Chapter 166: The Flames of Conspiracy
Ignoring everyone's astonished gazes, Caleb Menge, as if he had held back his words for a long time, began to speak in a speech-like tone. "Gentlemen, since Chappelle changed, I am sure all of your businesses have been affected in different ways. Outwardly he appears weak and manipulable, while internally he has become arbitrary and uncontrolled."
"Francis Bedlam, is it true that the vagabonds and beggars have begun to no longer need you as King of Beggars? That the taxes they pay you have decreased?"
"Carlo Varese, have the dwarves and other non-human races also stopped needing your protection? Are you finding it increasingly difficult to replace the thugs you lose?"
"Chappelle almost died, but then he was reborn, changing his personality and becoming capricious, without thinking about the problems and disappointments his actions would cause us."
Alonso Wiley sneered and retorted: "But my business has improved. The number of clients at the casino and the brothel is constantly increasing."
Caleb Menge said: "Support me and your business will improve even more."
Olgierd crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at Caleb Menge's promise, not showing the slightest interest. Looking at the passionate Caleb Menge, Olgierd ridiculed him. "And what will you gain? Power? I thought you were a faithful follower of the Eternal Fire."
"It was the Eternal Fire that guided me to do this." Caleb Menge answered firmly. "Chappelle has not only harmed you but has also betrayed the Eternal Fire. Under his decisions, the faith of believers has been weakened and nearby sins have not been punished. This is something I cannot tolerate."
"The light of the fire must illuminate every corner and its heat must burn all impurity."
Caleb Menge's words were blunt, but everyone present was astute and understood the meaning of his words.
Was he telling the truth? Perhaps. After all, Caleb Menge was a devotee of the Eternal Fire. But was he telling the whole truth? Only a fool would believe him.
Sure, maybe the Eternal Fire guards surrounding him believed it.
However, the situation had reached a point where those present, being intelligent, were willing to follow the thread of the conversation. After all, the support of the Eternal Fire could be more useful than that of Nilfgaard for some of them.
"So, Caleb Menge, what do you want us to do to... spread the light of the Eternal Fire?"
"You three have followers in almost every corner of Novigrad. I want you to cause chaos: beat up citizens, rob shops, even kill and set fires, but there is one condition: you must not harm the believers of the Eternal Fire."
Whoreson chuckled. "And then you appear as a hero, saving everyone and earning their faith? Do we sacrifice ourselves to raise your reputation?"
Caleb Menge shook his head. "No, I will be on the front line facing Chappelle. You just have to distract him. Now, Chappelle is weak and will not ignore all this. He will divide his forces to help the citizens, and that is when I will attack him."
"Thieves, vagrants, gamblers, beggars, and all the non-human races that are usually oppressed, rioting together at this time, it is really a trembling scene to think about." Olgierd said with genuine admiration. "I want to join in too."
"Don't approach the Temple Island, don't hurt the believers, everything else is up to you, as long as you can deal with Lannister."
Everyone pondered Caleb Menge's words.
Finally, the King of Beggars spoke: "I have a question. Even if we stir up chaos among the citizens, how can you be sure to deal with Chappelle? His current prestige is not something you can shake. Aren't you worried that the temple guards around you will turn against you?"
Caleb Menge replied: "I discovered a secret of his and have been waiting for an opportunity to expose it. This is enough to ruin his reputation."
Whoreson also said: "I have a question, but it is not for you, but for this sorcerer."
"We stir up chaos, Olgierd is dealing with Lannister, what are you doing, just come here to convey the order of His Majesty the Emperor of Nilfgaard?"
Rience sneered. "I am here to ensure that Lannister is captured alive, as is the Emperor's wish. Lannister power should not be underestimated. I doubt Olgierd will be enough to confront him. 'Where the lion treads, the corpses of the sons of the black sun remain.' You think that's a poetic metaphor? It's literal."
Saying this, Rience felt a phantom pain in his leg, which was fitted with a steel prosthesis. He had underestimated Lannister once and paid a heavy price.
