Chapter 285
The news of Alda’s army landing upstream of the Weiss River quickly reached Center City, causing a great stir in this largest city of the northwest bay.
The Duke’s Mansion imdiately stepped in to suppress the news, declaring it rely a rumor spread by the rebel alliance led by Count Parker, designed to destabilize the military and the people’s morale. They ordered a ban on any discussion of the matter.
However, the citizens remained anxious, and the news continued to spread quietly. As the city where the Duke of the Northwest resided, Center had not experienced war for a long ti. In this era, war ant looting, slaughter, and humiliation for won. Many wealthy families were already planning to flee quietly.
In the grand hall of the Duke’s Mansion, the atmosphere was tense, and everyone silently awaited the arrival of their lord.
In recent days, a series of victories by Jace had filled the place with laughter and cheer. Now, not a word of it was heard.
In a small room behind the hall, Marltz Kent was discussing matters with his intelligence chief and Erson.
“It’s that Grayman again!” Marltz Kent gritted his teeth in frustration. He glared at his intelligence chief, his aning clear:
What’s going on? All the effort spent, and you only managed to hold him off for such a short ti?
The intelligence chief, sweating under his gaze, quickly defended himself:
“Duke, conducting intelligence operations in Alda and Baylding is extrely challenging. Recruitnt centers, militias, agricultural unions… Grayman’s influence in both military and civil areas is growing stronger. He even established a public safety system to maintain order in his territory. Moreover, his Administration Council has abolished nurous oppressive taxes, increasing the people’s loyalty towards him. The rural landlords are weak-willed; with their interests unhard, they shrink back at the thought of directly confronting their lord.”
“After the salt worker’s uprising, Lakeheart Town has been on high alert for similar incidents. Creating a second uprising is exceedingly difficult.”
Marltz was visibly unsatisfied and coldly said, “I don’t want to hear excuses. I gave you money, I gave you resources, and I expect corresponding results. Otherwise… it won’t be as simple as just replacing you.”
The intelligence chief shivered, replying fearfully, “Yes, Duke.”
Marltz sighed heavily, “All of them are useless…”
Erson then asked, “Uncle, don’t be too anxious. Once all the lords arrive, we will surely find a suitable way to deal with the current situation.”
“Hmph!” Marltz replied discontentedly, “As if they can co up with anything useful. I know exactly what they’re thinking. When the wind is fair, they rush to claim their benefits. In adversity, they hesitate, fearing their own losses. These people are tools, not partners. Erson, I plan to delay our offensive on Fort Bidou and have Jace return to deal with the situation in Fish Tail Town. What do you think?”
Erson pondered and said, “I don’t think that’s wise. The siege on Fort Bidou is critical, and we’ve invested substantial troops and resources. Abandoning it now would waste all our efforts. Moreover, withdrawing now could cause unrest among the troops. Running back and forth between two fronts would be exhausting, and it would clearly signal that we are in trouble at our rear.”
“You’re right. Any other solutions?”
“How about sending the rcenaries training longbown in Center to Fish Tail Town, along with our newly trained archers? We can test their training results. We don’t need to recapture Fish Tail Town imdiately, just holding them off is enough. Once Fort Bidou falls, we can then concentrate our forces to annihilate or drive back Alda’s army.”
“Hmm…”
Marltz Kent stroked his beard, contemplating Erson’s plan.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
Just then, a servant cautiously entered, “Duke, the lords from various regions have all arrived and are waiting for you.”
Marltz stood up and gestured, “Co, follow . It’s ti to extract so more value from them.”
The lords gathered in the great hall finally welcod their Duke. They were already anxious, as the situation in Fish Tail Town, though dismissed as a rumor among the common folk, posed a real threat to these rulers.
The Duke had finally arrived.
“We can’t withdraw from the siege of Fort Bidou, so we need to organize another army to drive back the Aldans from our rear!”
The Duke’s words left everyone inwardly groaning, but it seed there was no better option at the mont.
“Counts must contribute no less than 800 n, viscounts no less than 400, and barons no less than 200!”
Marltz set strict standards for troop contributions from each house, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Additionally, you must provide your own provisions and arms!”
…
It took a week, but a massive army was finally assembled in Center City. The troops sent by various lords amounted to 5,000 n, and with Marltz Kent’s own 1,000 recruits and the rcenary troops, the army’s strength reached over 6,000.
Fergus, observing the imnse military formation training on the parade ground, sneered.
“Your Duke is too cautious! I heard that the Aldans who landed at Fish Tail Town are barely over a thousand. Is such a grand display really necessary?”
He was the leader of another rcenary group brought in by Erson. Arriving late, they had missed Jace’s campaign. Jace’s consecutive victories ant Fergus’s group wasn’t deployed to the frontline but remained in Center to train longbown for the Duke, who wished to have a longbown unit completely under his control.
This arrangent greatly dissatisfied Fergus. Only Erson’s private promise of uncompromised paynt kept them there.
A military officer sent by the Duke’s Mansion to coordinate with the rcenaries could only offer a wry smile at the rcenary leader’s evident sarcasm.
“Fergus, you should still be cautious. The Aldan fire crossbows are not to be underestimated. Their range rivals that of longbows, and their power is even greater. The only drawback is their slower firing rate.”
“And their terrifying thunder hamrs, like a gift from the gods, shaking the earth and invincible!”
The officer had experienced the Battle of Fort Bidou firsthand. The performance of the first and third infantry battalions had left a deep impression on him.
“And there’s more…”
“Their fire crossbows can also be used in close combat, and their soldiers are skilled in lee fighting, right?”
Before the officer could finish, Fergus completed his sentence, leaving him at a loss for words.
“Hmph! I’ll show the Aldans who the real kings of land warfare are.”
The rcenary leader’s face showed clear disdain.
“And let Doug know who’s the top rcenary group!”
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