Chapter 408 - 156: Distribution of Benefits

Chapter 408: Chapter 156: Distribution of Benefits

After leaving the Royal Capital, Robson and Valentino led their contingent of soldiers toward the lands beyond the pass.

Along the way, a ceaseless stream of nobles came to pay their respects.

They didn’t really have a choice. After all, anyone would panic if over five thousand soldiers suddenly appeared on their lands.

Of course, a few of them were high-ranking local nobles whose Patriarchs, having received news from the Royal Capital, had ordered them to come and forge ties.

Robson’s hands grew tired from accepting so many gifts along the journey.

The army hurried along, and after a full half-month of travel, they finally reached Fengman City.

......

"Earl Uman!"

"Sriphine, my old friend! Long time no see!"

Outside Fengman City, a crowd of northeastern nobles had long been waiting. This included Earl Uman and Count Sriphine, who had been at each other’s throats just a short while ago.

However, the way everyone was standing was strangely telling.

The military-merit faction was supposed to be the largest, yet now Count Sriphine had but a handful of supporters behind him. Instead, the nobles of Ador Province were all standing with him.

Earl Uman, in stark contrast, was backed by representatives from the southern and military-merit factions. His following dwarfed Count Sriphine’s.

Of course, these people weren’t following Earl Uman, but Robson.

They were waiting here because they knew Robson would be returning to his loyal lands beyond the pass today. Every noble from the region, big or small, had gathered in Fengman City upon hearing the news.

"Sriphine, how have you been? I heard you actually managed to wipe out a band of Beastmen within your territory. Truly admirable!" Earl Uman said with a laugh.

The Earl Uman of today was riding high.

He had made a grave mistake during the eastern front war, giving him the worst start among the three great families beyond the pass. But now, he was subtly becoming the region’s second-in-command.

Meanwhile, Count Sriphine, who had started in a good position, had now been backed into a corner.

Earl Uman could only reflect on how politics was, in the end, all about picking the right side.

Count Sriphine wore a smile, but inwardly, he was sick with disgust.

Even with Robson away, the struggles beyond the pass had continued unabated.

Losing the southern part of Auric Province wasn’t like losing a limb for Count Sriphine; it was as if all four of his limbs had been torn from his body.

Worse, everyone had already grown accustomed to using bandits to raid one another, and these attacks had become even more brazen recently.

He and Earl Uman hadn’t seen each other in "a long time"—they had just met, but it had been on the battlefield. In short, Count Sriphine had been worn ragged. Even after pulling in allies from the southern part of Ador Province, his situation hadn’t improved much.

After all, Ador Province currently lacked a strong leader.

Viscount Keanan frowned as he watched Count Sriphine and Earl Uman glare daggers at each other.

In truth, what Count Sriphine didn’t know was that the nobles in southern Ador Province didn’t need a leader to rally behind—they needed one to lead their surrender.

It couldn’t be helped. When news arrived that Robson had been made a general, everyone knew that from now on, his word would be law beyond the pass, especially with the Fengman Clan backing him.

Viscount Keanan couldn’t even imagine a scenario where Robson could lose.

Most critically, Marquis George had gone silent. When Viscount Keanan recently contacted Earl Harold for support, Earl Harold’s words all but told him to surrender.

This put them in an incredibly awkward position. ’With no support and such a powerful enemy, we can’t possibly fight Robson to the bitter end, can we?’

If not for Earl Uman’s utterly despicable actions, they might have already been standing behind him by now.

"Look! It’s the vanguard of the Fengman Knight Order!"

Before long, someone in the crowd shouted in alarm.

Hearing this, everyone looked up toward the horizon.

In the distance, banners fluttered in the wind as dozens of Silver Armored Knights cleared the way, led by none other than Knight Commander Elon.

Everyone knew without a doubt that an escort of this magnitude from the Fengman Clan could only mean one thing: Robson and Valentino were back.

And indeed, following the dozens of Fengman Knights, a massive army appeared on the horizon.

This army was now subsidized by the kingdom’s government, so Robson had, naturally, maxed out their pay and benefits.

The sight of over a thousand soldiers marching in formation from the distance was breathtaking.

Soon, everyone caught sight of Robson and Valentino.

In fact, it would have been difficult not to.

With a draconic cry, the two figures in armor dismounted from Everton’s back.

Now that he was away from the Royal Capital, Robson no longer needed to pay any mind to Prince Noah’s rumors about the Dragon Knight.

’And if someone sends word back to the Royal Capital? So what? Can’t my great Frank have two dragons and two Dragon Knights at the same time?’

"Gentlemen, thank you for waiting," Robson said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

To be precise, it swept over Earl Uman’s faction.

Honestly, Robson was incredibly surprised to see Count Sriphine.

As far as he knew, Count Sriphine had been fighting him tooth and nail recently. And now was the time Robson was in power.

’Could he be ready to submit?’

Robson was puzzled. If he was going to submit, shouldn’t he have sent a letter in advance?

’He can’t possibly be here just to offer me his face to slap, can he?’

Valentino also knew the situation beyond the pass and was just as confused.

However, as Robson went to greet the local nobles, she had to go and inquire about the Fengman Clan’s recent affairs.

After a series of struggles, Valentino had essentially gained full control of the Fengman Clan.

"Sir Robson.

You’ve returned."

Since Robson’s favoritism was too obvious, Count Sriphine had no choice but to step forward.

If he didn’t say something, Robson would leave with Earl Uman and the others for Fengman City, and their trip would have been for nothing.

At this moment, Robson seemed to suddenly notice Count Sriphine’s presence.

"Count Sriphine, long time no see. How have you been lately?" Robson asked with a grin.

Count Sriphine felt like he’d just taken a critical hit. ’As if you don’t know perfectly well how I’ve been?’

"Sir, I heard you were recently awarded the rank of general in the Royal Capital, and I have come especially to congratulate you," Count Sriphine said, forcing a smile.

"Is that so? It’s just a title. We should head into the city first," Robson said cheerfully.

With that, Robson made a show of turning to leave with Earl Uman and his followers for Fengman City.

Count Sriphine felt a shove from behind.

"Sir, wait!" Count Sriphine couldn’t help but shout.

"Oh? Earl, what seems to be the matter?" Robson asked with a smile.

"We heard that the counterattack on the eastern front is about to begin, which is why we have come.

What arrangements do you plan to make, Sir?" Count Sriphine asked.

So that’s what this is about.

Robson now roughly understood Count Sriphine’s intentions.

The eastern counteroffensive was a golden opportunity to earn military honors and gain benefits. How could the nobles of the eastern territories possibly let it pass?

Robson glanced at the nobles behind Count Sriphine, and in an instant, he had figured out most of their intentions.

"Why don’t we discuss this in detail inside the city?"