Chapter 67: The War Begins

Chapter 67: The War Begins

TL: Etude

Hansel asked, I have a question for you. After entering Aldas territory, I felt the atmosphere was strangely tense. Along the way, I even saw militias training in the villages. Are the pirates attacking again?

Bang! Paul pointed eastward with his right hand mimicking a pistol and said, Thats exactly what I wanted to tell you. Alda is about to go to war with its neighbor to the east!

Hansel was taken aback: Baylding? Isnt the lord there on good terms with the Grayman family?

Hehe! You seem to know quite a lot.

Uh Didnt I tell you? I spent some time in Butuya earlier and heard a lot about the Ganard family.

Paul cut to the chase: Didnt you mention to me before that there was something fishy about old Ganards death?

Hansel nodded.

Paul continued, Its now confirmed that he was murdered by his vassals. His sonthe new lord of Baylding, Malron Ganard, has sent me a distress message. The traitors not only plotted against his father but are also targeting him.

Hansel understood: So, youre planning to assist Count Ganard?

Paul said meaningfully, On one hand, Malron is my blood-sworn brother, and I cannot abandon him. On the other hand, there are highly productive coal and iron mines within Bayldings territory He then trailed off.

Hansel nodded, recalling the industrial plans Paul had shared with him before his return to the capital. It wasnt hard to guess what the lord before him was scheming. Suppressing the treacherous vassals of a lordthis was indeed an excellent excuse for intervention.

So, Count Ganard

Calm and composed, he said, Do you think Im as unprepared as you, fretting at the last moment? Let me assure you, I have already secured the neutrality of Duke Flaur of the Northwest and Count Kent of Emden. Without these two most powerful lords of the Northwest leading the charge, do you think the others will bother meddling in our affairs?

One of the barons still worried, Even alone, Paul Grayman is a count with considerable military strength. Didnt he recently annihilate two pirate bands?

Angelo, with a look of disdain, retorted, I have already found out that the great pirate Edward and his main forces disappeared months ago. What was left was just small fry. Even then, the Grayman family lost their old master. Despite being a count, his estate was relegated here by the royal family. There arent even proper knights, let alone vassals. What can a bunch of conscripted farmers do? Once we charge with all our knights, they will be so scared that theyll fall to the ground, begging for mercy.

The other three finally calmed down, with the two barons flatteringly praising Angelo for his foresight.

Angelo stroked his mustache in satisfaction.

An unwelcome voice chimed in, Hehe! Bribing those lords must have cost a fortune, right? So, did our esteemed steward empty the lords treasury?

Angelo was furious inside, Still worrying about the treasury at a time like this?

However, outwardly he just scoffed and arrogantly said, I am the rightful Steward of Baylding. During the lords captivity, I am in charge of the treasury. Until the lord returns, or

Angelo paused, glancing around before continuing, Or until a new Count of Baylding is chosen from among us four.

Aibut coldly added, Just dont forget that!

A counter-proclamation was also issued by Baylding to the northwestern territories, directly opposing Aldas claims. Angelo and his associates had initially planned to strike Alda in September but were preempted by Paul.

The proclamation accused Paul Grayman of coveting Bayldings mineral resources, luring his blood-sworn brother, Malron Ganard, to Lakeheart Town under the guise of a banquet and then imprisoning him. After failing to extort their demands, they slandered the loyal vassals as traitors, plotting to invade Baylding and annex it. To uphold the dignity of the Ganard family and protect their territory, they had no choice but to defend themselves.

Thus, the war began