No one took Rience's words seriously. Without having seen Lann in action, it was hard to believe that anyone had the strength described in the ballads. He was a man, not a real lion.
"If, and only if…" Whoreson said sarcastically. "…the ballads are true. Would you, a sorcerer, be enough?"
The King of Beggars nodded. "According to my sources, there are several mages who have fallen to the lion."
Rience did not answer but stepped back to let everyone see the four cloaked men who had been sitting behind him from beginning to end.
"Four... gentlemen." The sorcerer said in a tone of feigned respect. "Give them all a little confidence, so they know how much the Emperor has invested in capturing Lannister."
The four cloaked men turned a deaf ear to what Rience said. They stood still, filling the air with a silent and awkward atmosphere.
The other five around the table exchanged glances, their eyes filled with mockery towards the sorcerer.
Just as Rience was about to become enraged, the most central figure of the hooded men slowly stood up.
As he stood up, everyone saw his enormous size. He was so tall and broad that he made Rience look like a little girl next to him.
The giant removed his hood, revealing a scarred bald head and glowing eyes.
Seeing the leader's actions, the remaining three no longer concealed themselves, stood up and lifted their hoods to the people in the room, revealing their true faces.
Four pairs of amber snake pupils lit up together.
"Four witchers..." Olgierd's eyes had a glint of amusement.
"According to what I know, there is a group of witchers roaming the territory of Nilfgaard. Emperor Emhyr has been trying to recruit them for years without success." The Beggar King said thoughtfully. "Now it seems he has finally succeeded."
"The news from the north is concentrated in Novigrad, and the news from Novigrad is concentrated in you," Rience said, glancing sideways at the King of Beggars. "But this seems to go beyond just news."
The King of Beggars chuckled. "The increase in trade with Nilfgaard is also good for me, and the merchants in the south can also bring all kinds of news. Otherwise, why do you think I would sit at this table to discuss things with you?"
'And not only that, I know more news.' The King of Beggars sneered in his mind as he looked at the four witchers.
Caleb Menge sighed sincerely. "In this way, our plan is even more foolproof."
"The end of Lannister and Chappelle is here!"
...
"My Lord, Mr. Chappelle is here."
Lann was looking at the jade statues of the Toad Prince and the School Cat Witcher in his hand.
Hearing House's voice from outside the door, he thought for a moment and put the witcher statue into his inventory.
As for the Toad Prince, he continued to play with it in his hand.
"Lannister, I heard that you solved the abominable giant toad, and it only took one night?"
Chappelle quickly entered the reception room, his gaze flickering between Lann and Triss. Something seemed to be bothering him, as if he was making a decision in his mind.
"That's right. I told your soldiers the route I took last night. Following that path, they should find the giant toad's lair and the poor girls and followers of the Eternal Fire along the way. Now they can rest in peace."
Chappelle corrected the error in Lann's words. "They are not my soldiers, they are all believers of the Eternal Fire, and they just follow me because of their piety to the Eternal Fire."
He seemed to have encountered many such misunderstandings, but he was also very persistent in explaining this problem in detail every time.
"But there is one thing that is strange, Lannister. I didn't find the body of the giant toad." Chappelle looked into Lann's eyes and said seriously: "I hope you can help me solve the puzzle."
Lann threw the statue of the Toad Prince to Chappelle and said nonchalantly: "Because I didn't kill it but caught it. Haven't you heard the story of the Toad Prince?"
Just as Chappelle caught the jade statue, the system issued a notification.
[Quest: Where the flame does not illuminate - completed]
Chappelle began to examine the statue closely. As the representative of the Eternal Flame and Novigrad, he was naturally knowledgeable and familiar with the various rumors in this city.
"An Artefact compression spell? I should have guessed. With a sorceress at your side, it's obvious you have some purpose."
He suddenly sneered: "But no matter what or who this toad is, he has murdered innocents, killed my soldiers, and caused untold damage to Temple Island with his venom. He must be judged and paid with his flesh and blood."
"But since you have captured him, we can do something more inspiring and calm the anger of those affected. We will have him purified in the eternal flame." Chappelle's voice was cold.
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