novelraw Chapter 523: Faction Schism
Chapter 523: Faction Schism
Just as Li Wei finished holding his large and small meetings, Falcon Karl had already initiated an emergency meeting through the Faction Channel.
With a flash of light from the Troubled Times Pioneering Card, Li Wei once again entered that demiplane. At the same time, Falcon Karl, Mountain Eagle Parker, Porcupine Allovell, Gray Wolf Li Siyuan, Hyena Duncan, Wild Duck Fierzway, and the others also appeared one after another.
Everyone's expressions were very solemn. Like Li Wei, they had all been caught off guard by this unexpected event.
"Everyone, I have just attended a meeting held by my father, Duke Will. The situation is not optimistic. The Neanderthals have truly gone mad; they genuinely intend to choose death before dishonor. The impact of this change might exceed the influence brought about by rebuilding the Orson Empire. To be honest, all parties have now realized that the difficulty of rebuilding the Empire is too great unless more Arcane Lore regarding the Orson Empire can be found."
"So I'm guessing that even Tyrant William and the other two Kings are currently muttering in their hearts and weighing their options. The variables in the future are too vast. Pioneering is no longer expected; the most urgent task is to defend our foundational bases, to bide our time, and to preserve ourselves as much as possible."
"Therefore, as the leader of our faction, I propose that moving forward, our side will only maintain two fortress cities. One is the Falcon Capital, and the other is Karndorf Fortress. All other fortresses and keeps must be abandoned as we contract our forces as much as possible."
"Because a fortress city without a Tier-2 Mage Tower will simply be unable to survive this cold wave that will last for a decade."
"Now, let everyone vote. You may also freely choose which fortress city you wish to go to."
Following this, everyone cast their votes. All the others agreed, but Li Wei chose to abstain.
"Li Wei, do you have any objections or requests?" Falcon Karl asked in a deep voice. Having not seen him for several months, his gaze looked somewhat haggard, though his imposing aura remained."To reply to the Lord, I have no other objections or requests. It is solely because a Tier-2 Mage Tower is about to be completed in my territory, so I feel that I can handle this ten-year cold wave."
Li Wei said in a deep voice. He could understand Falcon Karl's request. Both Siyuan Keep and Fierzway Fortress had just been built, so abandoning them was no big deal.
But his Liwei Keep had been meticulously managed for a long time, and all sorts of facilities were already in place. At a time like this, no matter how eloquently someone spoke, he absolutely could not abandon it.
At this moment, Mountain Eagle Parker looked over and sneered coldly.
"Li Wei, are you still unclear about the situation, or do the spellcasters under your command still not understand the severity of it?"
"A Tier-2 Mage Tower is not that easy to build. That Tucker in your territory—actually, I truly recognize him. Over a hundred years ago, I collaborated with his boss, A Qing. How should I put it? His status as a Rank 3 Caster was something A Qing forcefully cobbled together back then. Therefore, he belongs to the category of a hopeless case. You don't actually think that all Rank 3 Casters are the same, do you?"
"It's just like 4th-Tier Mages. Back in the day, the total number of 4th-Tier Mages in the Locke Kingdom didn't even surpass twenty, but there was a world of difference between the most powerful royal 4th-Tier Mages and ordinary 4th-Tier Mages."
"My elder brother holds tremendous expectations for you, and he also hopes you can understand his painstaking efforts. Currently, the Falcon Capital has a Tier-2 Mage Tower and is garrisoned by a 4th-Tier Mage. Karndorf Fortress has the same configuration. This is a height that your piece of trash Tucker could never reach in his entire lifetime."
"My words today might be a bit unpleasant to hear, but whether you agree or disagree, you must take your people and evacuate Liwei Keep. Otherwise, bear the consequences yourself!"
"Parker, shut the hell up!"
Falcon Karl finally couldn't hold back and reprimanded Parker. Then he looked at Li Wei, "Li Wei, this cold wave will last for ten years. Once it begins, regions will be completely sealed off. By then, it will be too late for you to regret. Although your Liwei Keep is only sixty miles from Karndorf Fortress, those sixty miles could very well claim your life. Therefore, you had best think it through clearly before making this decision."
"Thank you, My Lord. I am very clear on this, because not only do I have a Tier-2 Mage Tower about to be upgraded, but I also have a Tier-1 Mage Tower. Furthermore, apart from Tucker, my wife Hathaway is now also a Rank 3 Caster. I have the confidence to withstand this cold wave."
Li Wei stated, not yielding an inch. These matters could certainly be concealed, but there was no need. Two Mage Towers and two Rank 3 Casters—this was his confidence.
Of course, he meant no disrespect. His loyalty to the faction right now was clear as day!
Believe it or not!
There was a period of silence at the scene. After the initial shock, Mountain Eagle Parker narrowed his eyes, a glint of murderous intent flashing within them. The expressions of the others, like Duncan, Fierzway, Li Siyuan, and Allovell, were filled with intrigue, while Falcon Karl gave a bitter smile.
"That child Anna has been spoiled by her mother. She's too willful. The fault in this matter lies with me. Li Wei, during the previous two battles at Karndorf Fortress, you made major contributions. My failure to issue your rewards in a timely manner is not something a qualified leader should do."
