352: Chapter 25, On the Frontline (Asking for Votes)_3 352: Chapter 25, On the Frontline (Asking for Votes)_3 The Layton County Legion is now rushing to the front lines, mainly to show the lower ranking officers and soldiers of the Moxi Duchy that they are not needed to immediately engage in battle.
We only need to patrol the front lines with our army, proving to the front-line soldiers of the Moxi Duchy that reinforcements have arrived.
After completing the task, the Layton County Legion will be stationed in the castles at the rear.
As long as the front lines remain intact, we would basically not encounter the Orc Army.”
Staring at the relaxed manner of Crown Prince Caesar, Hudson was speechless.
On the surface, the proposal of the Moxi Duchy seemed flawless.
But the battlefield is unpredictable.
Once we were really at the front lines, could it be as simple as the Moxi People had said?
“Basically will not encounter the Orc Army” means there is still a chance for confrontation.
The exact probability of such a confrontation happening is unclear.
Judging from the demeanor of Crown Prince Caesar, it’s clear that he has agreed with the Moxi People.
If Hudson, Master Hudson, were to refuse now, it would make him look bad both inside and out.
After all, they have promised not to participate in the war, it is simply an armed march.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, if the Moxi People can offer assurances, then a visit to the front lines wouldn’t hurt.
But just to be clear, if something were to happen along the way that requires our assistance, whether we assist or not will depend on the situation.
Now, the banners of the Five Major Royal Families of the Orcs are all within the territory of the Moxi Duchy.
Even if the main forces have not all arrived, at least some units have, and they are still steadily increasing.
In case a confrontation occurs, heavy losses are inevitable, and whether or not we will make it out safely is an unknown.
For safety’s sake, it would be best for Your Highness to stay in Dapes City.”
Hudson grumbled.
Ignorance related to the act of the beautiful woman or not, considering Crown Prince Caesar was able to shake off Hudson, his frontline commander, and directly agree to the Moxi People’s conditions, Hudson dared not follow to the frontline.
If something unpredictable occurs on the battlefield and the situation gets out of control, as a noble serving the king, Hudson had no other option but to leave the Crown Prince behind and run.
For the sake of safety, he foresees that this source of instability should be left to the Moxi Duchy.
As long as nothing happens directly between them, even if something happens to the Crown Prince, Hudson would still be able to deny his responsibility.
As if he had been provoked, Crown Prince Caesar, irritated, glared at Hudson and questioned, “How could that be acceptable?
If I am not with the troops, what kind of Commander does that make me?
Viscount Hudson, do not forget that I am the supreme commander of the Allied Forces!”
Witnessing the scene, Hudson was taken aback.
Considering Caesar’s behavior, it was unclear whether he was acting or genuinely upset.
“Your Highness, our task is an armed march.
The faster we proceed, the better.
You not only represent yourself, but also the Alpha Kingdom.
There should be no room for errors in etiquette, which could bring shame to the Kingdom.
If you were to go to the frontline, just the various ceremonial items would cause significant trouble.
This would greatly reduce the manoeuvrability of the troops.”
Hudson babbled.
The significance of representing the Kingdom certainly cannot be diminished, but that depends on the situation.
When on the battlefield, adhering to these norms would be nothing but a joke.
Noticing the conflict escalating, Count Jose, who was on the side, quickly intervened and said, “Your Highness, Viscount Hudson is correct.
We cannot compromise the Kingdom’s dignity, but these things are indeed not suitable for the front lines.
If we were to encounter the Orc Army and accidentally leave these items on the battlefield and they end up in the hands of the Orcs, that would be a terrible situation to deal with.”
Eventually, as someone acquainted with military matters, just as Hudson was worried about Crown Prince Caesar stirring up trouble on the front lines, Count Jose was also concerned for Caesar’s safety.
Distinct from human civil wars, Orcs do not pay heed to any delicate matters of rank.
They wouldn’t hesitate to kill, regardless of whether the individual is a Crown Prince or a king.
“Hmph!”
After expressing his dissatisfaction with a cold snort, Crown Prince Caesar turned and left without looking back.
Whether he was genuinely angry or merely pretending, Hudson didn’t have time to ponder.
Either way, he knew he had averted the immediate trouble.
Without his immediate superior around, how the battle on the battlefield is fought would be decided by Master Hudson himself.
“Viscount Hudson, I’m sorry about earlier.
His Highness the Crown Prince has been a bit out of sorts lately, that’s why he was a bit rash earlier.
Military matters will still require your attention.
Especially when on the front lines, the Moxi People may not necessarily keep their promise.
If you discover anything wrong, you need to make on the spot decisions.
As for the orders, unless they are delivered by one of our own, you can ignore them if they are conveyed via a proxy,” said Count Jose, looking rather awkward.
Crown Prince Caesar can abscond, but as his deputy, Jose must remain to handle the aftermath.
He cannot afford to offend either the Crown Prince above or the influential nobles below.
Considering Hudson’s control over the Layton County Legion, he had experienced this first hand.
Although some nobles wished to curry favour with the Crown Prince, none of them dared to act accordingly.
Hence, any orders from the Crown Prince had to first be approved by Hudson, before the soldiers would execute them earnestly.
This has resulted in ongoing rivalry between the two.
Finally getting the chance to command the army, only to discover one’s own insignificance as a token figure, it was only natural to be furious.
Being able to withhold such feelings is proof of Caesar’s good temperament.
Even the best of tempers have their limits.
Disagreements during discussions earlier greatly challenged the Crown Prince’s dignity.
While attempts at persuading him to stay were understandable, a proper reason should have at least been provided.
Using “ceremonial etiquette” as an absurd excuse deeply offended his intelligence.
What’s even more infuriating is his deputy didn’t take his side, the Commander in Chief, but instead agreed with his counterparts.
A beautiful misunderstanding escalated into a conflict, leaving Hudson in an awkward position.
Throughout, Hudson believed Crown Prince Caesar was merely putting on a show.
Who, having a beautiful princess to accompany them in Dapes City, would want to leave and experience the ust and blood of the battlefield?
Trying to explain is futile, as this would only escalate the matter.
Crown Prince Caesar is a young boy who has not yet been beaten up by society and is still unaccustomed to the nobilities’ manipulative games.
If small grievances like this cannot be tolerated, then the days ahead would be hard to endure.
No major noble in the Kingdom would easily give way.
Even a powerful monarch like Caesar III faced numerous challenges from the internal nobles.
To become a competent king, such confrontations with nobles are bound to be experienced more often in the future.
If you are not strong on the inside, you risk being infuriated to death.
…