Chapter 52 : Luring the Enemy In—Entering the Game Together
Chapter 52: Luring the Enemy In—Entering the Game Together
“Wanna make a big gamble?”
Old John and Gregor were both stunned.
“Yes.” Colin’s tone carried a strange kind of conviction.
“Instead of passively defending, jumping at shadows, letting the enemy notice our exposed plan and then switch to something more covert or even more vicious…”
“Why not ‘cooperate’ with them a little?”
“How to cooperate?” Gregor frowned.
“Lure the enemy deeper!”
Colin said those four words decisively.
“Make them think their plan is going smoothly!”
“Let their men succeed in destroying part of the magic tower nodes, let them succeed in poisoning.”
“Even let them succeed in opening the city gates—completely allowing the Undead Legion to enter Oak Town!”
“What?!” Old John was so shocked he almost jumped up.
“Priest Colin! T-this is too risky!”
“If we lose control of the situation, we’ll be doomed…”
Gregor’s eyes also widened.
He was completely dumbfounded by this insane idea!
He hated Cassius to the bone, but letting the Undead Legion into the city was far too extreme!
If they slipped up even a little, their lives would be forfeit!
Colin’s face maintained a calm confidence. “Lord John, Lord Gregor, please rest assured.”
“This isn’t some arrogant whim of mine.”
“Since the great Angel has given prior warning, how could He possibly allow Oak Town to fall?”
“I dared to propose this plan because I have full confidence in it!”
He first turned toward Old John. “Think about it, Lord John.”
“If we can turn their own trick against them—when the enemy believes victory is within grasp, at their most relaxed moment—we strike with thunder!”
“Not only could we shatter Cassius’s scheme, but we could also annihilate the invading Undead Legion inside the city!”
“What a glorious victory that would be!”
“Besides, the Empire has already made its promise.”
“Any lord whose territory successfully resists a large-scale attack of the Undead Legion and achieves great results—”
“—will be promoted in title and granted new lands!”
“Lord John, you’ve managed Oak Town for years and grown wealthy. Don’t you wish to go further? To win for your descendants a hereditary title of Earl?”
“That’s an honor and a foundation that even money cannot buy!”
“An Earl…”
At those words, Old John’s breathing gradually grew heavy.
A trace of uncontrollable desire flashed in his eyes.
Money?
Old John had plenty of it!
But a hereditary Earl’s title—that was true access to the Empire’s upper ranks, a legacy to bless his descendants!
It was what he had longed for all his life, yet could never attain!
Before Old John could reply, Colin turned to Gregor, his calm voice carrying a rising fervor.
“Lord Gregor.”
“This is your perfect chance to wash away the shame of Florence’s fall—and to avenge yourself upon that traitor Cassius!”
“Here in Oak Town, upon your ally’s land, you can personally crush his conspiracy—slay his lackeys and the Undead Legion!”
“This will make him suffer far more than if you stormed Williams directly!”
“It will prove to the Empire, and to all survivors, that you, Gregor Wells, are no beaten cur—”
“—but a great hero who can turn the tide in a collapsing world!”
“A great hero… a great hero…” Gregor muttered, repeating the words again and again.
His eyes grew brighter and brighter!
Colin’s words had undoubtedly struck the deepest chord of his heart!
That humiliating escape from Florence had left him infamous.
Among the nobility, he was an outcast.
Only Old John—who resembled a merchant more than a noble—had been willing to take him in through generous donations.
Moreover, to crush Cassius’s plot here in Oak Town—
The chance of success was far higher than attacking Williams directly!
And it would prove himself even more!
Seeing Old John still hesitating, his plump face clouded with uncertainty, Gregor suddenly grabbed his arm with such force that Old John grimaced in pain.
“What are you still hesitating for?!”
“With the Angel’s blessing! With Priest Colin here! And with our forces combined!”
“Are you still afraid of that sewer rat Cassius?!”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“Miss it, and you’ll remain a baron forever!”
“Your Oak Town will forever be just a trade post on the border! Are you content with that?!”
Gregor’s words struck hard at Old John’s heart.
He looked into Gregor’s burning eyes.
Even this man, once timid as a mouse, was now willing to take the leap.
What was there for him to fear?!
“Damn it! Let’s do it!”
Old John slammed the table furiously.
At last, the merchant’s gambler’s nature blazed forth.
“Fortune favors the bold!”
“I’ll risk these old bones if it means I can win an Earl’s title!”
“Priest Colin, tell us—what exactly do we do?”
Colin finally allowed a smile to appear.
Inside, he quietly exhaled in relief.
Without the united resolve of these two barons, taking this gamble—
The plan would have almost no chance of success.
And he would fail the Angel’s expectations.
That was something he could never allow.
Fortunately, he had convinced them both.
“My lords, here’s how we can proceed…”