blogombal Chapter 22 The Governor's Council and Political Alliances
Chapter 22 The Governor's Council and Political Alliances
Vito was holding an iron chain, behind which was a string of bound cannibal prisoners.
Vito gave Thorne Bean, the patriarch of the Blasphemous family, a rough kick. To teach him a lesson.
With him were a dozen or so prisoners kneeling on the ground, their appearances grotesque, their eyes blank, or their deranged. In particular, the deformed freak whom Tiberius and his men had first captured was incredibly strong. Vito, seeing that he still seemed to have the strength, kicked him a few more times.
Jules pointed at them, his tone turning icy: "My lord, these are the cannibalistic demons lurking in the Bloodwave Cape caves. Their leader, Thorne Bean, is a paragon of sin, deserving the wrath of both gods and men! Their judgment should naturally be entrusted to the priests of the Lord of Light, who will purify their souls with the most sacred flames, thus serving as a warning to the world and demonstrating your majesty and justice!"
Of course, who would propose this in the Governor's Council?
Of course, it's Lord Rissandro Rogal!
This was the "gift" they prepared for Lisandro, a perfect offering to demonstrate his merits!
Lisangzhuo nodded in satisfaction, his eyes filled with disgust as he looked at the prisoners, as if they were a pile of garbage in dire need of disposal: "Jules, you're right! Such blasphemous and inhuman criminals must be judged by the fires of the Lord of Light! I will personally arrange this!"
"Oh, right." A knowing smile suddenly appeared on Lisandro's face. "Tiberius, Jules, and all the members of the White Legion, tonight, the Perfume Garden will be open only for you!"
Tippi blushed slightly, after all, he was only twelve years old, but Vito and the White Legion knights had smiles on their faces.
It seems they've been holding back for ages.
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The next day, the Governor's Council.
Like other free city-states, Rhys was a typical commercial slave-owning city-state. The leader of the state was elected, but the real power in Rhys lay with wealthy merchants, ship owners, and tycoons from various industries. These individuals proved their eligibility for a seat in the Governor's Council through their wealth, and then, from among these oligarchs, a governor was elected as the leader of the state.
The Governor's Council Chamber has a high, expansive dome, with stained glass windows and a dome that filter the sunlight into dappled, solemn beams. Long marble staircases are occupied by the governors of the city, with the First Governor's seat at the far end.
Today, a proposal was put forward by Lisangzhuo.
"Gentlemen." Lisangzhuo stood up from his seat. As he stood up, several governors sat up, ready to applaud at any moment.
The reason is simple: under Lisandro's rule, the Rogal Bank had become powerful and financially strong enough to rival Braavos's Iron Treasury, and he himself was the largest landowner and slave owner in all of Ries. Therefore, Lisandro possessed sufficient prestige and wealth to secure numerous political allies.
"Gentlemen, you have all heard my story, my daughter Serafina, and the second daughter of the Hein family. They both disappeared a few days ago on Bloodwave Cape Avenue..." Lisandra's voice echoed throughout the conference hall. His voice was quite deep, which made all the governors present solemn.
"But!" Risang suddenly declared passionately. "After researching and analyzing the case, I devised a series of strategies. After overcoming countless difficulties, I finally solved the mystery of the disappearances on Bloodwave Cape Road!"
He clapped his hands, and the heavy bronze gate was opened by ten burly guards.
Leading the group was Jules, followed by Tiberius, Vito, and several White Legion knights who participated in the operation.
Following behind them were the cannibalistic family members they had captured; their hands and feet were chained, and their necks were also chained, as they entered the meeting hall in a row.
Thorne Bean, the "progenitor" of this cannibalistic family, almost collapsed to his knees upon seeing the meeting hall.
"Get up!" Vito wasn't going to let him get away with it and kicked him.
“‘The Keeper of Faith’ Jules… the White Legion? Tsk, that guy Lisanzo is really lucky,” Gasto Ferrero muttered.
