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Chapter 250: Chapter 22: Eastern Front Arrangements (2)

Listening to Valentino, a noble in a black robe stood, his expression stern.

"Count Valentino, His Majesty personally appointed you to represent the Kingdom Council and the Kingdom Government... In legion warfare, military discipline must be strict. As for matters within the army... Viscount Robson, I hear you have considerable military accomplishments. Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts?"

"I’d be glad to, sir. I believe that when it comes to military discipline, while..."

Earl Uman’s frown deepened as he listened to Sir Declan.

Previously, Earl Uman had only heard that the Fengman Clan was powerful and influential within the kingdom.

But as for the extent of their power, he only knew they were considered one of the ten great clans of the kingdom.

Earl Uman had always scoffed at this title, believing it to be a fabrication, a joke meant to fool the world.

Before today, Earl Uman had even believed that, having reached the rank of Count and joined the upper echelons of nobility, he would soon be on par with the Fengman Clan. With a few decades of consolidation, he might even be able to rival them for control of the four northeastern provinces.

Earl Uman had even considered that if Valentino and Robson’s child was a boy, their two families could form a marriage alliance, creating a truly formidable political power in the Northern Territory.

But now, reality had dealt him a harsh slap in the face. Even Earl Uman had to admit that the power Valentino was flexing was impressive!

Moreover, Valentino couldn’t just summon these figures; she could make them cooperate with her willingly.

Take this current scene. Anyone could see that Sir Declan and Earl William were playing the bad cops, while Count Valentino and Viscount Robson played the good cops.

But what did it matter if he saw through it? Any one of the men playing the "bad cop" was a key government official, a powerful noble of the kingdom whom even he, Uman, had to treat with extreme caution. His own followers—minor nobles who had clawed their way up—were nothing in comparison.

"I, for one, think that instead of these vague discussions, we should talk about actual strategy and tactics," Earl William interjected during a lull in the conversation. "The Beastmen are still out there, after all. That is what’s most important."

"Excellent. In fact, we already have a plan for reclaiming the lost lands in the kingdom’s northeast."

As Valentino spoke, she had a handmaiden and two Mages begin channeling their Mana. A magical projection of the kingdom’s northeast materialized above the table.

It didn’t show detailed terrain, of course.

But it was enough to stun the nobles at the banquet. While many of them had Mages in their employ, they were precious assets, not to be used so extravagantly.

Valentino’s expression remained placid, though she was wincing internally at the cost. She quickly took a pointer and began indicating locations on the map.

The spell had been taught to the Mages by Grand Mage Falan, one of Robson’s subordinates. It looked advanced, but in reality, it was a massive drain on Magic Crystals.

"On the Eastern Front, we recently suffered a major defeat. Our soldiers now view the Beastmen as ravenous beasts. I believe the most important task is to bolster the morale of our regrouped forces. As you can all see, the Largus River runs through the entirety of the four northeastern provinces. There is also the Ancient Suwema Trade Route, a remnant from the Third Empire. These paths all lead to Ehrlich Province. Therefore, I propose we begin our campaign to purge the Beastmen in Ehrlichland. We will then push from east to west, gradually driving the Beastmen who remain within the kingdom’s borders out. As for the specific details..." Pointing at the map on the table, Valentino began to lay out her plan with confidence.

Valentino had discussed the details of this meeting with Robson long beforehand. Right now, she was acting as a Siege Hammer, using the Fengman Clan’s reputation and power to cow the other nobles.

As they listened to Valentino’s explanation, the nobles nodded, and many began to shower her with compliments.

Of course, it wasn’t that they understood the brilliance of her plan; it was simply habitual flattery.

The bombshell Valentino had dropped at the start was simply too much; it had left all the nobles present completely stunned, especially with the high-ranking Kingdom Government officials looking on like hungry tigers.

Earl Uman’s expression grew increasingly grim. He had truly overestimated his allies.

From the perspective of the northern faction, and particularly Earl Uman, the only good thing about Valentino’s plan was that it would, in fact, reclaim the lost lands.

However, none of the army’s proposed main routes of attack bordered Earl Uman’s territory.

The defeated Beastmen would undoubtedly flee in directions with no military presence. His lands encompassed two-thirds of a county. ’Am I going to have to personally hunt down those Beastmen in my own territory later?’

He could forget about developing his lands; he’d be stuck playing bandit suppressor.

Earl Uman glanced at several nobles from the northern faction. He had spoken with them beforehand, preparing them specifically for a scenario like this.

Without exception, every one of those northern nobles lowered their heads. They weren’t fools. They had known Earl Uman for a month at most.

Earl Uman hadn’t offered them anything of substance. It was unrealistic to expect them to stick their necks out for him based on such a shallow acquaintance.

"Count Valentino’s plan is sound," Earl Uman said with a laugh, "but I still think we should hear Viscount Robson’s opinion. Ha, after all, Viscount Robson has spent his time on the battlefield."

He refused to believe Valentino had gone through all this elaborate setup just to implement this supposed plan of hers.

Everyone was intimidated now, but that was only because of all the bigwigs present. Once people had time to think, even with the backing of these powerful figures, it would be impossible to execute Valentino’s plan to the letter.