Chapter 191: Don’t Guess What the King Is Thinking
"Are you sure Sarleon won't send troops? Will Ulric just sit back and watch the Ravenstern army invade?"
Ursula looked a little uneasy. No matter how rotten the Sarleon Kingdom was, it had to react to the invasion of foreign enemies...
"Because your brother helped you... The Red Brotherhood's spy reported that the envoys from the Kingdom of Ravenstern went to the Fog City in Firdsvain, and then King Vidis gathered a large number of troops at the border castle - you must know what this means..."
Kaedren drank the wine in the glass and turned to sit on the edge of the bed.
"Fierdsvain? Didn't the Fierdsvain and Sarleon Kingdom form an alliance not long ago?"
Ursula turned her head and looked at Kaedren: "Will King Vidis break the covenant?"
"He doesn't have to tear up the covenant... Alma is dead, Vidis can simply declare the covenant invalid. Last year, it was Alma who went to sign the agreement with the Firdsvain, and the name on that covenant was Alma Houghton. Who cares about the name of a dead person?"
Kaedron spread his hands. "The Sarleon Kingdom is now under attack from three sides. The Baccus Empire may also intervene. Ulric must ensure the safety of Sarleon City. He probably won't dare to send troops lightly..."
"In other words, we can easily capture Changhe Town and Lion Lake City? ... Kaedren, are you planning to let my brother occupy Eagle Claw Castle, and then hold the two major cities to nurture the enemy and gain the upper hand, so that neither Sarleon City nor Stern Raven Territory dare to touch you?"
Ursula looked relieved and turned back to face Kaedren.
"It's not that you don't dare to touch me, but that you don't dare to touch us, dear."
Kaidren stretched himself and said, "We will be the final winners..."
The next afternoon, when Fothert led his army to Eagle Claw Castle, the army of the Stern Crow Kingdom was already in sight. Both sides were caught off guard and went straight into battle.
But both Kedren and Lady Ursula disappeared.
With his legion of rogue knights, Kaedren captured Lion Lake City, which had few defenders, without much effort.
Lady Ursula was near the village of Payne at this time. She had less than two hundred people around her, and they all looked like a ragtag group of soldiers.
But from the expressions and temperament of this ragtag group of troops, it can be seen that they are all battle-hardened and their fighting power should be quite strong.
Ursula looked back towards the inner sea of Lion Lake, with an inexplicable smile on her face.
"Ma'am, you won't really do what Kedren wants, will you?"
A knight suddenly asked.
"Kedren? Oh, Sir Ryan, I am the true king of Ravenstern, how could I listen to the arrangements of a rogue... He wants to play both sides and be an opportunistic warlord, but he can't do it. He doesn't understand what a king will do when facing a desperate situation, and Ulric is definitely not the kind of person who will compromise. "
Ursula turned her head and smiled at the young knight: "I just need him and Fothert to help us hold off the army of the Kingdom of Ravenstern."
"That's good... Madam, but are you really planning to go to Changhe Town? I don't think Changhe Town is suitable for rebuilding the Falcon Knights. Besides, you can't really control Changhe Town now, and you can't defend it even if you take it down..."
This knight named Ryan was wearing a robe with a falcon emblem and was obviously a falcon knight.
He is also the only knight in the team who wears a robe with a falcon emblem.
"Of course I won't go to Changhe Town, Ryan. I'm going to Sarleon! I can see what Kaedren is thinking, and I don't want to be his shield! I have no interest in the territory of Sarleon Kingdom at all... Ryan, go to Fletcher Village. Earl Stephen should be there. Tell him that Gregory IV has a deal with the Jatu warlord Zakar. If he continues to stay near Fletcher Village, he may die. Ask him how he plans to repay me for this favor..."
Ursula no longer looked as worried as she did last night. Her tone became relaxed and she looked quite calm. "Then you go back to Falconhold and gather the army... I plan to take advantage of the emptiness of Ravenstern and join forces with Sarleon to capture Dawnhearth! That's where we should go!"
