Chapter 151

Roko looked at the indignant old Baron, his expression not changing in the slightest.

"Are you finished?"

He asked indifferently.

The old Baron was stunned.

"If you are finished, then it is my turn."

Roko's voice suddenly turned cold.

"First, what I convened was an emergency meeting of the Xin Feng Alliance."

"What we are discussing is a matter of life and death for us all."

"That Kyle, as a member of the Alliance, being absent without cause is betrayal!"

"For a traitor, I have always had only one way of dealing with them, and that is to make him disappear from this world entirely!"

"Second, you say I implicate his family?"

"How ridiculous!"

"The moment he decided to betray the Alliance and defect to Enade, he already pushed his family onto the gambling table!"

"If he wins, they rise to the heavens."

"If he loses, naturally he loses everything and is doomed beyond redemption!"

"This is the rule of war!"

"As for the third—"

Roko's gaze became as sharp as a blade, sweeping over everyone present.

"The biggest difference between me, Roko, and that fool Enade is—"

"I can win!"

"And he is destined to die!"

Boom!

A pressure so powerful it was suffocating erupted violently from Roko's body.

His Holy Sun Battle Qi was released without reservation.

The entire council hall seemed to instantly turn into a giant furnace.

The air even became scorching and viscous.

The nobles present only felt as if an invisible mountain were pressing down on them.

They struggled to breathe, their faces flushed red.

Some whose strength was weaker were even pressed directly to their knees, unable to even lift their heads.

Even the old Baron who had been indignant just a moment ago was now looking on in horror, his knees softening as he knelt heavily to the ground.

Strong!

Too strong!

This was the thought in everyone's mind.

The Roko before them was more than a level stronger than when the Alliance was first formed!

That feeling had completely exceeded their understanding of the Bronze Rank!

"Now, does anyone else have an opinion on my decision?"

Roko's voice echoed in everyone's ears like the judgment of a god.

In the hall, there was a deathly silence.

Not a single person dared to say another word.

Roko nodded with satisfaction and withdrew the pressure from his body.

The crowd felt as if they had been granted amnesty, gasping for air, their eyes filled only with endless awe and fear as they looked at Roko.

"Very good."

"Since everyone has no objections, let us discuss the real business."

Roko clapped his hands.

Martina understood immediately; she walked to the center of the hall and took out a thick stack of documents.

"Everyone."

"According to the latest information received by our intelligence department."

"Viscount Enade colluded with the Poison Scorpion Society and funded the Fire Beard Tribe rebellion; the evidence is conclusive."

"Here is the testimony of the Fire Beard Tribe captives."

"Here are the Poison Scorpion Society standard-issue weapons and Berserk Potion we seized from the Fire Beard Tribe."

"And here is what Captain Hart witnessed with his own eyes."

Piece after piece of evidence was displayed before everyone.

The evidence was as solid as a mountain!

"Besides this, we also discovered."

"In the past half-year, Viscount Enade used various means to secretly assassinate at least three minor nobles who opposed his cooperation with the Poison Scorpion Society."

"Furthermore, he seized their territories and wealth for himself."

"These are the surviving witnesses we found."

After Martina finished speaking, she clapped her hands.

Several people in tattered clothes with terrified expressions were brought up by guards.

They wept and recounted the various atrocities of Viscount Enade in public.

Persuade for peace? No, this is support!

After hearing all this, the nobles present no longer held any illusions.

They finally understood that Viscount Enade was a complete and utter madman!

Cooperating with him was no different than asking a tiger for its hide!

"Now, I announce."

Roko stood up.

"The Xin Feng Alliance formally declares war on Viscount Enade!"

"I shall personally lead the Alliance army to crusade against this traitor to humanity, this parasite of the Kingdom!"

"Those willing to follow me, stand to my right now!"

"Those who are not willing may continue to sit where you are."

"I, Roko, will never force anyone."

His voice had just fallen.

Mike was the first to stand up and walked to Roko's right side without a moment's hesitation.

Following closely were those nobles who had long been deeply tied to Roko.

Then, more and more people stood up one after another.

