Preparations 2

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

For a long time, there have been two types of lords in the northwest bay of the Aldor Kingdom.

One type is the indigenous lords. Most of their lineages can be traced back to ancient military leaders or religious nobles from the tribes that originally lived there. Their ancestors have rooted in the northwest bay since the dawn of human civilization—although, according to scholars, their ancestors also migrated from the central plains of Aldor to the northwest. Some were enfeoffed by various regimes before the Rodney dynasty. However, their families have also resided in the northwest bay for a long time, with some tracing back to the ancient Bela Empire.

The most powerful among these lords is the Fraule family, with most of the other indigenous lords being vassals or vassals of vassals of the Fraule family.

The other type is the foreign lords, whose ancestors were enfeoffed in the northwest bay after the establishment of the Rodney dynasty. During the new dynasty's unification of Aldor, more than half of the original lords in the northwest bay allied with the current royal family. However, a small portion who failed to see the situation clearly were purged, and their vacant lands were rewarded to meritorious followers of the Rodney royal family.

The new lords, enfeoffed by the Rodney royal family, not only played a role in guarding the frontier but also had the task of monitoring the indigenous lords. Over time, the new and old lords have restrained each other.

However, the Grayman family is relatively special. Originally enfeoffed in the fertile central plains, they stood on the wrong side during a political struggle and were subsequently exiled to the northwest bay by the royal family. Their new fief was a previously unclaimed territory, making the Grayman family, in a sense, also subject to "monitoring."

In total, there are twelve Earls in the northwest bay. Six are vassals of the Fraule family, while the other six are directly enfeoffed by the royal family. The strength of these counties varies greatly. The most powerful is the Kent family, which, in addition to its direct territory, also has ten viscountcies as vassals. Conversely, the weakest (formerly) Grayman family doesn't even have a single official knight's fief, let alone sub-vassals.

As for the other viscountcies and baronies, they are generally vassals of either the Duke of the Northwest or one of the twelve earls.

Currently, the situation in the northwest bay is as follows: five of the six royal enfeoffed counts have formed an alliance against the Kent family, led by Earl Parker. Meanwhile, the Kent family has allied with the other three counts who are vassals of the Fraule family, forming an opposing alliance. The remaining three counties have ambiguous stances and have yet to take a clear side.

Although the Kent family's side appears to be at a disadvantage, Maltz Kent, who controls Duke Fraule, can mobilize the forces from the ducal direct territories and other ducal vassals. Some of these viscountcies are quite powerful, with populations comparable to nominal counties like Alden. Therefore, in terms of absolute power, Maltz Kent's side holds the advantage.

"Don't worry! Many of the lords under the Duke believe the letter is genuine. As long as we can withstand Maltz Kent's offensive, they will rise in rebellion behind the lines to support us."

During a meeting, Earl Parker, shaking a stack of letters, revealed what seemed like an unreliable trump card.

In late March, the two factions, already sharpening their knives, almost simultaneously launched offensives against each other. Maltz Kent issued a final ultimatum to the lords who had previously not answered his summons, ordering them to converge in Center City within three days or face punishment for insulting the duke. Meanwhile, the Anti-Kent Alliance publicly displayed the duke's secret letter and brought Viscount Henry to the forefront. Viscount Henry had long been under the secret protection of Earl Parker. The appearance of the secret letter and Henry caused a public outcry in the northwest bay.

Maltz Kent immediately declared that the letter was forged and accused Henry Fraule of harboring resentment for not becoming the duke's heir, escaping from the dungeon, and framing him. He claimed that Earl Parker and his faction had always harbored ulterior motives and had conspired with Henry against him.

With the help of the young mage Andy, Maltz Kent controlled the ailing Fraule Duke and held a public assembly in Center City to repeatedly affirm his point.

However, privately, Earl Kent was somewhat fearful. He had anticipated that Henry would seek refuge with his opponents but had not expected such severe consequences.

The secret letter in Henry's possession, which matched Maltz Kent's actions and plans, made him wonder if it was indeed written by Duke Fraule. Could Master Benett's control spell have a flaw? Whenever he thought of this, Maltz Kent experienced a sharp headache, but he quickly reassured himself: How could Master Benett's spell have a flaw? Praise Master Benett, praise the Mystic Order, Duke Fraule was firmly under his control. It must be that damn Henry imitating his brother's handwriting.

As for the letter's accurate content... it must be a coincidence! It must be a coincidence!

But... but why were so many lords siding with that old scoundrel Parker against him? These people usually acted obsequiously in his presence, yet now they dared to oppose him.

In his original plan, he anticipated that perhaps one or two defiant troublemakers, like the old man Pryce Parker, would resist. But under the guise of the duke's authority, he expected to quell any dissent. After purging the loyalists to the royal family, he could establish his independence in the northwest bay and strike a heavy blow to the kingdom while its attention was focused on the south.

However, Henry Fraule's escape and the forged letter had alarmed the newcomers—a term indigenous lords used privately for the royal family's new appointees—causing them to unite prematurely. His original plan was no longer feasible.

This realization filled the count with regret. He should have found an excuse to detain these potential enemies during the duke's birthday banquet. Although dealing with the aftermath would have been troublesome, it would have been easier than the current situation.

Now, regretting was futile; only the battlefield would reveal the truth.

...

After long preparations, both factions had gathered substantial military forces. They were maneuvering their troops, with war imminent. However, neither side forgot the existence of the royal family. The Anti-Kent Alliance undoubtedly sought royal support, and Earl Kent also needed to temporarily pose as a loyal subject of the kingdom. Both sides sent envoys to Crystal Shine to present their "truth" to His Majesty the King, seeking royal support and announcing the other's rebellion to the rest of the kingdom.

(End of the Chapter)