The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

"Your Highness, with your wisdom, you surely know what I'm implying. The Ryan Kingdom is the Land of Knights, and the Campbell Duchy is its exemplar. Rather than follow an ambitious man, we prefer to rally around a truly noble knight. You and I both know who is the real knight."

Though the words weren't explicit, they almost broke through the windowpane obscuring the truth.

By rights, Jelock should have erupted in fury to rebuke him and demand he forget what was said today for the sake of the duchy's stability.

If it were Erin, she would certainly do that.

But Jelock was not Erin; his dissatisfaction with his brother was not just due to ideological conflicts but also compounded by the absence of recognition from the Light of Praise.

No matter the father's intention in passing the sword to Erin, whether it was a well-considered decision or a spur-of-the-moment insight during his last moments, it undoubtedly weakened Edward's orthodoxy.

Jelock silently watched the impoverished yet content peasants below the castle and then thought of those idle troublemakers outside Thunder City, as well as the laborers gathered in front of factories demanding higher wages, realizing his brother had strayed far from the nobles' duties.

Would they have had such boldness in the past?

Of course, Thunder City didn't have this many factories or such a dense population before.

"The Earl makes a valid point; my brother indeed isn't a qualified knight. However..." Jelock nodded but with hesitance in his tone, "I still believe my brother is merely blinded temporarily by those profit-driven merchants, especially Yang Andes. If he wishes to return to the righteous path, I will fully support him."

After all, they are family; blood is thicker than water.

Though he feels he should do something for this duchy, when he closes his eyes, it's not just the dispossessed peasants but also the face that dominated his entire childhood memory that appears in his mind.

Perhaps—

They don't necessarily have to reach the point of armed confrontation.

In the past, the Campbell Duchy had had disputes between lords and vassals, and most of the time, they ended with both sides taking a step back for a dignified resolution.

Now, the Trident Knights are already on the side of the traditional nobles; two of the three Earls clearly support returning to the past, and the remaining South Stream Valley Earl is estranged from Campbell Castle.

Any reasonable Duke at this junction would recognize the reality and avoid dragging everyone into civil war.

In that eventuality, it'll be the Campbell people who perish, while only Hell's demon would laugh heartily.

Looking at the young man in front of him, still holding onto unrealistic fantasies, Earl Derek sighed silently in his heart.

Too naive!

Had this been in the past, his dreams might have had a chance. Both sides would weigh their odds, compromise on non-core interests, and maintain surface harmony.

For instance, diverting some of Thunder City's tax revenue to financially aid the three Earldoms primarily reliant on agriculture.

As long as the Vault remains unaffected, most nobles, including Earl Derek himself, wouldn't care too much about tradition, having invested in real estate in Thunder City.

But now the situation is different.

Edward has already been drawn into a game with the Ryan Kingdom, and the Devalu family has extended their influence into the Campbell Duchy, becoming the traditional nobles' support.

As for Edward himself, he is also backed by an ally, namely the Prince of the Empire, deeply involved in Thunder City's development!

This is now an irreconcilable clash of paths—a life-and-death battle deciding the Campbell Duchy's future direction!

Edward cannot possibly yield.

The nobles representing traditional forces certainly won't yield either.

"Your Highness's benevolence is admirable, but you must also consider the Campbell family's long-term future."

He sighed lightly, assuming a worried demeanor for the Campbell family's future.

"Princess Erin, though achieving numerous merits at the front line, we both know the side effects of the Light of Praise... Imagine, just imagine, if this miracle is grounded on Saint Sis's grace, she might soon follow my Lord's path."

Watching Jelock's expression, before he could speak, he brought the hidden hint in his words to light.

"Should that occur, the 'Light of Praise,' symbolizing Campbell orthodoxy, will inevitably choose a new owner of both strength and virtue. I believe most nobles would lean towards endorsing you, such a noble knight, rather than your brother, who is neglectful of martial arts and engrossed in scheming."

"Enough! Earl Granston!"

Jelock finally interrupted him, his tone somewhat stiff, "I respect you, but I don't wish to think this way. Besides, my sister is very young and healthy. She will return safely!"

"I... certainly also wish for Princess Erin's long life, but I hope you seriously consider this matter."

Earl Derek slowed his tone, reminding in a kind voice.

"Not just for yourself, but also for the knights who follow you, and for all those hoping the duchy returns to the rightful path."

What a pity.

Jelock's heart still lacks cruelty, and his resolve remains unfirm.

But he can no longer wait.

Edward has extended his reach to Twilight Province, attempting to replicate Thunder City's model there, and ally with those middle and minor nobles to undermine the King's authority.

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