"Silence, Gastol!" a governor beside him whispered. "The Hein and Rogar families have formed an alliance after this incident. You'd better keep quiet!"
"Say less? Hmph, do you think I'm afraid of him?" Gasto sneered. "During last year's 'Shadow War,' I wonder whose manor was burned down the most, and whose cargo ships were eaten like pigs by pirates!"
The governor who had spoken up immediately shut up.
Why is the Rogaire family's business always being attacked? Don't you, Gasto, know the answer yourself?
Besides... in the end, wasn't it your treasury that ran out of money first, forcing you to withdraw and ultimately submit to Lisandro?
Of course, Gasto himself remained silent to avoid provoking Rojaer too much.
Such gossip is best left unsaid in private; if things really escalate, you'll likely be the one who suffers!
From the current perspective, the emergence of the political alliance between the Hein family and the Rojaer family can be said to have directly united one-third of the political forces.
Anyway, I'm definitely not the one who's most panicked. Gasto thought to himself with schadenfreude.
The most panicked person must be our First Governor, Lord Bambaro Bazan!
"Look, gentlemen, this is the culprit behind the disappearances on Bloodwave Cape!" Lisanzhu walked up to the prisoners, covered his nose with a handkerchief, and took the wooden stick from Tiberius, pointing it at their faces.
"Thorne Bean, do you confess to your crimes! Including incest, murder, practicing black magic, cannibalism, seclusion, and robbery!" Lisangzhuo demanded sharply.
As Thorne stammered out his story: how he became a lazy bum, met a witch, and the two began having children in a cave, how he murdered, how he committed incest, and how he selectively chose women and children as sacrifices…
As he recounted his story, Jules and Tiberius continued to present the governors with evidence: from the Book of Human Skin, the Altar of Human Bones, the clothes and ornaments of the dead, the witch's staff, and other evidence... and most shockingly, a piece of "cured meat" placed in a broken wooden barrel that chilled everyone present.
"Ugh!" One of the governors couldn't bear the testimony any longer and actually vomited on the spot.
The other governors, especially the First Governor Bambaro Bazain, who sat in a high position, also looked very unpleasant; their faces were extremely dark.
After all, the actions of the Bean family had gone beyond the realm of evil they could even imagine.
Finally, Lisangzhuo slowly let out a sigh of relief.
"Therefore, gentlemen, I propose that they repent before the temple of Rahlo! Let the holy flames purify them!" said Lisandro.
As soon as Lisangzhuo finished speaking, nearly a third of the governors behind him stood up and applauded, with the most enthusiastic applause coming from the patriarch of the Hein family.
"Let the flames purify them!"
"These bastards deserve only to be purified by fire! They are born scoundrels!"
"Long live Lord Risang! He has dispelled the gloom over Riss like the sun!"
Suddenly someone shouted those words, causing Tiberius to look in the direction of Lisandro.
This is the level of the Jurisprudential governor...
Upon hearing this, Bambaro's face darkened even further.
[That guy, Lisandro!] Bambaro thought to himself. [Now that he's allied with the Hein family, he controls nearly a third of the governorship. In terms of pure power, he's stronger than me!]
So the governors raised their hands and voted to approve Lisandro's proposal.
But just when the matter seemed to be coming to an end, a discordant voice suddenly rang out.
"The crimes of these cannibalistic beasts are indeed heinous, and they deserve punishment from the holy flame. But today, in this sacred council chamber, they are probably not the only guilty ones!"
It was Gastos who suddenly stood up and looked at Tiberius and Jules.
He then paused deliberately before continuing, "I heard that while you were solving the Bloodwave Cape disappearance case, something disturbing happened on the beach... Jon Starr, a respected lieutenant of the Second Sons, was murdered in an extremely brutal manner!"
"This surprises me. After all, in the upcoming war in Valantis, we need everyone who can wield a sword and spear! His death is a loss for all of Ries. Besides, what will the other mercenaries think of us? That we would let a distinguished and renowned mercenary die in the countryside?"
