Chapter 594 - 503: This Person is Like a Divine Being (Combined)
Maxwell’s arguments brought him nothing but the King’s wrath.
The Golan Royal Family already harbored great wariness towards this Earl, who once ruled over the Helong Mountain Range. They tried time and again to strip away his various rights within the range and even contemplated making this wealthy area a direct dominion of the Royal Family, to claim it as their own.
Over these years, due to disputes over interests, relations between the Royal Family and the old Earl gradually cooled. Hudson III repeatedly cut Maxwell’s garrison rights, mining rights, imposed additional taxes, and negotiated border lines... All of which faced major and minor opposition from the old Earl. It was clear to anyone that the Earl, who once served the former King and battled for the Kingdom, no longer enjoyed favor but had become a thorn in the side of the Royal Family.
Inside the Palace, Maxwell’s heated words almost tore apart the last of his dignity. In public, Hudson III vehemently rebuked the old Earl for his treason, his lost loyalty to the Kingdom, and repeatedly emphasized Maxwell’s dereliction of duty in this war—his withdrawal from the Helong Mountain Range.
In the end, Hudson III made a decision. He ordered the disbandment of Maxwell’s troops, merging them into the forces of the Royal Family, and placed Maxwell under house arrest in Kara Palace. The Kingdom Chief Justice was tasked with drafting his charges for a trial after the war’s end.
The eyes of everyone in the palace converged on the Earl, filled with ridicule, sympathy, indignation, satisfaction... varying emotions were hidden behind the gazes of the Nobles and Ministers. It was evident to all that Maxwell was finished. He had lost his lands, his army, and had become a bald nobleman with nothing but an Earl’s title. Soon, the Chief Justice would judge his evidence of guilt, and he and his family might even lose their original noble status.
Facing the gazes of everyone, the King’s rage, Maxwell, on the contrary, calmed down. He looked up at Hudson with a pleading manner and said,
"My liege, no matter how you view me, I have always been loyally devoted to you and your father. Now, I have but one request. Do not underestimate those Dwarves, for they are no longer what they once were.
I have seized some new machinery from them, namely a Steam Siege Hammer, a giant Bed Crossbow, and some knowledge about the ’Path of Divine Invention.’ If possible, I implore you to take these seriously, make use of them, otherwise, the God of Victory will not stand by our side..."
Before he could finish, Maxwell paused a moment, intending to add a few more words to emphasize the severity of the situation, but Hudson III cut him off.
"That’s enough, Earl. Whatever machinery the Dwarves have, they are still but diminutive Dwarves. You cannot hide your dereliction of duty, your cowardice.
In the name of Skadi, be thankful to me. I will retake the lost land for you, personally campaign against the Dwarves, and lead your disgraced army back to Helong, while you just wait in the Royal City for our triumphant news.