Charles thought it was Count Oden who lured the enemy and took a detour, but he hadn't reached Seven Forks Fortress yet.
So he asked Lord Andrew to divide his troops to search.
After sending someone to send a warning to Seven Forks Fortress and asking him to light a beacon fire to call for reinforcements, Andrew divided Royal City Guard into several teams, and the troops went in the direction of Serenmis in multiple directions.
Andrew behaved very righteously. He asked Charles to follow one of the armed retinues and lead the way to the place where he and Count Oden met the enemy.
But regardless of whether Count Oden or the enemy's army is found, all troops must meet at Seven Forks Fortress the next day.
In fact, this is not because of loyalty, but because of responsibility.
When encountering such a major military situation, you must send more scouts and try your best to find the whereabouts of the Bacchus Empire army.
From Seven Forks Fortress to the north, there is a vast wilderness of hundreds of miles - nearby is the terrible no man's land that Li Ang and Sarah passed through.
Because it is sandwiched between two large rivers and the nearby mountains form a basin, this wilderness is filled with fog all year round. Even if the target is a large army, it is not that easy to find.
Charles led dozens of Lion Territory armed guards and wandered around for a whole day without finding anyone. The royal guards had to return to Seven Forks Fortress in accordance with military orders, so Charles had no choice but to go back with them.
At this time, three days have passed since Count Oden encountered the enemy.
Charles As those retinues returned to Seven Forks Fortress, they saw from a distance that the flag of Lord Seven Forks Fortress Eldred was lowered by half...
Charles naturally knows what this means - only when a respected and famous figure dies, the flag will be flown at half-mast.
At present, the only one who can meet this condition near Seven Forks Fortress is probably the famous 'Brave Shield' who has protected the northeastern part of the kingdom for thirty years with almost the power of a city, Count Oden!
He rushed into Seven Forks Fortress crazily, but as soon as he entered the city, he was surrounded by the garrison, and together with the Lion Territory retinue belonging to Royal City Guard, they were disarmed.
Charles shouted loudly, "I am Count Oden's retinue! Let me go!"
Although no one knows that Charles is the son of Oden, many people have seen him in Noble Council, and he often goes to various places to deliver orders, so many people know him and know that he is indeed Oden's trusted subordinate.
So he was indeed released quickly, but those Lion Territory followers were still detained.
Charles rushed directly into Baron Eldred's castle hall, just in time to catch up with Baron Eldred paying his last respects to Count Oden's body.
Charles collapsed immediately.
He has been with Oden since he was a boy. Although he is an illegitimate son, Oden is very good to him, and the relationship between father and son has always been deep.
However, even though he was as sad as if his heart had been ripped out, even though he was so distraught that he couldn't even walk, Charles could still sense that something was wrong.
--He didn't see Count Oden's subordinates, and none of Brave Shield Fortress's troops were there!
His whole body was shaking, and he asked Eldred with tears in his eyes, "How could this happen? He brought Brave Shield Fortress's elite troops with him! There is no way he could die in the hands of the Bacchus Empire! Where are Brave Shield Fortress's troops?"
In the Lionheart Kingdom, if a civilian servant dares to talk to a high-ranking nobleman in this way, the usual outcome is to be beaten half to death and thrown into the river.
But Eldred also met Charles at Noble Council. Seeing Charles so sad, he probably thought he was too loyal to Count Oden. It is forgivable for such a loyal follower to lose his mind and then be rude and offensive.
Therefore, Eldred showed great tolerance and even patiently explained a few words.
"Count Oden returned to the vicinity of Seven Forks Fortress with hundreds of royal guards last night. I saw the flags of him and Lord Andrew on the city wall."
"But I don't know why. They seemed to have a conflict outside the city. I was too far away and I couldn't see the specific situation. I only knew that they were fighting."
"By the time I left the city to respond, Lord Earl had already died in the battle, and the team of Royal City Guard had also fled away... If my eyes are not blind, it was Lord Andrew's team that attacked him."
"I have too few cavalry to pursue Andrew, so I have to bring back the body of Master Earl first."
"You are Lord Earl's trusted subordinate. What you should do now is not to cry, but to report the news to Lion City and Brave Shield Fortress."
Subsequently, Charles was kicked out of Seven Forks Fortress.
Because he didn't believe what Eldred said - Andrew was found by him and he met him halfway. How could he kill Count Oden for no reason?
But as soon as Charles said "You lied" out of his mouth, Eldred ordered him to be thrown out Seven Forks Fortress.
Charles was both painful and angry, but there was nothing he could do about it - he himself was the Noble Council attendant who knew the most etiquette. He knew that since he had been so rude to a high-ranking nobleman continuously, Eldred did not beat him or even kill him, it was considered as a matter of Count Oden's face.
