CHAPTER 562: CHAPTER 540: MARCHING INTO HONEY RIVER TOWN

"Defeated?"

As Banifus pushed open the great doors of Kush Palace, the first thing that entered his ears was the uncontrollable roar of Prince Kongdai.

Upon seeing Banifus, he first instinctively silenced himself, and after realizing it, he suppressed his anger, allowing Banifus to stand aside.

"What does Puzilio say?"

Lakunio sipped red tea leisurely from a bone porcelain cup: "The Short-haired Rebels can’t enter the basin. Even if they forcefully attack, it would take at least a month to recover the whole territory."

"Puzilio, still considered a descendant of a noble family." Prince Kongdai clenched the letter in his hand, "Hmph, Layenna, does he also count as a Titled Knight? How come the Thousand River Valley People are all useless and cowards!"

After cursing twice, he suppressed the anger from the Battle of Lapper River.

After all, this battle didn’t affect the overall situation. Losing was losing, and he wouldn’t have been so angry originally, just that these days he was particularly irritable.

To protect that Count Gelinon, nobles and priests were visiting him repeatedly, which made his anger grow.

"Banifus, you wouldn’t also be here to plead for Gelinon, would you?"

Banifus forced a smile, just about to answer, but was pulled by his sleeve by Lakunio, who seated him.

Picking up a golden cup, Lakunio poured a drink for Banifus: "Don’t look so sour, have a drink first, there’s no rush."

Hesitatingly accepting the wine, Banifus first took a small sip, hesitated for half a second after putting it down, then drank it in one go, straightening his neck:

"A letter came from the new Pope, asking why you arrested the pious believer Count Gelinon?"

"The pious believer Gelinon..." Prince Kongdai was first startled, then the confusion in his voice turned into hidden anger, "I ask you, who wrote to the new Pope."

Banifus shook his head with a bitter smile: "I really don’t know about that."

"Well, well, there’s actually such a powerful noble master, able to send letters to Holy Seat City within half a month, well." Prince Kongdai laughed in rage.

Just when Horn was taking a boat to Rapids City, the Shadowless Man reported to Bishop Matteo the suspicion that Gelinon had interactions with Saint Sun’s Army.

Matteo submitted it as a routine report to Prince Kongdai. Being straightforward, Prince Kongdai immediately went for a surprise visit to Gelinon’s home.

Then, he successfully discovered a black market near the manor trading with Saint Sun’s Army.

Of course, whether this black market was run by Gelinon has no direct evidence.

But in Prince Kongdai’s view, if he couldn’t control the black market near his manor, was he still a noble?

"What’s this, does this Puliano Pope also want to tie a dog chain around my neck? Without his support, I’m done for? Does he think he’s the only Pope?"

"Your Highness, be careful with your words." Banifus jumped from his chair, terrified, such words were not to be said recklessly.

Now Leia is in a civil war, with Flanlaya having two Popes standing side by side, it’s a sensitive time.

The Church in Thousand River Valley belongs to the Northern Pope’s faction, and if such words get out, they would cause instability for a while.

"Could you please step out for a moment, Lord Banifus?" After politely seeing Banifus out, Lakunio turned around with a teaching posture.

"You can’t guarantee everyone’s loyalty, Charles, you must ensure everyone is usable!"

"A few I don’t care about, but so many, do I have to expose my back to this bunch of ungrateful nobles?" Standing by the window, Prince Kongdai, with his back to Lakunio, tried his best to suppress his anger.

"Isn’t it just Gelinon? Why involve so many?"

"Obviously he colluded with the enemy, yet the nobles plead for his pardon, pardon, not even reduced charges, am I being unreasonable?"

"Charles, you need to think more." Lakunio’s tone softened a bit, pressing Prince Kongdai’s shoulder, "I ask you, why does everyone think Gelinon couldn’t possibly collude with Saint Sun’s Army?"

"Because they’re in cahoots, they want to protect each other." Prince Kongdai insisted, "I saw it long ago."

Lakunio felt a bit helpless for a moment, his student was usually fine, but once his blood was heated, he’d often impulsively do thoughtless things.