Although they still felt some trepidation in their hearts, after witnessing Roko's strength and methods, as well as Enade's madness.

They knew they had no other choice.

Soon, only a few people remained on the left side of the hall, still hesitating.

Among them were the terrified Baron Bart and that old baron who relied on his seniority to act presumptuously.

Roko's gaze swept coldly over them.

Just at this moment.

The hall doors were pushed open once again.

A guard walked in with quick steps.

"Report, Master!"

"An envoy from Earl Adrian has come to request an audience!"

Everyone's heart jumped into their throat.

Earl Adrian!

The nominal supreme ruler of the New Wind Province!

What did it mean for him to send an envoy at this time?

Was he here to support Roko, or... to stop him?

Everyone's eyes turned toward Roko.

A mysterious smile, however, appeared on Roko's face.

"Let him in."

Under the nervous gaze of everyone, a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing the butler attire of the Adrian family and possessing a calm demeanor, walked into the council hall.

He first scanned the two distinct factions of nobles in the hall, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes.

Then, he walked to the center of the hall and gave a respectful, neither servile nor overbearing bow to Roko at the head.

"Respected Baron Roko, I have come to visit on the orders of the Earl."

"I wonder, what instruction does the Earl have?" Roko asked indifferently.

"The Earl has heard that there seems to be some misunderstanding between you, Baron, and Viscount Enade."

1

The envoy said with a smile.

"The Earl hopes that both sides can keep restraint for the sake of being fellow nobles of the Kingdom, sit down and have a proper talk, and not resort to force easily, so as to avoid becoming a laughingstock to outsiders."

His words were airtight, filled with the flavor of official rhetoric.

But to the ears of those nobles still hesitating, it sounded no less than music from heaven.

Earl Adrian was here to mediate!

This meant that the Earl did not agree with Roko starting a war directly!

Great!

Now they wouldn't have to make that damned choice!

A smug smile had even appeared on the face of that old baron.

He seemed to have already envisioned Roko being forced to retract his order under the Earl's pressure, looking utterly disgraced.

However, Roko's reaction was completely beyond their expectations.

He just smiled and looked at the envoy.

"A misunderstanding?"

"I think this is likely not as simple as a misunderstanding."

"Enade colluded with the Poison Scorpion Society, harmed his own kin, and intended to subvert the entire New Wind Province; every single count is supported by ironclad evidence."

"For such a traitor, I, Roko, have always had only one word."

"And that is: kill!"

His voice was resolute and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

The envoy's face remained smiling, as if he had long anticipated Roko's answer.

"The Baron's sense of justice is admirable."

"However, the Earl also has his own difficulties."

"After all, behind Viscount Enade lies the involvement of certain big figures in the Royal Capital, and perhaps—even the shadow of the Temple of Light."

"Once war breaks out, I fear it will invite endless trouble."

"Earl Adrian is also thinking of the Baron's tax and the safety of the entire New Wind Province."

His words, while seemingly persuasive, were actually a reminder to Roko of just how deep Enade's background went.

But Roko did not buy it at all.

"Trouble?"

Roko sneered.

"I, Roko, fear nothing more than trouble."

"As for the Temple of Light,"

A bone-chilling coldness flashed through his eyes.

"They had better not come to provoke me."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't mind adding a few more mass graves to New Wind Province."

Hiss!

A sound of gasping echoed throughout the hall.

Arrogant!

Too arrogant!

To think he doesn't even hold the Temple of Light in his eyes!

Is this Roko truly fearless, or is he a complete madman?

A hint of imperceptible surprise finally flashed in the messenger's eyes.

But he quickly returned to calm.

"Since the Baron has made up his mind, it is not my place to persuade you further."

"However, the Earl has one more thing he asked me to personally hand to you."

As he spoke, he took a letter sealed with wax from his bosom.

"The Earl said he hopes you will reconsider after reading this letter."

Martina stepped forward, took the letter, checked it, and presented it to Roko.

Roko tore open the envelope and took out the letter inside.

The content of the letter was much the same as what the messenger had just said.

It was all official jargon urging him to consider the big picture and not be impulsive.

But on the back of the letter, a line of tiny characters was written in a special potion.

