Viscount Kenneth was drenched in cold sweat as he stared at the place on the map where his father had punched …
"Father. Father, have you gone mad? That is Earl Lopez's fief. He is the King's trusted aide. Have you forgotten His Majesty's words? He wants our family to cooperate sincerely with Earl Lopez. We will be in the open and attract the attention of Duke Lujins. Earl Lopez will be in the dark, gathering his elite troops and waiting for an opportunity to deal a fatal blow to the Duke. Not to mention anything else, how are we going to attack Earl Lopez? Just because of that group of soldiers who don't listen to orders? Also, Earl Lopez has quite a few Silver Knights under him … "
"His Majesty? Are you talking about that idiot, the second prince? He can't even take care of himself right now and doesn't have the time to pay attention to the North. When I left for the North, I just received news that the second prince's army had just suffered a huge defeat in the Duchy of Melaine and was utterly defeated. Duke Melaine led the army to counterattack the Iberian Kingdom and has swept through the three southern counties of the kingdom. Right now, the second prince should be kneeling at the feet of his father-in-law, Duke Fisablun, begging the Duke to send troops to save him. Otherwise, the capital will be lost … "Viscount Kenneth sneered.
"As for Earl Lopez, do you think he is a loyal subject of the second prince? The second prince wanted our family to be in the open and let him be in the dark, but what did he do? After getting his fief, he was only pretending to obey the second prince. He only knew how to ask for this and that from our family. When we asked for his help, he kept saying that the Mountain Barbarians were rampant in his territory and that he couldn't spare any troops to help us. Now, the Mountain Barbarians he always talked about have finally put him to bed, and the few Silver Knights under him are all dead. Take a look at this. "Viscount Kenneth took out a letter.
"This is a letter from Earl Lopez asking for help. With this letter, we will be able to enter his territory and castle as we please. By the time we arrive, Count Lopez will have died of his wounds. Then, we can annex his territory and troops, and attack the surrounding lords until we occupy the entire eastern part of the North. "
"But Father, the eastern region is connected to the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range. The Mountain Barbarians are a huge threat … Didn't we discuss this before? It was because of Earl Lopez and the Mountain Barbarians that we gave up on the plan to occupy the eastern part of the Northern Region?" the Viscount said.
"The current situation is very different from what we estimated before. The return of the second young master of the Norton family has greatly increased their strength, and we can no longer swallow them. The development plan of the Moergen Hills is no longer possible. While our losses are still small, we can turn east and let the Norton Family face off against Duke Lujins. This is a good opportunity for us to wipe out the lords in the east and take control of this land. "
"Father, even if we unify the eastern part of the north, the Mountain Barbarians are still a big problem for us. The Mountain Barbarians in the eastern region are very active, and this will be the biggest obstacle for us to develop the east in the future …" The viscount was still not optimistic about the strategic change proposed by his father.
"Haha, have you forgotten about the mountain barbarian slaves I bought before? Didn't you question why I treated these mountain barbarians like distinguished guests, giving them whatever they wanted? Now is the time for them to contribute. I can give offerings to the Mountain Barbarians in the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range, trade with them, and even hire an army of mountain barbarians to conquer the east and conquer the west. I promised those mountain barbarian slaves that as long as they can fulfill my demands, they can continue to live a luxurious life. With them contributing to our family, I believe that the Mountain Barbarians in the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range will become a new source of wealth for our family. "The head of the family pointed at the map.
"Look at the map carefully. If we follow the plan to make the Norton Family submit to us and carry out the development plan of the Moergen Hills, then our access to the outside world will still be in the hands of Duke Lujins. He will be like a bug sucking our blood. If we carry out the plan of the eastern part of the north and occupy the entire eastern region, we can build a new iron chain bridge upstream of the Mitubro River to connect the eastern region to the outside world. In the future, our family's supplies won't have to go through Duke Lujins' territory and the Hendryford Iron Chain Bridge, and we won't have to be skinned by Duke Lujins anymore. From this point of view, developing towards the eastern part of the north is the most suitable path for our family's development … "
"But our family's armed forces might not be able to carry out your plan. Those soldiers still refuse to obey my orders …" The viscount was a little dejected.
"That's because you ordered them to die!" The head of the family was exasperated. "I'm actually glad that they refused to obey your orders. What else is there in your head besides women and money? Do you think that two thousand soldiers can take down such a strong defense? If that was the case, the second prince would have been invincible in the world. I thought that we were very lucky that our armed forces had reached the north before the second prince was defeated. Otherwise, these two thousand retired soldiers would have been sent to the frontlines by the second prince as cannon fodder. I didn't expect to receive bad news as soon as I arrived. Five hundred men! You wasted a quarter of the army in one afternoon. I, I really want to beat you half to death … "
The head of the family took two deep breaths to calm himself down. "From now on, this family's armed forces will no longer listen to your command. Muribad- "
"Your subordinate is here!" One of the two attendants who entered the tent with the head of the family stepped forward and answered loudly. He was a tall man in his thirties with the temperament of a soldier.
"Muribad- I appoint you as the captain of the armed forces. You will be in charge of that unit."
"Yes, Master. I will not let you down."
The head of the family nodded and said to the viscount, "Muribad- was originally the captain of the Romon Empire's imperial guards. He was a 3-star Silver, but because he offended the nobles, his entire family was in trouble. I brought his entire family back, and he is willing to pledge his loyalty to the Kempis Family. He will become our family's knight. "
"Su, come here."
Another attendant took a step forward. He was a burly man with dark skin and was at least 2.2 meters tall. He was more than a head taller than Viscount Gaimus, and his strong muscles were like they were cast from iron.
