Chapter 613: Cold Ice

“What?”

“A guardian?”

“I object!”

After Emmaless announced this decision, the nobles in the hall fell into a deathly silence, but soon a cacophony of voices erupted.

“Baron Elph, Sir Tom, and Sir Adams, what are you objecting to?”

Emmaless looked at the three loudest voices, her eyes showing a hint of disdain.

After all, the ones they had married were the Count’s previous daughters-in-law, having nothing to do with her.

“…”

Under the gaze of many, these three nobles fell silent.

The guardian’s power was immense, equivalent to a guardian who could act on behalf of the lord in all matters. If the territory had a legitimate heir, the power would be returned upon his coming of age, but did Blue Mountain Earl even have a son?

Therefore, seeing the howling castle about to fall into Wu Ming’s hands, Viscount Balle and others were greatly alarmed but could do nothing.

The engagement had already been hinted at by Blue Mountain Earl and publicly announced before all the allied nobles, making it impossible to stop.

Moreover, the guardian should be chosen from close blood relatives—usually the one with the greatest power—this was almost a joke, as everyone knew that Wu Ming’s family alone was almost equal to the combined forces of all the nobles in the current Blue Blood faction!

Therefore, when Emmaless questioned them, Barons Elph and others immediately fell silent, having no suitable reason.

Wu Ming silently watched this scene, inwardly smiling—it all came down to strength.

If he didn’t have the advantage, even if Emmaless strongly supported him, the other side would likely argue irrationally.

But now, without a proper reason, the opposition dared not provoke him.

“Alright, since you cannot provide any grounds for objection, as the Count’s widow, I have the right to recommend the next guardian. Baron William has already proven himself worthy through his actions!”

Emmaless slightly bowed to Wu Ming in respect.

“Ladies and gentlemen!”

Wu Ming coughed lightly, stepping forward confidently: “I will take the oath of office at sunrise tomorrow and pass judgment on the criminals!”

“Hold a trial?”

Viscount Balle immediately felt short of breath.

Had the opponent already assumed the title of guardian and was now immediately going to exercise the authority of judgment?

With both strength and authority, plus the deterrent of death, it was likely that after repelling the Red Army, he would soon claim the title of Earl himself.

After the banquet, Viscount Balle left the venue, burdened with thoughts.

He had a premonition that many people would not sleep peacefully tonight.

…

The next day, golden morning light bathed the entire Howling City.

In the large square in front of Howling Castle, a vast open area had been cleared, with a tribunal erected in the center.

Curious citizens gathered outside the security line formed by soldiers, watching the worried and variously expressioned nobles inside.

Woo!

The horn sounded, and under the escort of two rows of soldiers holding spears, Wu Ming slowly emerged from Howling Castle.

He was clearly dressed up for the occasion, his attire woven with golden and silver threads, shimmering in the sunlight. His sturdy leather boots had a smooth curvature, and the Dragon Heart Sword at his waist had a new sheath. With his naturally handsome appearance, he now exuded immense majesty.

“Bring our prisoners forward!”

Wu Ming’s voice was solemn and powerful, echoing throughout the square.

Several prisoners were escorted onto the platform. The first was Viscount Eagleburg, his hair white with age, followed by several captured knights from the Wellington family, though Gail was not among them.

When they saw the gallows in the center, their eyes immediately showed fear.

Especially Viscount Eagleburg, who had been rescued and treated that day, secretly hoped he might receive a dignified end befitting a Blue Blood noble—perhaps being confined only to the church, with most of his lands confiscated but a small portion passed on to one of his descendants to continue the glory of Eagleburg.

But when he saw the gallows, he immediately understood.

Baron William had only rescued him to grant him a public trial, using his life to intimidate the defiant Blue Blood nobles.

“No! You can’t do this!”

Seeing Viscount Eagleburg among the war criminals, Viscount Balle could no longer restrain himself: “Baron William, you cannot try a Blue Blood Viscount! One of the three most pure-blooded noble branches!”

Viscount Balle emphasized the contrast in their ranks. Naturally, he couldn’t allow Wu Ming to try a Viscount, as he himself was only equal to Viscount Eagleburg. If Wu Ming succeeded, wouldn’t the power over life and death of all the nobles present henceforth be in someone else’s hands?

Viscount Eagleburg has already betrayed the honor of the Blue Bloods, leading to the Earl’s death! As the guardian of Howling Castle, I have the authority to try him!

Wu Ming smiled slightly: “Escort them to the tribunal!”

“Wait a minute!”

At this moment, a loud shout came from outside, and a noble entered.

He had a similar appearance to Blue Mountain Earl, though much younger: “Baron William, you are not a pure Blue Blood, and Emmaless has no authority to appoint you as the guardian of Howling Castle! I—Andrew·Blue Mountain, the Earl’s cousin, a member of the Blue Tiger family, am the most legitimate heir!”

