School Transmigration: I, Chosen as the Saint by Dragons at the Start-Chapter 240 --The Conspiracy of Blois

"Unexpectedly, that turned out to be the last time the three of us brothers would meet. After hearing about my brother’s tragic death, rage filled my heart. Coincidentally, Marshal Norton handed over the command of the army to me, which led to the thought of rebellion."

"Norton, Norton," the king muttered to himself.

"Continue with what you know," the king urged.

Hearing the king’s command, Balder continued, "My middle brother came to my camp and told me everything about what had happened to our eldest brother."

Within Balder’s camp, Mael said, "Brother, we must avenge our eldest brother’s brutal death. I’ve come here secretly. That bastard Arthur is still scouring the world for the Imperial Jade. It’s the perfect time for us to strike, with the help of my loyal confidants working from the inside and out, we can surely avenge this great injustice."

"After it’s done, we brothers can flee to the territory of the Eastern Forest Empire, where we’ll be safe. What do you think, brother?"

"Let’s do as you say, brother."

"Good, together we will personally kill that old bastard."

"The two of us began to plan the rebellion. Once everything was in place, we initiated the uprising."

Facing the king, Balder continued his narrative, "The plan went smoothly, because Arthur was preoccupied with searching for the Imperial Jade, which provided us with an opportunity. However, Arthur indeed was a hero."

The king, irate, interjected, "Is that for you to say? Continue."

"I had an army of one hundred thousand well-equipped soldiers, while Arthur had only twenty thousand. This gave me a considerable advantage in numbers. Moreover, our attack was a surprise, leaving Arthur with no chance to fight back."

"As my brother and I besieged Arthur in his manor, we saw him standing resolute with the few dozen soldiers he had left, unflinching and stern-faced, confronting my men. In the midst of turmoil, a hero’s true nature is revealed. Indeed, Arthur was a true hero..."

Seeing the situation was under control and wanting to kill Arthur with his own hands, Mael dismounted and shouted, "Return my brother’s life!" Drawing his sword, he charged at Arthur.

"A general by Arthur’s side stepped in front of him."

"Arthur, you go first!"

Behind Arthur was a secret passage.

"It’s impossible. I can’t run away alone. If we go, we go together; if we die, we die together."

"Arthur, our lives aren’t as valuable as yours. You must go now, or none of us will make it."

"Enough, I will not abandon you and flee. Let’s break through together."

Arthur brandished the sword in his hand, the Dragon-sparrow Blade, ranked fifth among weapons.

Its mirror-like blade sent a chilling air straight for Mael’s neck, and with a snap, Mael’s severed head and broken sword fell to the ground together.

Seeing his middle brother killed, Balder grew even angrier: "Kill them, kill them all!"

The soldiers surged forward.

Arthur, amidst the crowd, fought valiantly, his prowess undiminished.

Enemies fell around him, missing limbs, screaming in agony.

But even a fierce tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves.

Arthur’s guards dwindled until only he remained, by then Arthur too was at his limit.

Arthur let out a long, skyward howl, "After years of battling on the fields, to meet my end by the hands of my own people. You traitors, my brother will surely avenge me. Ha-ha-ha... I’ll wait for you on the road to the underworld."

With those final words, using the last of his strength, a loud snap was heard as the renowned Dragon-sparrow Blade broke.

Following this, Arthur took the broken blade and ended his own life.

Thus, the weapon ranked fifth in the annals of arms, the Dragon-sparrow Blade, was removed from the list.

After Balder finished speaking, the king, furious, demanded, "Then tell me, why is my brother’s head missing?"

Balder could feel the king’s rage, a feeling he too had known.

Yet, at this moment, Balder seemed somewhat frightened and answered, "I had someone cut it off and fed it to the dogs."

The king, with venomous fury, commanded, "Is that so? Guards!"

The imperial guards from outside the hall entered.

"Execute Balder with the utmost severity."

Balder, shocked, exclaimed, "You’re deceiving me."

The king, expressionless, stated, "This is mercy for you. Take him away."

"Yes," responded the guards within the hall.

Then, they forcefully dragged Balder out.

