The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 208: Are You Trying to Eliminate Dissent?
Rifidi gazes at the somber-faced Roderick with a smirk, "Viscount, do you recognize the gentleman beside me? He's told me some rather troubling things. I think you owe us all a reasonable explanation."
Roderick shakes his head, "I don't know the man beside you. Is he your guard?"
Rifidi nods to Scar Tiger, "Yorkel, go ahead! Greet your old friend, the kingdom's loyal Viscount, and help him remember your connection."
Scar Tiger bows obsequiously to Rifidi, then turns to Viscount Roderick with a mocking expression. "Viscount, have you forgotten? I’m Yorkel, Scar Tiger! We were in touch just a few months ago. When Henwell was away from Peace Haven, you informed me about the kingdom's plan to attack, so I could warn Peace Haven to prepare its defenses."
Roderick shakes his head, "I don't know you, nor do I know what you're talking about."
Scar Tiger gives Roderick a sinister look, "Viscount, at this point, there's no point in resisting.”
” You had me deal with some of your political enemies, like the quartermaster of the kingdom's southwestern border 12th Legion. And the 'accident' involving Baron Lorco—you specifically instructed me to make it look like a carriage fell off a cliff.”
” Then there were those caravans that didn’t heed your orders; I took care of them too. Need me to remind you of the names? I remember them clearly: Wykos Caravan, Noble Flower Caravan, Nanle Caravan..."
The crowd begins to eye Roderick with suspicion, yet he remains calmly seated.
Rifidi steps forward, demanding, "Viscount Roderick, these are serious accusations. You'd better give us an explanation! Colluding with foreign powers, leaking confidential information, killing kingdom nobles, and targeting certified caravans—each of these is a major crime that could ruin you if you don't provide a reasonable explanation..."
Roderick calmly sips his drink, interrupting Rifidi, "What if I don't want to explain? What will you do? Kill me now? Or arrest me and throw me in the commander's office?"
Rifidi glares at him, "You think I won’t dare?"
Roderick chuckles softly, "Of course you won't! Because you don't have the authority. You're just the commander of the southeastern command. You're here to manage military affairs, not to exercise judicial power over nobles.”
”I'm no longer the commander of the 22nd Legion! You have no jurisdiction over me. Even if I were guilty, it would be up to the kingdom's noble tribunal to decide, not you!"
Rifidi retorts coldly, "You're right! But I can suspect you of collusion with the enemy under my commander's authority. Since you leaked high-level military intelligence, you're primarily responsible for the last war's failure!"
Roderick laughs, "Ha! You really don't understand the military-political system, do you? Even with that reason, you lack the power to arrest me. Let me explain the process, so you don't embarrass yourself here!”
”First, you raise the suspicion, submit evidence, and summon the 22nd Legion officers for inquiry. Gather all the information and have the current commander of the 22nd Legion submit it to the kingdom's military department.”
”Then, the military department negotiates with the noble tribunal, finally ing to His Majesty. His Majesty appoints an inspector, the military department sends an investigator, and the noble tribunal sends an investigator. The three parties form a team to come here and thoroughly investigate the situation.”
”Moreover, even if the investigation team arrives, they can't arrest me outright; at most, they can ask me to stay in my castle and wait!”
”So, Rifidi, if you want to get me, you'll have to go through this entire process! I suspect it won't be quick, so I'll just wait at home patiently!"
Roderick, ignoring Rifidi's grim expression, turns to the current commander of the 22nd Legion, "Powell, when do you plan to this to the military department?"
Powell gives a sheepish smile, "Sir, what are you saying? This is all nonsense, why take it seriously?"
Roderick chuckles, "Ha... Whether I take it seriously isn't important; what's important is that the commander does! For the sake of your own future, I suggest you don't go against him, lest you end up like me!"
Rifidi snaps coldly, "Roderick, are you mocking me?"
Roderick shrugs, "I wouldn't dare! But I'm curious about one thing. Who exactly is this person you brought in? He speaks with such detail, he seems to know a lot. Is he a high-ranking officer from Peace Haven?"
Rifidi lifts his head proudly, "His name is Yorkel, once the commander of Peace Haven's Wind Raider Legion. He's now seen the light and come to aid the kingdom!"
Roderick scrutinizes the somewhat uneasy Scar Tiger, " Wind Raider Legion? I've never heard of such a unit in Peace Haven. How about the rest of you?"
The crowd exchanges puzzled glances, indicating they have no idea either.
Roderick claps his hands, "Ah, I remember hearing about the Wind Raider, a band of bandits lurking around the border. This group is notorious for their crimes, raiding caravans and even daring to attack kingdom villages and towns!"
He scrutinizes the now terrified Scar Tiger, "Could it be that you are the leader of that band? I recall the leader is called Scar Tiger. So, Mr. Yorkel, are you Scar Tiger?"
Scar Tiger, frightened, can only look to Rifidi for help.
Rifidi waves dismissively, "That's classified. Who he is doesn't matter; we're discussing your issues now!"
Roderick stands up, "Doesn't matter?! I think it matters a lot!”
”After all, Scar Tiger of the Wind Raider is a wanted criminal in the kingdom. He's indeed responsible for the deaths of nobles and the ambush of numerous caravans. He has even raided several villages, causing severe harm.”
”So, Commander, you're using a bandit to substantiate these baseless accusations against me! It seems you have a considerable bias against us southeastern nobles, preferring to believe a shameless bandit over us! If that's the case, I have nothing more to say. I'll go back and prepare, seal up my castle, and await your investigation team to judge me!"
With that, Roderick stands and leaves the meeting room.
He isn't alone; several other nobles rise and follow him out.
The remaining nobles exchange wary glances at Rifidi, their eyes filled with caution. It seems they suspect he might be using the chaos of war to increase his power and seize control of the southeastern region of the kingdom.
Chapter 208: Are You Trying to Eliminate Dissent?
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