It’s Just a Salute...

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Regarding the bodies of Maltz Kent and his son, Paul originally had no objections to Henry's disposal plan, which was to bury them according to commoner standards, essentially just digging a hole and tossing them in.

However, Paul was adamant about securing the former Kent family domain of Emden and its affiliated territories. After all, Maltz was a high-ranking noble. If they buried him casually, what if his remaining family and loyal vassals became dissatisfied and caused trouble?

Thus, Paul consulted with Henry, deciding to bury Maltz with the dignity of his previous title—Earl.

It wasn't until they discussed the matter that they realized they hadn't actually confirmed whether Maltz Kent was truly dead. So the two hurriedly went to the chapel at the cemetery to open the coffin and check if it really contained Maltz.

When they opened the coffin, both Paul and Henry were startled. Despite it being summer, the corpse had not decayed; instead, it had turned into a dry, desiccated mummy, though the wrinkled face still vaguely resembled Maltz Kent.

Although the sight was unusual, Paul's common sense told him that the corpse was undoubtedly dead. For extra caution, Henry nervously reached out to check Maltz's nostrils for any breath, finding none.

As Paul looked at the desiccated Maltz Kent, a familiar feeling surged within him, and an image flashed in his mind: Maltz suddenly springing up, shouting "Voss—Loda—."

TL Note: I have no Idea why he shouted that... If you know let me know in the comments...

"Alright, we can bury him now. Let's get out of here," Henry said, covering his nose in disgust and dragging Paul away from the chapel.

...

Later, they visited the cathedral in the city to see Bishop Leonard. The unfortunate old man had been imprisoned by Maltz Kent and had suffered a stroke due to unknown stress. After the Alden army took Sente, he was returned to the cathedral, but he was now fully paralyzed, unable to speak clearly, and frequently fell into unconsciousness.

His student, Anderson from the North Shore Monastery of Alden Town, had rushed over upon receiving the news and had been attending to Leonard.

Anderson had planned to travel to the Holy See's capital for an exchange conference with the Church, intending to publicly announce a series of "shocking discoveries." However, the illness of his mentor had delayed those plans.

Leonard lay in bed, struggling to sit up upon seeing Paul and Henry arrive. Paul quickly asked Andrew to keep him down.

Paul showed sympathy. "Old Dean, please stay in bed."

Though Leonard was strict and doctrinaire, he had never troubled Paul with his religious authority. During his tenure as the monastery head, he had contributed to the educational cause of Alden Town.

Seeing the old man in such a state made Paul feel a bit sorrowful.

Paul learned from the church staff that Leonard had been captured while trying to confirm whether Maltz had any witchcraft suspicions, similar to when he had tried to find Paul in Alden Town. Unfortunately, Maltz did not have the patience Paul did, and a duke's power was not comparable to that of a earl.

Leonard weakly raised his arm and pointed at his mouth, making sounds like "uh…uh…" to indicate that speaking was difficult.

"The Lord of Light will cast Maltz Kent's wicked soul into hell," Anderson cursed from the side.

Paul and Anderson exchanged pleasantries for a while before leaving.

The church influence in the Northwest Bay had suffered greatly after Maltz Kent was granted the title of duke. The regional bishops were imprisoned, many officials were arrested and sentenced, and the only military force—the Inquisition—was raided, disarmed, and temporarily dissolved.

The Holy See seemed unable to fully address the plight of the Northwest Bay Church. On one hand, it was too remote and out of reach, and on the other, they were overwhelmed by the fervent witch-hunting campaign in the Horn Bay, leaving them with little capacity to manage other issues.

Paul heard from Anderson that the scale and depth of the Horn Bay Church's witch-hunting campaign had exceeded the Holy See's expectations, leaving them in a difficult position.

...

Returning to the Duke's residence, Henry cautiously asked, "Paul, how about the list I gave you… have you dealt with it?"

Paul patted his chest. "Don't worry, they're all in jail now."

Henry, looking somewhat anxious, said, "Uh… just keep them locked up. Don't let anything happen to them."

"Rest assured, they'll be well-fed three times a day and come out chubby and healthy," Paul assured.

Before entering Sente, Henry had given Paul a list of members from the Fraule family, whom Henry suspected of collaborating with Maltz Kent or threatening his succession to the dukedom.

Before other lords in the coalition arrived, the Alden army had swiftly captured everyone on the list and locked them up.

Of course, they would not face any danger to their lives. Once Henry successfully became the Duke of the Northwest, they would be granted "amnesty" to demonstrate the new duke's benevolence.

"But we need to make sure…" Paul reminded Henry, "that I get half of the Fraule family's treasury. I'm deep in debt from this war."

Henry, almost in tears, replied, "Now you're in charge of guarding the treasury, and you're asking me this…"

"I actually want a bit more!"

"Don't push it. If you ask for more, I might not become duke at all and would be too embarrassed to face my family."

"Alright, I'll have someone check the treasury's funds carefully, one coin at a time."

"Leech!"

...

On September 3, 1991, Earl Malon Ganard of Byerldine arrived in Sente.

On September 4, other lords in the coalition—Pryce Park, Morley Melken, Winfried Heller, and others—arrived in Sente.

Accompanying them were some lords who had previously supported Maltz Kent, now coming as defeated parties.

Paul, Malon, and Henry went out of the city to welcome the lords, with the Alden army serving as the honor guard. The troops were well-ordered, stepping in unison, their bayonets shining brightly, casting a deep impression on people, and making the lords' chaotic and mixed banners behind them look dull.

As they arrived at the Duke's residence, the sound of cannons booming from the city gates startled everyone.

Paul calmed everyone. "Don't worry, it's just a [salute], celebrating the end of the brutal war."

The [salute] continued for sixty shots. The lords sensed a hint of warning from the cold "welcome ceremony," forcing smiles as they exchanged pleasantries with Paul and the others.

Only Derrick Heller, the son of Earl Heller, looked enviously at the Alden army, wishing he could command such a force.

(End of the Chapter)

---

Perks of Joining My Pa treon (pa treon . com / CinderTL)

- Read (FF) Ahead, Currently up to Chapter 486 as of 19Oct24.

- Daily Updates of 2+ Chapters

- Mass Releases (+6 on 15Oct24)

- 2 Other Stories to Read (More Coming in Future)

- Support My Hardwork. and Show Some Appreciation

Join as a Paid Member, For as Low as $1 to show some love. (/^▽^)/

AND PLEASE LEAVE SOME REVIEWS, It only takes a few minutes. ( •̯́ ^ •̯̀)