Impeachment

The Royal Palace in Prye City.

Although the city was still besieged by Sauron army and the atmosphere was heavy, the atmosphere inside the hall was temporarily dispelled by the successful entry of reinforcements, and was filled with a sense of relief and excitement at surviving a calamity.

King Heinrich XI, his face now radiating unbridled joy and relief, swept away the worry and fear of the past few days. He even personally led Sir Kylan and Friedrich into the hall.

"Warriors! My warriors! You have worked so hard! You have arrived just in time!" Heinrich's voice trembled with excitement. He gripped the arms of Kellan and Friedrich tightly, his eyes filled with gratitude. "If it weren't for your two loyal ministers leading the army in a bloody battle and breaking through the encirclement, I and the people of this city would truly not know what we would have done!"

This grand reception overwhelmed Kellan and Friedrich, who immediately knelt on one knee and saluted in military honor. "We are late in coming to Your Majesty's aid, and we have caused you distress! It is our honor to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

"Get up! Get up!" Heinrich personally helped the two up, his tone earnest, "The journey was arduous. How were the casualties among the soldiers? Have they all been settled?"

Kellan respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's blessings, although our army has endured a bitter battle, the main force remains intact, and more than 2,300 cavalrymen have entered the city and have been properly settled and rested by the officials within the city."

He paused, not forgetting Earl Rochefort's instructions, and cautiously added, "Your Majesty, I have come here on the orders of Earl Rochefort, the governor of Fran City. The Count has always been concerned about the safety of the Royal Capital, but unfortunately, Fran City is also besieged by the main force of the Ulf Sparrow Corps, and he cannot come in person."

"The Count has instructed me to convey to His Majesty that His Majesty's previous decree, which required Lord Karl Carnford to launch an offensive behind enemy lines and join forces with our army to attack the Sparrow Corps, is difficult to fulfill. Lord Karl has already tied down more than five thousand troops behind enemy lines, and Carnford is now completely surrounded by the Sauron."

"Even Lord Karl himself is missing, so the Count can only send us to provide assistance. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense."

Heinrich, in high spirits, waved his hand and said magnanimously, "I know, I know! That order was given in my haste and without careful consideration. Earl Rochefort and Lord Karl have already rendered outstanding service to the kingdom by withstanding the pressure in the Northern Territory and holding back a large number of Sauron soldier!"

"Especially Lord Karl, with his small territory, he managed to hold back several thousand of Sauron's army, preventing them from advancing south. His merit is immense! How could I possibly blame him? Go back and tell Rochfort and Karl that I remember their loyalty and bravery!"

Kellan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise! On behalf of Earl Rochefort and Lord Karl, I thank Your Majesty!"

At this moment, Friedrich, who was standing to the side, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt on one knee again. His voice was steady but carried an undeniable resolve. "Your Majesty! I, Friedrich von Schmidt, former Knight of Blackstone Pass, have a report to present!"

Heinrich's gaze shifted to Friedrich, his face still bearing an approving smile, "Sir Friedrich, I recognize you, Duke Schmidt's outstanding eldest son! I have heard of your achievements at Osric Fort; truly, like father, like son! What do you have to report? Speak freely."

Friedrich raised his head, his gaze fixed on the King, his tone becoming heavy and sharp. "Your Majesty! I must impeach one man! This man neglected his duties, embezzled military funds, and was cowardly of the enemy, causing the Blackstone Pass in the Northern Territory, to fall so easily, leaving the kingdom's northern gate wide open, allowing the Sauron Barbarians to advance unimpeded and besiege the Royal Capital! He bears the primary responsibility for today's crisis!"

Upon hearing this, the relaxed atmosphere in the hall instantly froze!

All the ministers held their breath, staring at Friedrich in astonishment.

No one expected that, at this moment when the crisis had just been resolved and it should have been a time for celebration, this young knight would throw out such a sharp and untimely impeachment!

Heinrich's smile froze instantly. He knew perfectly well who Friedrich wanted to impeach, and his voice unconsciously lowered. "Oh? Who do you want to impeach?"

Undeterred, Friedrich spoke clearly and distinctly, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "The one I wish to impeach is none other than Earl Eisenberg, the Governor of Blackstone Pass!"

He listed the sins that had long been weighing on his mind, each one like a heavy hammer blow in the silent hall:

"Firstly, when the Sauron army first approached, Earl Eisenberg holed up his most elite Eagle's Nest Legion inside the Eagle's Nest Fortress, watching as the outer fortresses were defeated one by one, showing no intention of helping them or cooperating in the battle!"

"Secondly, the garrison at Wintersburg, a crucial pass in Blackstone Pass, should have been at full strength of 800 men, but I have personally witnessed that the actual strength is less than 400! The extra pay and supplies have all gone into their own pockets! Moreover, the garrison equipment is old and outdated, the weapons are rusted, and the military is in a state of utter disrepair!"

"Thirdly, it was precisely because of his embezzlement of public funds and neglect of military preparedness that the Blackstone Pass was left undefended. Under the first wave of strong attacks from the Sauron, it fell in less than a night! If the Blackstone Pass had been able to hold out for a few more days, reinforcements from all over would have arrived, and the situation would not have deteriorated to this extent."

"Your Majesty! The kingdom's current peril and the devastation in the Northern Territory are the undeniable guilt of Earl Eisenberg! I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and severely punish this scoundrel to uphold the law and restore peace to the army and the people!"

Every word Friedrich spoke resonated deeply, filled with grief and indignation, and possessed an undeniable power.

The hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Many ministers lowered their heads, not daring to meet Friedrich's gaze, much less look at the King's expression.

Everyone knows that Earl Eisenberg is the King's father-in-law and Queen Katerina's father!

At this time, to impeach him with such strong words is simply...

Heinrich XI's face turned extremely pale, alternating between ashen and ashen.

He knew, of course, that what Friedrich said was likely true; he had long heard of Eisenberg's cowardice.

But at this moment, in front of the entire court, to be so bluntly exposed by a young knight, especially since it involved his father-in-law, made him feel extremely embarrassed and angry.

However, the other party was a hero who had just fought a bloody battle and saved the emperor, so he could not lash out on the spot.

After a long silence, Heinrich managed to suppress his anger and embarrassment, and said in as calm a tone as possible, "Sir Friedrich... I... I know about what you have reported."

"The defeat in the Northern Territory War has its reasons, and we will discuss that later. The most important task at present is to defend the Royal Capital and repel the Sauron. You and Sir Kylan have had a long and arduous journey, so go and rest well. I have already ordered that food and drink be prepared to reward the soldiers."