Gawain's expression turned solemn as he began to detail the current situation in Red Leaf Territory.
"Currently, within Red Leaf City, the power between Alaric and me is evenly matched, each of us acting as a check on the other. Those supporting me are mostly the old ministers and the more conservative knights of the territory; they place great value on tradition and the order of seniority. On Alaric's side, a large number of ambitious newly-made nobles and young knights eager for glory through war have gathered, driven by the promises Alaric has made to them."
"The Commander of the City Guard is currently maintaining neutrality, but he is a mercenary man, swaying with the wind. The attitudes of the other vassals are also ambiguous; they do not wish for internal strife in Red Leaf, but they will not easily pick a side."
"However..." Gawain's tone shifted. "Before my father fell ill, in addition to that letter, he left a formal will explicitly naming me as the heir to Red Leaf. This will is kept by his Captain of the Personal Guard. Once my father... passes, as long as I can successfully announce this will, most of the currently neutral vassals and knights will turn to support me. At that time, I will hold absolute dominance."
"A will..." Viscount Baker rubbed his chin. "That is the key. Does Alaric know it exists?"
"He likely suspects it, but he isn't certain," Gawain said. "That is why he doesn't dare to push too hard yet; he is constantly testing me and creating trouble, trying to weaken my strength as much as possible or find that will before I can announce it."
Leylo asked, "Then Alaric's most important external ally should be Baron Monde of Ironthorn Territory, correct?"
Gawain nodded, his expression grim. "Precisely. Baron Monde is driven by the First Prince, Elliot. If there is upheaval in Red Leaf, Ironthorn will certainly dispatch troops to aid Alaric."
"Ironthorn..." Viscount Baker let out a cold snort. "I've never liked that fellow Monde. Relying on the First Prince's backing, he has become increasingly arrogant."
The three fell silent for a moment, digesting the information and pondering their strategy.
The Counter-Strategy
"Everyone, I have a plan for your consideration," Leylo broke the silence first. "Gawain, can you persuade the old Earl's Captain of the Guard to announce the will ahead of time?"
Gawain thought for a moment. "It's worth a try. Knight Commander Rhodes has always been loyal to my father. If announcing the will early can stabilize the territory quickly, I believe he will agree."
Leylo nodded. "My plan is this: instead of waiting passively, we should take the initiative and cut through the knot. Gawain, in three days, use the Earl's authority to summon the vassals and knights of the territory and announce the will on the spot. With your existing strength prepared in advance, plus the support of the neutral vassals once the will is public, you should be able to control Red Leaf City."
Gawain nodded. "If Alaric is backed into a corner and calls in Ironthorn or other forces, Red Leaf will fall into civil war, and countless people will suffer."
Leylo looked toward Viscount Baker. "Lord Viscount, your Red Maple Ridge borders Red Leaf and your military is strong. Could I ask you to station troops on the western and southern borders of Red Leaf? Firstly, it will deter any small surrounding lords from trying to profit from the chaos; secondly, it shows the wavering factions inside Red Leaf where you stand, giving Lord Gawain more leverage."
Viscount Baker nodded slowly. "This is feasible. If other lords or armed forces try to cross through Red Maple to intervene, I will take responsibility for intercepting them."
Leylo then turned back to Gawain. "As for Ironthorn, leave them to my Blackstone Territory."
"Baron Leylo, this..." Gawain hesitated. "Ironthorn is quite powerful. Besides Baron Monde's knights, he has hired a strong mercenary group. They may be difficult to handle." He didn't lack trust in Leylo, but he feared Blackstone might be overmatched.
"Rest easy, Lord Gawain. I have my own ways of dealing with Baron Monde."
Awakening the Soul Horn
With the major matters decided, Leylo took his leave and summoned the manager of The Scales Trading House.
"Lord Baron, what do you require?" the middle-aged manager asked with a beaming smile.
"I need a Tier 4 or higher monster core. The elemental attribute does not matter, but it must be intact and brimming with energy," Leylo said, getting straight to the point.
The manager's smile widened; Tier 4 cores were high-ticket items with high profit margins. He led Leylo to the third floor, where the room was outfitted with precision magic arrays to preserve precious materials. He carefully produced three cores: fire-red, ice-blue, and dark purple.
"This one is from a Tier 4 Flame Lion; this one, a Tier 4 Frost Python; and this one is from a Tier 4 Shadow Leopard," the manager touted.
Leylo's gaze swept over the three, finally resting on the dark purple Shadow Leopard core. "This one."
"Excellent choice!" the manager flattered, then quoted the price. "That will be three thousand Gold Dragons."
Adding a few hundred of his own to the reward from Red Maple Ridge, Leylo purchased the core and returned to his room. He produced the ancient Soul Horn. Its surface was dull and its aura weathered. He took a deep breath, carefully pried away the shattered remnant of the old core, and embedded the Shadow Leopard core into the groove at the tip.
The moment the core clicked into place—Hum!
A low vibration resonated from the horn, like the first breath of a giant beast waking from a thousand-year slumber. The dark purple core erupted with a shadowy glow that spread like a living thing along the ancient carvings, filling and lighting every groove. The once-dim horn now radiated a profound and powerful magical fluctuation.
Leylo channeled his mental energy into it. The glow intensified, and an invisible pressure expanded outward.
"Success!" Leylo gripped the Soul Horn, excitement surging through him. With this weapon, he truly possessed the power to challenge high-tier enemies.