Chapter 507: The Reason 1
TL: Rui88
“Hello, Marshal MacDonald. My master, Mr. Aldridge, instructed me to wait for you here.”
Kevin looked with reverence at the old marshal alighting from the carriage. After arriving in the Gabella Empire, one of the first famous figures Kevin learned about was this very MacDonald. He had joined the imperial army at a young age, won countless battles for the empire, and his great name was known in all the surrounding countries.
The Unshakeable MacDonald…that was the title his enemies had given him.
“Your name is Kevin, isn’t it?” MacDonald asked, looking at the young man before him.
“Yes, I am Kevin.”
Kevin replied, both surprised and delighted. He had met MacDonald a few times before because of his master, and Master Aldridge had casually introduced him. He never expected the old marshal to remember his face and name.
MacDonald smiled at him. “Thank you for welcoming me, my boy. Take me to your master.”
Kevin turned and gestured inside. “This way, please, Marshal MacDonald.”
…The botanical garden behind the Scholars’ Tower was one of the few tranquil places in the Gabella Empire’s capital. It was lush and scenic, and the people of the Scholars’ Tower often came here to stroll and relax their minds amidst their intense research and studies. But it was not just a place for rest; it was also where the naturalists of the Scholars’ Tower conducted their research. The plants inside were all personally cultivated by these scholars. They tirelessly collected rare flowers and exotic plants from all over the continent and transplanted them into this botanical garden. As long as a plant could survive, it would become an object of observation and study for future generations. Over time, it had become a large garden.
Beside a small cove of the lake stood a small pavilion. Inside, two rather elderly scholars were engrossed in a game of chess.
“Haha, your king is done for.”
Aldridge’s junior…Scholar Arvis…stared gleefully at his senior.
“Don’t get cocky too soon. You haven’t seen the move I have in reserve. You’ll be crying in a moment.”
Scholar Aldridge’s words were defiant, but his hand froze over the chessboard, and his so-called reserved move was nowhere to be seen.
“Well, make your move!”
Arvis taunted, his moustache nearly curling upwards with smugness.
Just as they reached a stalemate, Kevin’s voice came from the path leading to them. “Masters, Marshal MacDonald has arrived.”
The student’s arrival saved Scholar Aldridge from his awkward predicament.
“Alas, if only the Marshal had arrived a few minutes later. Then I could have seen your adorable, defeated expression.”
Aldridge let out a heavy sigh, his face a picture of “regret.” Then he stood up, adopting a welcoming posture for his guest, clearly having no intention of continuing the game.
But while he was welcoming MacDonald, his first glance was one of gratitude towards his dear student.
“Hmph!” Scholar Arvis rolled his eyes dramatically, showing his disdain for his senior.
He then also stood up and joined his senior in welcoming the old marshal.
“Oh, MacDonald, you’ve kept us waiting for quite a while.”
There were no pleasantries; after all, they had known each other for decades and now served the same emperor.
“Haha, my apologies. Some urgent military matters needed my attention.”
MacDonald apologized with a smile.
The three of them sat down in the pavilion. Kevin busied himself with errands, clearing away the chessboard and pieces and setting out brewed tea and several plates of fruit.
Aldridge instructed his student, “Kevin, the three of us need to talk. There’s no need for you to attend to us here.”
Kevin knew their conversation was likely not for his ears, so he bowed and took his leave.
After the young man was some distance away, MacDonald’s smile vanished. He said seriously, “Gentlemen, I know you didn’t ask me here today for idle chat. I’m a military man; I don’t care for beating around the bush. So please, speak plainly.”
Aldridge and Arvis exchanged a smile, and then Aldridge spoke. “Marshal, in the past, there were indeed some things that were inconvenient for us to say. But now, we can speak with you, as we are all now supporters of His Highness Antonio.”
MacDonald looked at him and nodded.
Arvis continued for his senior. “Although you have only recently sided with His Highness, we feel it is necessary for you to know the full picture as soon as possible. As the saying goes, if you are to undertake a great enterprise with someone, you must not doubt them. We firmly believe in this.”
“That is why we chose this time and place to have a frank discussion with you.”
Hearing the two highly respected scholars speak in such a manner, MacDonald’s expression grew even more solemn.
“Gentlemen, in fact, I was just about to ask why the Scholars’ Tower, which has remained politically neutral since its founding and never interfered in succession disputes, has so openly sided with His Highness Antonio this time.”
“Oh, please don’t be impatient.”
Aldridge replied, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
“You will soon have all the answers you seek.”
…
General Simon Fedotov of Collins looked back with satisfaction at the mountain pass behind him. It was the last obstacle on the way to Hydra; beyond it lay open plains.
He stood on a small hillock beside the main road, from where he had a clear view of the pass. The soldiers of the Crusader Army were passing through the gates of the pass one after another.
His army was like a long python slithering through a small hole, about to devour a nest of pitiful mice hiding inside.
After capturing the pass, Fedotov ordered his army to rest for two days in preparation for the upcoming attack on the great city of Hydra.
An advance force of three thousand men had set out earlier to scout the road ahead and establish a camp near the city of Hydra.
Fedotov had learned from the latest intelligence that the Horn Bay Alliance’s army, even at this late stage, was still debating whether to advance east or head north.
Fedotov nearly laughed his head off at this.
Praise be to the Father in heaven, the great Lord of Light. It was His divine intervention that had punished those who had forsaken their faith…by addling their brains.
Fedotov swore a silent oath…he would uproot the heretics along the coast, sow the seeds of the true faith, and let this land once again bask in the glory of the Heavenly Father.
“Alright!” he said to the men beside him. “Let us catch up to the advance party. I hope that when we see them, they will welcome us with a well-established camp.”
Fedotov happily slapped his horse’s rump, and his mount galloped south.