Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As the servants were driven away, the hall of the mansion became quiet.
At that moment, the Knights of Fatis and Sarion sat at the sides of the long table in peace. They stopped eating and drinking. Even the knights who were guarding the passage and the mansion had solemn expressions.
There were also the Swadian infantry who held swords and shields in the outer passage.
Now, only their own people could remain.
Kant, as the supreme lord, had his reasons for not wanting outsiders to participate.
As the Lord’s subordinates, they naturally chose to obey. At the same time, they guaranteed that they would be on high alert, and the entire mansion was heavily guarded. They even sent small teams to guard the subordinate knights’rooms and Baron Dylan’s room, it was as strict as guarding a death row prisoner.
Although it was going to be a banquet, it was more like a strategy meeting.
They could not afford to slack off.
In the hall.
The leftovers on the long table had been personally handled by the Swadian Infantry. They wiped the table clean with a towel.
When everything was ready, Kant, who was sitting in the main seat, nodded slowly. He coughed lightly and signaled for everyone to put down their chores and sit in their own seats.
“Alright.”
Kant said slowly, “This is the Stone Pass. I think there is no need to say more. All of you can understand that the dilemma we are facing now is how to defend this pass and rush out at the same time.”
“Yes!”
A uniform answer rang out.
However, most of the people who answered were the Lion Knights of Sarion. They were better at fighting.
This was just an instinctive answer.
Only Fatis had seriously thought about this question. At this moment, he said, “Lord Kant, we have already taken control of Stone Pass. But what I feel that we need to be wary of now is the external pressure.”
“Hmm, tell me about it.” Kant nodded.
Fatis said, “The Dukedom of Leo’s attitude towards us is a little ambiguous now. I don’t know if Lord Kant has noticed it, but this attitude has instead created external pressure.”
“Continue.” Kant frowned.
“The Grand Duke of Leo, Cameron, did not express his opinion.”
Fatis raised his head and looked at Kant. “Those top-tier noble families also didn’t express their thought.” His tone paused for a moment, he continued, “In fact, the pressure that we are facing right now happens to be the pressure that these people have unconsciously forced upon us. Even if they did not make a clear response or show any attitude, it is because of this that they are ambiguous.”
“Are you saying that they are still in a daze?” Kant knocked on the table with his finger. “They still haven’t reacted?”
“Yes!” Fatis nodded.
At the same time, he continued, “When we came to the Stone Pass, I didn’t simply guard this place. Instead, I bribed some merchants or took the initiative to investigate the internal news of the Dukedom of Leo. That’s why I came to this conclusion.”
“Very good,” Kant said affirmatively. “This is very crucial.”
“In fact, whether it’s Grand Duke of Lion, Cameron, or those top noble families, they haven’t expressed anything. Although they haven’t reacted yet, they didn’t show any attitude…”Fatis said in a deep voice, “This is an attitude!”
Without waiting for Kant to digest it, Fatis said, “In my opinion, perhaps they thought too much about background, so that they don’t dare to make a careless conclusion until now. Moreover, there are some conflicts.”
“Conflicts?” Kant chuckled. “Yes, conflicts, they do exist.”
Fatis nodded. “You know it best.”
Conflicts.
The internal strife of the Dukedom of Leo.
Or rather, it should be the contradictions between the Grand Duke of Leo, Cameron, and the other top-notch noble families.
Just like the relationship between an emperor and a few powerful ministers, in this feudal era, it was the European version of the feudal society. Those top-notch feudal noble families were actually no worse than a king.
The king was more like the leader of the Alliance, the commander of many allies.
Moreover, the Dukedom of Leo was only a dukedom.
The Grand Duke of Leo was only an Archduke. Compared to those top-level earls, he was only slightly higher in rank. The actual power he held still needed to be discussed with these earls.
For example, Countess Agatha of the Eastern County had nothing to do with the Cold War between the Grand Duke of Leo and Cameron!
But the current situation..
Kant pondered for a moment.
After a while, he looked up at Fatis. “In such a short period of time, when there is no tacit understanding between the Grand Duke of Lion and the top noble, are we still safe?”
“Yes, there is pressure from both sides, but it is a safe period of time.”
This was what Fatis wanted to say.
“Very good.” Kant nodded.
Without hesitation, he had already made a decision. “Then we’ll use this time to quickly clear out the northern county. I think our troops can completely let the noble families of the northern county know who is the strongest person in this county.”
“That’s very correct.” Fatis nodded as well. “I think Rolf is very suitable for this period of time.”
“Rolf?” Kant frowned slightly.
“Yes.”
Fatis nodded with a calm expression. “With his personality and way of doing things, he can maximize our benefits during this period of time. After all, his methods are very suitable for opening a gap in this stalemate.”
“Let’s kill our way to a gap.” Kant shook his head and smiled.
However, he also understood what Fatis meant.
The northern county territory was indeed in a stalemate.
The Lord of the northern county territory, Viscount Wayne of Logue Fort, was the highest noble who controlled this county.
Although he was a viscount, he had a lot of real power.
If it wasn’t for Grand Duke Lion Cameron sending Viscount Kevin over to share the power of Viscount Wayne in the northern county territory, such a vast county territory would have become the back garden of Viscount Wayne!
This was a little dangerous for the southern county territory, which was only covered by the lion mountain range.
It was close at hand.
But it was also a lord with a high position and power.
They absolutely needed to be on guard. They absolutely needed to place nails to monitor and warn!
This also led to the fact that on the land of the northern County territory, Viscount Wayne was nominally in charge, but there was still a nail in the coffin, Viscount Kevin. Although there was no news of discord between the two sides, in reality, the atmosphere was very stiff.