“Andrew, you were already exiled from Windfly Plains by the Earl!”

Emmaless gasped in shock: “Why have you returned now?”

She looked at the silent Viscount Balle and immediately understood; this must be the hidden card he had prepared.

“Nonsense!”

But Wu Ming was determined to try the war criminals and rightfully gain supreme authority and leadership of the alliance—how could he not be prepared?

Almost instantly, Baron Terry stepped forward: “William’s bloodline comes from a branch of my family. Our family’s Blue Blood heritage shares the same origin as the Blue Mountain family. Andrew, you don’t even have a title; do you want to end up on the gallows by slandering a Blue Blood noble?”

“That’s right!”

Baron Wilfred also spoke calmly: “We all know very well about this Andrew’s character! Otherwise, the Earl wouldn’t have exiled him from Windfly Plains years ago, and he had already stripped him of his inheritance rights!”

“That’s a lie; he deliberately persecuted me!”

Having this old wound exposed, Andrew’s face turned extremely ugly: “I’ve returned this time to correct this mistake!”

“Viscount Balle and everyone else!”

Emmaless took a breath and looked around: “You’ve all seen that this Mr. Andrew has not provided any solid evidence and has attempted to slander a nobleman. He deserves to be punished!”

“Mr. Andrew, regarding your defamation of my honor, I will naturally challenge you to a duel after I finish trying these criminals!”

Wu Ming said politely while waving his hand: “Now, don’t interrupt anymore!”

With a wave of his hand, two soldiers immediately stepped forward and easily dragged Andrew away.

Now that the situation was firmly under his control, how could such a petty troublemaker shake it?

Viscount Eagle Castle—Brant Nielphy!

Wu Ming ascended the platform and calmly looked at the aging noble before him: “You have betrayed the glory of the Blue Bloods, led the Wellington family into Windfly Plains, and caused the death of Blue Mountain Earl. Your crimes are grave! In the name of Lord of Karros Territory, Baron Karros, Guardian of Howling City, and Blue Blood Judge, I sentence you—to death!”

Under Viscount Balle’s desperate gaze, he slowly drew his Dragon Heart Sword.

Crash! Crash!

Under the sunlight, a large amount of white frost gathered on the sword blade, forming a transparent layer of ice. In an instant, the Dragon Heart Sword transformed into a massive ice-blue greatsword! On the outside, it was also surrounded by golden, illusory cold flames, making Wu Ming look like a war god.

“This… this is…”

Looking at the beautiful icy greatsword under the morning light, Viscount Balle’s eyes nearly popped out of his head: “The power of ice! The power of Conqueror Taler!”

“Our ancestors were born from the death of a blue dragon, bearing the power of frost and coldness within them, which would gradually pass down through the bloodline, until one day awakening again in his descendants!”

Beside Viscount Balle, a white-haired baron with a dazed expression muttered this widely known poem, falling to one knee: “I pledge my allegiance, the true heir of the Blue Blood!”

“William! William!”

Seeing this incredible scene, many nobles also knelt down one after another, shouting the name of William.

“With the power of the people, simulating Beatrice’s ice bloodline was indeed effortless!”

Feeling the sincere submission of many nobles and the increasing strength of the people’s power within him, Wu Ming thought silently.

Since obtaining the Dragon Heart Sword, he had been preparing for this moment.

First, he won over Baron Terry to vouch for his bloodline.

Then, he paraded around with the Dragon Heart Sword, a magical weapon known to all nobles to have bloodline restrictions.

Finally, in front of everyone, he revealed his icy abilities, creating the illusion that he was of pure Blue Blood descent!

Being able to materialize ice and create such a terrifying scene was something only the closest blood relatives of Taler could accomplish.

In the current era, where the bloodline had become so diluted, Wu Ming’s display of the Blue Dragon’s icy bloodline would make it hard for anyone to doubt his pure-blood status.

“Conqueror!”

“Conqueror!”

This scene seemed to ignite the aspirations deep within the hearts of many Blue Bloods, who cheered fervently. This enthusiasm even spread to the surrounding commoners, forming a roaring tide.

In the midst of the roaring crowd, Wu Ming’s face was cold and stern as he stepped forward, raising the crystal greatsword high: “Execute immediately!”

Crash!

The icy greatsword, wreathed in cold flames, slashed downward, shaking the entire ground and creating a massive crater on the platform, surrounded by frost. Viscount Eagleburg was already reduced to countless ice shards, his body shattered beyond recognition.

“Knights of the Wellington family, you have invaded the territory of a king and must pay the price. In the name of the Blue Bloods, I sentence you to hanging—execute immediately!”

The faces of these knights turned deathly pale, unable to utter a word. Soon, they were shoved forward by several zealous soldiers, trembling as they ascended the gallows. The trapdoor opened, and not long after, they became slightly twitching corpses.