427: Chapter 56: The Missing Orc Army_2 427: Chapter 56: The Missing Orc Army_2 The best way to stand out during wartime is — through military achievements.
The more achievements you have in your hands, the stronger your voice.
This is the only chance for minor nobles to overcome their status restrictions and participate in the power discourse.
The Moxi Duchy is currently in a state of chaos, if the identity of the expeditionary force commander isn’t leveraged to its maximum potential, it would be too much of a pity.
Hudson had no intention of dueling with the Orcs, but he was willing to plunder wealth from the Orcs with his troops, and polish his military achievements by defeating Orcs on the battlefield.
The growth of a great commander is a long process, apart from a few battles that would make them famous, most are minor battles–the key is to fight as many as possible.
Every battle contributes to one’s experience.
If someone rapidly rises to a high position by accomplishing a massive feat, it would incite jealousy among many; but if one gains a high position by fighting numerous battles and accomplishing a major feat, everyone would admire them.
A subtle rise that enhances everything it permeates, is widely accepted by the public, because it complies with their understanding—they strive on the same path.
If someone succeeds, it just proves they are on the right path.
Such success serves as a model for others to learn from.
Sudden leaps in status that run contrary to the rules of the game naturally evoke criticism and suppression from all sides.
In this regard, Hudson was fortunate.
The two previous victories, with the presence of Crown Prince Caesar overshadowing them, shackled political propaganda, leaving no room for the envious to act.
After Hudson took over the expeditionary army, though there were no major achievements, small merits were constantly obtained.
Killing a hundred or so Orcs every few days perhaps isn’t grand enough to brag about, but it’s an excellent addition to one’s portfolio.
The Orc Empire’s bounty on Hudson is a God-given opportunity.
If he can become an adversary that the enemy hates the most, who would dare to belittle his military achievements?
Even if the number of enemies killed is relatively low, just add a zero to it.
On the battlefield between the human race and the Orcs, eliminating a hundred or so of them is the same as eliminating hundreds of them.
Trying to verify the actual figures is impossible.
On this issue, both major and minor nobles in the army are beneficiaries.
Hudson never claimed achievements for beheading enemies.
Apart from the achievements for overall command, all the rest military achievements were attributed to the nobles beneath him.
If false achievements were to be investigated, the losers would be the people below.
Because whilst beheading achievements can be quantified, it is hard to put a definitive standard on command achievements.
Upon investigation, the direct accusation tends to be negligence, not false achievements.
Such a minor misdemeanor is not worth mentioning for any noble commander with distinguished military achievements.
Not only did Hudson exempt himself, but more importantly, he managed to mold an image of a “selfless, good leader”, while, in passing, binding the upper and lower classes of the expeditionary army together with profits.
These measures were forced into being.
Without such tactics, the possibility of consolidating a complex army in a short time was almost non-existent.
The plundering troop is still gathering.
Over 200 miles away, under the wall of Dapes city, a quietly looming troop mobilisation is slowly unfolding.
The number of Orc camps is saying increasing, only a few Elite Legions make fewer and fewer appearances, each siege is merely a charge of large amounts of cannon fodder.
The Elite Orcs, once serving as supervisory teams, have dwindled from tens of thousands to thousands, and a large number of main forces have suddenly disappeared.
This eerie change in the Orc Great Camp soon caught the attention of the defenders in the city.
Higher and higher levels reported until it finally reached Chancellor Hercheg.
Thanks to collective efforts, King Chris the Ninth was rescued, but his physical condition is still weak, making him unable to direct the general situation.
Whether it’s true weakness or fake doesn’t matter, all Chris the Ninth did was delegate the duties of the Dapes defense battle to a host of kings and ministers, while he focused on recovery behind the scenes.
“The several Elite Orc Legions outside the city, seems to have vanished into thin air, haven’t any of you noticed?”
Chancellor Hercheg asked incredulously.
It’s important to know that there are as many as eight main Orc Armies gathering outside Dapes City; that many Elite Legions could stir up a storm, no matter where they point their forces.
“Honorable Chancellor, the Hawkmen outnumber us many times over, the Orc Army had us trapped in the city before they even mobilised.”
Despite efforts by our Gryphon Cavalry Regiment to send out scouts, all did not return.
All we can ascertain right now is: the Bimon Army Corps of the Orcs haven’t mobilised, and about two to three thousand of the Hawkmen Corps have stayed behind.
About six thousand Hawkman soldiers and the mains forces of three other Imperial Courts have temporarily disappeared from our sight.
Along with them, four standard Wolf Rider Corps have also left.
We only have less than fifty Gryphon Cavalry remaining in the city as the risk of breaking through the enemy’s blockade during the day is too high, it would be best to take action after nightfall.
If we want to receive intelligence, we will have to wait till tomorrow night at the earliest.
If you want updates sooner, we could perhaps use special means to contact the major Nobles in the surrounding areas.
As the Orc Army moves, they will undoubtedly pass their territories.
Just by verifying their locations, we could roughly determine the enemy’s objective.”
A helpless Kampars spoke.
As an commander of the Gryphon Cavalry Regiment, he had been under the most severe test since the outbreak of the war.