Chapter 63: Entrustment
The griffon's reputation on the Eagle Continent is legendary, rivaling that of the giant eagle itself.
However, hearing tales of griffons and actually witnessing one up close are two entirely different experiences. An adult griffon's wingspan can easily exceed a hundred meters, and its body length surpasses thirty. Next to such a creature, a giant eagle with a twenty-meter wingspan looks like a delicate pigeon, and humans standing at its feet, barely reaching two meters, appear no larger than gnomes.
Except for Charlotte, it's unlikely anyone would question the Oran Empire's fascination with griffons after seeing one. Cleon's ashen face alone was enough to illustrate the sheer psychological impact this behemoth would have on ordinary people on the battlefield.
The Sokya Peninsula, while part of the Eagle Continent, sees little taming of griffons within its city-states. This stems from a combination of historical and environmental factors, but the primary reason is the lack of extensive grain-producing land. While griffons are omnivorous and possess formidable digestive systems, the sheer volume of grain required to raise them is staggering. A single griffon consumes between one and fifteen hundred kilograms of grain daily – enough to feed a citizen-soldier force of over a thousand.
This also explains why Charlotte felt no particular disappointment when Emperor Leopold Holovin didn't bestow even a single griffon upon her during her enfeoffment. The Barony of Ripple Bay, neglected by Basilisk for so many years, simply couldn't afford to maintain griffons, not even one.
"Elder Cleon," Charlotte said with a smile, "I wonder if this demonstration qualifies me to uphold my dignity as a noble?"
Cleon's cheeks twitched almost imperceptibly. This was his first time facing a griffon at such close quarters. When the creature unleashed a prolonged roar, the air, thick with the scent of blood, nearly brushed his face, and Cleon felt his heart seize.
However, when Charlotte spoke, he managed to regain a semblance of composure. "The Empire's griffons are indeed majestic, but if Your Excellency the Viscount believes that a mere one or two griffons can intimidate us, then you gravely underestimate the Ivy Alliance's determination to protect its allies, as well as its military strength."
Cleon's ability to maintain such a defiant stance despite the griffon's intimidation earned him a newfound respect from Charlotte. Nevertheless, she still sneered. "Mr. Cleon, one lie is sufficient. Just because I didn't call you out immediately doesn't mean I couldn't see through your bluff. A large army? Where would you conjure up a large army? If you dared to mobilize ten thousand citizen-soldiers to invade my territory, wouldn't that be practically inviting the Delmore people into Feidi?"
Upon hearing this, Cleon's face immediately clouded over.
"Since Your Excellency the Viscount is unwilling to heed my advice, I shall take my leave."
With that, Cleon turned and departed, his steps betraying a slight unsteadiness.
A gentle breeze wafted by, and Charlotte suddenly detected a faint odor of urine. She pinched her nose and asked in a muffled voice, "Where is that smell of urine coming from?"
As she spoke, Charlotte's gaze drifted towards Cleon, who hadn't yet gone far.
"Heh…" Charlotte chuckled softly. It seemed this person's courage wasn't as robust as she had initially thought.
Thump.
A tall knight in magnificent armor dismounted from the griffon's back. Lifting his visor, he revealed a mature and handsome face and addressed the Viscountess of Ripple Bay with a smile. "Long time no see, little Charlotte."
"Uncle Stanley," Charlotte replied with a curtsy.
Just as Cleon was convinced that the Oran Empire had no immediate plans to attack Sokya, Charlotte was equally certain that the Ivy Alliance wouldn't be able to muster a significant army to retake Ambratu in the near future. Even if they desired to reclaim Ambratu, their only recourse would be to conscript thousands of citizen-soldiers from nearby city-states like Little Sassinian and Bolukoch. While this approach might have worried Charlotte in the past, she now felt secure, knowing her reinforcements had arrived.
Though belated, the Duke of Green Plains had finally sent his daughter a thousand knights and three griffons.
While Jose Mellerfield's orders to this support force were to guard the Isthmus of Ripple Bay, it was more than enough for Charlotte. She understood their limited mission, but the Sokya city-states wouldn't. The sight of Ambratu backed by such an elite force would undoubtedly make them reconsider the cost of an attack.
