Chapter 636: Volume Seventeen: Dark Descends on Earth - Eight: Gain Strength Through Leverage
Gently caressing the hilt of the gilded long sword at his waist, Hoffman pondered how to move the conversation to the main topic. His purpose for coming this time was rather complex; the kingdom’s situation was quite dire. Although Komer’s call to arms and support inspired the middle and small nobles of the kingdom to offer their full backing, the Four Great Lords remained unusually silent. If it could be said that the Heine Family remained silent due to their need to face the Beastmen directly, the behaviour of the Zellin and Philip families was worrisome.
At this time, with the support of the four major families lost and relying only on these middle and small lords, the kingdom was inevitably heading towards decline and even collapse. Although these middle and small nobles currently showed an attitude of supporting the Central Kingdom, it was difficult to predict how they would react when the Great Lords and the kingdom came to an open rupture. And the current eerie situation was enough to prove that the Great Lords indeed intended to push the kingdom into an absolute predicament.
Although the kingdom could still obtain the support of surrounding allies, allies would never get involved in the kingdom’s internal affairs. Even the legitimate Romanov family could be overturned by the combined power of the Four Great Lords, with the invasion of the Beastmen causing such a tragic defeat for the kingdom. Now, to prevent the kingdom from being crushed by the Great Lords, the kingdom must find a way to weaken the momentum of the Great Lords. Only by not only weakening but also suppressing the momentum of the Great Lords and uniting the middle and small lords under the flag of the Central Kingdom, could the kingdom possibly have a chance to stand again.
"Your baron, I heard in Jazair that Homer recently launched an attack on Caucasus, but along the way from Mattdam to Ugru, I saw no signs of war. I wonder if this matter is true?" Hoffman, after much deliberation, still felt that directly addressing the topic was more appropriate. Engaging in shallow conversation to broach deep topics, as stated by the other party, it was crucial to use the resources at hand to dampen the Great Lords’ arrogance and inspire the morale of those on the central kingdom’s side.
"Heh, Your Highness has heard as well? There was such an incident. Homer’s Storm Infantry Corps crossed the Nissai River in an attempt to occupy Leon, but they encountered defeat. I have a responsibility to protect the land temporarily entrusted to me by the kingdom. Although Philip is still my overlord, I regretfully had to stop his blatant provocation against Kingdom Law. It’s just that the method of stopping him might have displeased him somewhat," Komer said with a faint smile.
Upon hearing Komer’s words, Hoffman and Renta immediately discerned the subtext; Homer had surely faced defeat. Hoffman knew about Homer’s military; if Homer had been somewhat careless last time, this time the Storm Infantry Corps was deployed, which he knew to be the main force of Homer’s Army. If the Storm Infantry had set out, then the Knights regiment would certainly follow suit. Given such formidable strength, the current individual casually had summarized it with a simple "stop," could it be that Homer suffered another disastrous defeat?
Seeing the deep grey pupils of Hoffman and the emerald green eyes of Renta both filled with inquisitive light, Komer knew his words had piqued their interest, "The Storm Infantry took the initiative to withdraw from Bruce Fortress, and as for Homer’s Knights regiment, regrettably, my Self-defense Army didn’t leave them much face. They were scared out of their wits by those rough Half-Beastmen, which makes me wonder how Philip’s troops of this level could possibly secure peace in any territory?"
"Oh?" A mixture of surprise and disbelief appeared on the faces of both Hoffman and Renta. Homer’s Army defeated? Even Bruce Fortress had changed hands? This was an exhilarating event; it seemed that Duke Tez’s nurturing of this low-ranking noble had indeed played a role. Homer’s Army was driven out of Bruce Fortress, meaning that south of Greenland Forest, Homer no longer had control, and even Bruce Fortress had fallen into the hands of the newly ennobled Viscount, with the Knights regiment also suffering a crushing defeat. If everything the other party said was true, what authority would Philip still command in the eyes of the middle and small lords?