It could only be revealed by stimulating it with Qi.

【Heishi Mountain Range, west side secret passage, can bypass the frontal defense line and lead directly to the dungeon behind the castle.】

And hidden in the interlayer of the letter was an incredibly detailed map drawn on fine silk.

On it was, shockingly, the most detailed military layout of Viscount Enade's castle!

From the height of the walls to the distribution of the Jiantta, to the patrol shift times, and even the entrance to the secret passage, everything was marked clearly!

Roko's pupils shrank sharply.

He raised his head and took a deep look at the messenger.

And the messenger was also looking at him with a smile, his eyes full of deep meaning.

At this moment, Roko understood everything.

All that talk of peace and the big picture was complete bullshit!

Earl Adrian, that old fox, never intended to stop him from the very beginning.

He was simply using this method to express a stance to him.

He was secretly supporting Roko!

But he did not want to openly tear his face with the forces behind Enade.

Therefore, he chose the safest and smartest way.

He both gave Roko a great gift and kept himself completely clean.

Even if Roko lost, he could say he had tried his best to persuade him, and it was Roko who refused to listen.

If Roko won, then he would be one of the greatest contributors.

What a move, killing two birds with one stone!

What a crafty and calculating man!

In his heart, Roko felt a deep sense of wariness toward this Earl he had never met.

However, wariness is wariness.

He accepted this great gift.

"Good."

Roko calmly put the letter and the map into his Space Ring.

"Please tell the Earl that I appreciate his kindness."

"However, my determination to crusade against Enade will not change."

The messenger nodded with a smile.

"I have delivered the message."

"Then, I shall take my leave."

After speaking, he bowed once more and turned to leave with composure.

Not until the messenger's figure had completely vanished from the hall entrance.

Did those nobles still sitting in their seats finally react.

Their faces were ashen, one and all.

It was over.

Their final hope had been shattered as well.

Earl Adrian had never intended to protect them at all.

They had been treated as discarded pawns!

That old Baron, in particular, regretted it so much his guts were turning green.

Why did he have to run his mouth and offend a baleful star like Roko!

Now, it was too late to say anything.

Roko's gaze fell upon them once more, cold and devoid of any warmth.

"Martina."

"Write down their names."

"Once we take Viscount Enade's castle, their territories will be used to reward the soldiers who contributed the most in this battle."

"As for them personally—"

"Drag them out and behead them."

"Use their blood to consecrate the flags for our great army!"

"Yes, Master!"

Martina replied in a cold voice.

Immediately, two squads of fully armed Storm Knights rushed in.

"No! Master Roko! Spare us!"

"We were wrong! We are willing to follow you!"

"We beg you, Master, give us one chance!"

The shrill sounds of begging and desperate cries echoed throughout the entire hall.

But Roko was too lazy to even spare them a glance.

The best way to deal with fence-sitters is to pull them up by the roots!

He wanted everyone to know that in New Wind Province, on his turf.

You only get one chance to pick a side.

If you choose wrong, you must pay with your life!

Soon, the screams came to an abrupt end.

A heavy scent of blood drifted into the hall.

Those nobles who had already stood on the right were silent as cicadas in winter, their eyes filled with bone-deep awe as they looked at Roko.

"Now, move out!"

Roko waved his hand sharply.

"Target, Viscount Enade's Black Stone Castle!"

"Within three days, I want to see the banner of our Flame Griffin flying over that castle!"

"Yes!"

The mountain-shaking, sea-roaring response resounded through the clouds.

A massive army of nearly twenty thousand, composed of five thousand of the most elite warriors from Vanguard Valley and over ten thousand soldiers cobbled together by the various allied nobles.

Under Roko's personal command, they marched out of Vanguard Valley in a grand, sweeping formation.

A war that would decide the fate of the entire New Wind Province had officially begun!

Black Stone Castle.

Just as its name suggested, the entire castle was built from solid Obsidian.

It sat atop a steep mountain peak, with ten-thousand-foot cliffs on three sides, and only a single narrow mountain path leading to the castle gate.

Easy to defend and hard to attack; one man can hold the pass against ten thousand.