He spoke passionately about Jon Starr, as if Jon were the epitome of chivalry. Throughout his speech, his gaze kept subtly sweeping over Jules and Tiberius.
"Damn it! The way he talks, it's like Jon is the number one knight in the world. Anyone who didn't know better would think Jon is from the Vale! One of those dumb-headed knights who shouts 'As high as honor!'" Vito cursed under his breath.
Gasto Ferrero's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples throughout the council chamber.
Once again, all eyes were focused on the White Legion. But this time, most people's gazes were filled with scrutiny, suspicion, and even a hint of excitement—because such criticism usually marks the beginning of a new struggle.
For these oligarchs, what do they care about the heated arguments in parliament? They're not afraid of things escalating! They're excited at the mere mention of something big going on. Rhys's "Shadow War" is nothing more than hiring pirates to plunder ships, having mercenaries burn down ports and estates, and spreading rumors about political enemies... What's that? I've heard the Braavos hire Faceless Men to physically eliminate their enemies—that's real fighting!
"Hmm," Tiberius remarked, watching the governors rubbing their hands together in anticipation.
These are bloodthirsty viewers!
However, to Gastos's surprise, after he finished his impassioned speech, Governor Bambaro Bazan, who was sitting in the main seat, merely frowned slightly, picked up the silver glass in front of him and took a sip of wine. Instead of immediately asking questions or expressing concern as Gastos had expected, he seemed not to have heard him and turned his gaze to Lisanzhuo, as if waiting for his response.
[Damn it! That old fox Bambaro!] Gasto cursed inwardly. He hadn't expected the old man to choose to bury his head in the sand like an ostrich!
[Say something! The Rojaer family plus the Hein family are enough to challenge your position! Aren't you going to take sides now?] Gasto was extremely anxious.
Just then, Tiberius took a small step forward. He faced Gasto, his face still bearing that "innocent" yet slightly confused expression, and said clearly:
"My esteemed sir, the Vice-Commander Jon Starr you mentioned... alas, his fate was indeed regrettable, though I personally executed him."
"What! How is this possible?"
"By Lahllo, he's not joking, is he?"
"Yeah, he looked only twelve or thirteen years old. He killed Jon Starr? Who would believe that? You'd be more likely to say that Jules killed Jon!"
"So you admit you killed Jon Starr!" Gastos, like a hyena that had discovered flesh and blood, tried to seize this opportunity to tear Tiberius apart.
"My lord... well, I don't know your name, perhaps because it's rather... well, a less common name. I'm not very familiar with your family..." Tiberius didn't immediately refute, but instead asked Gasto a question that almost made his brain explode, somewhat "shyly."
Niche?
Haven't you heard of the Ferrero family?
Réa Hein suddenly retorted sarcastically, "What's wrong? Tiberius is just a child; isn't it perfectly normal that he hasn't heard of some... well, not very famous families?"
"You..." Gasto almost rushed out to hit Hein.
What do you mean by "not a very famous family"?
Tiberius seemed not to hear his question and continued on his own.
"At the time, we had just rescued Miss Lalaya and Miss Hein from the ogre's lair, and we were exhausted, carrying important witnesses and a great deal of evil evidence. But as we were leaving the cave, Lieutenant Commander Jon suddenly appeared at the entrance, leading more than fifty fully armed Second Sons soldiers to block our way. He claimed..."
He paused at just the right moment, as if recalling something.
"He claimed that they had also searched Bloodwave Cape for a long time, and their heads were covered in mosquito bites. They deserved credit for their hard work, even if they didn't achieve anything. So, he asked us to 'transfer' the two young ladies and our credit to them. He said it was for the sake of 'respect' and promised to put in a good word for us with the leader of the Second Son Regiment, so that we could 'show our faces' on the battlefield in the future."
