Chapter 252 - 24: A Show of Strength
Chapter 252: Chapter 24: A Show of Strength
Compared to the Kingdom’s other fronts, the Eastern Front wasn’t the main battlefield, so the Kingdom Government had no intention of investing excessive resources there.
This put the nobles on the Eastern Front in a tough spot, as they had to scramble to procure their own grain and manpower for the war.
The march was consequently delayed, and it wasn’t until early February that the army finally arrived outside Fengman City.
Valentino, however, returned to Fengman City first with Robson.
Valentino and Robson had previously discussed the internal affairs of the Fengman Clan.
Although Valentino had externally secured her position as Count, like many heirs, she still had a nest of parasites within the clan to deal with.
Robson’s presence was a godsend.
The key was Robson’s current status as Valentino’s fiancé. He wasn’t quite a member of the Fengman Clan, yet he wasn’t a complete outsider either, and he held managerial authority. This position allowed him to act with fewer restraints. If he encountered insubordination, he could mete out harsh punishments.
Valentino, on the other hand, couldn’t do it herself. As the Patriarch of the Fengman Clan and the old Count’s daughter, if she were the one to wield the knife, it would make managing the clan difficult in the future.
And if those nobles came to resent Robson for it...?
Robson had no plans to make his life within the Fengman Clan! ’I’m a transmigrator with a golden finger. I can’t seriously become some live-in son-in-law, can I?’
Besides, and most importantly, Robson now had a Standing Army under his control.
This wasn’t to say, of course, that the old retainers in Fengman City would dare use the Standing Army to rebel. With the Knight Order having clearly declared its allegiance, that was impossible.
But the Standing Army had many other uses, such as maintaining public order on a daily basis...
"The Patriarch is back! Quick, go inform Lord Srivici!"
"The young miss is back! Hurry and report it!"
Hearing the guards’ shouts, Robson couldn’t help but frown. The city guards’ words did not bode well.
The army heading for the Eastern Front, with forces led by various nobles, numbered nearly ten thousand men. The noble administrators in Fengman City couldn’t possibly be unaware of this. For them to know and still not come out of the city to welcome their leader was very telling.
Moreover, the city guards’ reaction was interesting. The moment they saw Valentino return, their first thought wasn’t to invite the nobles into the city, but to report to some "lord"...
’In their eyes, does Valentino command less authority than a mere steward?’
This was the price of Valentino’s long years studying abroad. The low-ranking Soldiers recognized the office, not the person holding the title. The only armed force Valentino could command was the Fengman Knight Order, which was loyal to the Patriarch.
Robson glanced at Valentino’s profile. The young woman’s brow was slightly furrowed; she was clearly aware of the situation.
As if sensing his gaze, Valentino turned to look at him, a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"To help me secure my position, my grandfather spread some... well, some less-than-truthful rumors. I’m sorry you had to see this spectacle..." Valentino said.
Robson watched the guard run off to deliver the message, saying nothing.
’So this is the real situation.’ In the social climate of the Frank Kingdom, how could a female heir who had been studying abroad for years possibly make everyone in her clan unconditionally obedient in just a few short months?
In fact, it was already quite an accomplishment for Valentino to have even secured the position she was in.
The previous Earl Fengman’s death had been too sudden, leaving Valentino with no opportunity for a proper transfer of power.
’It seems the Fengman Clan’s internal problems are even more severe than I imagined,’ Robson mused.
"You’ve done very well," Robson said, looking at Valentino with a smile. "It’s normal for there to be dissenting voices. We’ll solve these problems together. Trust yourself, and trust me."
Valentino turned her head away and gave a slight nod, her expression hidden from view.
Valentino had told Robson about the Fengman Clan’s internal situation a few days ago, and they had discussed countermeasures.
The attitude of these people would determine the role Robson would play in his integration into the Fengman Clan.
What Robson didn’t expect was for them to make their power play so soon.
They didn’t have to wait long. Soon, a carriage came racing out of the city, clearly prepared in advance.
’How arrogant do you have to be to pull something like this?’ Robson was stunned.
Valentino was still on horseback. For a Household Servant to dare charge up in a carriage was an incredible display of disrespect.
Still, their arrogance was a good thing. It was a sign that these members of the Fengman Clan weren’t as difficult to handle as they seemed. Valentino had likely only let them be because she had to rush to the battlefield and had no time to deal with them.
Valentino’s expression, however, grew increasingly grim.
The person in the carriage didn’t dismount, but instead drove right up in front of the assembled party.
"Miss Valentino, you’ve returned. Why didn’t you inform us sooner...?" the man said with a smile as he approached her horse.
Patriarch was one thing, Miss was another entirely. The two titles were completely different.
A dead silence fell over the scene. Veins bulged on Valentino’s forehead.
Was this how a Household Servant treated their Patriarch? The question arose in everyone’s minds.
"What’s your name?" Robson asked, looking at the man.
He was genuinely confused. ’Whose idea was this? I refuse to believe the Fengman Clan didn’t know Valentino and I were returning today. To know that and still pull a stunt like this... It’s incomprehensible.’
This was a blatant slap in the face to both him and Valentino.
"And you are, my lord...?" the man asked, turning to Robson.