bookbashuk Chapter 136 The Rain Is Coming
Chapter 136 The Rain Is Coming
September of the year 7593 of the Divine Descent Calendar.
The Hanhe Basin changed hands, and two dukes perished.
The emerging Prophet Cult, under the leadership of Prophet Lynn, issued the "Handong Declaration," abolishing bloodline privileges and public ownership of land.
This was just a small pebble thrown into the lake, but the ripples it created spread at an astonishing speed to the power centers of the continental nations.
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Tulip Kingdom, Golden Harvest City Palace.
The flickering candlelight cast the shadows of two middle-aged men in fine clothes onto the wall inlaid with gold leaf.
Otto IV Tulip, King of the Tulip Kingdom.
His fingers unconsciously traced the intricate tulip carvings on the throne armrest, his brow furrowed.
"Is the news confirmed? Duke Frederick the Flame, and Gregory, are both dead?"
"Has the Hanhe Basin changed hands?"
Opposite him was Frederick the Plantagenet King.
Frederick's face was even more stern, and he merely nodded slightly upon hearing this, his voice low and deep.
"Absolutely true."
"Lynn, who called himself a prophet, seized the cities of Handong and Handi with swift and decisive action."
"What's even more troublesome are the programs he's put forward."
"To eliminate the tyranny of the bloodline nobility?" Otto IV uttered these words with disbelief and a hint of chill in his voice.
"Has he gone mad? Or does he think that by inciting those peasants, he can defy millennia-old traditions and order?"
"Whether he's gone mad is still unknown." Frederick stood up, walked to the wall where a huge map of the continent was hanging, and pointed heavily at the location of the Hanhe Basin.
"But his actions have already ignited a spark."
"Those peasants who have been suppressed by us for too long might actually believe his nonsense about universal harmony."
"If he can conquer the Hanhe Basin today, his ambitions may spread to our land, which is rich in resources, tomorrow."
"Taxes? Land? Bloodline privileges?"
"These are things that shake the very foundations, Otto."
Otto IV was silent for a moment, his gaze gradually sharpening: "So, what you mean is?"
"We cannot stand idly by." Frederick turned around, the candlelight flickering in his eyes.
"This is no longer about the gain or loss of a single city or region, but a fundamental challenge to the rule of us nobles of blood."
"We must unite."
"Before he has gained sufficient power and his influence has spread further, we will take him and his dangerous sect with us."
"Crush them completely!"
"Unity?" Otto IV uttered a single word.
Frederick nodded slowly: "We might be enough on our own, but we might pay an unnecessary price."
"Moreover... this kind of thing requires more people to share the responsibility, and it also needs a more legitimate reason."
"I have heard that William of the Kingdom of Britta has extended an invitation for talks."
Otto IV's gaze also fell upon the territory of the Sunbloodline on the map, and finally, he said in a deep voice, "Reply to William, the Kingdom of Tulips agrees to participate in the meeting."
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Kingdom of Britta, City of Glory, Dome-shaped Council Hall.
The atmosphere here is far more oppressive and somber than at the Tulip Palace.
The murals on the towering dome depicting the sun shining brightly on the earth appear dim and lifeless because of the gloomy sky outside the window.
On either side of the long table sat six solemn-looking monarchs or their plenipotentiaries.
The host, William III Brittany, King of Brittany, of the bloodline of the sun.
He was around fifty years old, with a face as resolute as a rock, and his reddish-gold eyes like two suppressed flames.
He placed his hands on the heavy oak table, his voice loud and authoritative.
"Gentlemen!"
"The reason for this gathering is probably already clear."
"A madman named Lynn, a self-proclaimed prophet, not only brazenly assassinated two noble dukes and usurped the Han River Basin, but also spread evil rumors that could overturn the foundations of our millennia-old rule!"
"The order of bloodlines is a blessing from the gods."
"This is a sacred law established by our ancestors."
"How dare such lowly beings desecrate this place?!"
His gaze swept over everyone present:
The representative of the Kingdom of Versailles, a shrewd-looking duke, nodded slightly.
