707: Chapter 504: Building the Road as We Go_1 707: Chapter 504: Building the Road as We Go_1 “Initially, I said you were playing with fire, careless even slightly, and you would burn yourselves to ashes.
Now, do you believe ?
But it’s already too late.
Darama has been offered to the Goddess of Strategy, and it has beco her holy ground.
Once we dispatch our troops on a large scale, the followers of the Red Knight may very well join the ranks of our enemies.
Even now, there are quite a few followers of the Goddess of Strategy among our troops, especially among the mid- and lower-level front-line commanders.”
“I think this thod is viable.
Since we can’t contain the rise of Darama, we might as well facilitate it, let her grow stronger.
When the ti cos, the dukes to the west will surely be more anxious than us.
After all, we still have the east as a buffer, while their space will shrink increasingly.
The conflicts will escalate, and we can just sit back and enjoy the show.”
“Elder Feiqi speaks very sensibly.
Inflation is much easier to destroy a person than suppression, especially those without a solid foundation.
A single failure could lead to her complete collapse, even if she is now the Chosen of the Goddess of Strategy.
It’s not possible to win every battle, which not even the Goddess of Strategy can achieve.”
“I agree.”
“I agree too.”
“I object.”
The Saladas elders expressed their opinions one after another, falling into another round of arguing.
This had beco an inevitable situation in such etings, because they all had their own agendas.
Conrad watched with a cold eye and soon noticed that those who opposed the plan all had properties in the northern Is Plain.
The majority who agreed had no ties to that region, and their expressions barely concealed their schadenfreude, seeming to mock the elders who did have properties there.
When making these decisions, were they acting in the interest of the family or their own?
Even they themselves might not be sure.
Throughout, Francis was neither sad nor happy, her gaze landing on Conrad, devoid of much father-son affection, as if viewing an object, a tool.
She spoke slowly, asking, “What is your opinion?”
The authority of a family patriarch was sothing Francis lacked not, and upon her comncent, the entire city council hall fell silent instantly, everyone’s eyes on Conrad.
With an expression of sincere fear and trepidation, Conrad bowed and said, “With so many elders here, how could I presu to offer my opinion?
I am willing to execute all decisions made by the family.”
“Oh?” Francis’s expression finally showed a flicker of emotion, hinting at a deeper aning, “Even if it involves you representing the family to form an alliance with Lord Zalanda, you are willing?”
Just as Uncle Matthew had predicted.
Despite being ntally prepared and having his own plans.
When this proposal was put forth, especially by his own father Francis, Conrad still couldn’t hide a sense of desolation in his heart, a sign of a family devoid of any true kinship.
Conrad forcibly composed himself, bowed deeply, and said, “As long as it benefits the family, I am willing to represent it and form the alliance.”
“Indeed, how did I not think of that earlier?
We can totally send soone to act according to the situation, to take action when opportune.”
“Duke truly is a duke, grasping the crux in an instant.”
“We…”
The elders present were old foxes, who in a mont had realized the brilliance of the proposal.
Francis waved her hand decisively, cutting off their praises, “I’m tired, and after arguing for so long, you must be tired too.
Let’s proceed with the proposal.
I will personally sign the alliance with them.
Conrad, although you have rit in this matter, it cannot offset the mistake of your unauthorized movent of the First Heavy Cavalry Legion.
Starting today, the First and Second Heavy Cavalry Legions will switch places and secure Snow Rock Fort, guarding against the monster colonies lurking in from the Snowflake Mountain Range into Omuran.”
Upon hearing Francis’s order, Conrad was filled with disbelief.
But this disbelief was not because of dissatisfaction with being dispatched to the border, as the family elders might have assud.
Rather, the matter not only refrained from treating him as a disposable piece but also perfectly aligned with the plan he had just formulated to dominate the border and indirectly seize supre rule over Saladas.
To defend Snow Rock Fort was undoubtedly a tough assignnt for others, since it was located in the crevice between the Omuran Mountain Range and the Snowflake Mountain Range, and was frequently under attack by monster colonies from both ranges—Saladas controlled only the largest gem mine and the strongest Monster Force in the Omuran Mountain Range and hadn’t completely secured the area under their control.
The vast and complex terrain of the Snowflake Mountain Range was an undeniable primary reason, coupled with the power plays of mages with hidden agendas and the rulers of large cities along the shores of Steam Lake, secretly causing trouble in the shadows, most fiercely in Minta City at the mouth of the Minta River.
They too feared that this military stronghold of Thacel might one day turn its troops against them.
But for Conrad, with a new plan in mind, this was a golden opportunity.
Far from the emperor’s reach, far from Saladas and these elders who did nothing but give blind commands, he could act according to his own will.
Had Francis changed her disposition, now seeing him in a different light?
Conrad looked up to et the sa pair of icy, emotionless eyes, and any warmth that had just begun to rise in his heart was instantly extinguished.
User Comments
0 comments from readers