Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1908, 1880: Intelligence Gap

Even though he had already done such a drastic thing, plotting to assassinate Prince Goldwyn, the "Golden One".

Kroni's chances of succeeding in eliminating Malenia and Michaela to become a god are still very low.

But throughout history, when someone truly wants to achieve something great, would they dare not take that one path that still has a chance of success just because the success rate is low?

If you don't even have that kind of ruthlessness and drive, then you might as well just live an honest life.

Even Lann, a newcomer who has only been in the border region for a short time, can see that Lann is a sharp-eyed, decisive, courageous, and persistent person with a goal.

People with this kind of personality are not simple characters.

“However, I must say that her chances of success are very slim,” Sir Hundred Sage sneered. “She has risked her life to carve out a path for herself, but once that path is opened, how can she possibly control it completely?”

Lan En glanced down at him: "Looks like Twofinger already has a plan?"

“It’s quite illogical,” Gideon Ophniel said, shaking his head. “Although the Golden Law has run into serious problems, Twofinger probably still isn’t going to give it up.”

“I guess He might be planning to find an opportunity to improve and repair the Golden Law when it collapses, and then present the improved Golden Law to the Elden Ring.”

"Is that even possible?" Lan En was surprised.

But after Sir Hundred Wisdoms understood what Two Fingers meant, his feeling was actually quite similar: "I've never heard of it either. In the entire Borderlands, since the beginning of history, there has never been a case of repeatedly presenting a set of laws to the Elden Ring."

"But then again, isn't the current Golden Dynasty the first dynasty in history to rule the entire border region? There always has to be a first."

Regarding Twofinger's plans, Gideon Ofnir, just as he had said when talking to Twofinger, had no reason to hide anything from Lann.

Because this is ultimately the strategic goal that they, the group of roundtable losers serving the two fingers, will have to implement for a long time to come.

Not only should Lan En be informed, but all the Faded Ones in the Round Table Hall should also be informed, so there is absolutely no need to hide it.

Sir Hundred Wisdom's shaking of his head was merely a reflection on the unprecedented situation he had encountered.

After a brief exchange, Sir Hundred Wisdom prepared to turn and leave, as he had many other matters to attend to during this chaotic time.

But just as Gideon Ofnir was about to leave, hunched over and leaning on his cane, Lann, who had been casually leaning against the wall, straightened up and called him back.

"Wait, Baizhi."

"Do you have any more questions?" Gideon Ofnier turned his head. "I have other things to do."

Actually, Sir Bai Zhi isn't a very patient person, but Lan En's learning and thinking abilities suited his taste, so he was able to chat for a bit longer.

If it were someone else, Bai Zhi would at most repeat himself to a fool who couldn't quickly understand his meaning. If the fool came back to ask again, he would resort to verbal attacks.

And often, due to his outstanding intelligence, his words are usually very hurtful and difficult to refute.

Surprisingly, Lan En stopped him not to ask anything, but to offer some advice.

“I just have something to remind you.” The Witcher walked up to Sir Hundred Wisdom and lowered his voice. “The people from the Volcano Manor, they might be arriving soon. With all the necessary paperwork and perfectly legitimate reasons.”

"After all, Godwin has become a soulless demigod, and this news can't be kept secret at all. As the Grand Justice, Lacard has the power to even take over the defenses of Rodel right now."

Since it concerned a demigod, Sir Hundred Wisdom quickly glanced around and saw that many people outside the gate were still praying in the direction of the oracle, while the soldiers on duty in the Round Table Hall and the fortress were still standing far away.

He also said in a low voice, "Volcano Mansion? Do you think that Lakad, that demigod from a powerful family, would dare to come here after what Lani did? To use his position and power as Grand Justice to break through the defenses of Rodel first?"

Lani, Rakad, and Rataen, these three demigods, were scattered throughout the borderlands. Since being conferred the blessings of demigods, their overt contact with each other became very rare, and they almost no longer showed any sibling affection.

Faced with the civil war between the Caria royal family and the Reyalukalia Academy, Lani, who was in Lienia, went into seclusion, while Rataen and Lakad, who were in other places, acted as if they couldn't see it at all.

However, regardless of the circumstances, they were only qualified to be considered relatives of the Golden Dynasty demigods because Radagan became the King of Elden.

A consistent stance is inherent and unchangeable.

How could he have the audacity to send someone over after Lani successfully assassinated Godwin?
However, Lan En held a different attitude towards this matter.

“Don’t forget the time difference and the intelligence gap, Gideon,” the Witcher said, shaking his head. “What do you think Raccard could possibly know right now?”

Having been prompted to this point by Lan En, the words that Sir Bai Zhi had subconsciously wanted to refute were stuck in his throat.

"It's only been half a day since the prince was successfully assassinated. How many people know that some of the Black Knife assassins have been captured? Has this news even reached the Volcano Mansion yet?"

