Chapter 306 (2): “I do not like fighting, I only resolve fights.” - Death Knight

“Everyone!” Bedfrith, the organizer of the meeting, looked around at the gathered guests and said solemnly, “We’re all adults here. You understand the situation, so I won’t waste time on pleasantries. Let’s get to the point. Everyone came today for one reason only: the interests of your families.”

“Perhaps you have other opinions, but as you can see, the Queen is pressuring us aggressively. We each represent a family, and there’s no room for us to step back.”

“If even we waver, the Tulip Families will soon lose our fleeting glory, divided and conquered by the Queen before divided and conquered once more. Alone, we stand no chance of winning!”

Despite claiming that he wouldn’t lecture, Bedfrith proceeded to preach at length. The group either agreed or remained silent; none of them voiced opposition.

“With our strength, it won’t be difficult to control Yvette. Hermann is more troublesome. As Captain of the Order of Holy Light, he’s stationed year-round at Saint George’s Church. It’ll take some effort to subdue him.”

Bedfrith listed the potential assets, glancing at Bourne. Bourne remained silent, likely in agreement.

Bedfrith didn’t mention Frank the Hell expert. Frank’s theoretical research was insidious, but he lacked power. Any hired gun could handle him, and there was nothing to discuss about him.

“Once all fourteen Tulip Families are assembled, we can sit down and have a proper conversation with the Queen!” Bedfrith painted a bright future with his words. “I know what you’re thinking. Just ike you, no one truly wants to rebel. We stand together only to protect our family from losing our rights. We supported the Queen before, and we’ll continue to do so in the future. That’s it.”

“Well said!” xN

Forest’s voice was drowned out in the crowd. This time, he wasn’t the only one making the comment.

“Bedfrith, there’s something else you haven’t mentioned. What do we do about the two new Vice Ministers?”

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

“They’re Francans, not Windsorians. No one in the Ministry of Magic supports them except the Queen.” Bedfrith dismissed the concern. “Don’t be fooled by their loud barks. When push comes to shove, they’ll run faster than anyone. It is the Queen’s biggest mistake to trust them. She brought us many allies.”

According to Bedfrith’s plan, they would first control Yvette and Hermann before winning over the opportunistic Lando family. With fourteen Tulip Families united, they would go to the Ministry of Magic and sit down for a proper talk with the Queen. The merciful Queen would surely understand their predicament.

His plan was somewhat unreliable and risky, but with family interests at stake, everyone felt it was worth trying. As long as they could capture Yvette and Hermann, they would all be willing to go all in.

Bang!

The door to the conference hall was kicked open, and three figures—two men and one woman—walked in slowly. They all wore mage robes. The leading man was none other than the newly appointed commander of the Royal Guard, Baron Kilmer, with black hair and black eyes. Reflecting the chandelier’s light, his eyes glinted with bone-chilling coldness.

The remaining man and woman appeared to be around thirty years old, both new faces: Alnwick and Charlee. When the two newly appointed Vice Ministers arrived in Londan, Baron Kilmer had also been transferred to the city. On paper, the Vice Ministers came from Franc, but that might not be the truth. Most likely, they were competent subordinates that the royal family had trained to handle emergencies—such as a rebellion in the Ministry of Magic or defiance from the Tulip Families.

The trio’s appearance shocked everyone. Bourne, for example, covered his face, pretending that he didn’t exist.

Setting aside the clown, the others remained composed even though they suspected with alarm that there was a traitor among them, as if they didn’t take the two legendary mages as serious threats.

Damn traitor, reporting the meeting location to the Queen without even hearing what was discussed. Your family deserves to be dismantled by the Queen.

Bedfrith cursed inwardly. Maintaining his poker face, he raised his wine glass and said, “Vice Ministers, perfect timing. Care to join us for a drink?”

“Bedfrith!” Douglas regarded him coldly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room as he called out their names. “Barney, Rupert, Forest... Such loyalty you have for Her Majesty!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Baron Kilmer. We’re only having a private gathering on the ship. How does that make us disloyal?”

Bedfrith, unaware of the baron’s true identity, showed him no respect. He only knew that his allies were unreliable, so there had to be a strong voice taking the lead. Abandoning his usual humble bearing, he said assertively, “Or has there been a new law prohibiting nighttime gatherings, with violators charged with treason?”

“The state imposes no such regulations, but you are heads of the Tulip Families. You not only met in private, but also secretly went out to the ocean. Whether it is treason is hard to say. Her Majesty will be the judge.“ Douglas sneered. “Return with me. This banquet is too shabby for you. Her Majesty has prepared a grand feast for all of you.”

“Baron Kilmer, is that truly Her Majesty’s will, or your lies?” Bedfrith derailed the conversation. “Ever since you entered Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty has abandoned her usual merciful self. I have reason to suspect that you’ve exerted your control over Her Majesty. And look at these two Vice Ministers. Since when are Francans allowed to give orders to Windsorians?”

