318 PLAINS OF ETHYLRED

Some of them even defected to Alexander with the promise of restoring their old kingdoms. 

But that did not mean it is all smooth sailing for the young King. Karak conquest army that was sent to the former Vetten territory was destroyed by Marquis Dan and the personal army of Countess Raina.

It does not appear like the King is as unstoppable as he makes himself to be,

And Marquis Dan split his army, sending around ten thousand cavalry focusing forward to Karak while he stands guard over the border of the old Vetten territory.

Countess Raina on the other hand seems to be heading toward the plains to probably reinforce Supreme Commander Kyle 

Despite such major setback King Alexander had the area around the plains at his feet. His next target is none other than the river basin in the region, formed by the merging of two major rivers and surrounded by mountain on all sides.

This is the plain that have always been the ideal place of the Chancellor to use his scheme. This land is known to the Empire as the Plains of Ethylred.

Alexander conquest forced the noble and vassal lords that were stationed in the plains region to retreat toward the east.

Even though these lords tried to help the Supreme Commander of Vanheim they were after all did not possess an army. 

Since the coronation of the Emperor, the Chancellor had used the power of Six Councils to rob the nobility of their power of fielding armies. 

Only certain nobles are allowed to keep armies and even if they do, they are a limit of how many soldier they could recruit into their personal armies

Weakening the noble lords and strengthening the imperial authority. This is the measure that the Chancellor had done to strengthen the Empire.

The lords of the Plains were never truly loyal to the Empire. 

But as Alexander conquest spreads, the Ethylred Plains warlords was forced to seek refuge outside of their comfort zone and send a delegation to the imperial court acknowledging the imperial court authority over the plains.

Ethylred Plains has always been inside Vanheim territory. 

But that is only in name and the Empire did not hold great power or sway over there. 

Because of the distance between the capital city and the area which sits at the furthest point from the center of the Empire, it has always been a land untouched by the imperial powers. 

Even Imperial laws could be flouted around here.

But now with Veranis declaring war against the great Empire of Vanheim, and Alexander forceful strategy of taking over these plains, these warlords that prided themselves as unthroned Kings had to bow to the imperial authority and seek help and send their levies of men toward the Imperial army 

Aero today is looking over the plains with the seeing glass that enables him to look at the battlefield.

He is sitting on a rattan chair, looking at all of this happening from a secluded location up in the hill where the area is enclosed by the large trees.

He is smiling and he is thinking a lot of things. 

The Western Kingdom did not rashly enter the war or attack Duvar because of his three letter that make them on guard against each other.

Veva against Holy Zun Empire, Hoy Zun Empire against Alfhaim, Savillia against Veva and so on and so forth among them.

And Dan had also take the delays as an opportunity as the Empire had ordered king James to relieved the Duvar garrisons.

King James like always uses the excuse that he is fighting against the rebels that he is unable to send help but Dan had sent his knights to threaten king James. 

Of course, the common people thought that they reach an agreement s King James sent thirty thousand soldiers form Niovar by ship to Nero. 

From Nero, these soldiers march to Duvar and take the control of the city. 

Right now, if the Western kingdoms wanted to take Duvar they have to think more carefully. Before, if they pressed don without thinking of the other factors at play they could easily take down such a small kingdom. 

But now with the elite warriors from Niovar and the imperial army in the capital city of Duvar, they would take weeks or even months before they could take the kingdoms and by that time, they might not be able to save themselves if any of the other Western kingdoms stab each other in the back. 

This is what Aero could count on. The distrust between each of the ruler of the Western Kingdoms. 

'Aero, will you make your move now?' Someone spoke. Aero smiles. 

Beside him there is two people. 

One man and one woman. The woman is Viola. And the man is none other than Kyle the Supreme Commander of the Army.

Aero nodded

'How is the reception of the imperial court?'

'It is as you expected. It is the right environment to create a hero' Kyle said. Viola did not say anything.

Aero laughed

'I didn't think you would just obediently just listen to me.'

'The Emperor do not like me. And I never like James. Better the devil you know' Kyle simply said. Hearing this honest answer, Aero laughed and nodded

'Yes, it is always easy to deal with the devil you know. That young Prince… I have seen him during the battle of Coro. From then on, I have always been wary of him. Do you know why?

Kyle shrugged

'There e is wild ambition in his heart. People with ambition could achieve anything they wanted to if they have the ability. And Alexander have the abilities. Coupled that with his ambition, this is a very dangerous person. He is not the devil we know and as such, it is hard fighting him'

There was silence for a while as Kyle just think about it and sighed

'But you must have a plan don't you? After all, you wanted to be hero this time and restore your reputation all at the same. It would not be good if you going into this without a plan' this time Viola finally said something. 

Aero did not turn back but he nodded

'Of course I have.' Then he frowns a bit.