Earl Rundstedt

## [source]

Was located in the Capital of the Unsetting Sun until called back to be investigated.

Tumon Dukedom’s Lance of Annihilation

thick, near-white brows

a legendary being

Asked Richard to craft runes in the Land of Dusk

he looked like a soldier cast of iron who ate his enemies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

At the seat of honour was a tall, strong old man with his back ramrod straight; Marshal Rundstedt. Beside him was a middle-aged man who seemed quite ordinary outside of looking a little cunning, but anyone who could sit at ease beside the Marshal without being affected by his aura was clearly a powerhouse as well. Rundstedt clearly wasn’t an ordinary legendary being, but even outside of him everyone else gathered was at least a sub-legendary expert as well.

## Plot

Here’s what the Marshal said: “The City only values power and results, that kid isn’t even a grand mage yet, don’t talk to me about potential! Nobody cares about potential in this land. The fort is currently under my command, and all of its laws will apply to its residents. If there’s something he doesn’t like, he can become a legend and wrest me from my seat.” If you have the ability to overthrow him, you can make decisions in the City of the Unsetting Sun.”

Dreambreaker’s account was precise, even the gestures and timbre perfectly replicating Rundstedt. If one were to close their eyes, they really could believe that is was the Marshal himself speaking. 5;104

"It was like a group of sheep trying to put a lion on trial."  Richards thoughts on the nobles investigating Rundstedt.

Lawrence vaguely understood why Richard was so invested in this vote, but hearing Hasting’s words he gave up on any attempt to convince the man to be gentle. Instead, he just sneered, “Fine, I know my words don’t matter in this city anymore. Marshal Rundstedt, just know that the bigger picture you’re looking at isn’t nearly as big as you think. You’ve just bullied the most talented runemaster in the history of the Sacred Alliance, and that will have repercussions. Hasting, you’ve just pissed off Sharon’s favourite student. If she decides to hunt you down, you’ll experience pain far beyond what you inflict on that puny demon. Do whatever you want, but I wouldn’t mess with the girl if I were you.” 5;99

### **Investigation**

I heard the royal family is planning a secret council to investigate the Marshal’s misconduct during this war. Outside of that, there was certainly one more reason to question Rundstedt’s conduct. As someone with a high degree of autonomy, he had refused to call for reinforcements even when his men were on the verge of death. If Emperor Philip had been crippled or killed in his endeavour to reduce the pressure on the City of the Unsetting Sun, that would have been an enormous blow to the Sacred Alliance. None of Philip’s children were ready to take over the throne. 5;108

After Richard left, a third of the saints living in the city had left towards Fort Dawn with him. He had heard during his time in the Fort of Dawn that he wasn’t the only one dissatisfied with Rundstedt’s ways, and that many independent saints had moved to the other fortresses the moment the war drew to a close. The Marshal himself was still fighting his case in the courts, the investigation destined to drag on even further.

### **Trial**

Marshal Rundstedt’s trial was still ongoing, but this time it had escalated from a mere insult into a real investigation. The Church had sent a representative to coordinate the proceedings, and the head of every one of the fourteen families would be expected to vote to decide on guilt. The families of the seventh level had one vote each, while those on the sixth had two. The Ironblood Duke had three to himself, a number shared with the royal family. The royal family could also veto any decision that didn’t reach three-quarters majority, which would start the voting process once more.

As a legendary powerhouse, Rundstedt was clearly enraged by his trial. His crimes were errors in command and violations of the Alliance’s regulations. Even if he was convicted, the maximum punishment was dismissal from his position and removal of his marquessate. He was undoubtedly guilty, but delivering such a verdict was a problem in its own right; who, then, would be sent to guard the City of the Unsetting Sun?

## References

1. ↑ v5ch43
2. ↑ 6;149
3. ↑ 6;149