Bedfrith insisted that Kilmer was the traitor; his hardline attitude emboldened his allies. Everyone knew that there was no turning back, so they voiced their support for him.

Bourne found everything troublesome. He should’ve let Planck come in his stead. He stood beside Bedfrith, facing off Alnwick and Charlee. It was two legendary mages against two, an evenly matched battle between elites.

The others could swarm Kilmer and take him down since he was only a Gold-ranked mage. Then they would bring Kilmer to Buckingham Palace. The benevolent and wise Queen would surely come to her senses, realizing that Kilmer’s manipulations were the reason there was discord between her and her subjects.

Bourne believed the plan to be feasible. He said with feigned concern, “Baron Kilmer, the magical barriers set up by the two Vice Ministers are quite sophisticated, so much so that we didn’t even notice when the cruise ship sailed right in. But are you certain that the ambush outside can save you in time?”

Douglas sneered.

Bourne waved his hands quickly in denial. “Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m only loyal to Her Majesty. I’m concerned for your safety, nothing more.”

“Mage Bourne, those outside indeed cannot rush in, but that is by design. Some secrets shouldn’t be revealed to them.” Douglas’s lips curled up. He found Bourne’s performance laughable.

“Secret?”

When Douglas confidently insinuated that he had more cards than the two Vice Ministers, Bourne couldn’t help but consider retreat. Such was the nature of legendary mages. They were the biggest fence-sitters among fence-sitters. They struck hard when they could win and submitted when they might lose. When they were uncertain, they hid behind everyone else and started praying. Safety was their prime directive.

You old bastard,

Bedfrith bristled.

Why are you standing behind me?

Bedfrith almost had a stroke because of the coward. Though he was also feeling cautious, it didn’t stop him from mocking the bigger offender. He shot Bourne a fierce glare before saying, “Baron Kilmer, what secret are you referring to? Your silver tongue, or the air?”

The secret hasn’t been revealed yet. What are you afraid of?

Bedfrith’s glare said.

Bourne responded silently,

I’m playing weak to fool the enemy. It’s a tactic!

Douglas laughed out loud, clapping twice. “Open your eyes. I’ll let you meet your demise with the knowledge of your cause of death today!”

Then he held his hand to his chest and bowed deferentially. The two Vice Ministers did the same. Looking closely, one could see fear glinting in their eyes. They weren’t just being respectful by bowing ninety degrees, but servile.

Everyone stepped back. Bourne quickly positioned himself behind Bedfrith, staring at the empty air. At the same time, the legendary mage extended his powerful senses for potential ambushes.

Ten seconds later.

“...” x3

“...” xN

Douglas looked up. Both sides stared at each other until Forest couldn’t hold it in any longer, bursting out laughing on the spot. The laugh shattered the tense atmosphere. Bedfrith immediately relaxed, following suit.

“You’re a good actor, Baron Kilmer!”

“Where did the clown come from? The damn outsider is a joke.”

“Look at him. He’s sweating bullets!”

“Hahahaha—” xN

Amid the laughter, it was Douglas’s turn to be nervous. The claps were supposed to be the signal. Where was the Death Knight? Did he get tricked?

“Kekekeke—”

The mocking laughter was interrupted by a hearty laugh. A dark portal emerged and rippled with cold light before Douglas, and the Death Knight emerged, riding his undead warhorse into the hall.

Everyone scrambled back, their hearts sinking. They desperately squeezed themselves to the back to give their comrades centerstage.

“You’re finally here, Sir Knight,” Douglas complained. He had truly thought that the Death Knight was standing him up. Playing a trick on him once was one thing, but doing it a second time? The Death Knight had a terrible personality.

“Traffic jam in the portal. I got delayed.”

Wayne gave a terrible excuse, white light flickering in his skull as he looked down at the members of the Tulip Families. He wasn’t Auston, so with his limited knowledge of the Tulip Families, he recognized only a few of them.

“Death Knight, why are you here?” Bedfrith broke into a cold sweat, his heart already sinking halfway down his chest. He had to wonder how much the Queen had paid to convince a chosen knight.

Name your price. Whatever the Queen can give, the Tulip Families will match and double.

“Don’t be afraid, kekeke. I’m only an ally of the Queen, so I didn’t come to target you.”

Wayne drew Shadow Nightmare and pointed it at the two legendary mages. “The goddess is kind-hearted and doesn’t wish to see meaningless death. As the Death Knight, I never stray from Her divine oracle. So...”

“I don’t like fighting. I only resolve fights. I’ve come as a mediator. Something like that.”

“For my sake, will you attend the Queen’s banquet rather than fight?”

“...” xN

Did you hear yourself? Put the divine artifact away! Do you really think we can say no to you?

They swallowed their sighs. The Death Knight’s appearance had determined the outcome. No matter how many tricks they had up their sleeves, they could only raise their hands in surrender and attend the Queen’s banquet, awaiting her judgment.

“Well said!”

Forest nodded and quickly moved to Douglas’s side. It was shameful to admit, but he was the mole.