Warhammer Divine Throne

Chapter 1282: Chapter 550: Peak of Life

Despite receiving the Lake Fairy’s warning, Laine ordered the alliance to camp and rest temporarily. This army was already very exhausted after long battles, hence marching against Mathew Bade’s army was not a wise and correct choice in this situation, as it would only provide more troops to the undead.

They needed some time to rest and replenish, then head north, either choosing to go from the south of Leonais to Kulona or choosing to pass through Atuo Castle, the capital of the former Atuo Duchy in the Arden Forest.

The army cleaned up the battlefield, which was actually not worth cleaning. Mogiana, leading a group of Lake God Prophets, chanted spells to purify Chaos’s corruption.

Landuin’s sacrifice opened a new era for Musillon; even the most ignorant peasants could feel that the land was undergoing changes.

The marshes were gradually receding, large marshes turned into lakes, and small marshes were becoming ponds.

The corruption brought by the undead and Chaos to the land was gradually disappearing. This was Landuin’s last gift, left by burning his soul.

In the afternoon, Laine, Kaled, Mogiana, and several other dukes sat together to discuss what to do next.

Large chunks of cut wild boar meat were processed by the knight’s squires and roasted over the campfire. The knight’s attendants skillfully seasoned the roast with pepper and honey; Laine sat in the center, Mogiana to his left, Duke Bohemond to his right, all enjoying grape wine while conversing.

”The casualties this time are not too bad, overall less than thirty percent,” Bohemond first said, ”Although the war was very tough, the casualties are still acceptable.”

Everyone nodded. The war’s casualties barely fell within the dukes’ tolerance, meaning despite the tough process, the most crucial tug-of-war and decisive battles were not fought. The Order Alliance Army merely had a direct encounter with Tzeentch’s Demon Army.

Subsequently, the hardest battles were faced by Nurgle’s Demon Army.

Therefore, this inexplicable victory in the war left Laine and others unsure of what to say.

”Our army is now exhausted, with supply difficulties; if we go to rescue Kulona, we’re highly likely to be ambushed by undead.” Duke Hagen of Jisoleox sustained significant injuries in this war, his helmet was half-shattered, but fortunately, the Stag Riding Spear was retrieved: ”But Kulona is the royal capital, and we must rescue it. Even if it’s spring, we have to mobilize the army!”

”Indeed, we must go to rescue the royal capital,” Francois also had no objections: ”We can’t let that Black Knight occupy our capital; it has remained unconquered for a millennium.”

”Then the question arises, what qualifications does Black Knight Mathew Bade feel he has to ascend the throne?” Duke Bodrick of Boldro said puzzledly, ”I remember he was just a Ranger Knight of Connet. He doesn’t even have a duke title! He isn’t from the twelve original Holy Grail Knight families or their vassal families?”

”No, he is,” Laine said solemnly, ”Mathew Bade actually meets the four conditions to be king. He received the title of Paladin when young due to a series of heroic deeds and noble virtues.”

”But his Duke title of Musillon is self-proclaimed; we all know you are the true Duke of Musillon, acknowledged by Lord Landuin!” Kaled argued somewhat discontentedly, intent on provoking: ”Just for this alone, Mathew Bade cannot be king!”

”He can, because even if he is not Duke of Musillon, he still meets enough conditions,” Laine sneered, ”because he is Duke Lorne’s son! His illegitimate child! Now Lorne’s fate is unknown, and he, as Lorne’s illegitimate child, naturally has a weak claim.”

Laine’s casual words stunned everyone present.

”What? Mathew Bade is Lorne’s son?!”

”No wonder, no wonder this Ranger Knight, once known for his virtues, has fallen so completely!”

”He’s a bastard!”

”That’s right! Lorne indeed had an illegitimate child, abandoned in the wilderness. If that’s the case, it all makes sense.”

Everyone whispered, many were too surprised to speak, Duke Bohemond shook his head repeatedly after hearing: ”Unfortunate family, unfortunate family indeed! I know about this, when Louis ordered the child to be abandoned in the wild, I had advised him not to do so, but instead send the child to the Empire, where he wouldn’t freeze or starve, but Louis insisted.”

”Haha, father abandons son, son grows up adopted and then seeks revenge on the father; not only to kill the father but inherit everything from him. You humans truly have filial piety,” Wood Elf Lord Alaros, who was listening, said sarcastically. He planned to further ridicule humans’ foolishness and backwardness, but Laine glared at him indicating it’s none of his business, and Alaros shrugged indicating you speak, I won’t.

”If that’s the case, then Mathew Bade indeed has the qualification to claim the throne,” Francois opened his eyes, the wise and strategic elder-in-law immediately realized the problem: ”Because as Lorne’s illegitimate child, he is naturally a member of the Duke of Connet’s family, able to justifiably claim the duke title and the royal regency title Lorne currently holds... The undead have set a very big chess game! I now suspect Mathew Bade was already part of the undead’s plan upon being adopted!”