"How about this? Since you have two Mage Towers and two Rank 3 Casters, surviving this ten-year cold wave shouldn't be a problem. I will give you one more gift as your reward. This is a Sequence 4 Cryo-Pyre Conversion Arcane Schematic. You should be in need of this item."
"Additionally, I hope you remember that I, Falcon Karl, will never mistreat anyone willing to follow me. Merits will be rewarded, and faults will be punished! That is all. Meeting dismissed!"
"Hold on! I have something to say!"
Mountain Eagle Parker suddenly shouted loudly, staring coldly at Falcon Karl. "Brother, my dear brother, you are too cowardly, and you are too kindhearted. What am I to say about you! Indecisive and soft-hearted! Since you promised to marry Anna to Li Wei, you shouldn't have delayed it time and time again! You let her throw her little tantrums, and look at the result now: Li Wei's subordinate Hathaway has advanced to a Rank 3 Caster. She was already Li Wei's mistress and a holder of Founding Shares. It's too late for everything now."
"You clearly could have had Anna marry him several months ago. With her status as a Rank 3 Caster, there wouldn't have been any room for Hathaway! Only such a matrimonial alliance could have dispelled our wariness towards Li Wei. But what did you do?"
"You did nothing, and we could only watch helplessly as Li Wei's forces continuously grew stronger. His subordinate Li Yue, and now Hathaway, plus that useless Tucker—he now has fifty-four Rank 3 soldiers, six hundred heavy cavalry under his command, and on top of that, two Rank 3 Casters and two Mage Towers. If he continues to develop like this, can you truly sleep soundly?"
"Brother, oh brother, do not blame me for embarrassing you. Today, you must either force Anna to ride over on a horse immediately, marry Li Wei right away, make her Li Wei's lawful wife, and obtain at least 30% of the Founding Shares in his Pioneering Card!"
"Or, let me, your younger brother, make the decision for you. Let us mobilize our grand army today and obliterate this Li Wei!"
"In any case, if you want me to believe that he is loyal and won't betray us, that is absolutely impossible!"
"Absolute loyalty or nothing! During the ten-year window of the cold wave, you won't be able to do anything. But have you thought about what Li Wei will develop into during these ten years? And you actually gave him the magic for Cryo-Pyre Conversion! Has your brain short-circuited?"
"Now, make your choice!"
"Nonsense! Parker, are you crazy? Is this the time for internal strife? You are simply being utterly unreasonable!"
"Hah? I am being unreasonable? It's you who is too muddle-headed! If you won't make a choice, that's fine. I will make the choice for you. I propose a full vote for a Faction Schism!"
"You! You! You're infuriating me to death!"
Veins bulged on Falcon Karl's forehead, his anger irrepressible, wishing he could just slap Parker across the face.
However, as soon as Mountain Eagle Parker proposed the vote for a Faction Schism, Li Siyuan and Fierzway chose to agree without hesitation, immediately making it three votes.
But Allovell and Duncan immediately cast opposing votes.
Dream on about a Faction Schism. If you wanted to withdraw, you had to bear the loss of World Reputation.
Li Wei also promptly cast an opposing vote. Heavens knew, he had never imagined that the biological brothers, Falcon Karl and Mountain Eagle Parker, would fall out to this extent.
But to be honest, he had never thought of defecting. Even with a ten-year development period, he wouldn't defect for no reason. There was no need for it, and it didn't make logical sense.
So why did it feel like he was being used as an excuse and a meat shield by Mountain Eagle Parker in this matter!
"Parker, withdraw it. You've lost. I believe in Li Wei. There's no need for you and me to fall out so badly. What good is a Faction Schism? Slaughtering our own people and letting the Neanderthals laugh at us?" Falcon Karl sighed heavily, looking even more dejected and emotionally exhausted.
"No, my brother, I am thoroughly disappointed in you. We walk divergent paths. Please cast your vote in agreement, because... I have already found a way to resurrect Jiang Xinran."
"What? What nonsense are you spouting!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked, especially Li Wei, who felt as if he had been stung by a scorpion, getting a very bad premonition.
Damn it, how did this Mountain Eagle Parker think of resurrecting Jiang Xinran? Jiang Xinran had already received Humanistic Care and been sent back to her hometown. You can still resurrect her?
But looking at Falcon Karl again, he was actually showing signs of severe panic.
"I don't understand, why?"
"There is no 'why'. In this Age of Great Strife, I also want to strive and try. There's no helping it; who told our old father to be so cunning? If he were still like before, ignoring worldly affairs all day long, then you, brother, would be the rightful Duke's Heir Apparent, and I would assist you without any pressure. But now, even a stupid dog can see that our father doesn't care about us at all. We are all just his pawns. We have to fight. Perhaps only the most outstanding one can gain his recognition."
"Additionally, there is another reason: I now have Karndorf Fortress. I utilized your help, brother, to establish a firm foothold in this fortress, so why should I continue to follow you?"
"Originally, if you could have cut the Gordian knot, I would have accepted it. Wouldn't it be nice for us to divide up Li Wei? Li Yue and the Blazing Legion go to me, Hathaway and Tucker go to you. We kill the fattest one, Li Wei, and send him packing back to his hometown—how great would that be? But you disagreed!"
"Come on, make your choice. Do you want your first love, Jiang Xinran, or do you agree to a Faction Schism?"