"His name is Suremes, a gladiator from the Haneabada Kingdom. He's a 2-star Silver, and he's undefeated in life and death battles. I spent a lot of money and two big favors to buy him. I even asked someone to teach him the etiquette of a knight. He is also willing to become our family's knight. Now proceed with the knight promotion ceremony for the two of them. "The head of the family ordered the viscount.
After the promotion ceremony, the head of the family asked the viscount why he saw the viscount throwing a tantrum and smashing things when he came in.
The viscount told him the reason.
The head of the family shook his head, "You are still lacking in consideration. The more it is like this, the more you should participate. You don't have to fight, but you have to see if you can choose some wandering knights and free knights from the north to serve our family. To the northerners, we are outsiders and not familiar with the people and the land. However, with these wandering knights working for our family, we'll be able to gain a foothold in the north faster and integrate into the nobles in the north … "
"Father, I think these wandering knights are all untamed dogs. Wherever there is meat, they will pounce and fight for it. Their habits are similar to mercenaries, and they are not good at martial arts. I don't think we should recruit wandering knights into our family." The viscount was against his father's suggestion.
"You are wrong. One or two dogs are useless, but if there are too many of them, even the most ferocious demon wolves will retreat. Our family cannot rely on just one army, just like how a man needs two legs to walk. Although these wandering knights are not good at martial arts, they are the best candidates for a knight order. Later, you will take Su to watch the challenges and duels of those knights. Let Su help you pick out a good candidate for the family's knight. Also, spread the word that our family is preparing to form a small knight order, and we welcome wandering knights to sign up. "
"As long as they come to sign up?" the viscount asked.
"No, we will only accept silver knights. In the future, when we unify the eastern part of the north, the mountain barbarians will not easily fall out with us with such a silver knight order. Let the knights who come to sign up stay in the camp first. I will bring Muribard and Su to Earl Lopez's territory tomorrow afternoon. I will leave you with two hundred soldiers to guard and take care of the wounded. You will deal with the lords here and recruit wandering knights. If anyone asks, say that we received a letter from Earl Lopez asking for help and sent our family knights to help, "the head of the family said.
"Yes, father. I understand. You mean to recruit the wandering knights into the order and not to make them our family knights, right? "
"Yes. You can also tell them that those who perform well will have the chance to be promoted to family knights." The head of the family nodded.
… …
Laurist was standing on the city wall with Miss Tracey to watch the duels between the knights in the open field below.
"My lord, I really don't like to watch these fights …" Compared to the excited little Winnie, Miss Tracey reluctantly accepted Laurist's invitation to watch.
"My dear Tracey, you can't always stay indoors reading or studying models. It will affect your health. It is good to come out for a walk and bask in the sun. Don't say that it is a waste of time. If you fall sick and have to stay in bed for a few days, it will waste even more time, "Laurist said.
"Sigh …" Miss Tracey frowned as she looked down the city wall. "Why do men always like to win? Wouldn't it be better to sit down and have a few cups of tea and chat?"
"That is a good idea. I have good tea in my room. Why don't I invite the beautiful Miss Tracey to my place for a cup of tea and talk about life?" Laurist said with a smile.
Miss Tracey rolled her eyes at him and said flirtatiously, "You are up to no good again. I will not fall for it …"
Alright, it was a pleasure to have a beautiful woman teasing him. Just as Laurist was about to continue, Pat hurried over with a serious face. "My lord, a messenger has arrived."
He had no choice but to apologize to Miss Tresti, bid his farewell, and followed Pat to his room.
The messenger was a pale and sweaty mercenary. Anyone who had traveled for six to seven hours on three horses would look like this. Laurist knew this mercenary. He had sparred with him when they were choosing the location of the stronghold.
Once he saw Laurist, he was shocked by the news the messenger told him. "My lord, an army bearing the banner of the Northland Army and Duke Lujins appeared outside Northern Field Town this morning. The town opened its gates to welcome them. The army is estimated to have three to five thousand people, and they have set up camp outside Northern Field Town. Brother Husky has already brought people to check the route of the army and ordered me to report to my lord … "
"What did you say?" Laurist could not believe his own ears. He was no stranger to the terrain of his family's territory. Blade Peak Mountain, Black Clay Swamp, Demon Dragon Mountain Range, Black Forest, Molgen Hills. Other than the Monolith Castle blocking the way to the outside world, he could not think of any other place where large groups of people could pass through …
As the messenger, the mercenary thought that Laurist didn't hear him clearly, so he repeated himself.
"Pat, bring me a map of the family's territory."
"Have you notified Maple Manor?" Laurist asked the mercenary.
"Yes, it's on the way. I loudly told the guards outside the castle, but they did not go in. They came straight here," the mercenary said.
"Sederkamp, take this brother to rest. Let him have a good meal and a good night's sleep. It's best if he takes a hot bath first …" Lorist took out a small pouch of money and tossed it to the mercenary as he instructed Sederkamp, who was standing by the side.
Pat spread the map of the family's territory on the table.
Laurist and Pat looked at the map carefully. Although they could not find a place where thousands of men could pass through, Laurist suspected that there was a secret path to the inside of the family's territory.
"My lord, I heard that there were always smuggling caravans in Northern Field Town when I was young, but I have never seen them. I think Northern Field Town must know the secret path to the outside world. Otherwise, they would have to pass through our Maple Manor to get to the outside world. If Duke Lujins' army did not fly over, then it must be the people from Northern Field Town who led them into our family's territory, "Pat said angrily.
Laurist nodded, "It is confirmed that Northern Field Town has rebelled. But when did they collude with Duke Lujins? Also, it takes six to seven hours for the messenger to reach here from Maple Manor. We do not know the situation at Maple Manor yet. Is the army heading towards our Rock Castle? Pat, you send Paul Binns out with scouts at once until he sees the army. I will go find someone and move all the men from the camp outside the castle wall into the castle. "
…
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