After Viscount Divarak of the Ogiro Kingdom accepts the proposal, redith quickly sends the information back to Peace Haven. Upon receiving the intel, Henwell summons Chick and hands over a list.
"Rember the nas on this list. When Ogiro's forces enter the duchy, find an opportunity to eliminate these people."
As Chick morizes the nas, he asks, "Wipe them out completely? The whole family?"
Henwell shakes his head, "That's not important. What's crucial is that their deaths appear reasonable, amidst the chaos of the enemy invasion. It can't be traced back to us; it must all be blad on Ogiro. You decide how to handle it."
Chick nods slightly, committing the nas to mory before burning the list right there in Henwell's study. These nas must never leave this room. If anyone finds out that Henwell orchestrated this, he would have no place in any kingdom. Killing nobles without sanction is a grave offense!
As word of Henwell's defeat of the Ogiro border troops spreads, more and more people take notice of him. The three corps commanders, who once needed Viscount Jansen to keep them in check, are no longer in a hurry to move into Peace Haven.
Henwell is too busy to deal with them.He just want to seize the opportunity of diverting trouble elsewhere to solidify his new territories. He has seized over ten thousand square kiloters of land but knows he can't hold onto all of it.
Once the situation calms down, Henwell will have to relinquish much of it. At least half of these new lands will likely be reclaid.
In Henwell's plan, acquiring three thousand square kiloters of land—just slightly larger than Peace Haven—would be satisfactory. The defensive fortress circle is also within this area.
Henwell has coveted this region for a long ti, not just for its coal and iron mineral deposits but also because it has well-established mines. With so reorganization, the mining efficiency could be significantly improved, turning this into a crucial self-sustaining resource base for Henwell.
Additionally, the Ouse River, a major river in the area, is a resource Henwell greatly values. The importance of a large river for the developnt of fisheries and agriculture is self-evident. More importantly, Henwell can build many water-powered factories, with the flowing river providing a stable energy source.
The application of hydropower could bring substantial improvents to slting and forging factories. If the situation were more stable, Henwell would have already started constructing new factories.
Currently, the primary focus is on securing this new territory. With the river, large quantities of river sand can be extracted, significantly reducing the cost of concrete. Henwell has requisitioned over three thousand carts, tirelessly transporting materials to the fortress construction sites.
In the absence of machinery, manpower fills the gap, and Henwell has plenty of people at his disposal. Each fortress employs nearly a hundred skilled craftsn and over a thousand serfs and captives. Working in shifts around the clock, they lay the foundations in just a few days.
The next phase of concrete pouring doesn't need to be witnessed by the captives.
Hundreds of craftsn, directing several hundred serf workers, work overti to complete the task. Having built similar fortresses in Peace Haven, these new fortifications require only minor modifications. The experience significantly streamlines the construction process.
From the start of the conflict until now, Henwell's years of savings are being consud at a rapid pace, like water flowing away.
This makes Henwell lant that his accumulation has been insufficient. It's only when you need money that you realize how little you have!
After a month-long conflict initiated by Henwell, the Ogiro Kingdom finally takes action. The kingdom's valiant nobles, united to resist the evil knight lord from Blood Hill, form a counterattack alliance, gathering tens of thousands of troops stationed at the border, ready to strike back at any mont.
Viscount Divarak, however, declines the leading marquis's invitation to join forces. Instead, he gathers a group of friendly nobles, organizing a private noble army of over ten thousand. Their plan is to teach the Vorry Duchy a lesson from the north.
anwhile, Pavaro, the commander of the 15th Border Legion, teams up with the 16th Border Legion and boldly invades the southern region of the Vorry Duchy. With barely any resistance, the kingdom's two legions capture two border fortresses of the Vorry Duchy in just a few days.
On the northern front, Viscount Divarak's private noble army ambushes the reinforcents from the Vorry Duchy's 17th Legion. The favorable terrain and perfect timing lead Divarak to a sweeping victory, nearly annihilating the duchy's 17th Legion.
This news sends shockwaves through both nations once again.
Before the duchy's leadership can recover from their shock, Henwell takes the initiative to request aid from the duchy, claiming that the Ogiro Kingdom has amassed an army of one hundred thousand, pressing down on Peace Haven. He urges the duchy to dispatch troops imdiately for support.
The grand duke and his officials, upon receiving the ssage, are visibly displeased, knowing full well that Henwell isn't genuinely seeking assistance.
Instead, he's preemptively turning down support for the duchy's southern front. Near Henwell's new territory, over forty thousand noble private troops are gathered, along with two legions from the Ogiro Kingdom.
The duchy's predicant is a lack of forces to send; their main legions are engaged in a skirmish with the Billie Kingdom to the east.
Among the three legions stationed in the southeast corner, one has been nearly wiped out. Due to the defeat of the two border legions, the remaining two duchy legions are hesitant to act recklessly, maintaining only a defensive stance.
Currently, the closest ard forces to the conflict zone are two groups: the Peace Haven Legion and Viscount Jansen's few thousand elite troops. Henwell has already blocked the duchy's reasons for mobilization.
To persuade Viscount Jansen to abandon defending his own territory and take the risk to strike, a suitable condition is necessary.
To this end, Grand Duke Amir personally writes a letter to his forr chief guard.
Jansen spends an entire night in hesitation after receiving the letter. At his wife's urging, he secretly travels to the Blood Hill estate in Peace Haven. Upon eting Henwell, Jansen expresses his dilemma.
"Henwell, you know, Amir and I grew up together. He's practically begging to deploy troops to curb the potential crisis in the southern region.
Many in the Ogiro Kingdom are watching closely; if the duchy's counterattack isn't fierce enough, they might intensify their offensive in this area. There are already three legions gathered behind the conflict zone."
Henwell responds, "Uncle, what do you think?"
"Emotionally and rationally, I can't just stand by, but..."
Henwell cuts in, "But other family mbers have different opinions, right?"
Jansen sighs, acknowledging this truth. Henwell poses another question, "Uncle, are you loyal to the family or to Grand Duke Amir?"
"Aren't they the sa? The Phoenix family rose to prominence because of Amir. We're so closely tied to him that any harm to the royal interests is harm to the family interests."
Henwell shakes his head, "Uncle, you might not fully understand. We're not a royal family. At the end of the day, we're just vassals, albeit ones a bit closer. So, you need to decide where your loyalty truly lies."
After a long pause, Jansen sighs, "Ah, tell , what would be best for the Phoenix family?"
Henwell smiles slightly, "Uncle, have a seat. Let's talk this through."
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