King
Chapter 46 - 46 45 Paying should be done openly_1

46: Chapter 45, Paying should be done openly_1 46: Chapter 45, Paying should be done openly_1 The enemy forces are on the city’s doorstep, yet Dardiel City remained peaceful with songs and dances.

For the high-ranking members of the Skeleton Society who had spent a long time hiding in secrecy, the rare opportunity to finally be in power was too tempting not to be enjoyed.

Even if there were sober-minded people, they were powerless in the face of the current situation.

The majority of the Skeleton Society were simply commoners.

There were few “scholars” who could write their own names.

Their limited knowledge and vision restricted them to small plots of land, they didn’t have long-term plans.

If it were not for their faith in the evil god, this would have been nothing more than a typical peasant rebellion.

After overthrowing the rule of the nobles, they wouldn’t know what to do next.

Lack of talent, not only is a problem for the Skeleton Society, but also a shared issue among many cult organizations in Aslante.

Theoretically, with the decline of the Church and without their persecution, cult organizations should have prospered.

But the reality was the opposite, with the decline of the Church, cult organizations followed suit.

The ruling nobles were extremely lenient toward their own people.

The lax socio-political environment nearly wiped out nobles from cult organizations.

When the Church was in power, anyone suspected of having ties to the cult, and couldn’t prove their innocence, would be sentenced to death by burning.

This forced many nobles to join the cult organizations.

But now it was useless.

Mere “suspicions” without solid evidence couldn’t convict a noble lord.

Even if a crime was proven, as long as it hadn’t caused any actual harm, there was still a chance to redeem oneself.

This change made it extremely difficult for cult organizations to recruit new members.

Even if they managed to lure people in, there could still be frequent defections.

The nobles no longer participated in their games, which lead to a dramatic drop in the cult organizations’ leadership and combat power.

Three hundred years ago, the powerful Blood Moon Sect could directly confront the Church Army, forcing the nations of the continent to join hands.

Now, most cult organizations can only wreak havoc in small corners.

The originally sacred Council Chamber was now filled with lasciviousness.

The high-ranking members of the Skeleton Society were engaged in debauchery while discussing important military and state affairs.

Nobody raised any objections because the core doctrine of the Skeleton Society was: “Indulge in desire, return to one’s true self.”

The appropriateness of such hedonism didn’t matter as long as the evil god behind it approved.

The obscene atmosphere filled the hall.

It seemed like a lewd gathering but was in fact a unique sacrificial ceremony.

The high-ranking members of the Skeleton Society were demonstrating their devotion to the evil god in this special manner.

Obviously, this game was highly unfavorable for the elderly high priest who often refrained from participating.

However, consecutive failures diminished his influence in the Society and his wilfulness to resist.

Embarrassment was still better than death.

The prestige he had built up and his status as the high priest who presided over the divine ceremonies was now threatened.

He had originally been able to compete with the Holy Master due to his prestige and the special status of presiding over divine ceremonies.

Now, he had no choice but to submit.

“Are the sacrifices ready?”

The masked man asked coldly.

The fact that he was more concerned about the sacrifices than the enemy army outside the city proved that the sacrifices were of much greater importance to him than the threatening Noble’s Allied Forces.

Upon hearing his question, a middle-aged man in charge of preparing the sacrifices hurriedly pushed away the woman beneath him to answer:

“Holy Master, we have prepared 666 pairs of thirteen-year-old boys and girls and all the necessary items for the ceremony.

All we need now is a high-ranked magical beast for the ceremony and endless slaughter as the postscript.”

Given the scale of the sacrifices, it was obvious that the Skeleton Society was planning something big.

“You don’t need to worry about the magical beast, someone has already sent one.

As for the endless slaughter, the enemies outside the city will help us complete that soon.

Everyone, control your desires.

The women in the city are free for you to play with, but the sacrifices for the divine must remain pure.

Whoever dares break this rule will be sent to the divine for atonement.

As the most experienced in conducting sacrificial ceremonies, High Priest, you’ll preside over this once in a century grand ceremony!”

The masked man spoke decisively.

As soon as his words fell, everyone looked at the High Priest with a sense of Schadenfreude.

From their gazes, it was clear that presiding over this ceremony wouldn’t bode well for him.

Facing the piercing gaze of the masked man, the elderly priest in grey robes didn’t dare to refuse.

He could only tremble as he replied, “Yes, Holy Master!”

If one were to observe carefully, one would notice a puddle of mysterious liquid on the floor.

He was so scared that he lost control of his bladder and didn’t dare to refuse.

It was clear that the Skeleton Holy Master was a ruthless man, the consequences of refusal would likely be even worse than presiding over the ceremony.

…

Upon seeing the boundary marker, Hudson was drawn by the words “Maple Town”.

This was the rendezvous point everyone had agreed upon beforehand.

The raiding party should have arrived by now.

After all, due to an enemy attack, the supply team was delayed for a day.

“Pass on my orders, have the carts carrying the wounded move to the front of the line.”

Hudson instructed sorrowfully.

Reuniting with the main force meant an increased safety factor, but it also meant that the number of soldiers under his command would drastically decrease.

Who would complain about having too many soldiers when one doesn’t have to pay for them?

If possible, Hudson really didn’t want to give up this troop.

But reality was cruel, the serf soldiers were personal property of the nobles, how could he possibly commandeer them?

If he obediently surrendered his command, he could still remain on good terms.

If he resisted, he would only bring trouble upon himself.

Despite having to surrender them, it was necessary to play up their injuries.

Without specifically emphasizing it, how could he highlight his contribution?

Especially since, for everyone’s sake, he had rejected Earl Piers’ overtures and refused the title of “Fiefdom Baron” that’s within his grasp.

The team moved slowly and upon spotting the familiar tents on the horizon, Hudson breathed a sigh of relief.

The fact that the raiding party arrived on time meant that nothing unexpected occurred.

The situation was still under control and it also validated that his choice was correct.

As one wounded cart after another, drove into the camp, the already somber nobles of the Fifth Army looked even more desolate.

“Hudson, have there been any mishaps on the way?

Have the supplies and ammunition suffered any losses?”

Charles asked, concerned.

If the convoy of supplies and ammunition incurred any losses, then as the Legion Commander of the Fifth Army, he would be the primary person responsible.

Even if the profits from the raid were considerable, they could not compensate for the resulting political consequences.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Charles.

We were just ambushed by rebel elites on the way, but I managed to repel them with the soldiers.

The losses of the supplies and ammunition were indeed significant, but they are still within manageable limits.

The accomplishment of repelling the rebel forces is enough to overshadow the problems.

The real trouble right now is that you guys were discovered by gryphon cavalry on the second day of departure.

That wouldn’t have been a big concern, but the night before last, Earl Piers even sent someone over…”

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