"Earl, Snow Moon Lake is one of the taboos of the Orc Empire, and the army must not stay by the lake!"

As soon as he ordered to set up camp by the lake and establish a logistics transfer station, a group of northern nobles in the army hurried over to persuade them.

Looking at the panicked looks on everyone's faces, Hudson knew that there must be a story behind this.

There are many "forbidden places" on the continent of Aslanth, but horror is also relative. Many threats are directed at ordinary people, and few are capable of threatening tens of thousands of perverts.

Judging from the information collected by the kingdom's officials, the three major dangers of the Orc Empire are in the northern plateau, the western Salar hills, and the central Ula Mountains.

Xueyue Lake, which has not been mentioned in the information at all. He really couldn't remember what was in danger here.

"Oh, what is there in this lake that makes you so jealous?"

Hudson asked, confused.

As an old enemy who has been entangled for many years, the Alpha Kingdom should know more about the Orc Empire.

Snow Moon Lake covers an area of thousands of square kilometers, and if there is a threat to the existence of the army, it should not be ignored.

"Your Excellency, we can't tell you what kind of danger Snow Moon Lake has."

When I went deep into the orc empire and scouted for intelligence, I overheard an interesting anecdote.

According to ancient legends, Snow Moon Lake is the place where the gods fell, and there is a curse in the lake, and the tribes that have lived here for a long time will have all kinds of accidents, and then quickly decline until they are destroyed.

We don't have specific evidence in our hands, but the tribes directly under the five royal families have tacitly given up Xueyue Lake, which is rich in water and grass and suitable for agricultural production.

The orc tribes living nearby are all small tribes that can't get along in the outside world, and they have to come and settle down.

Even so, their tribe was as far away from the lake as possible, and the nearest tribe was at least thirty miles away.

"It's only when the harvest is low that these tribes move to the lake. Once you've gotten through it, you'll leave immediately!"

Listening to Baron Caitley's words, Hudson's expression suddenly became solemn. Ancient myths and legends are not necessarily true, but the choice of the orcs and the natives cannot be ignored.

Under normal circumstances, a piece of fertile soil that should have broken its head to grab has become a dangerous place that everyone avoids, and it is impossible to have no problems.

Deep down, Hudson's dissatisfaction with the five dukes of the Northland rose all at once.

These Northland nobles under their own command have only gone deep into the Orc Empire to do business a few times, and they all know that there is something wrong with Xueyue Lake, how can they not know about it.

However, in the information provided to him, there is only one message about Xueyue Lake: the land is fertile, the water and grass are abundant. is clearly deliberately digging a hole for him.

Hudson didn't want to give up the convenience of water transportation. But the possible dangers in the lake cannot be ignored.

Glancing at the nobles' children of the Northlands, Hudson asked with concern, "Is there any more specific information about Snow Moon Lake, including folklore?" ”

"Your Excellency, there are many legends about Snow Moon Lake, which can be divided into three main categories: water monsters, evil gods, and curses."

It is said that if you live here for a long time, you will be contaminated with the ominous nature of the lake. Three years ago, when I was on a mission here, I encountered a small tribe that had been wiped out.

Out of curiosity, we examined the body closely, but found no injuries. There was not even a trace of the hand, the only thing that was wrong was that there was more dust on the corpse of the freshly deceased.

Realizing that something was wrong, we quickly left. And secretly inquired with the local orcs, it is said that this kind of thing happens every few years.

Most of the victims were members of tribes living nearby. Some died in the wilderness, others at home. The manner of death was similar, and no wounds could be found on the corpse.

Some people say that it is a water monster that asks for their lives, others say that it is an evil god, and more people think that there is a bad thing in the lake, and if it is contaminated, it will be cursed.

It is said that the orc imperial court also sent masters to check, but it is unknown what happened in the end, anyway, no tribe of the five royal families has come to settle since then.

"Within the Orc Empire, Xueyue Lake also has a name called Devil's Lake."

Baron Reno replied with a little trepidation, as if to awaken the horror in his heart and blindfold Hudson.

However, he still keenly caught a message that there was dust on the corpse.

Under normal circumstances, whether it is an evil god, a water monster asking for a life, or a curse to kill someone, it is simply taken away, and there will be no pile of dust at all.

"Crater Lake!"

In an instant, those three words popped out of Hudson's mind.

