Chapter 299:
Jace sat anxiously in the meeting room, with a knight standing before him.
After putting down the letter in his hand, the Duke’s son stood up and paced back and forth in the room.
“Has father made up his mind?”
“Yes, Viscount. The Duke has decided—to consolidate forces and engage in a decisive battle with Grayman.”
Jace shook his head: “But we have just reclaimed the western territories. If we withdraw, the enemy will return in force.”
“Viscount, the Duke has instructed me to tell you that if we can defeat Grayman, the other lords are merely jesters.”
Seeing Jace still hesitant, the knight advised, “Reliable information indicates that Grayman is vigorously recruiting and building more armies. His fleet sails unimpeded on the Weiss River, easily transporting troops and supplies upstream. His forces have occupied the land of the Andrew family as a forward base. Fish Tail Town is a good port; our spies report daily merchant ship activities there. The Aldans are clearly planning something, and their next target is likely to be Center City. Do you want to see your father isolated and helpless?”
Jace clenched his fist: “No, never. But, I want to lead troops north first to resolve the situation at Bayland Castle.”
“Viscount, do you intend to engage the Aldan army outside Bayland Castle? That’s even closer to Grayman’s stronghold, making it easier for them to receive reinforcements and supplies. Or do you plan to help Sir Valentin defend the castle? Wouldn’t that be a waste of your forces? Bayland Castle still has sufficient troops and resources to hold out for some time. Besides, Sir Valentin’s messages indicate the Aldans are reluctant to launch a full assault.”
“According to the resources and troops of the Duke’s domain, we can gain greater home-field advantage, while the Aldans are far from their base.”
“What about the other lords? Can they provide more soldiers?”
“Well… if the Duke could solve their army’s sustenance issues…”
“These scoundrels!”
“The prolonged war has started to breed discontent among many lords, another reason why the Duke is eager to end it.”
“Alright, go back and tell father that I will lead the troops back east within a week. But first, I must arrange the defenses at Fort Bidou… Alas, hold as long as possible.”
The knight saluted Jace: “Viscount, I will inform the Duke immediately.”
As he walked out, he suddenly turned back to Jace, “Please keep your confidence. I forgot to tell you, the Duke has received assurances from ‘them.’ They will provide us with substantial support.”
“Really?”
Jace’s face lit up with joy. He knew what the knight meant by ‘them’ – that mysterious organization of mages. Ever since Marltz Kent shared his long-planned secret project with Jace, he had heard his father speak eagerly of the mages’ power, and the events that transpired with the previous Duke Ferdinand had deeply impressed Jace with this legendary mystical force.
Soon, a series of conscription orders were issued. Jace, in his father’s name, required the lords of Fort Bidou’s eastern regions to provide military funds, personnel, or resources to the fullest extent to support the impending decisive battle. To prevent the lords from shirking their duties, he set minimum standards based on the size of their domains.
The lords grumbled, having just returned to their domains with Jace’s army, they had barely settled in before being asked to contribute money, men, and effort. The allied forces had already plundered their lands during the retreat.
However, considering Jace’s recent victory at Fort Bidou, they dared not defy the Duke’s authority and complied with Jace’s orders.
On August 3rd, Jace set off to return to Center with the last 3,000 of his troops, following an advance force of 2,000.
He left 2,000 men at Fort Bidou, confident that with the support of the lords from the rear, they could hold out for a long time.
“Be careful of any other secret passages.”
Jace carefully instructed the commanding officer staying behind.
“Don’t worry, sir. We’ve dug several moats around the castle, and I’ll divert water from nearby rivers to fill them. They won’t be able to infiltrate underground.”
“Alright, that’s good.”
Jace whipped his horse and hurried to the front of the already moving troops.
…
As the Duke’s faction was amassing its armies on a large scale, Alda was methodically executing its plan.
In early August, Paul received Viscount Henry, the brother of the former Duke Ferdinand. To those unaware, the main force of the coalition appeared to be under the command of Count Parker and Count Malron, with the area around Fort Bidou as the primary battleground, while the Grayman family’s forces seemed to play only a distracting and harassing role.
However, Viscount Henry, deeply involved in the coalition’s camp, was well aware of Grayman’s position in this war. Needless to say about the first battle at Fort Bidou, most of the iron used by the coalition for weapons and armor was now coming from Alda. Grayman’s supplied firearms also played a significant role in the second battle at Fort Bidou.
Most importantly for Henry and the entire Ferdinand family was the Aldan army’s operations upstream on the Weiss River, directly threatening the Duke’s lands now held by Marltz.
With other lords of the coalition blocked by Fort Bidou and the recapture of the Duke’s lands seeming distant, it appeared that the Aldan army might be the most likely to invade — if they continued their victories.
This was crucial for Henry, keen on reclaiming the dukedom and control of the Ferdinand family.
Undoubtedly, Alda had become one of the strong powers in the Northwestern Bay. Henry Ferdinand visited Lakeheart Town, indirectly inquiring about the Aldan army’s next plans.
“If possible, we aim to invade and occupy Center City,” Paul said, not giving him a definite answer. If Henry leaked their plans, it could increase the pressure on their front-line troops. Paul was unaware that Marltz was gathering forces in the Duke’s lands to confront the approaching Aldan army.
“May I ask, is negotiating with Marltz an option for you?”
“I am sworn to oppose him.”
Henry felt a weight lift off his chest.
He carefully chose his words, asking cautiously, “Lord Count, if you occupy the Duke’s lands, how will you deal with… I mean, those lands are the Ferdinand family’s ancestral territory. As for the dukedom, I wonder…”
Henry looked at Paul with hope and a hint of worry. According to the law of succession, he was the rightful heir to the dukedom after defeating the usurper. However, in a world where might makes right, Henry, as the brother of the former duke and without an army, had heard some unsettling rumors.
Paul looked at Henry amusingly, smiling. Knowing Henry’s purpose for visiting, he and his subordinates had speculated on the Viscount’s intentions, which seemed to align with their predictions.
Henry, determined, said, “Lord Count, let me be direct. If you support me as the Duke, I will offer you significant advantages in the division of post-war benefits.”
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If Center fell to the Aldan army, Paul Grayman would have a significant say in the coalition.
Paul, noncommittal, slowly said, “Speaking of which, many members of the Ferdinand family have stayed in the Duke’s lands, siding with the usurper.”
“Ahh…” Henry became anxious.
“Many in the family were coerced… though, indeed, some traitors need punishment.”
“Ha ha, no rush, Viscount. We can take a few days to discuss our cooperation and think about which traitors need to be punished.”
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