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the governors present before finally settling on Gasto's face, his eyes innocent: "Uncle Jules and I were both shocked at the time; after all, isn't the rule of mercenaries that whoever completes the contract gets paid? Moreover, Vice-Commander Jon's attitude at the time... was hardly friendly; his men even drew their weapons and threatened to 'fire' us if we didn't hand over the young lady and the credit."
Vito chimed in sarcastically, "You bet! Over fifty burly men surrounding about twenty of us with girls—the sight was quite something! Anyone who didn't know better would have thought we'd encountered pirates!"
"Furthermore, I have a question, Your Excellency First Governor. Does this mean that the order in which our mercenary group enters the battlefield is decided by the Second Son's leader?" Tiberius asked with a perfectly timed "naive" tone. "Then... First Governor, you..."
"Tiberius, don't worry, trust me, Rees' military movements are entirely in the governor's hands. It's impossible for them to be in the hands of a mercenary leader!" Bambaro quickly said.
[Rahlo, what does Jon think he is?!] Bambaro thought to himself.
Tiberius then glanced around and slowly said, “But, gentlemen, I absolutely did not kill him, but in a sacred duel witnessed by the gods! My uncle, Jules the Keeper of the Faith, can testify; he can prove that I am only twelve years old. And Vice-Commander Jon…” Tiberius deliberately dragged out his voice.
"This experienced second-generation vice-commander of the Second Sons, a fully armed knight. He has challenged me to a duel to the death."
A low murmur rippled through the council chamber. A renowned knight had challenged a twelve-year-old to a life-or-death duel? No matter how you looked at it, it reeked of despicable acts and bullying of the weak.
"By Rahlos, this Jon Snow is utterly shameless, challenging a child to a duel?"
"Hmph, and he was even killed! It seems this person truly lived up to his reputation! His martial arts skills were mediocre at all!"
"Silence!" Bambaro slammed his wooden mallet against the mahogany table in front of him. "No noise allowed here!"
"But in the end, this is just your opinion!" Gasto stubbornly insisted.
"Lord Gasto Fenero," Jules suddenly spoke, gripping the hilts of his twin swords at his waist. "You mean, you have...doubts about the promise of the 'Keeper of Faith'?" Jules' hawk-like gaze swept over Gasto from head to toe, so piercing that Gasto involuntarily averted his eyes. "To uphold my honor, I have no choice but to challenge the priests of Rahlo to a trial by combat, to wash away the humiliation upon my name with blood!"
Tiberius saw Gastos's face turn pale and then heard Vito let out a sneer.
"Trial by combat? And Gasto Fenero? Ha!" Vito laughed. "Boss Jules was a true ten-man killer! He beheaded ten gladiators in one battle with his twin swords. Gasto? What can he do? That 'gun' between his legs? That thing is only good for bed!"
Tiberius smiled inwardly, then stepped forward.
His gaze sharpened, piercing Gasto: "I don't understand, sir. Why are you so 'concerned' about the death of a mercenary vice-captain who tried to rob his employer's goods, threatened his fellow mercenaries, and even challenged a child to a duel to the death? Do you consider it a sin to uphold the contract and defend one's honor in a fair duel? Or perhaps..." Tiberius deliberately drew out his words, speaking with a hint of sarcasm.
"Or do you think the Second Sons' actions were 'correct,' something absolutely worthy of encouragement? Tsk... Could it be that you have some special... agreement with Vice-Commander Jon Snow, or the Second Sons?"
This incident directly touched a nerve in Bambaro's heart.
Yes, why is Gasto so concerned about the Second Sons?
"Could it be...?" Bambaro narrowed his eyes, looking at Gasto. "Gasto, is he involved with the Second Sons behind my back?"
When Bambaro's gaze fell upon Gasto, Gasto shrank back.
He had already fallen out with the Rogal family, and if he hadn't yet gained the support of the First Governor, Bambaro...
If that's the case, then how long one's own head can stay on one's own neck is a question.