Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 228: Alliance 2

TL: Etude

Marltz, that old rogue, once stole a herd of my horses, claiming I had been speaking ill of him behind his back. Of course, it was all lies; I always criticized him to his face.

One of my border villages was forcibly annexed by the Kent family. Oh, how I mourn! That land was a hereditary possession from the time my ancestors were knights.

And that scoundrel from the Kent family, he had the audacity to capture people who had wronged me in my own territory without so much as a word to me. These were my subjects! Even when beating a dog, one must regard its master, but this young man showed no respect for me as a lord.

When my territory was invaded by pirates, he had the gall to offer assistance only if I swore fealty to him. Such arrogance and insolence! Doesnt he know that I am a loyal subject of His Majesty the King?

Three years ago, Viscount Cole was framed by Marltz, accused of secretly opposing Duke Ferdinand. His entire family was exiled, and their wealth was absorbed by the Kent family. I still shudder at the thought.

He even built a dam on his land, charging us for water during droughts. We lords downstream have to suffer his extortion every year.

Marltz Kent, a despicable man! A despicable man!

The hall was abuzz with lords venting their grievances against the overbearing Kent family, their disdain growing with each tale.

As the discussion heated up, painting the Kent family as utterly reprehensible, Count Parker, seeing the right moment, stood up and waved his hands.

Gentlemen! Quiet! Quiet!

As he spoke, the hall gradually fell silent, all eyes turning to Price Parker.

The elderly count spoke loudly: Merely talking about the Kents here does nothing to hurt them. Only by taking concrete action can we bring them down.

Someone immediately shouted: Lord Count, please tell us what to do!

With a leader to rally around, the others echoed in agreement, expressing their determination to resist the Kent family to the end.

The old count replied promptly: Cooperation! Only by working together can we stand against the Kent family! The people in this hall represent only about half of the lords from Northwest Bay. That means the other half either supports Marltz Kent, or at least does not oppose him. He now has the power to manipulate the Duke and control the Ferdinand family. We are still slightly weaker in terms of strength, so we must unite.

Count Parker is right!

Lets band together against the Kent family!

Seeing no dissent, Price Parker secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had carefully selected and invited the lords attending this meeting, but he hadnt expected it to go so smoothly.

Hmph, Marltz Kent, youve always been so arrogant and overbearing, never realizing how many enemies youve made in the shadows.

Marltz wont surrender easily since he holds the upper hand. Sooner or later, well have to fight him. Everyone must contribute what they can. Ill start: my Parker family can provide 50 knights and 1500 soldiers.

Hearing this, the lords in the hall began reporting the forces they could contribute, having already calculated their resources in anticipation of this discussion.

My Malkan family can provide 50 knights and 1200 soldiers.

The Heller family can provide 30 knights and 1300 soldiers.

The Johnston family can provide 20 knights and 1000 soldiers.

It was Paul and Malrons turn to report their forces. Paul stated, Together, the Grayman and Ganard families can provide 1000 soldiers.

Count Parker stroked his beard and nodded, understanding that the people of Alda were not populous, and Baylding had suffered a rebellion just last year. It was reasonable that they could only muster 1000 men combined.

After all the lords had reported, they could muster an army of over 500 knights and more than 12,000 soldiers.

Paul thought to himself, Half of the lords from the northwest can bring forth more than ten thousand soldiers. If all the lords of the country supported the royal family with such vigor, the southern rebellion could be quelled in just half a year.

He subconsciously compared these soldiers with those trained in Alda, forgetting that most of the soldiers mentioned by these lords were temporarily conscripted farmers. If these peasant soldiers were all provided to the royal family, managing them would be a tremendous burden, especially given the logistical challenges of a long march south to quell the rebellion. These soldiers could not stay on the battlefield for long either, as someone had to tend the lands.

Count Parker was very pleased with the alliances strength, twirling his beard with a smile, saying:

Excellent! Our strength is fully capable of confronting Marltz Kent and his accomplices. Furthermore, we must report the Kent family to His Majesty the King for holding a lord hostage and plotting a rebellion, and to the Church for suspicions of manipulating witchcraft, putting righteousness on our side and garnering more support.

Thus, the lords agreed on detailed steps.

After returning, they would start recruiting and training troops, guarding their own territories. Should the Kent family sense something amiss and send forces, the other lords would immediately come to aid.

Once their forces were ready, the lords would jointly write a letter to the nation, exposing the Kent familys misdeeds, especially to the royal family and the Church, including accusations of holding a lord hostage, intentions of rebellion, and manipulating witchcraft, in addition to their everyday oppressions.

They would also issue a final ultimatum to the Kent family, demanding Marltz Kent admit his guilt. If he demoted his own title, released Duke Ferdinand, returned the benefits extorted from everyone, and paid a significant fine, they would collectively shield him from the pursuit of the royal family and the Church. After all, he was a noble and lord of Northwest Bay, and deserved a chance to reform.

Paul initially objected, arguing that someone like Marltz Kent should be dealt with harshly once defeated.

Malron quietly advised him, Such a proposal would frighten everyone. I dont know about other places, but in Northwest Bay, its an unwritten rule among lords to leave each other an escape route, unless theres a deep-seated hatred.

So, leave a way out for others, so you can meet again on good terms in the future?

Exactly, thats the idea. There arent many things that would lead lords to utterly destroy each other.

What are those things?

Vengeance for killing a relative, or dealing with a rebellious peasant.

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