Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 556: Betrayal
Chapter 556: Betrayal
TL: Rui88
While Administrator Ford and Butler Philip were at their wits’ end in Paul’s office on the second floor, a guard knocked and opened the door.
“My lords, Lieutenant Warren said he had urgent military business and has already left.”
“What?”
The two men were shocked. They hurried out of the office, strode through the corridor, and looked down from the top of the stairs.
Sure enough, the seat where Burgan Warren had been was now empty.
Philip said worriedly, “Urgent military business, what’s going on?”
Administrator Ford was dejected, saying with considerable regret, “Perhaps we should have been more decisive and taken him into custody sooner.”
With a rustle, the parrot that had been in the office flew down the corridor. While old Ford and Philip had been discussing their strategy, the bird had apparently flown outside through the window.
Had it now flown back?
The parrot flapped its wings, landed with a flutter on the staircase banister, and opened its beak.
“Schroeder! The army is here! Schroeder! The army is here!”
It had to be said, the bird Ladi Sertia raised was truly magical. The parrot was actually mimicking human speech, and though it wasn’t perfectly coherent, the two men completely understood what it was trying to express.
If it were an ordinary parrot, Administrator Ford and Philip might have only been confused. But this was no ordinary parrot, because its owner was no ordinary woman.
If their guess was correct, Chief of Staff Schroeder was returning with an army.
Old Ford thought for a moment and said to Philip, “Just now, Burgan said he had urgent military business to attend to. Could this be it? I suspect Schroeder sensed Burgan’s suspicious movements from the start and left Lakeheart Town in time to find reinforcements. Now he’s leading an army back.”
Philip did not know about Area 51, but as the Administrator of the Administration Council, old Ford did. With no way to contact the four infantry battalions on their field exercises, it was highly likely that Schroeder had rushed to Area 51 overnight to get that force.
“Should… should we help the Chief of Staff?”
Hearing that troops loyal to the lord had returned, Philip was so excited his lips trembled as he spoke.
“The most effective method would be to seize control of this castle. If we succeed, it will surely throw Burgan and his men into chaos. With enemies both inside and out, it would have a huge impact on their morale.”
“You’re right. Let’s go gather the guards now. We should tell Russ; he used to be the captain of the guard.”
The two men hurried down the stairs and returned to the great hall where the meeting was being held.
At that moment, however, things took a sudden turn. A detachment of about a hundred men ran into the castle’s front courtyard. Judging by their attire, they were a mix of militia and police. Old Ford and Philip’s hearts tightened. What was Burgan trying to do?
A man burst into the great hall of the Lord’s Manor.
“Byleth? What are you doing here?”
Seeing the newcomer, Russ Hayden, the Director of Public Safety who was also attending the meeting, asked in confusion.
Wasn’t this man Byleth McReynolds, the commander of the second detachment? He was technically his subordinate, but after Lakeheart Town entered a state of martial law, all police forces in the city had been assigned to cooperate with the military’s operations.
“Director Hayden, my lords!”
Byleth McReynolds appeared very respectful. “I have some very bad news. The rebels have begun their attack on Lakeheart Town. Lieutenant Burgan has gone to organize the defense.”
Hearing this news, the various department officials, who were still in the dark, looked at each other. Had it come so soon?
Old Ford and Philip cursed inwardly. They were still slandering the soldiers who were loyal to their lord. It was a complete reversal of black and white.
The Administrator asked, “At such a critical moment, why aren’t you helping Burgan? What are you doing at the Lord’s Manor?”
Byleth explained, “A place as important as the Lord’s Manor is naturally a top priority for protection. Commander Burgan was afraid that some thugs in the city might take advantage of the chaos to attack the Lord’s Manor, so he sent us to strengthen the security here. Also, given the current chaotic situation, the Lieutenant said that all you lords must remain within the castle. The police force in Lakeheart Town is insufficient at the moment, so we must trouble you all to stay here for centralized protection.”
Philip was furious inside, but he did not dare let it show on his face. It was obvious they were here to watch us. That bastard Burgan.
The others also grumbled internally. After being in meetings all night and all morning, they had thought they could finally go back to their own beds for a good sleep.
Old Ford stroked his beard, his expression unchanged, and said, “In that case, why don’t we bring the families of everyone present to the Lord’s Manor as well? It would be good to look after them together. If there are rebels in the city ready to lend support, their families would be in danger at home.”
Philip’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood that Administrator Ford was ready to risk everything. Once the officials’ families were brought to the Lord’s Manor, they would have no lingering concerns when they finally turned on Burgan. If their families were left outside, they would have a whole host of hostages even if they managed to control the castle.
But Byleth McReynolds did not know that Administrator Ford was already aware of the truth of the rebellion. He assumed the old man was still following the script they had written.
A flicker of almost imperceptible mockery crossed the police detachment commander’s eyes. Ha, you said it yourself.
“Administrator Ford, I’ll see to it at once.”
He gave a slight bow to the acting lord, Julio, as a sign of respect, and then turned and left the great hall.
Watching Byleth leave, Administrator Ford turned to the Director of Public Safety and called out:
“Russ, come over here for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
Before becoming the Director of Public Safety, Russ Hayden had commanded the guards of the Lord’s Manor and was the most formidable person here.
About two hours later, the officials’ families had all been brought into the castle.
“Close the gates!”
After the last person had entered the castle, the militia captain Zane, who was participating in the security detail at the Lord’s Manor, ordered the castle gates to be shut.
For some reason, Zane had felt strange all along.
That Lieutenant Burgan had said there were rebels hiding in the city, but since martial law began, the militia from Tata Town had been assigned to patrol the streets. Zane had been leading his brothers on patrol since dawn, but he had never seen or heard any unusual movements.
Could it be that the rebels had been scared back into hiding after seeing the official preparations?
With that little courage, why even start a rebellion? Even if they didn’t dare to rise up in open conflict, couldn’t they even secretly set a few fires?
To think that Lord Grayman was assassinated by such a bunch of cowards, it was a bit…
As Zane was lost in thought, a commotion suddenly erupted from within the great hall of the Lord’s Manor, mixed with cries of alarm.
What… what happened?
The already tense Zane immediately thought of something bad…could it be that rebels had infiltrated the Lord’s Manor and were now hacking people to pieces in the great hall?
And he had just been complaining about them.
Ugh! Zane stomped his foot on the ground in frustration and called to his brothers, “Come on, follow me and let’s see what’s happening.”
Chapter 556: Betrayal
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