He hasn’t even been promoted to Great Knight yet, but he’s already showing signs of one.

"If that were the case, it wouldn’t be possible for everyone including the Bishop to oppose you." Lakunio patiently explained, "Are all the people in the county Short-haired?"

Prince Kongdai was silent for a moment: "Then what is the reason?"

"Gelinon is a noble, Saint Sun’s Army and the Short-haired are in cahoots, their goal is to overthrow the nobility and Church." Lakunio spread his hands, "How could they support overthrowing their own people? Do they want to commit suicide?"

Prince Kongdai’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed, he stood up and walked around the room twice: "Then what about that black market?"

"Maybe it’s for profit, maybe the steward acted on his own, maybe it was just foolish."

Prince Kongdai said nothing.

Seeing the thinking expression on Prince Kongdai, Lakunio knew he was already convinced.

For those so-called "traitorous" and "fence-sitting" nobles, Lakunio cared little, as it was a common disease among nobles.

The current strategy in Thousand River Valley, the most important thing is the stability of Hotam County, otherwise, no decrees can be conveyed.

As long as victory can be achieved, these nobles who colluded with the enemy will naturally come down from the fence.

Even if settling scores is needed, it should be done with the momentum of a great victory, accurately sweeping away these fence-sitters at once.

Without having won yet, what’s there to settle?

"Are you sure they haven’t colluded with the enemy?"

"With Moliat, maybe, but with Saint Sun’s Army? I’m confident it’s impossible."

Seeing the struggle on Prince Kongdai’s face, Lakunio, knowing him well, knew he was already convinced, just pondering out of face and ingrained beliefs.

Lakunio didn’t let him think long, directly saying: "In the future, they will all be your vassals. You can’t keep him detained, which will cause the nobles’ dissatisfaction. Nor can you release him, which will harm your prestige."

"Then what should I do?" Prince Kongdai instinctively asked.

Lakunio responded succinctly: "Let him atone for his sins and take him to the battlefield."

Prince Kongdai’s expression instantly relaxed. Once in the military camp, wouldn’t he be in his grasp?

Even if he died on the battlefield, it would only be due to battlefield dangers, and no one else could be blamed.

Lakunio changed the topic: "Is the deployment time for Deer Horn Town confirmed?"

"It is confirmed."

Relieved of a concern, Prince Kongdai seemed much more relaxed: "We’ll leave in three days, and other than a few Company Commanders of the decree companies and the head of the Mercenary Corps, no one else knows."

"That’s good." In terms of troop deployment and military matters, Lakunio trusted Prince Kongdai relatively well, as he was his personally trained student.

"Without you, I’d really be at a loss. Once I become the Prince of Thousand River Valley, I must give you the title of a Duke."

"I’ve dedicated myself to the Saint Master, what use is a title? Rather than a title, you should have more sons and continue the bloodline."

"Don’t worry, one of my mistresses is already pregnant, no more worries!"

"One is not enough, there’s still three days, brace yourself up, work hard."

Smiling, Lakunio casually glanced down at the map on the table.

The Leia Kingdom is still in a civil war, and with the current power balance, it may not end in one or two years.

The Church is busy with the two Popes, and neither the Norn Kingdom nor the Falan Kingdom can provide support beyond military aid.

Thousand River Valley is an ungoverned area.

The Shattered Stone Noble Alliance Army has already gathered secretly, while the Salvation Army is pinned down by Puzilio at the South Nao’an River line.

Everything is ready, only waiting for that light push on the domino named "Gray Horse Knight Veen."

Even if Moliat’s Wild Boar Knights, or Demon Horn’s Short-haired could still fight, it would be too late.

Stretching out his hand, Lakunio lightly flicked away the castle piece placed between Shangruifo County’s Honey River Town and Lower Reif County’s Deer Horn Town.

"The moment of destiny has finally arrived."

On the morning three days later, four decree companies quietly assembled outside Feiliu Castle, marching in the dark towards the northeast.

In Raz Castle at the forefront, infantry who had set off earlier were stationed, and their target had already been determined—Shangruifo County’s Honey River Town.