CHAPTER 553: THE ACTING LORD

TL: Rui88

As the first rays of morning sun shone on Lakeheart Town, the tense and grim atmosphere that had accumulated overnight did not dissipate.

Guards were stationed at every intersection, mostly composed of militia who had only learned to fire a gun the day before. The militiamen, both nervous and excited, watched everything around them. Though they hadn’t slept all night, they were full of energy. After the previous night’s mobilization, these young men all felt they were undertaking a sacred and momentous task…saving Alda from conspirators.

The once-bustling streets of Lakeheart Town were deserted today. Only those who had urgent matters to attend to dared to venture out cautiously. Fortunately, apart from a few restricted areas and the fact that they could not leave the city, they were not met with any trouble.

Inside the Lord’s Manor, the key officials of the Administration Council, who had been summoned overnight, had also not slept. At this moment, they were standing in two rows in the castle’s front courtyard, seemingly awaiting an important figure.

A carriage emerged from an alley by the roadside and then slowly proceeded north along the city’s central avenue towards the Lord’s Manor. It was escorted on both sides by a troop of horsemen. Such a procession was particularly conspicuous on the deserted streets.

About twenty minutes later, the carriage drove through the castle gate of the Lord’s Manor and stopped in the front courtyard.

A knight beside it dismounted; it was Lieutenant Burgan, the training section officer authorized by the General Staff to be in charge of the city’s lockdown. The militia gathered in Lakeheart Town were now all under his command.

Burgan approached the carriage, reached out to open the door, and said in a clear voice, “Your Excellency Julio, please step out. The members of the Administration Council are awaiting you.”

A fair-skinned hand reached out from inside and gently grasped the doorframe, and then a well-dressed middle-aged man stepped out of the carriage.

He was dressed in a dark gold robe, of medium build, with a carefully groomed beard and a slight double chin.

This man, addressed by Burgan as His Excellency Julio, had a face full of weariness and sorrow. He exuded an air of languor, as if he had not slept all night.

Everyone in the courtyard turned their gaze towards him. The head of the Administration Council, Old Ford, stepped forward slowly and bowed slightly in greeting, “Your Excellency Julio.”

“Alas!” Julio let out a sigh and said in a hoarse voice, “Comptroller Ford, I never expected such a thing to happen, much less to see you again under these circumstances. Just last week, I was taking a walk with Lord Grayman in this very courtyard, and now… alas. In any case, please accept my condolences.”

“And you, as well.” Comptroller Ford’s voice was equally hoarse. “I trust Burgan has told you the reason you were asked here.”

“Yes… he also told me of the danger Alda now faces. Since the Lord of Light has placed me at this crossroads where Alda’s fate is decided, I will not mince words. I…Julio Webster…am willing to bear this responsibility, and to restore the Grayman name.”

As Julio spoke, Old Ford watched him. His tone was resolute, but his eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness, hesitation, and a lack of confidence. This combination actually dispelled some of Old Ford’s doubts.

Julio was also looking at Old Ford. He reached out and took the Administration Council head’s hand. “You must help me. Let us work together to overcome this current crisis.”

Old Ford nodded gently. “We will, Lord Julio. Now, please enter the hall. We are in urgent need of sending letters in the name of the Grayman family to the surrounding lords, to deter those with ill intentions, and also to draw our friendly families to our aid.”

“I understand,” Julio replied. “You speak, and I shall write. However, we must also quickly notify all regions of Alda, Baylding, and Emden that a new… acting lord has been established, to avoid any disruption in the chain of command.”

Old Ford said, “That is a matter of course. The department heads of the Administration Council, including myself, have already written a joint letter to inform the regions, publicizing your new status. Men have already been dispatched to Lord Ganard as well.”

Next, Old Ford introduced the officials standing in the courtyard to Julio one by one, although he already knew many of them.

After the introductions, the department officials followed the two men into the main hall of the Lord’s Manor, and everyone took their seats again.

They discussed who among their neighbours might harbour ill intentions towards Alda, and who would stand by their side, and how the letters to different people should be written.

Then came the matter of how to deal with the rebels in Babor Village. The final conclusion was to wait until the four regular infantry battalions on field training were recalled, then dispatch troops to annihilate those rebels and avenge Paul Grayman.

At the same time, the lockdown of Lakeheart Town would continue until the conspirators lurking within the city were all captured.

The acting lord Julio and the department officials held their meeting until nearly noon, only then did they have someone prepare ink and quill to begin writing letters…

It was at this time that someone found Lieutenant Burgan, who was also present at the meeting as the sole military representative, and quietly reported that an army had appeared outside the city.

Steward Philip walked with heavy steps, quietly leaving the meeting hall.

After having welcomed the acting lord Julio along with the officials of the Administration Council, he felt he no longer had the heart to stay there.

Grief had filled his entire being. The rebellion, the border troubles… these troubling issues should be left to the officials Paul had appointed. He hoped they would not disappoint the young master. As for him, he was merely the steward of the Grayman family.

Philip made up his mind. He would wait in this manor until the young master’s great vengeance was achieved, and then he would resign and leave this place, returning to his hometown to live out his remaining years.

He had no interest in staying here to serve Julio, who had inherited the Grayman name. For Philip, after Paul was gone, the true Grayman family was no longer in this world. Julio was just an outsider bearing the Grayman name.

Philip wandered aimlessly through the castle, at times having the illusion that Paul was right beside him. Yet each time, the illusion immediately shattered.

“Alas!” He pushed open the door to the office where Paul often stayed to handle official business. It was filled with all sorts of books and documents. He wondered how the new master of this castle would deal with them.

Tap, tap, tap! Tap, tap, tap!

A sound came from the window. The old steward turned his head to look and saw a large parrot perched on the windowsill outside, pecking at the glass with its beak.

This parrot… why did it seem somewhat familiar? The old steward inexplicably had this feeling.