Chapter 372 - 260: Uniting All Forces (2)

Chapter 372: Chapter 260: Uniting All Forces (2)

If the Emperor really wants to make a move against us, then let him see our strength. We’ve already consolidated the powers of the Eastern Grasslands. Our soldiers are well-trained, and our resources are plentiful.

As long as we stand united, there is nothing we cannot overcome."

Just as Tommy was about to continue persuading Henry, Claude grabbed his arm and dragged him aside.

"What are you doing?!"

Claude whispered, "Don’t make a scene. Baron Boman and Baron Fass are here."

Tommy followed Claude’s gaze and saw Boman and Fass striding toward them, both looking grim.

Claude frowned and whispered to Tommy, "Keep your mouth shut. This is the lords’ business; we have no say in it."

Though anxious, Tommy knew Claude was right and reluctantly held his tongue.

"What’s wrong with you? Are you insane? You’re just going to let His Lordship go up against the Emperor? He’ll be killed! He’s so young—he could be carving out two, even three, great cities like Odoche! Why would he risk it all?"

"I can’t be bothered to explain it to you. You wouldn’t understand."

"You!"

Boman and Fass walked up to Henry, stopped, and fixed their gazes on him.

Fass spoke first, his voice laced with urgency. "Henry, I heard the news. The Emperor plans to move against us. What’s our play? Do we surrender, or do we rebel outright?"

’Oh? *Us*?’ Henry cast a meaningful glance at Fass, a little moved.

’What a good man...’

Fass’s words were blunt and to the point. Henry turned to Boman, only to find him staring back in silence, his expression a complex mixture of emotions.

Henry could read emotions like ’treason’ and ’insubordination’ in Boman’s gaze. Evidently, Boman was no docile creature himself.

Perhaps he’d never had the chance before, forced to live a tranquil, uneventful life. But Henry’s meteoric rise had reignited a fire within him.

Henry was silent for a moment, then slowly began to speak, "Fass, Boman, things are not as bad as you imagine."

Fass retorted, "But Henry, the situation is already perilous! You’ll be easily crushed by the Chancellor’s army!"

"Fass, impulsiveness won’t solve anything."

Boman finally spoke up. "Fass has a point. The Chancellor is a serious threat. If the Emperor truly moves against us, what is our plan?"

"Don’t worry, Boman. I’ve already made preparations. I just sent a letter to Duke Calvin, hoping he can mediate for us.

Duke Calvin holds considerable sway at court and among the nobility. He might be able to help us defuse this crisis."

Fass grumbled, dissatisfied. "Duke Calvin? What use is he? He’s a decent teacher, sure, but he has no political accomplishments to his name."

"Don’t underestimate Duke Calvin, Fass. He’s well-connected. He might be able to buy us some time and space."

’Rebellion is an option,’ Henry thought briefly, ’but not right now. At the very least, not until I’ve dealt with Count Akakarat.’

By then, he would be the undisputed Overlord of the grasslands. With a single call to arms, the realm would flock to his banner!

Even if he ran out of ’Overlord Training’ points for loyalty training, this vast coalition of interests would still fight and die for him!

When interests align, loyalty naturally follows.

Boman was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "You’re right. Now is not a good time."

Fass fell silent for a moment, then lifted his head to meet Henry’s gaze. "It’s true that now isn’t the time for rash action, but we have to do *something*!"

Henry nodded slightly, gesturing for him to continue.

"I’ll leave Odoche immediately. I’ll go and lobby the various Independent Viscounts and Independent Barons. I’ll have them muster their troops and prepare for war, pulling them onto our side.

You’ve organized the Alliance Army before, so there’s already a foundation to build on. Besides, the last great battle wiped out many of our rival nobles.

The ones left are mostly neutral. If any of them have other ideas, we’ll just take down their names, contact the neighboring lords, and let them carve up the traitor’s fief, people, and riches."

Henry raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Fass’s plan was aggressive, but given the circumstances, it might just be the most effective strategy.

’Turn the nobles against each other!’

"Fass, that’s an excellent idea. The nobles of the Eastern Grasslands are an ambitious lot. As long as we can show them sufficient profit, they’ll naturally side with us."

’There is strength in numbers, and unity is a fortress. Ultimately, wars are fought with lives. How many people out there are an anomaly like me?’

’So, Mr. Emperor, do you dare push the grasslands into schism? Don’t forget, rebellion creates a chain reaction. The western coastal region just had a revolt, and those folks are descended from Mercenaries—they don’t keep their promises.’

The moment the Eastern Grasslands rose in revolt, Henry guaranteed the empire would erupt in a glorious free-for-all.

’Everyone will want a piece of the action!’

"Exactly! If the Eastern Grasslands presents a united front, the Chancellor will have to think twice before acting. Henry, I’ll go persuade them myself. I’ll make them see that their only future is with you."

"Go, Fass. I’m sure you can do it. But be careful. Remember, our goal is to unite every possible ally."

Fass nodded and turned to leave, but then he stopped and looked back at Henry. "Henry, I’ll make those wavering nobles see the writing on the wall. As for the Independent Knights, I won’t bother lobbying them. They have limited power. Once they see which way the tide is turning, they’ll come to us on their own."

Boman stood to the side, frowning slightly, as if deep in thought.

Henry turned his head and looked at Boman. "Boman, what do you think of Fass’s plan?"

Boman spoke slowly, "It is indeed an effective strategy."

"Why don’t you go as well? The grasslands are vast; it’ll be too slow for him to cover it all alone."

Boman considered it for a moment, then hurried after Fass to coordinate which direction each of them would take.

Boman and Fass left Henry’s camp, walking shoulder to shoulder. They walked in silence for some distance, only stopping once they were far from the hustle and bustle of the camp.

"Are you really planning to go lobby those nobles?" Boman asked.

The task was a strange one—not exactly difficult, but not simple either.

Fass nodded. "Of course. This is no time for hesitation. When you’re aiming high, you can’t afford to second-guess yourself. If we can get the neutral nobles on our side, we’ll be that much stronger.

After all, our enemy this time is the Chancellor himself."

"Hmm... Henry has already demonstrated his power. Maybe those nobles have wanted to side with him for a while now, but just lacked the opportunity."

Fass smiled faintly. "Exactly. These local nobles are all opportunists. The moment they see a profit, they’ll flock to our side without a second thought."

To these local nobles with their long-standing lineages, the ’royal family’ means nothing. When you hold all the cards, they’ll call you ’Your Imperial Majesty.’ But the moment you show weakness? The one with more Dinars and more land to give becomes their new master.

Boman nodded, a sharp glint in his eye. "If Henry can truly conquer the Eastern Grasslands and reshuffle the deck, what we stand to gain will be far greater."

"Exactly! What are the spoils of Odoche in comparison? If we can help Henry conquer the Eastern Grasslands, our potential gains are immeasurable!"

"Let’s move. We’ll split up. You take the area north of Autongard, and I’ll take the south. We’re short on time."

Fass nodded at Boman. "Boman, don’t bring up dividing the spoils from Odoche with Henry. That’s small potatoes now."

Boman paused, taken aback for a second, then nodded.

A greater enemy meant a greater opportunity. They couldn’t get sidetracked by short-term gains and lose sight of the bigger prize.

’They had to think bigger. Aim higher!’