Chương 282: Major Defeat
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Mond Landon took his new junior away. Although Paul still didn't fully understand the meaning behind his departing words, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
After the "4/15 Incident," the military, apart from the two battalions stationed in northern Emden, had teamed up with internal security and public safety forces to conduct a thorough search of Alden and Byerldine. They had dismantled as many as sixteen "conspiracy groups," even one right under their noses in Alden Town.
The number shocked Paul. Were there really so many hidden time bombs under him?
"How on earth has your intelligence department been operating? If it's not working, we need to replace you!"
At that moment, Cecil stood in the lord's office with his head down, silent, waiting for the earl's next rebuke.
Though the office door was only closed, the earl's roar could almost be heard throughout the castle.
...
Paul, furious, had scolded Cecil for half an hour in the room.
"Oh my God! At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if someone set fire to this place one day."
Finally, worn out, he slumped into his chair like a deflated balloon.
"Ahem, my lord, please allow me to explain a few things."
Only then did Cecil start to speak.
"My lord, our resources are truly limited. According to your orders, the focus of the intelligence department has been on protecting new technologies from theft. Due to the recent war, a significant portion of our efforts has also been diverted to monitoring the movements within the Kent family's territory…"
Paul's eyes widened: "So you're saying this is my fault?"
"No, no, no!" Cecil hurriedly denied, his eyes shifting: "I'm just outlining the objective difficulties."
The intelligence chief sounded very aggrieved. Paul rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
What Cecil said was indeed the truth. In theory, it was unreasonable to blame him.
Having been a programmer in his past life, Paul understood the feeling of facing a boss with the "there's nothing I can do" scenario.
"Fine. From now on, focus solely on intelligence work. For now, step down from forestry management duties."
"Uh… As you command, Lord Grayman."
Although Cecil was unhappy about losing some authority, he had no choice but to accept it. Moreover, he needed to dedicate all his energy to the intelligence reports.
"I swear this will not happen again," Cecil vowed silently.
Paul stared blankly at the calendar hanging on the wall, mumbling to himself: "It's already late May."
Cecil knew that the earl was thinking about the matter of combining forces with other lords in the alliance.
Due to the "4.15" incident, Alden's previous military deployment had been disrupted, making it impossible to fulfill the agreement with other lords to combine forces in May.
Fortunately, Earl Parker took the lead in understanding and allowed Paul to stabilize his own affairs first.
Then they went off on their own...
"I wonder how the battle is going now."
The latest news was that they had led their troops east of Biddeburg.
It seemed that the last battle had given them a lot of confidence.
Cecil reminded Paul: "My lord, remember the last report? The Kent family seemed to have sent people south to seek mercenaries."
Paul: "Mercenaries? Like adventurers?"
Cecil: "Yes, similar to the adventurers you've dealt with before, but these people have no principles at all. As long as the pay is right, they will disregard any rules. They don't take ordinary commissions but only operate in chaotic areas, living a life on the edge every day. Each one has accumulated a wealth of battle experience and is a true professional killer."
Paul: "They sound quite difficult to deal with. But as long as they're using knives, guns, and bows, we don't have to worry too much."
Cecil: "But our allies might not be so lucky. A few mercenaries alone may not pose a threat, but now they are acting in large groups, forming substantial mercenary companies, and creating a new profession—war contractors."
Oh? A version of Blackwater in another world?
While pondering, a guard outside reported: "My lord, Viscount Heller requests to see you."
Paul was surprised: "Derrick Heller? Didn't he lead his family's troops east with others?"
The guard replied: "The exact situation is unknown, but the viscount appears very anxious and urgently wants to meet you."
"Hmm, show him to the reception room. I'll be there shortly."
...
Derrick paced anxiously in the reception room.
He came to Alden Town seeking help; the allied forces had just suffered a major defeat.
In early May, the lords had reassembled their troops and gathered at Biddeburg. With most of the farming completed and plenty of manpower available, they followed the previous plan to reinitiate the war against the usurper Maltz Kent.
With unrest in the Grayman family's territory, he couldn't come? Good, that suited many people's intentions.
The last battle at Biddeburg had seen Paul's troops making a big impact, even occupying half of Emden's territory afterward. That was Maltz Kent's old stronghold, a fertile land ranked high in the northwest bay.
Many people had long been envious and were determined to make a big haul in the subsequent battles. With Grayman absent, it meant one less strong competitor for the spoils.
The allied commanders were confident, believing they would surely win.
Their judgment was not without basis. In the northwest bay, there's a saying:
"The Kent family never leaves grudges overnight."
According to Maltz Kent's known vengeful nature, he would retaliate fiercely as soon as he could after suffering a loss.
When the enemy initiated a ceasefire, everyone thought it was just a delay tactic. Even after returning to their respective homes, they stayed on high alert and immediately combined forces at the slightest sign of movement.
But more than a month had passed, and there had been no reaction from the enemy.
The Kent family must have been truly weakened! Everyone came to this conclusion.
So why wait? Beat the fallen dog while it's down!
The troops gathered again and headed directly towards Sente City, with plans to decisively end the war.
On the way, they did encounter some resistance. Although the battles were somewhat tough, the allied forces emerged victorious, further boosting their confidence in winning.
Finally, they approached the direct territory of the Fraule family.
It was there that the allied forces encountered the mercenary group hired by the Kent family.
(End of the Chapter)
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