The White Plains King, of the Frost Plains bloodline, was wrapped in a snow bear fur coat. He had gray hair and icy eyes, his gaze was cold, and his silence represented acquiescence.
The Shadow Strike Kingdom's envoy, of the Shadow Bloodline, hidden beneath a shadowy cloak, revealing only a pair of dark eyes, nodded slightly.
Finally, William III's gaze fell on the other end of the long table.
There sat a man who was exceptionally tall and burly, like an iron tower.
He was wearing a dark blue royal robe of Losaran, but his taut muscles looked as if the robes were about to burst.
He had wild, unruly long, light blue hair and a bushy beard. Most striking of all were his eyes—bright as the sun, burning with undisguised belligerence and fanaticism.
He was the king of the Kingdom of Losaland, known as Charles Losaland the "Iron Head".
Charlie tapped the table rhythmically with his thick fingers, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound, like the prelude to a war drum.
He stopped hammering only after William III finished speaking, grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, and spoke in a voice like rolling stones:
"After all that talk, isn't it just that you want war, William?"
He omitted honorifics altogether, his tone so blunt it bordered on rude.
"That kid named Lynn did a good job! Ruthless and fast!"
"But unfortunately, he chose the wrong opponent and shouted the wrong slogan."
He suddenly stood up, his tall figure almost touching the low-hanging crystal chandelier, and an immense sense of oppression filled the hall.
He walked around the table to the huge military map on the wall, stretched out his thick, carrot-like fingers, and stabbed them hard into the Hanhe Basin.
"What bullshit prophet! What Great Harmony! He's just a rebel with a bit of luck and strength!" Charlie's voice suddenly rose, carrying a metallic clang.
"Since he dares to raise his banner, dares to kill nobles, and dares to seize land, that is a declaration of war against all nobles of our bloodline!"
"This is a provocation against the sword and scepter in our hands!"
He turned around, his burning golden eyes sweeping across the entire arena, his wild fighting spirit almost tangible.
"Unite? Of course we should unite!"
"Not only must we unite, but we must also wipe this so-called prophet and his delusions off the map with overwhelming force!"
"Let all the lowly people see what the consequences are for challenging the order of bloodlines!"
Charlie raised an eyebrow and looked at the crowd, his eyes burning with even stronger fighting spirit, as if he could already see the scene of charging into battle.
"Then, the decision is made." William III stood up, and the others followed suit.
"The Seven-Nation Alliance is hereby officially formed!"
"Upon returning to their respective countries, they immediately mobilized troops and supplies."
"One month later, with the joint signatures of seven nations, a formal declaration of war was issued against the pseudo-republic of the Prophet Cult in the Han River Basin and its leader, Lynn!"
"In the name of bloodline and glory!" the crowd shouted in unison, their voices echoing beneath the dome, carrying a chilling and menacing tone.
The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed to begin preparing to get the war machine running.
Outside Honor Keep, the sky grew increasingly gloomy, with leaden clouds hanging low, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.
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Han Dong City, castle platform.
Lynn stood by the railing, gazing at the thick, dark clouds rolling in from the distant horizon.
The wind began to pick up, carrying a hint of coolness, a sign that midsummer was not yet over and early autumn was approaching.
A slender, fair hand opened the umbrella and silently moved it to the top of his head.
Elune had appeared beside him unnoticed, her emerald eyes also gazing at the sky. She asked softly, "Teacher, what are you looking at?"
Lynn did not answer, but slowly stretched out her hand, palm up, beyond the stage.
A drop of icy water fell from the sky and landed right in his palm, splashing out a tiny water droplet.
Then, the second drop, the third drop...
The drizzle began to fall, gradually forming fine rain threads that pattered against the city walls, stone steps, and umbrella surfaces, making a soft, rustling sound.
The rain, like a veil, enveloped the city that had just changed hands, and also the vast land in the distance.
Lynn withdrew her hand, looking at the water stain that was spreading rapidly in her palm.
He turned his head and looked at the elven chieftain who was holding an umbrella for him beside him.
Elune.
It's raining.