"Madam, you will definitely be able to rebuild the Falcon Knights."
Sir Ryan bowed his head respectfully, then headed east with dozens of people.
Lady Ursula led only a hundred men southwards, heading towards Sarleon City.
…
Two days later, Sarleon Throne Room.
Ulric finally reappeared on the Silver Throne.
But at this moment, Ulrich seemed to have no signs of illness. Apart from a slight hint of fatigue, he looked quite healthy.
There were three people standing next to him.
The Duke of Cliff Rock Bay, Brunus, the Chief of Military Affairs of Changhe Town, Godric, and the Lord of Qicha Fortress, Leiman.
"…Your Majesty, are you really planning to let His Royal Highness the Prince lead the army? But he has never led troops in battle… and none of our troops can leave the territory…"
Brennus frowned, seeming a little uneasy about Ulrich's decision.
"Brenus, my dearest comrade, since my arrogant son thinks he can do it, I will certainly let him go... Once he is on the battlefield, he will naturally understand that war is not as simple as he thinks."
Ulrich said calmly, his face almost expressionless.
"Your Majesty, the army of Ravenstern will probably crush Alanric! He is your only son..."
Godric said uneasily.
Brennus frowned and looked straight ahead, while Lehman had dull eyes, as if he had heard nothing.
"Yes, my only son... My only son secretly imprisoned Leiman, stole my seal, and caused a lot of disputes... My only son also gave Changhe Town to Alma! He didn't understand what Changhe Town meant to Alma... If Alma hadn't died suddenly, the Sarleon Kingdom would have been torn apart by now!"
It was hard to tell whether the expression on Ulrich's face was mocking or sad: "I would rather not have such a son... I never thought that after only being sick for more than half a month, you guys are the only ones I can trust!"
"Your Majesty, then... what should we do now? The army of the Kingdom of Ravenstern has entered the Gulf of Tonkin, and the eastern region has also sent back warnings of the enemy. The Firdsvain in the west has also gathered a lot of troops in Highcliff Castle. The Baccus Empire in the south also seems to have the intention of attacking the Seven Forks Fortress..."
Duke Brunus became more and more angry as he spoke: "They are all bastards who are taking advantage of the situation! My troops have to defend the northwest, and Leiman has to stop the Bacchus at Qicha Fortress. The entire Lion Knights cannot be deployed... I'm afraid that Prince Alanric will not have any chance of winning if we only let him lead the troops to attack Beibu Gulf..."
"Hehe, chances of winning? Brennus, I never counted on Alanric. Forget about Highcliff Castle in Firdsvain for now, and lead the Lion Knights directly to Lion Lake City. My son actually doesn't dare to go to the battlefield... I will appoint you as the marshal, you can confiscate the men he has recruited on the way, and then go to the North Gulf to kill the troops of Kedren and the Kingdom of Ravenstern..."
Ulrich shook his head, his face clearly showing sarcasm. "I asked Alanric to lead the troops to the North Gulf just to find out who has defected to him and what kind of troops he can control. But no matter what kind of troops they are, they will not follow a cowardly child who is afraid to go to the battlefield... Brennus, take care of this matter. After this war is over, bring your son Malbert here. I will make him my adopted son."
"I understand, Your Majesty."
Brennus took the order and left.
Ulrich turned and looked at Godric.
"Godric, you have to take back the Changhe Town you lost. I know you are worried about the king's seal in the hands of the rebel, and I can't just declare my seal invalid... Leon is your close ally, right? He is a rebel now, and rebels don't need to care about the king's seal. Tell him that it is his duty to kill the rebels... By the way, he still owes me some money, ask him to send me the dinar and get my seal back!"
Ulrich's tone was still indifferent, but he seemed confident and more powerful than before.
Godric shuddered for some reason. He felt that Ulrich's expression now looked very much like the three prophets. He always made people feel that... he was not very human.