In my memories before the crossing, there was a message about the volcanic lake, which happened to be similar to the situation of Snow Moon Lake.

Whenever a volcano erupts, it releases a large amount of harmful gases and dust, which ordinary people simply can't resist.

For orcs who lack knowledge, it is normal to guess when they encounter something unknown.

"The order was given to go down to the camp and move thirty miles upstream along the Green Jade River. Send people to the lake to reconnoiter if there is a crater. ”

Hudson ordered decisively.

The truth can be found slowly, but the source of danger must be kept away. In case of bad luck and a volcanic eruption, the army will have to suffer heavy losses.

If you misjudge, it's even more terrifying. The unknown danger is far more terrible than the known risk.

Looking at the crystal clear water of the lake and the schools of fish shuttling back and forth, Hudson always felt that something was wrong.

Under normal circumstances, there should be no fish in the crater lake, and the surrounding environment should not be so comfortable.

However, this is a different world, and the rules of the world are very different, and the theoretical knowledge before the crossing may not be correct here.

On the steppe, a Terran army suddenly broke away from the main force and headed for the coastal area that had deviated from its direction.

Looking at the map and groping his way with the team, Duke Pias's nerves tense all the time.

As the vanguard of the army, he undertook the highest military tasks and risks in the whole army.

Although according to the news from the Wyvern Cavalry, the orcs did not deploy heavy troops in the coastal areas, and there were only a few small and medium-sized tribes entrenched along the way, he was still not at ease.

There is no way, who let the news come from the Holy See? If the kingdom's air force had not been hit hard, the information from his own people, he would definitely not have panicked.

"Duke, Bishop Simon of the Holy See has come to visit."

The guard's words made Duke Pias slightly stunned. After reacting, he hurriedly ordered: "Please!"

The relationship between the Alpha Kingdom and the Holy See is not harmonious, but now is the period of joint operations, and theoretically the two sides want to put aside their old suspicions and help each other together.

If at another point in time, the people of the Holy See came to visit with such fanfare, Duke Pias would have to consider avoiding suspicion.

"Your Excellency Duke, how are you thinking about it?"

The Lockonard family is not in a good situation right now. Caesar III has already eliminated you, but he has not found a chance to do so.

If he hadn't thought about you, he wouldn't have appointed Earl Hudson, who had a blood feud with you, to be the commander of the army.

Whether this is easy to deal with or not, Your Excellency has already learned it. Being a pioneer is just the beginning, and there's more to come.

"Earl Hudson is the best at boiling frogs in warm water, if it drags on for a long time, the loss of the Loonard family will be great!"

Bishop Simon tried to provoke.

It is inevitable that Caesar III had an opinion about the nobility of the Northlands, but it would be an exaggeration to say that he would be quick to get rid of them. Even if you really want to do it, it can't be now.

In the context of the great loss of the military strength of the Alpha Kingdom, no matter which faction in the country it is, it does not dare to provoke infighting at this moment.

If the last family is lost and the prying eyes of foreign enemies are triggered, it will be the end of the calf.

For example, the Holy See, which has long been eyeing the Alpha Kingdom, has been looking for an opportunity to interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom.

"Your Excellency, you have taken things too seriously. Your Majesty is wise and martial, and will never do things that are painful to relatives and happy to enemies at this time. ”

As for Earl Hudson, do you think I'm going to be afraid of him? Even if it is the commander of the coalition army, there are still so many nobles in the army watching!

"Besides, even if I agree to cooperate with you, it will not work. With the strength of the Loonard family alone, they simply can't control the situation in the kingdom!"

Duke Pias replied with a little apprehension.

As a member of the great aristocracy, he was also a "staunch" king, and did not have any favorites towards the Holy See. However, the benefits promised by the Holy See were too great to shake his will.

Once the Holy See's plans are complete, the Loonards are the most powerful families in the kingdom. Aside from not being able to ascend directly to the throne, the power in his hands is not much less than that of the king.

The only problem is that the success rate of the plan is not high enough. Even if the previous plan was successfully completed, it would be difficult for the Lockonard family to control the kingdom with the strength of the Lockonard family.

I don't know if other families will oppose it, but the newly rising Coslow family will definitely jump out to fight them.

In terms of comprehensive strength, it is possible that the Loonard family is several times that of the Coslow family, or even more than ten times.

