if this drags on for a month, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the Beastman Grassland will be exhausted. If the Beastmen discover this, it’s truly all over.’

Louis III’s expression was grim.

"The most urgent task now is to quickly restore the supply lines."

"Notify Philip. Have him open up a second route and transport supplies to the army from the eastern front."

Daniel Chancellor nodded.

"In addition, we need to dispatch elite troops, preferably ones that can bypass Odom Pass and access the central route from elsewhere. Most of Grantham’s faction is made up of ordinary nobles. They surely have no intention of rebelling. We can persuade them..."

"Thankfully, Robson opened up the passage on the eastern front back then. Otherwise, this situation would likely be a true checkmate," Louis III sighed.

"Grantham..."

Hatred flared in Louis III’s eyes.

...

In the past, Marshal Grantham had dealt innumerable stunning blows to the Beastman Empire in the name of the Frank Kingdom.

And now, the Frank Kingdom was also feeling the shockwaves from his military faction.

「The front lines, Riliman Fortress.」

The fortress was built within a canyon, and at this moment, the Marshal’s family crest was displayed everywhere inside.

Grantham had donned his armor once more. His eyes gleamed, as if he had once again become that ever-victorious marshal of the Human World.

A group of Red Robed Mages followed behind Grantham.

"A brilliant move, Marshal."

"Now, as long as we hold Riliman Fortress, we’ll be in an unassailable position."

"Those two hundred thousand soldiers are the elites of the Frank Kingdom."

"We have already notified several Great Mages from the Skull Council..."

One of the Red Robed Mages was lavishing him with praise, but before the man could finish, Grantham reacted instinctively, spinning around and grabbing the mage by the throat.

"The Skull Council? You notified them?" Grantham demanded.

"Does the Beastman Empire know about this now?"

The Skull Council was an organization of Undead Mages, its members hailing from every race. Ever since Undead Mages had been outlawed by the various peoples, the materials for their craft had become more plentiful, and many Mages seeking power had turned to this path.

The Beastman Empire was perpetually at war. This, combined with some of Beast Emperor Kemel’s previous ideas, was why the Skull Council had established its headquarters within the Beastman Empire.

"Those Great Mages will raise an army of the dead, and then we can attack the Frank Kingdom. You will be the new King of the Franks!" the Red Robed Mage choked out, his face reddening as he struggled to speak.

Grantham’s grip on his neck tightened.

"We didn’t tell them..."

"The Beast Emperor is dead, and things are currently unstable within the Beastman Empire. They are preoccupied with scheming for a new ruler," the Red Robed Mage explained.

"Hmph!"

"I know how to handle my own affairs. Don’t get clever..."

’He would still need to use these guys for the revenge he had planned.’

Grantham didn’t kill the mage, instead flinging him carelessly to the ground.

Then, under the astonished gazes of the other Red Robed Mages, Marshal Grantham strode away.

Although he had blockaded several key fortresses, there were still numerous military affairs that required Grantham’s attention.

Louis III and Daniel’s strategic assessment had been correct. Although Grantham claimed to have an army of fifty thousand, more than thirty thousand of them were simply swept up in the chaos, unaware of the full picture. Only about twenty thousand were truly part of his rebellion.

The Red Robed Mage who had been thrown to the ground gasped for breath. A moment ago, he had felt genuine killing intent radiating from Grantham.

The Red Robed Mages exchanged uncertain glances, not knowing what to do, before they too dispersed.

After a long while, the Red Robed Mage finally collected himself and stood up. A Black Robed Mage approached him.

"Bertrand, is Grantham still unwilling?" the Black Robed Mage asked.

"He’s unwilling..."

"Damn it, he’s already committed treason, and he’s still putting on a fucking act of loyalty!" Mage Bertrand cursed in frustration.

The Black Robed Mage was silent for a moment.

"Perhaps geniuses all have their own pride. If he’s unwilling, then so be it."

His tone was tinged with regret.

After all, a military genius like Grantham was precisely what the Divine Teaching currently lacked.

The King of Algeria had already taken the bait. Once his forces were bogged down in the quagmire of the Giant Demon Federation, having Grantham on their side would make their plans proceed much more smoothly.

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