"And if Rongbuqiu and Qilin hadn't noticed the Black Knife assassins' presence, allowing them to remain hidden and run out of the Golden Tree Cathedral, onto the wide streets of Rodel, and even directly to the outskirts of Rodel City, do you think the Golden Dynasty would have been able to figure out who was in charge of this assassination in such a short time?"

Without a doubt, no. Sir Hundred knew this perfectly well.

The reason they were able to identify the assassin as the "Moon Princess" so quickly after the assassination was completed was mainly because they captured the Black Knife Assassins and obtained the black knives from them.

Sir Hundred's knowledge and intelligence immediately made him realize that the [Death Rune] on the black blade had been embedded by some kind of ritual. He then found the remaining curse marks on the blade, from which he discovered the name of the ritual performer: Lani.

If they hadn't captured the Black Knife assassins this time, or even if those assassins had risked their lives to take away their comrades' bodies and equipment...

They would immediately be completely clueless and at a loss.

The black-knife assassins did their job too efficiently and too cleanly.

Apart from the fatal wound on Godwin's body that could only be inflicted by the [Death Rune], there were no other traces left.

Since there were no clues or evidence, the Golden Dynasty couldn't possibly be making baseless accusations like a mad dog. They shouldn't have implicated the three seemingly unrelated demigod relatives.

So, given that "under normal circumstances," Rodel would have no way of knowing who planned and executed the Black Knife Plot Night, what reason would Lacard have to avoid suspicion?

Instead, he should do as Lann suggested and immediately use his authority and prestige to stabilize and control Rodel City, thus demonstrating his reliability to Queen Marika and King Fladagan, who had just lost their son.

Incidentally... I'll try to master Rodel's city defenses.

“Yes,” Sir Hundred Wisdom thought, becoming increasingly certain of Lann’s conjecture, “That’s right. If we hadn’t been able to stop the Black Knife Assassin from escaping, then from Rodel’s perspective, this matter would have had absolutely nothing to do with the demigod’s family!”

To disrupt the internal succession of a dynasty through assassination is an act that, regardless of location, would be considered treason.

And if you're going to rebel, you have to act quickly and ruthlessly.

Lani killed [Gold] Godwin in one night; her choice of target was both precise and ruthless.

However, she never leaves Lienia and has no reputation or authority within the Golden Dynasty, so she could not possibly have any power of her own.

Ultimately, it all comes down to her two older brothers.

Therefore, the official residence of the volcano on the same plateau as Rodel must bear another part of the responsibility for the rebellion.

The stone tablet shaped like a beast's claw that Lann took from Servis's bizarre corpse, 'Lani's gift to Raccard,' is evidence of their cooperation.

Lakad must have already formulated a series of action plans after Godwin's death, and since he wanted to be quick and ruthless, he probably didn't have time to consider or verify anything.

Most of them are already operational now.

“We can’t let the people from the Volcano Mansion get in easily.” Gideon Ofnir immediately realized the key point. “No, that’s not even enough! I need to thoroughly investigate all the defense forces in Rodel City that are connected to the position of Grand Justice, and also…”

"And another thing," Lan En added from the side, "you need to figure out Queen Marika and the King's Consort's plans first. Do they want to punish the murderer immediately and exact revenge, and start a war for that?"

"They still hold onto hope for the resurrected prince's soul, hoping the Golden Dynasty will focus its efforts on that, and that they'll just delay the news about the Volcano Mansion and the demigod's relatives for a while to keep the dynasty relatively calm?"

Sir Hundred Wisdom nodded in deep agreement: "Indeed, the attitude of the Queen and the King Consort is the most important strategic direction."

After saying this, Sir Hundred Wisdom hurriedly turned to leave, intending to first sort out all the people in the city who were connected with the position of Grand Justice.

But after taking only two steps, he stopped and turned around, looking at the seemingly ordinary Lan En.

“I say,” the darkness beneath the helmet said, looking at Lann with a meaningful gaze, “you seem quite experienced and at ease managing such a large city and handling such sudden events. Have you done this before? Under King Govre?”

Bai Zhi's deep, hoarse voice made Lan En smile without making a sound.

He casually shrugged: "Who knows? You know how slow I am."

As he spoke, Lan En tapped his temple with his index finger and gave a wry smile.

Baizhi didn't dwell on it much. He leaned on his cane and walked out, talking as he went.

“I’m good at research, but not good at management. You’ll have to help with your suggestions, Lann. You’ll have to be there when negotiating with the people at the Volcano Mansion.”

"But I have something to do right now."

Lan En shouted at his retreating figure.

“Then come find me on the city wall when you’re done,” Bai Zhi waved his hand without turning his head. “From the volcano to Rodel, they won’t be that fast.”

(End of this chapter)