Chapter 404 - 152: The Horn of Counterattack
Chapter 404: Chapter 152: The Horn of Counterattack
For the next week, Robson and Valentino received all sorts of guests in the Royal Capital.
Nearly every high-ranking noble of note in the Royal Capital paid them a visit.
Many even came bearing gifts, mainly because of the recent proposal for new general appointments.
As the kingdom’s first general, and one personally appointed by the King, everyone believed Robson had a great deal of say in the nominations for the other general positions.
Robson didn’t correct this assumption, simply enjoying their offerings. If the Marquis asked for his opinion, he would say a few words. If not, he just considered the gifts to be free.
In the end, Marquis Oscillate’s proposal for the new general positions passed the Kingdom Council with an overwhelming majority of three hundred votes.
A total of nine generals were appointed: two from the military-merit faction, one from the southern faction, three from the northern faction, and three from the royal family’s faction.
These appointments corresponded to the major provinces closest to the Beastman Empire.
The general from the southern faction was none other than Robson himself. The Marquis hadn’t asked Robson how the other positions should be allocated, meaning the group who had sent him gifts had done so in vain.
Naturally, Robson also had to attend the conferment ceremony. After all, a position granted directly by the King was distinct from one ratified by the Kingdom Council.
With the title of general now recognized by the Kingdom Council, his future role on the eastern Military Commission would have greater legitimacy.
....
「Church Calendar, Year 3521, May 25.」
Amidst a great clamor, the reinforcements promised by the Human Alliance in March arrived one after another in Barishik.
The Algerian Royal Knight Order, Tilia’s Mage Team and Knight Order, as well as military forces from various duchies, marquisates, and even counties.
These contingents, large and small, were all elite forces even if they weren’t Extraordinary Corps, and they numbered a massive fifty thousand in total!
Of these, the Extraordinary Corps alone accounted for a tenth.
And this was only the vanguard promised by the Alliance; subsequent Extraordinary Armies would continue to arrive, eventually totaling around fifteen thousand.
The entire Human World, united as one, was showing the world why humanity had held its position as the dominant power for over a thousand years.
That afternoon, the area before the Crystal Palace was a forest of banners, representing dozens of nations arrayed one after another.
Palace maids and attendants bustled back and forth.
The area before the Crystal Palace was bustling with traffic. As Robson and Valentino stepped down from their carriage, they were immediately pulled aside by Marquis William, who had been waiting for some time.
"My dear nephew! You’re finally here. Hurry inside, the meeting is about to start. Don’t keep everyone waiting," Marquis William said with a smile.
"Uncle, do you know who is attending this council?" Robson asked.
He had received a notice yesterday that a discussion about the counteroffensive would be held in the Crystal Palace today.
The war had been going on for a year and a half, and this latest southern invasion by the Beastmen had resulted in what could be called the most brilliant campaign in the entire history of the Frank Kingdom.
On the central front, Marshal Grantham had held the nation’s gates against an enemy force several times his own. On the Western Front, the veteran Marquis Oscillate had ensured no major problems arose.
Although the eastern front had been completely routed by the Beastmen, Robson had thankfully turned the tide and salvaged the kingdom’s honor.
The government’s debt was even a third less than average. Many people suspected that if not for the Human Alliance’s joint forces, the Frank Kingdom might have been able to wear down the Beastman Empire on its own.
In any case, amidst the various factions’ private thoughts, the prelude to the counteroffensive had finally arrived.
"The Knight Commander from the Algeria Kingdom, a Holy Knight from the Holy See, and a Dragon Cavalryman. You’ll probably want to see them for yourself.
Those are the main people. Have a look first, and I’ll introduce you later."
Marquis William pulled a letter from behind his back and handed it to Robson.
Robson opened it and glanced at the contents.
A crowd of foreign names, over twenty from their own kingdom, but none from the military-merit faction.
’Are we holding a banquet or discussing tactics?’
Robson frowned.
A military conference on strategy and tactics might require brainstorming, but this list had over a hundred names. That was brainstorming on a whole other level.
Besides, the entire Crystal Palace was decked out with lanterns and streamers. No matter how he looked at it, it seemed more like a banquet.
"Let’s go in first. His Majesty will be here in a little while. I’ll take you around to show your face first."
....
"Lumian! Old friend, long time no see!"
Just as they entered, a tall, imposing, silver-haired old man came to greet them.
"This is Lumian Knight Commander of the Algeria Kingdom. Thirty years ago, he was the first noble to rush to the Frank Kingdom’s aid," Marquis William said enthusiastically.
Lumian proactively extended his hand.
"Viscount Robertson? I heard you were the one who saved Prince Noah and Princess Yifulei?
On behalf of the Algerian Royal Family, allow me to thank you. If you ever have the chance to visit Algeria, we will certainly host a grand banquet in your honor," Lumian Knight Commander said with a smile.
"Knight Commander, I’ve long heard of your renown." Robson also smiled and extended his hand.
Lumian Knight Commander was no Gerry; before long, several other nobles from foreign countries came over to chat.
Clearly, the political effect of his appearance at the previous banquet was still paying dividends. Robson’s reputation as a capable fighter had already spread among the foreign reinforcements.
Even on the battlefield, personal relationships mattered. If they were assigned to the same front, there would be many opportunities for mutual support.
Amidst the light-hearted chatter and laughter, a sudden commotion was heard from outside the palace.
Everyone looked over to see Louis III entering the venue, accompanied by Prince Noah, a group of marquises from the Frank Kingdom, and foreign envoys.
The crowd dispersed, gathering beneath their own banners. This was considered basic etiquette in the Human World; when the King arrived, it generally meant the meeting was officially starting, and everyone present should show a fundamental level of respect.
Though it was called a meeting, it was really no different from a banquet, and was even being held in the King’s garden.
After entering the venue, Louis III went directly to the raised area of the garden, standing beneath the bear-and-dragon banner that represented the Frankish Royal Family.
The various commanders in the garden all turned their gazes toward him.
"Everyone, please be seated," Louis III said with a smile.
"I trust that all of you who have come here today know the purpose of this gathering.
From the Third Empire to the Frank Kingdom, from Emperor Danton to His Majesty the Knight King.
The war between humans and Beastmen..."
Louis III stood on the high platform, reciting the opening remarks for the banquet. It was mostly just inspiring words intended to affirm the justness of their cause.
Though not very useful, it was an indispensable formality.
After his speech, the meeting finally moved on to the main topic.
"Today, we gather together to show the Beastmen the foundation of our strength, the very reason humanity has dominated for so many years!
Currently, the western, central, and eastern fronts all require the aid of reinforcements.
The main item on today’s agenda is to discuss the allocation of our forces..."
Hearing Louis III’s words, Robson had a sudden realization.
’No wonder this is set up like a banquet. It really *is* a banquet.’
In the Human World, tactical discussions were held seriously, with everyone gathered in a conference room.
If it was merely about allocating forces, then it had little to do with military matters. Political factors would be the deciding element.