244: Chapter 141, Mysterious Meeting_1 244: Chapter 141, Mysterious Meeting_1 Dardiel City, having also received the edict from the Capital, knew more information than Hudson.
Several months ago, Duke Cavadia had already written warning them, referring to the haze of gunpowder in the Northland and advising him to quickly establish a footing in Layton County.
In the recent communications, the tense situation in the Northland was frequently hinted at, and he even received a batch of supplies in support.
Sometimes knowing too much can also be a disadvantage.
Since realizing that the northern battlefield would ignite, West hasn’t had a moment of joy.
Even securing the position of Prefectural Governor did nothing to alleviate his worries.
Upon receiving the edict to be conferred nobility ahead of time, West’s mood became even heavier.
The comfortable life of a second generation depends on their inherited status.
Once the northern battlefield erupts, the Felix Family will be too occupied with their own matters.
Would the Duke Cavadia still worry about his illegitimate son?
They wouldn’t even need to start fighting, as long as the northern situation is tense enough, he will be ignored.
Once he loses the support of his noble father, his days as an outsider become tough.
Originally he thought that by seizing the position of Prefectural Governor, he could attract a batch of wavering followers and establish his rule over Layton County.
A hopeful dream, but a bone-crushing reality.
Among the native nobles, a group of big shots merely showed their true colors in the Mountain Domain, and the wavering followers began to distance themselves from him.
Without enough followers, the group of northern nobles banding together clearly won’t be enough in the ensuing chaos.
“Young Master, don’t worry too much.
We’ve gone through many years, our clan will definitely survive this time too…”
West silently shook his head at Steward Faren’s pleas.
Where does he have the time to worry about the family now?
As an illegitimate son, what loyalty to the family does he have?
What he’s worried about is himself!
Being conferred nobility ahead of time also means fulfilling duties to the kingdom in advance.
If the northern battlefield erupts, as a noble lord, he must lead troops into battle.
Typically, nobles’ private armies fight on the battlefield merged by region, with the Prefectural Governor often commanding the entire county’s troops.
If there is a full-scale war, like Layton County, a force of ten thousand would be formed in the past.
It sounds like a large number, but in a war of this scale, logistical support is already impossible to rely on from outside.
Moreover, we are fighting on our own land, there is nowhere to loot from.
To ensure logistical supplies, the number of support troops often outnumbers the main fighting force, usually accounting for 50 to 60 percent.
If the frontlines were very long, support troops could even account for 70 to 80 percent.
If we were to fight along the coast or river, support troops could lower to 20 to 30 percent.
Theoretically, as the head of an army, even on the northern battlefield, West counts as a middle-to-upper-level officer.
But that is only in theory, the prerequisite for being able to form an army is that the minor nobles below are willing to team up with him.
In order to increase the survival-rate on the battlefield, the kingdom encourages such alliances.
Those nobles full of controversy that are sure to backstab one another, will not appear on the same battlefield.
Forming legions in units of family relatives and neighbors is a common phenomenon in the kingdom.
All were forced out by the Orcs.
On the northern battlefield, Alpha Kingdom has always been at a disadvantage.
To survive, everyone must be as united as possible.
Considering the current situation in Layton County, West does not think Hudson will team up with him.
Without the participation of native nobles, it would be a miracle for the wounded northern nobles to gather an army of three thousand.
This sounds like a large number, and if you have three thousand elites, it’s not too bad on the battlefield.
Unfortunately, the Northern nobles suffered a major blow not long ago.
The elite soldiers they brought over were banished to the frontline ahead of time for participating in looting.
Unable to assemble an army, he only has two choices left: either lead the team back into the northern military or mixed with the troops from other small regions.
If he could go back, West wouldn’t have to worry.
Fief nobles ought to guard their land.
The thought of a strategic transition is nothing more than a dream!
Mixing with the troops of northern Fief Nobles, things are fine when winning, but if they lose, and others can’t escape, would they allow him to leave with his troops?
Getting mixed up with other small region’s troops, life wouldn’t be much better.
At the very least, the control would not be in his hands.
Even if West has extensive combat experience, it won’t matter.
Governor Piers wouldn’t allow the northern nobles to gain a foothold under him, this is a matter of principle.
These things could still be tolerated though, the key is these unequally commanded troops often are underwhelming in combat power.
A little bit of negligence could lead to a complete rout, if luck is good you might get away with your life, but if not you could end up dead on the spot.
Alpha Kingdom has a strict system, unless you are executing orders and suffer heavy losses while achieving military merits, you can return to reorganize your troops and then return after reorganization.
Otherwise, even if your troops are wiped out, don’t think about leaving the battlefield to recuperate.
Shirking responsibility on the battlefield simply doesn’t exist.
If there are no troops under your command, then join other troops in battle.
Each knight is a mainstay on the battlefield, and it is very difficult to leave before the end of the war.
Without these restrictions, the casualty rate of the nobility would not have been so high.
Now, it depends on how high the status of these Northern lords is within their family.
Whether they can still obtain family investments after initial failures.
The main issue is the timing, too soon.
If he had three to five years and everyone else had recovered, he wouldn’t need to worry this much.