Chapter 323 - 79: Joining Forces
Chapter 323: Chapter 79: Joining Forces
Several days after Robson crushed the allied Beastmen forces, Count Sriphine was even considering returning to Auric.
The nobles on the other side of Wisley Path finally arrived, fashionably late.
Early in the morning, a Griffin Knight delivered a report to Robson.
Robson immediately summoned Earl Uman and Count Sriphine.
The two arrived at Robson’s campaign tent. Earl Uman looked at the envelope in his hand, feeling quite puzzled.
"The war is over now, so why are those people still bringing an army with them?" Earl Uman asked, confused.
It had to be said, Earl Uman was, after all, someone who had fast-tracked his way to power in his clan. His political instincts were sharp, and he could switch allegiances without the slightest pressure.
Just one month ago, Earl Uman had been the leader of the Northern Faction. But in the short span of a month, his former underlings had become "those people."
Robson merely smiled at this.
Robson had already delivered the proof of Earl Uman’s allegiance to Marquis Oscillate, and Valentino had also confirmed receipt of the promised benefits.
Even Marquis Oscillate, who dealt with the Northern Faction, had sent a letter saying he had taken care of things for Robson.
Earl Uman was now basically bound to him; all that remained was the final step of a public announcement. Earl Uman’s current stance was therefore reasonable. If he were still hemming and hawing, still thinking about his old ties to the Northern Faction, it would only mean the Beastmen’s iron fists hadn’t beaten him awake yet.
"Ha, the Beastmen might be gone, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of enemies..." Robson said with a laugh.
The letter in Earl Uman’s hands was the intelligence report the Griffin Knight had brought back that morning.
The Northern and Southern Factions, who had been trapped on the other side of Wisley Path, had now finally crossed it with a large army.
That’s right. The war was over. They were clearly coming to report their battle results, yet they still brought Soldiers with them.
If it wasn’t for some abstract reason like needing to resolve a psychological block by crossing Wisley Path, then there was only one other possibility.
They were here to put pressure on him, on Lord Robson.
The group of nobles who had deployed without authorization now included nobles from one and a half provinces—over a hundred people.
They all clearly knew they had messed up and would face punishment from Robson in the future. So, they simply banded together to pressure him, hoping to force him to lighten their sentences or let the matter slide entirely.
To this, Robson could only chuckle drily.
They could use whatever they wanted to pressure him, but using an army... well, they had picked the wrong person to mess with.
Besides, even if the Northern and Southern Factions had truly formed a temporary alliance over this matter, he, Robson, had no intention of making a move against the Northern Faction right now.
The path to becoming the hegemon beyond the border was, after all, a long one.
Hearing Robson’s words, Earl Uman himself found the situation somewhat absurd.
But after a moment of thought, it clicked.
He, Uman, knew that Robson’s army was incredibly powerful, with each man worth five of any other. The other nobles, however, were unaware of this.
They all took it for granted that there was strength in numbers. They believed that as long as their on-paper stats were high enough, Robson couldn’t possibly ignore them.
Earl Uman didn’t know what to say. But putting himself in the shoes of those nobles who had deployed without permission, he realized he wouldn’t have had many other options either.
All he could say was, they had picked the wrong opponent.
Thinking this, Earl Uman couldn’t help but sigh.
Of course, it was just a sigh. He, Uman, was now a firm supporter of Viscount Robertson’s brilliant leadership. The people on the other side were no longer his kinsmen but unforgivable political enemies.
One could even say that Earl Uman’s main task in the future would be to defeat this group of former compatriots. After all, not everyone wished to live under the radiance of Lord Robson.
"If that’s the case, we probably can’t make any concessions. Otherwise, things will get difficult from here on out..." Earl Uman said.
"Things from here on out" referred to Robson’s plan for hegemony beyond the border. Since Uman was now in this position, he had to act the part. Having been bound to Robson, his only hope for greater benefits lay with him.
"Ais, have the first regiment—no, the entire army—assemble! And call for Count Sriphine."
...
"Sir Boyang, in a little while, when you see Viscount Robertson, you must put in a few good words for us."
"That’s right. As you know, we were all just trying to fight the Beastmen. It was that damn Uman who incited us!"
The ones speaking were Viscount Keanan and Baron Clewis, respectively.
Viscount Keanan belonged to the Northern Faction, while Clewis was a representative of the Southern Faction and the main figure who had led them beyond the border this time.
"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. One of you holds a higher title than me, and the other is my elder. I am not worthy," Bo Yang replied, his expression impassive.
As someone who had risen through the ranks by Robson’s side, Bo Yang had witnessed his own viscount’s political maneuvers many times. His sensitivity in this area might not have matched Earl Uman’s, but it wasn’t far off.
This group before him simply wanted to use him as a connection to Viscount Robertson, admit their mistake, and beg Robson to let them off the hook.
Bo Yang didn’t know the full significance of this war beyond the border for Robson. He only knew one thing: his orders from Viscount Robertson were to send the army under his command to Fengman City, then take the nobles loyal to Robson and Viscount Jeffrey to Wayne Moutain.
Beyond that, there were no other instructions.
And no instructions meant he couldn’t do it.
Bo Yang knew his viscount’s capabilities. If he acted rashly, he could very well disrupt his plans.
Besides, the title "Sir Boyang"... Bo Yang always found it strangely odd.
Viscount Keanan and Baron Clewis followed Bo Yang for a while, but seeing he remained unmoved, they became greatly disappointed. Realizing they couldn’t sway him, they retreated to the rear.
...
"Brother, do you think this will really intimidate Robson?" Baron Clewis asked, looking curiously at Viscount Keanan.
The two had apparently become sworn brothers in private.
"There’s safety in numbers..."
"Don’t worry. This whole incident was that guy Uman acting on his own authority."
"When Viscount Robertson sees us united, he definitely won’t be too harsh. When the time comes, we’ll just push all the blame onto Uman," Viscount Keanan said in a low voice.
Within the entire Northern Faction beyond the border, aside from Earl Uman of the Gauss Clan, the most prestigious was Viscount Keanan.
Originally, Earl Uman had been the undisputed number one in Ador Province. But now that he had made such a huge blunder, it was questionable whether he could even hold on to his title of Earl.
This gave Viscount Keanan his opportunity.
The people loyal to Earl Uman, and Earl Uman himself, had been in the first wave to charge into Wisley Path, and they had suffered the most severe losses.
Now, it was no longer certain who would be the top dog in Ador Province.
As for what arrangements Robson might have for the Northern Faction, Viscount Keanan hadn’t given it much thought.
He, Keanan, had now gathered the nobles of Odor Province and Ehrlich Province—over a hundred people. Even if Robson had the upper hand, he couldn’t possibly turn a blind eye to such a force.
Besides, the one who opposed Robson was Earl Uman. They could just pretend to submit to Robson for now and then see how things played out later.