"Little Charlotte, you've grown so tall," Stanley Mellerfield, the commander of the support force, said with a smile, ruffling her hair.
"I'm not a child anymore, Uncle Stanley," Charlotte said, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Touching a lady's hair is quite rude."
"Hahaha…" Stanley Mellerfield laughed heartily, clearly unfazed by her protest.
Stanley Mellerfield wasn't Charlotte's direct uncle. His father, Pedro Mellerfield, was the father of Sherlock and the uncle of Jose Mellerfield. Therefore, Stanley Mellerfield was technically Charlotte's cousin.
Charlotte knew that Stanley Mellerfield had a perpetual fondness for teasing those younger than him. The more one protested, the more he seemed to enjoy it. Deciding it was futile to try and persuade him to be more respectful, Charlotte shifted the conversation to a more pressing matter.
"Uncle Stanley, has something happened to my father recently?" Charlotte asked.
"The Duke of Green Plains?" Stanley raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"I've been corresponding with him, but lately, his letters have all been written by someone else. I asked him what was going on, but he wouldn't tell me," Charlotte said, omitting some of the details.
"Well... your father must be trying to spare you worry. Since he didn't confide in you, I probably shouldn't overstep and say anything either." Despite Stanley's hesitant tone, his words conveyed a significant amount of information.
Charlotte's heart sank. She puffed out her cheeks, adopting a sulky teenage expression. "You all refuse to tell me anything! Do you still see me as a child who understands nothing? How infuriating! I'll go back and complain to Grandpa Perode!"
"Okay, okay, I yield," Stanley quickly pleaded, then conceded, "Your father is likely seriously ill."
"Seriously ill?" Charlotte's fair complexion paled, her eyes widening with panic. "How could my father suddenly become seriously ill?"
Stanley shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure myself. Your father hasn't received the nobles of the duchy for quite some time now."
"Then how did you find out my father was seriously ill, Uncle?" Charlotte asked, a note of suspicion in her voice.
"Andre told me. He said your father is gravely ill and that woman Rosie has essentially imprisoned the ailing Duke. Andre suspects Rosie might even be the cause of the Duke's illness. He's trying to gather loyal and brave knights to attack Rosie and rescue the Duke of Green Plains..." Stanley explained, and despite his attempt at a sorrowful tone, a hint of gloating pleasure seeped into his words.
That idiot Andre!
Charlotte gritted her teeth inwardly.
Even if Jose Mellerfield was truly ill, Andre should be at Riverside Castle. As the eldest son, Andre legally held the right to inherit the Duchy of Green Plains. Even if Rosie was responsible for Jose Mellerfield's illness, so what? If Rosie murdered one Duke of Green Plains, would she dare to immediately kill the second? Unless she had a death wish, everyone in the Duchy of Green Plains bore the Mellerfield surname. Andre's reckless actions outside the castle were likely giving Rosie the time and opportunity to forge Jose Mellerfield's will and establish Sean as the heir.
More importantly, Charlotte suspected there were deeper secrets surrounding Jose Mellerfield's illness. Her suspicion stemmed from the person standing before her – Stanley Mellerfield.
Stanley Mellerfield's father, Perode Mellerfield, was a well-known figure in the Duchy of Green Plains' "opposition party." He had frequently voiced his dissatisfaction with the current Duke, Jose Mellerfield, believing him incompetent and unworthy of inheriting the leadership of the Mellerfield family from Charlotte's grandfather, Karl Mellerfield.
It was common knowledge that Perode doted on his younger brother Karl Mellerfield. To what extent?
When Karl Mellerfield was young, Perode was injured and captured in a war. The allied forces presumed him dead, but five or six years later, he miraculously returned home. By then, Karl Mellerfield had already inherited the title of Duke and was at a loss upon his suddenly "resurrected" brother's return. Perode, however, waved it off nonchalantly, stating that Karl could keep the Grand Duchy, and he would be content with being a Count.
Perode considered Karl the most outstanding Grand Duke and found fault with Jose Mellerfield in every possible way. He even publicly declared, "Jose isn't half the Grand Duke I would have been!"