"You’re lying, you’re lying!" Balder yelled incessantly.

Only when he was taken outside did the sound of his despair cease to reach the ears of those within.

The king remained seated in the great hall.

Watching Balder being dragged away, his anger not diminished in the slightest, for in Balder’s narrative, the king sensed a plot.

"Summon the herald," he ordered, "Send word to Marshal Norton, demand his immediate return. Go quickly."

The herald, kneeling outside awaiting orders, responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

At this moment, the king’s mood was at its nadir.

"Is there anything else to be reported today? If not, you may all dismiss. I am weary," he stated, signaling to everyone that unless it was of utmost importance, they should leave.

However, an oblivious voice rang out, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

In a lowered voice, the king inquired, "What is it?"

"It concerns the National Preceptor Blois."

National Preceptor Blois, of course!

How could I have forgotten about him?

"Where is the National Preceptor Blois?"

"Your Majesty, since returning from the front lines, the National Preceptor has reported illness and has been confined to his home."

"Ill, is he? Then, Marwan, proceed with your report."

"Yes, Your Majesty. While conducting the routine audit yesterday, I discovered that in recent months, the National Preceptor Blois has been embezzling precious herbs and rare minerals under various pretexts. I believe the National Preceptor has been abusing his authority for personal gain, filling his own coffers under the guise of legitimacy. I beseech Your Majesty for a discerning judgment."

Upon hearing Marwan’s report, the king closed his eyes in thought.

Given that National Preceptor Blois was the queen’s own brother, any investigation had to be conducted without drawing undue attention, lest it damage the royal family’s dignity.

As the king pondered his options, another voice interrupted his contemplation.

"I wish to go and investigate this matter," said none other than Prince Armando.

"Very well, I entrust you with uncovering the truth. Should anyone deliberately obstruct you, you are authorized to act first and report later."

"I obey, Father."

Sending Armando to investigate was the perfect solution, easing the king’s concerns with an internal resolution.

"Alright, everyone, you may leave. I am weary," the king announced, not bothering to inquire if there were more reports to be made.

He feared another tactless interruption would lead to an endless session, as he truly had no inclination to address any further matters today.

The king was well aware that his brother’s death was not as straightforward as it seemed.

He sensed a colossal conspiracy looming, necessitating his full attention to decipher the complex web of interests involved.

All other affairs had to be sidelined until this matter was resolved.

Within the grand hall, the assembly divided into two factions: one following Crown Prince Armando, departing from the hall, and the other encircling the Second Prince, showering him with insincere flattery.

Owen, unconcerned with the sycophants, watched Armando’s departing figure, a sinister smile playing on his lips as if harboring a plot against him.

At the palace gates, a lone rider sped away, shouting, "Urgent message, make way!"

The guards parted, allowing the rider to dash forth.

General Rodney, observing the dust kicked up by the galloping horse diminishing in the distance, murmured, "It seems the empire is on the brink of change."

After leaving the hall and exchanging farewells with his supporters, Armando retrieved a gleaming jade pendant from his pocket.

The pendant, clearly split with a sharp tool, was tied with a red string, bringing a smile to Armando’s face.

It was a gift from Alison the night before their separation.

The recollection of the previous night’s scene flashed through Armando’s mind.

"This is for you, something I bought for you."

"Is this what you mentioned you were buying for me? Just this small piece?"

Alison huffed, "Fine, forget it then."

"How could I not want it?"

Pretending to be serious, Armando unwrapped the item, feeling its cool, hard texture, almost like a stone – surely not a bone Alison had gnawed on?

Unveiling the scarf, he discovered a high-quality jade pendant.

"My goodness, this must have cost a fortune! If you used the money I gave you to buy this jade, where did you get the funds for everything else?"

Alison shot Armando an annoyed glance, "Can’t I have some pocket money?"

"Of course, of course. So, you used your own money for today’s purchases? That’s not acceptable. You’re my woman; how can you spend your own money? Wouldn’t that make me lose face?"

"What face do you need? I can support myself, hmph."

After a playful tussle, Armando suggested, "How about we split the jade pendant in half? Each of us keeps a piece as a token of our commitment. What do you think?"