No one liked to have their power divided!
Especially now.
The poor northern county territory finally had a business opportunity to make a fortune, and they did not like outsiders to intervene!
Table salt trade.
If Kant obtained the salt mine, then the originally poor northern county territory would be able to grab a cup of table salt first because of their geographical advantage. Even if they could not get a share, they would be able to seize the trade route of table salt trade and make a large sum of road tolls or business taxes.
No matter what, this was a windfall.
If they seized the salt mine…
It would be an unending stream of windfalls. It would be a gold mountain and silver mine that could allow the family to grow!
As the ruler of a country and the pillar, the grand Duke of Leo would obviously not engage in hand-to-hand combat so soon. Although they were still testing each other out, it was not a bad idea to let the small and medium-sized noble families under him explore the way first.
As long as they were sure that there was no danger and good rewards, that was when they would start.
As for the guys from before…
They were pretty much good for nothing.
Whether they would be of any help was up for Kant to decide!
He pondered slightly.
Kant said calmly, “I will transfer the troops of the central posthouse and head to the Stone Pass to form a new cavalry group. As for the commander, let Rolf be the commander. When the time comes, let him take charge of Stone Pass.”
“Understood.” Fatis nodded.
He was about to leave Stone Pass.
Kant also said clearly, “Fatis, you continue to return to the Oasis Lookout. There has just been turmoil there. Only Manide and Jocelyn are stationed there. In short, I am not at ease.”
“Yes.”
Fatis accepted the order. He preferred the oasis lookout with the rich atmosphere of the Kingdom of Swadia.
As for the Stone Pass, Rolf, who preferred to fish in troubled waters, would be able to adapt to it the best.
Furthermore, Fatis also gave his opinion. “Lord Kant, as long as it’s not the heavily armored Mamluke, I think we can send the cavalry of the Sarrandian Sultanate over and let Rolf lead them.”
“It’s just as I thought.”
Kant nodded.
The cavalry of the Sarrandian Sultanate was a level up from the desert bandits.
Light cavalry, desert bandits, Sarrandian horseman, and heavy cavalry, Mamlukes.
The combination of cavalry was extremely reasonable.
In fact, compared to the cavalry of the Kingdom of Swadia, which was full of heavy cavalry, it was more suitable for regular battles. After all, the Swadian man-at-arms and cavalry were more suitable for use in decisive battles to completely destroy the enemy’s line.
Now, Kant had arranged for Rolf to lead the cavalry of the Sarrandian Sultanate. It was just to harass them.
Just like those bandit groups raised by noble families.
Desert bandits who were originally bandits, along with the Assault Cavalry, Sarrandian Horseman, and a small number of Mamluke who were elites, came and went like the wind. Their combat strength was extremely strong. Even an ordinary lord was probably not their match.
After all, Kant could totally amass 1,000 desert bandits, 1,500 Sarrandian Horseman, and 500 Mamlukes currently.
The level up from the last battle was a part of it.
And previously, Kant had also amassed a batch of Sarrandian horseman and Mamlukes.
The numbers added up were not small.
Although they could not compare to the heavy cavalry forces of the Kingdom of Swadia, it was definitely not a problem for them to form their own system.
Moreover, the most crucial thing was the flexibility of the desert bandits, as well as the assault ability of the sarrandian horseman and the decisive effect of Mamluke’s hammer. It was enough to destroy the equipment of any informal legion.
Even if they encountered an official legion led by a noble, they could still fight and retreat. They were not at a disadvantage.
Kant also planned to arrange for 30 Sarion Lion Knights to enter.
High-end combat strength was a must.
With such a large-scale cavalry team, not to mention traversing the northern county, even if they extended their influence into the southern county and the eastern county, the average lord would not dare to take advantage of them easily. They would only hide in their own estate in fear, begging to leave.
These troops were enough to destroy dozens of village-level knight estates!
Just look at that time.
The Countess of the eastern county, Agatha, had 600 knight attendants who could dominate the three counties.
Although they were careful and did not easily touch the interests of the third county princess, there was also the factor of their own strength. Otherwise, they would have long been annihilated by the troops gathered by the noble families.
Don’t think that the noble families only had knights in their troops. They could still organize the people and recruit mercenaries.
Just take Viscount Wayne for example.
If they wanted to.
It wouldn’t be a problem to recruit an army of over 10,000 people in a short period of time.
Even if it was a longer period of time, it could be about 30,000 people. However, when that time came, the rule of the entire northern county would be in a stalemate. Even the southern and eastern counties would be afraid of gathering so many troops.
30,000 people was indeed a large number.
These were all soldiers.
Although there were civilian armed lance soldiers to fill in the numbers, they could not withstand the large number.
A pure noble Knight Regiment would not charge rashly into these troops. After all, if they were not careful, they would easily fall into danger. To the noble, it was not worth it to exchange their lives with these lowly bumpkins.
Moreover, many of them were experienced mercenaries. In terms of battlefield fighting, they were not inferior to the well-trained noble.
Numbers were also an advantage.
This was also the reason why Kant chose to rope in those small noble families and small merchants tomorrow.
As long as he could have these guys on his side and make Stone Pass impregnable, the local troops would be able to help him when he met the real soldiers of the Dukedom of Leo.
Although they were unable to be loyal to him with the soldiers in the knight-slash world,.
But he could still strengthen his momentum.
He could not fight with a disadvantage, but he could definitely fight with an advantage
After all, the number of Kant’s Swadian man-at-arms was extremely shocking. The Swadian heavy cavalry could be trained at any time. It’d be very hard for them to lose a decisive battle on the plains with the terrifying charge of heavy cavalry.