Given Perode's seniority, Jose Mellerfield could only grit his teeth and bear it.
Influenced by their elders, Perode's children and grandchildren were all members of the anti-Jose faction, and Stanley Mellerfield was a prominent representative of this group. This individual not only verbally criticized Jose Mellerfield but also actively worked against him, forming alliances and creating obstacles for the Duke of Green Plains' family. It was even rumored that Stanley Mellerfield and his associates played a role in the suicide of Charlotte's biological mother.
At this critical juncture, sending Stanley to the Barony of Ripple Bay was undoubtedly a double-edged sword. On one hand, it could provide support to Charlotte, who might be in danger. On the other hand, it could remove a troublesome and potentially disruptive figure from the Duchy of Green Plains by placing him in a remote and impoverished area.
Charlotte suspected that such cunning political maneuvering was beyond the capabilities of someone as seemingly simple-minded as Rosie. The true orchestrator behind the scenes was very likely still Jose Mellerfield himself.
If Jose Mellerfield wasn't so gravely ill as to be completely incapacitated, then Andre's actions of "raising troops to save his father" appeared even more ludicrous.
Stanley Mellerfield noticed Charlotte's serious expression and prolonged silence, so he offered a half-hearted reassurance. "Little Charlotte, you don't need to worry too much. Your father is usually in good health. It's normal for him to get sick occasionally, even if it's a bit serious. He'll recover after some rest."
Despite his opposition to Jose Mellerfield, Stanley held a genuine fondness for his clever little niece. In fact, few in the Mellerfield family disliked Charlotte.
"Uncle Stanley, I want to return to Riverside Castle to visit my father," Charlotte suddenly announced, looking up.
"Huh? You're leaving just after I arrived?" Stanley said in surprise.
Charlotte, however, ignored his comment and continued, "While I'm gone, I'll have to trouble you to look after my territory for me."
Stanley barely had time to nod before Charlotte gave a quick curtsy and hurried away.
Ever since she had considered the possibility of something happening to her father, Charlotte had been contemplating a return visit. However, Ambratu was such a tempting prize, practically within her grasp, and she was reluctant to abandon it.
Now, with the news of her father's "serious illness" and her older brother's incompetence, Charlotte knew she had to go back. After all, the Duchy of Green Plains was her most significant source of support at the moment, and she needed to be aware of any potential threats within the duchy.
So, that night, when Cecilia arrived at Charlotte's castle carrying a large stack of documents, she found Charlotte and Renee busily packing their luggage.
"These are the results of the extraordinary talent tests conducted on eligible children in the citizen families of Ambratu," Cecilia said, handing the documents to Charlotte.
Charlotte, who was sitting on a suitcase, took the documents and patted the space beside her. "Sit down. Your timing is perfect. I have something to tell you."
Cecilia glanced around and, finding no other place to sit, squeezed in next to Charlotte. "What is it?"
"I'm planning to return to the Duchy of Green Plains. For the time being, I'm entrusting all the affairs of the territory to you," Charlotte stated.
"Huh? Me, me?" Cecilia stammered, pointing at herself in surprise.
"Yes," Charlotte nodded firmly.
"But... but, me? Can I really do it?" Cecilia seemed overwhelmed. While her performance had been remarkable recently, Charlotte had always been the one leading the way. Without Charlotte, would the knight lords still listen to her? Could she truly manage such a large territory?
"You don't need to worry. If you encounter any problems, you can seek out Herman Green and Jack Moore," Charlotte reassured Cecilia, sensing her apprehension. "For any formal occasions requiring a representative, send Herman Green. For anything sensitive or requiring discretion, rely on old Jack. They are both trustworthy allies. But..."
Charlotte paused, her expression turning serious. "But, you must remember this: do not reveal any secrets about the territory to Stanley Mellerfield, and do not allow him to interfere in any of its affairs."
Cecilia nodded solemnly.
"Alright, that's all," Charlotte said with a smile. "Don't be too nervous. When I'm here, don't I leave most things for you to handle anyway? You have to believe in yourself, Cecilia. You're the brilliant person I've placed my trust in!"
Cecilia looked into Charlotte's sincere eyes, and a feeling she couldn't quite articulate welled up within her.