However, the big family game not only depends on the comprehensive strength, but also at the extreme moment, the more important thing is the military strength in the hand.

In a short period of time, the military strength of the two families is still unknown.

What's more, in the past years, the Lockonard family left behind more enemies than just the Coslow family.

They want to control the power of the kingdom, and it is entirely possible that the enemies who are forced to be in a hurry will take risks and join forces to give them a ruthless blow.

After all, rules are only rules if everyone follows them. You can't destroy it yourself, and you can expect others to continue to abide by it.

"Your Excellency, there is no need to worry. If you don't have one family, then bring in a few more allies!"

The five great families of the Northland have been working together for so many years, and I think Your Excellency must have a way to pull them into the water.

With the strength of your five major families, you can basically suppress the nobles in the south. If you can't do it, you can pull in a few more allies.

As long as you are stable enough and do not violate the core interests of the nobles of Southern Xinjiang in the early days of power, a civil war will not break out.

Your Excellency the Duke, think about it, now is the best opportunity. Once the gang of guys in the south regained their strength, things were very different.

When it comes to recovery, they're much faster than you. Once they are allowed to recover first, it will be your end.

"Some things happen when they happen, and no one can undo them."

Bishop Simon warned with a smile.

There are too many things to do in the Northland, and it is not strange that there is a handle in the hands of the Holy See.

His own reputation is already stinky, and Duke Pias doesn't mind revealing a little bit of his dark history. What really worries him is that the pie won't fall out of the pie one day.

The Holy See kept saying that it would help them control the Alpha Kingdom, and this spirit of selfless dedication really shook him too much.

As Bishop Simon said, something happens and it is irreparable. Now what they have to do is kill the kings one by one.

Even if he is not the protagonist, just creating opportunities for the people of the Holy See, it is also killing the king.

For any orthodox aristocrat, the inner impact is huge.

The Holy See can not care, there are not only one or two kings who have been killed by them in history, and they do not care about the life and death of Caesar III at all.

Duke Pias is different, the five major families in the Northland are in the same spirit, and it is just a combination of interests. If it involved the killing of the monarch, he didn't dare to guarantee whether the other four would follow suit.

Once this kind of thing is exposed, it will be their end. Mo said that the enemies of the Locknard family would not let them go, and even the vassal nobles under their command would most likely fight back.

Sensei is counting on the support of the Holy See to make a difference. You must know that the collapse of the rule of the Holy See back then was to send a king to the barbecue, which triggered an anti-papal wave in the aristocratic world.

If it is really exposed, they will not have time to shake the pot, how can they come out to carry the thunder.

Burdened with the crime of killing the king, the Pope can't bear it. This is a taboo that all monarchs cannot tolerate.

As long as someone is willing to take the lead, everyone will definitely not mind forming a coalition to crusade against the Holy See and pull out the danger from their heads.

"Your Excellency, now is not the time. Why don't you help us take Fengyue Harbor first and hit the orc empire hard? ”

"If the hidden danger in the north is not cleared first, once the kingdom falls into chaos, the pressure on our families will be too great!"

Duke Pias tentatively proposed.

The most important thing in cooperation is trust, and as the weaker party, the Duke of Pias has more to think about.

For the Holy See, as soon as Caesar III died, the plan was mostly completed, but for the Loonards it was only the beginning of a new trouble.

If you want to control the government, you can only infiltrate slowly, instead of rushing in directly to become a powerful minister.

Even in the early stage, you have to settle down and pretend that you are not prepared. If there is a slight overstep, it is easy to be associated with the murder of the king.

"No problem!"

Bishop Simon agreed.

Originally, they were not prepared to cooperate with the five major families, after all, the difference in strength between the two sides was huge, and they were not equal allies at all.

Killing the king is a technical job, and without the cooperation of internal people, the killer can't touch Caesar III's side.

The killers sent by the Holy See have been lurking in the royal capital for several years. None of them found an opportunity to get close to Caesar III, but they lost a lot of manpower.

As a last resort, I had no choice but to look for a partner in the Alpha Kingdom. If it is something else, it is very simple to operate by buying and buying, but this time is an exception.

No matter how good the friendship is on weekdays, as long as they reveal a little bit of the intention of killing the king, the other party will immediately turn their faces with them, leaving no trace of affection.