Lord: I Grind EXP with Warband Panel

Chapter 248: Chapter 21: Petty Moves

Valentino was highly efficient. The decision was made in the morning, and by noon, all the invitations had been sent out.

Neither Earl Uman nor Count Sriphine refused Valentino’s invitation. Of course, it wasn’t as if they could.

Who was the most powerful faction in the four northeastern provinces? Everyone knew the answer. The Fengman Clan controlled the two strategic passes connecting the kingdom’s interior to the three outer provinces.

The Fengman Clan wouldn’t openly target anyone, out of respect for all parties involved.

But respect is a two-way street. If Valentino showed them courtesy and they didn’t reciprocate, they couldn’t blame the Fengman Clan for playing dirty when Beastmen started causing trouble within the passes.

Noble banquets were generally held in the evening. It was unknown when this custom began, but the entire continent seemed to abide by this rule.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the Northern City of the Royal Capital as the entrance to the Fengman Clan’s estate grew lively.

Valentino’s invitations were far-reaching, extending to all nobles of Viscount rank and above.

Unlike the wary Earl and Count, the Viscounts’ replies came in one after another, each faster than the last.

Most of them were already in the North City; those nobles without estates there were staying in hotels. The perspective of these Viscounts was certainly different from that of the Earl and the Count. Most had been promoted from Barons and had never been involved in the kingdom’s politics, so they were unaware that Valentino’s title of Main Commander lacked real substance.

Robson, however, keenly perceived this. The stark contrast between the responses of the newly-appointed Viscounts and those of the Earl and Count above them was very telling.

For instance, Earl Uman appeared to have a firm grip on his family, yet his supposed allies had replied to Valentino almost instantly, while the Earl himself only responded an hour before the banquet was due to start.

Furthermore, while Count Sriphine had previously appeared to have broken with Earl Uman, their acceptance letters had arrived one after the other, and even their carriages were now arriving not far apart. This suggested that Count Sriphine was perhaps still trying to play both sides.

Of course, for Robson, this was all just unprovable speculation, merely offering points for consideration.

"Earl Uman, Count Sriphine..."

"Viscount Robertson, I’ve been meaning to meet with you since the investiture ceremony. I never expected that in the end, it would be you extending the invitation to me..."

Earl Uman and Count Sriphine were both visibly surprised to find Robson personally waiting to greet them at the entrance.

Typically, greeting guests was the butler’s duty. The master of the house would only come out to greet guests personally if they were exceptionally important relatives or friends.

Earl Uman chuckled, looking quite pleased, but Count Sriphine, on the other hand, grew worried.

He had originally assumed that a man of Robson’s age and accomplishments would surely be impetuous and arrogant about his talents. Yet, it now appeared this Viscount Robertson was capable of setting aside his pride.

Watching Robson chat amiably with Earl Uman, Count Sriphine made a preliminary assessment: anyone who could rise from a Knight to a Viscount was definitely no coward.

Count Sriphine had known Earl Uman for some time. While the Earl had some ability, the arrogance of his early success was on full display.

Perhaps this unassuming Viscount Robertson was the more difficult character to deal with.

.....

As evening fell, in contrast to the quieting Royal Capital, the Fengman Clan’s estate was bustling with extraordinary liveliness.

Although Valentino had only sent invitations to Viscounts, it was perfectly normal for guests to bring along relatives, as long as it wasn’t expressly forbidden.

Robson himself had invited some of the nobles from Qimo Fortress.

"Lord, that fellow over there in the blue robes... doesn’t he look familiar?" Claude walked up to Robson’s side, his expression unpleasant.

Accompanying Claude were several other nobles from Qimo Fortress, along with some from the south.

Thanks to the official backing of Marquis Oscillate and the overly timid showing from Viscount Jeffrey, Robson had become the undisputed representative for Ehrlich Province.

A contingent of Ehrlichland Nobles had essentially formed around Robson. The core members, naturally, were Claude, Bo Yang, and the others who had been with Robson since their time at Sunset Fortress.

Robson didn’t pay it much mind. For now, their favorable position was entirely thanks to Marquis Oscillate.

To put it bluntly, they were all riding on coattails.

This sort of allegiance was useful to an extent, but if Robson expected these noble lords to lay down their lives for him because of it, then he, Lord Robson, would have to sleep with one eye open.

True allegiance was born either from a system of familial ties and bound interests, or from one’s own overwhelming strength, capable of quashing any and all dissent.

"Yes, I see him.

Augustus. I didn’t realize he was so close with Earl Uman," Robson said calmly.

Augustus was a man Robson had previously promoted. He had served as a legion commander under Robson and had obtained a position as a Knight after the war, thus securing his noble status.