But Baron Eldred's words are obviously not credible.
Charles is starting to doubt everyone now.
But the problem is that he is just a civilian retinue - no one knows that he is Count Oden's son. If Oden dies, no one will take him seriously.
This is the tragedy of illegitimate children...
Charles had no choice but to rush to Wheat Fragrance Territory as quickly as possible - this was Count Oden's final instruction to him, asking him to come to Li Ang.
Only Li Ang knows that he is Oden's son and will listen to him carefully.
"Lord Li Ang, I don't know what happened specifically, but Baron Eldred definitely didn't tell the truth."
"He captured Lord Andrew's Royal City Guard, but easily released me who went back with the guards. I'm not a fool..."
After two days of running around, Charles has calmed down a lot and sorted out the biggest problem.
"He is really unscrupulous... Even if he is not the mastermind, he must be the number one accomplice..."
The Lord Lord was already gnashing his teeth at this time. Renier and Eldred, father and son, are indeed like father, like son.
"But what should I do now? I can't even take away my father's body..."
Charles clasped his hands tightly in his hair, feeling helpless and frustrated, probably confused.
He hadn't eaten for three days and his face looked as withered as an old man.
Li Ang handed him a bowl of water, motioned for him to drink it, and then said slowly, "Charles, it's best for you not to do anything now... take a good rest here first and let me think about it."
The first thing the Lord thought about was the starting point of this matter.
Why was Count Oden killed?
This was after he resigned from his post at Noble Council and handed over the leadership affairs - he was already old and decided to return to Brave Shield Fortress to guard the border. Why was he still killed under such circumstances?
Considering that Eldred is Renier's father... is this also Bacchus Empire's plan?
Was it because Oden accidentally ran into the cavalry army led by Governor Kairos that he was killed in a chain reaction?
No, the time doesn't match...
It is January 12th, Pendor Calendar 355.
On January 1, the two countries withdrew their troops from Sava Fortress.
On the 3rd, Li Ang completed the knighting ceremony and met Count Oden for the last time at Lion City King's Avenue.
On the 6th, Li Ang returned to Wheat Fragrance Territory; on the same day, Oden met Bacchus Empire cavalry; Charles went to ask for help.
On the 8th, Wheat Fragrance Territory was attacked by Renier, and White Deer Fortress was besieged by the Bacchus Army. On the evening of the same day, Oden died outside Seven Forks Fortress.
On the 9th, Li Ang kidnapped two governors and relieved White Deer Fortress; on the same day, Charles learned of Oden's death and was driven out of Seven Forks Fortress.
On the 11th, Ralph's rangers cleared the area around White Deer Fortress, Ryman's Lion Knight moved into White Deer Fortress, and Bacchus Empire retreated.
On the 12th, Long River Town Sentinels arrived at Wheat Fragrance Territory, and Charles also came to Wheat Fragrance Territory.
As early as January 6, Oden encountered the cavalry regiment of the Bacchus Empire, but at that time White Deer Fortress had not been attacked yet!
Li Ang immediately found Governor Justus who was still a hostage. "Justus, when exactly did your marshal Kairos lead the cavalry in the direction of Serenmis? You'd better tell me the truth now."
This is the first time that Li Ang calls Governor Justus by his first name without adding any honorifics.
"A week ago, he went directly after defeating Grand Duke Alma at the gate of Calundru Castle."
Justus didn't know what happened, but looking at Li Ang with a sullen expression and the change of title, he could naturally realize that this lord was probably in a very bad mood.
So he didn't mince words and gave the real answer directly.
Justus said before that Kairos went to White Deer Fortress and arranged the siege before taking all the cavalry to Serenmis.
The governor was obviously delivering false news at that time, because judging from this rhythm, Kairos would not be able to arrive near Serenmis until at least January 10th, so Count Oden would not be able to meet him.
The governor seemed extremely cooperative after being kidnapped, but he still did not tell the truth. He was still considering the military situation of the empire and covering up Kairos's movements.
Since it was a week ago, it was January 5th, which makes sense.
Kairos brings all the cavalry, and it is true that he can reach the distance between Seven Forks Fortress and Serenmis from Calundru Castle in one day.
So, is Kairos trying to attack Serenmis, or is it trying to stop Count Oden?
Or... for something else?
"What is the purpose of Kairos? Is White Deer Fortress's offensive a feint attack or a main attack?"
Li Ang suddenly became shocked, and he realized that Bacchus Empire also used Two-Headed Snake's tactics!
It's just more hidden and more dangerous, and the plot probably doesn't involve one city or one place...
But this time, Justus just looked at Li Ang quietly and shook his head. "I really don't know, I was just ordered to attack White Deer Fortress."
He may really not know, or he may be hiding it.
But 'I don't know' is actually a useful answer for Li Ang.