But Godric still obeyed the order and left. At least now Ulrich seemed to have a clear mind, and all the orders he issued were reasonable. He even took into account Godric's difficulties - not only was he not crazy, but his brain was also quite useful.
"Lehman, I'm sorry. I knew you were held captive by Alanric several days ago, but I didn't release you until now... I hope you can understand that I'm not sure what my son will do."
King Ulric looked at Sir Rayman, the only one left beside the throne, and unexpectedly apologized.
"Your Majesty, you... don't have to say that. I won't complain about anything..."
Leiman was a little stunned for a moment. He had followed the king for nearly twenty years, from his youth to now, but he had never heard King Ulri apologize!
"I know, I know you won't complain... but I shouldn't let you suffer this kind of injustice. I know that you are the most loyal Lion Knight around me. I have a most important task for you..."
Ulrik seemed quite sincere when he spoke to Rayman, which was obviously the biggest reason why Rayman was loyal to him.
When he said this, Ulrich waved to the attendant on the side.
The guard opened the side door and then retreated without saying a word.
A woman in her thirties walked in, wearing the blue noble robe of Ravenstern with a conspicuous falcon emblem on it.
"Your Majesty, Sir Rayman, I am Ursula, the true king of Ravenstern."
Lady Ursula did not wait for Ulrich to speak, but introduced herself. She took the initiative to salute Ulrich, and then looked at Sir Lehman.
Apparently, Ursula had met Ulrich and reached some kind of agreement before Lehman and the others came here.
"Lehman, Lady Ursula will be our loyal ally. Take your troops and go to Ravenstern with Lady Ursula to cut off the supply lines of the Ravenstern army, leaving them with no way to retreat. And take the opportunity to capture Xiaofurnace!"
King Ulric smiled faintly: "Since the troops of the Kingdom of Ravenstern dare to enter the Land of Sarleon, then of course we can also attack the Land of Ravenstern..."
"Your Majesty, what should we do with Qicha Fortress? The Bacchus Empire might take the opportunity to launch an attack!"
Of course, Leiman was willing to go to Ravenstern to fight against foreign enemies, but he didn't understand why King Ulric was sending all the strong troops in his hands. The combat power of Sarleon City and Qicha Fortress would become very weak!
"Don't worry about the Qicha Fortress... The Bacchus Empire will not attack. I provided a lot of military funds to Shira Yuzas, and now there are rebels everywhere in Bacchus!... Ha, everyone thinks that I got so much money to recruit mercenaries to capture the Noldor elves? Do I really look that stupid?"
Ulrich shook his head and smiled, but the look in his eyes was quite cold.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, I will make the Kingdom of Stern Crow submit to your throne, and you will become the greatest king of the entire continent."
Lady Ursula also bowed respectfully.
"Of course, I look forward to it, my lady...oh, no, perhaps it should be...my queen?"
Ulrik watched the two men leave, and veins gradually popped out on his forehead, but it was not until the two men completely left the door of the throne room that he frowned and his face was full of pain.
"Bring me some medicine! I can't bear it any longer... My head... hurts so much..."
…
North of Kwin Village.
Prince Alanric finally led his army to war as he wished.
Perhaps Ulric was indeed unable to lead the troops into battle, so he authorized Alanric to lead the troops - at least that was the case in Alanric's eyes.
But the purpose was not to send troops to quell the rebellion, but to recapture the lost Lion Lake City and expel the enemies from the Stern Crow Territory.
Kaedren's judgment was indeed inaccurate. Although Ulric did not go to the battle personally, he sent a large army to Lion Lake City - as Ursula said, it is difficult to predict what a king will do when facing a desperate situation.
It is actually very difficult for a vassal to know what arrangements the king has made, and to guess the king's behavior based on what he has seen and heard... This may be possible in normal times, but when the survival of the country is at stake and the king is surrounded by enemies, he will also gamble.
Especially a king like Ulrich, his thoughts are very difficult to guess.
However, Alanric, who finally got the chance to lead the army, no longer looked complacent and fearless as he did in the tower of the House of Nobles.
His uncle Igor died from a stray arrow in a conflict that shouldn't have happened. He was shot in the vitals more than a hundred meters away from Leon's small team. It is said that there were hundreds of Lion Knights in between...
Alanric, who had never been on the battlefield, realized the risks and uncertainties of the battlefield just from this description.
But after his right-hand man Igor was killed, he now has to personally contact the nobles who support him, and also has to personally arrange the matters that the army will face when it goes out to war.
But he soon discovered that he was not good at most things...
He could neither arrange logistics nor inspire morale, nor did he know how to arrange camping locations and route plans, let alone any tactics...
Fortunately, he found Baron Aldfred, who helped him solve most of the basic affairs.
However, after the troops successfully set out and left Sarleon City, Alanric found that he was very scared and nervous.
He is not as brave as he thinks, nor as capable as he thinks...
King Ulric may not be a good father, but he obviously understands his only son - Alanric is indeed afraid of going to the battlefield, and he is trembling with fear...
After all, he had never been in a battle, or even fought with anyone. His only fighting experience was occasionally sparring with his fencing coach using a wooden sword - just sparring.
In fact, anyone who has never been to the battlefield will be filled with fear when going out for the first time. This is not a shameful thing.
But Alanric is the leader. Anyone can be afraid, except the leader.
No matter how scared you are, you have to act like you're not afraid at all.
But Alanric couldn't do it. He couldn't even ride a horse alone now - his hands and feet were stiff with fear and he could hardly move.
From Sarleon City to Kwen Village, this was probably the longest road Alanric had walked in his short life, and the longer he walked, the more hairy it became...
This road was filled with dark fog, and many corpses could be seen from time to time. The humming of unknown sounds never stopped. This environment made Alanrique's already uneasy heart even more frightened, and he even felt like vomiting because of fear.
In addition, after continuing to move forward to Lion Lake City, which is about two days later, he will have to go to the battlefield in person to face a bloody battle.
Alanric was under great pressure. He had never thought that going to the battlefield would be so terrifying...
Talking and actually doing things are two different things...
Things that you originally thought were easy, only when you have to actually do them yourself, you will realize how daunting it is, and even your mind will be a mess.
This is especially true in a matter of life and death such as war.
So Alanric stopped his troops at the bridgehead of the village of Kwen.
His Royal Highness intends to take a break from the strong winds in this place.
He now has nearly three thousand men with him.
The prince's constant tricks in the tower did indeed attract a considerable number of followers to himself.
In fact, more than a thousand of them were small and medium-sized mercenary groups. Of course, Alanric won over these mercenary leaders by promising them to become nobles and tempting them with high salaries.
This did bring him a direct force, but the quality of these soldiers was mixed - of course, Alanric probably didn't really intend to pay too much salary, since mercenaries who died in battle didn't have to be paid anyway.
The other troops came from two more powerful noble lords.
One is the Lord of Kerledanburg, Baron Aldfred, the Knight Commander of the Lion Knights who just returned from Singal.
The other is Lord Yaragal, Baron Leofwan, the current commander of the Royal City Guard.
They took the initiative to express their willingness to follow His Royal Highness the Prince to "expel the enemy and recover the lost territory", so Ulrich agreed to their request and allowed them to bring with them the King's direct troops who were "willing to follow the Prince into battle".
So Aldfred brought about a hundred lion knights and four hundred lion followers, while Leofurvan brought half of the royal city guards - five hundred knight followers.
In addition, they also brought conscripted soldiers from their own territory, a total of about 800 people.
This large army of nearly 3,000 people is actually quite strong. At least they are all veterans with combat experience.
However, even the strongest army needs a reliable commander.
If the commander-in-chief is not only a rookie, but also so scared that his face turns pale, his hands and feet are always shaking, and he even trembles when he speaks, and his voice is quieter than a mosquito...
No soldier would want to fight with such a commander - in the eyes of the soldiers, this cowardly prince would probably abandon them and run away as soon as he saw the enemy...
