Circumstances in life are always full of wonderful coincidences.
Charles fled into Kewen Village. This was probably an instinctive reaction, just to survive.
But he didn't expect that Lion Lake City's troops did not pursue Kewen Village just to hunt him down...
In the eyes of most people, Charles is just a small character - he is just a knight under Baron Li Ang, and his fiefdom is Fletcher Village, a border town with only a few hundred people. He is not well-known, and his skills are not very strong.
He is neither rich nor noble, nor powerful, and he was born an illegitimate child.
In addition to the praise of killing his enemies with his own hands to avenge his father, in the eyes of a noble like Alma, he is almost as if he does not exist, and of course they will not insist on hunting him down.
Lion Lake City's large troops will keep chasing Charles. In fact, it is because those troops and Charles have a common destination - Kewen Village.
After Lion Lake City's army entered Kewen, they immediately took control of the territory of Baron Leofric in the north of Kewen.
Countess's manor was not harassed at all.
However, Dalion, who claimed the throne in Kewen Village, was quickly caught - Leofric's territory could not protect him...
In fact, Lion Lake City's troops came specifically to capture Dalion.
Duke Alma has actually known about the existence of Dalion for a long time...
Crimson Brotherhood has spies everywhere. Not long after Dalion came down from the mountain, the information has already reached Alma's ears since he showed King Pendor's ring to others for the first time.
It's just that Alma happened to be involved in a heresy lawsuit at that time, and there was no time to react.
But now, Alma can certainly think of this guy who claimed the throne with the blood of Pendor.
When Dalion was arrested, Eric was still engaged in real estate in the ruins.
After hearing about this, Eric was very smart and did not go to the rescue blindly. Instead, he immediately sent an order to the "Long River Express" in Long River Town to close down, and all armed personnel were hidden in the city and on standby.
This is the meaning of Li Ang letting Eric manage the fleet escort - Eric has enough brains, he can consider many things and make relatively reasonable arrangements.
Eric could at least think that when Duke Alma's men captured Dalion, it was definitely not to kill him, but to take advantage of Dalion's identity.
Then there is no need to save Dalion, because he will definitely not die, and maybe he can be crowned king...
But Alma occupies Long River Town. In order to avoid losses, the escorts have to hide first. An ambush in the city might work.
Because Alma definitely doesn't know about Long River Express - the company was established and developed just when Duke Alma was busy with the lawsuit. The name Long River Express doesn't seem to be anything special, except that the team will fly the flags of the three barons when they go out.
Anyway, many of the coachmen work part-time, and the carriage itself is nothing special. As long as the bodyguards don't wear heraldic robes, Alma's men must not know that this is actually an army.
They will only think that this is a transportation company established by Li Ang to make money. Anyway, the Lord has many companies. Eric himself can't even figure out how many companies his boss owns, let alone Lion Lake City's people.
Eric himself took a risk with twenty or thirty of his selected subordinates - they quietly approached Long River Town, intending to pretend to be ordinary mercenaries and sneak in. In fact, this was their original profession, and it was not considered a disguise...
And Lesley had quietly left Long River Town by waterway after the battle broke out in the city. She wanted to return to White Deer Fortress to report the situation.
The most important situation is that Alma attacked Godric, and immediately after capturing Godric, Alma publicly declared that Godric was treason, and accused the Crimson Brotherhood gangsters who appeared in Lion Lake City's jurisdiction were related to Godric.
Of course, Li Ang was also accused, and Alma directly claimed that Li Ang had conspired in White Deer Fortress... and Alma also claimed that Baron Leofric was a co-conspirator with Li Ang and Godric.
This is the rhythm to wipe out all the powerful barons in the eastern region.
But unfortunately, although Lesley rushed to White Deer Fortress as quickly as possible, she failed to see the lord.
Li Ang went to Noldo Forest, White Deer Fortress only has Amy, Sarah and Sir Roland.
Amy was furious on the spot. When he heard that Godric was captured, he immediately announced to prepare for war and planned to take away all White Deer Fortress's troops to save his father.
Fortunately, Sarah persuaded her - Sarah only said one sentence, "Amy, you told me before that you shot Foucher... Then, I think you can think of why Alma attacked your father! Other than that, he had no reason to attack Lord Godric!"
So Amy became quiet.
That's right...
Alma actually dared to attack Godric at Long River Town, for no other reason than this.
Godric is the military chief of the eastern region, a powerful nobleman of the Lionheart Kingdom, and the king's brother-in-law. When Long River Town attacks Godric, it is definitely a rebellion, and it is unforgivable.
Because Long River Town is now the direct jurisdiction of the king, not an ordinary noble territory.
If it were two big nobles fighting for power and territory, like the overt and covert fights between Alma and Oden in the past two years, most people would probably pretend not to see it - including the king.
Because this is so normal and this is how it should be.
If the nobles no longer fight for power, then it is the king who should be afraid...
But now, Long River Town is the king's private domain, and Godric is the highest military governor in the east appointed by King Ulrich. In Long River Town, Godric not only represents the law of the country, but also represents the authority of the king.
In addition, he is King Ulrich's brother-in-law.
Even Lionheart Kingdom's most powerful noble, Lord Cliff Bay, and leader of Lion Knight Order Duke Brennus, when asking his son Malbert to act as Long River Town's administrator, would ask his son not to conflict with Godric...
Lord Malbert didn't even dare to escort Li Ang to Lion City, lest he offend Godric.
In Godric in Long River Town, no one can touch him except the king.
Duke Alma is a veteran. If someone like him dares to march an army into the territory directly under the king's jurisdiction and attack the king's brother-in-law, it is certainly not because of a hothead.
This is for revenge!
Alma returned to Lion Lake City, and after asking everything from Forster, he already knew who killed Foucher!
When Amy shot Foucher, the fleeing pirates must have seen it. Forster knew the cause of Foucher's death very well.
Before taking back Lion Lake City, Alma certainly never thought about dealing with Godric. In fact, he just let Crimson Brotherhood hold Godric back at first.
But after knowing the truth, Alma's mind must have changed - he may be ready to go against anyone!
After all, Alma is the father of Foucher. His favorite son was killed. No father can maintain absolute sanity!
Although Foucher is only an illegitimate son, he is an open illegitimate son - Alma has publicly admitted that Foucher is his son, but he has no inheritance rights.
His own son died, and he was also the eldest son. Alma must take revenge.
Moreover, Alma will definitely expand his revenge - he will not leave himself Godric, a terrible enemy.
Therefore, he first entered Long River Town to ambush and captured Godric, and then accused Godric and Li Ang of treason, using this method to force Li Ang and Amy to show up on their own.
He doesn't even have to bother to attack a strong city like White Deer Fortress!
After some consideration, the three women came to a unified conclusion - Lord Godric would definitely be safe for a while, and Alma would not kill him even if he was crazy.
But Alma will catch Godric, definitely just to let Li Ang and Amy, the two murderers of Forster, come to their door to die!
Amy suppressed her irritable mood, and she also knew that she would surely die if she led troops to Long River Town now.
But now, she can't do anything.
On the contrary, Sir Roland has some ideas.
After he heard several women talk about things related to Foucher, he believed that people like Foucher were irredeemable and were the kind of criminals who definitely deserved death. Shooting him by Amy was just enforcing the law on behalf of Goddess.
Crushing innocent people, killing civilians, raping and plundering, and even killing the people in his own family's fiefdom - in Roland's view, such people are more hateful than heretics.
The Duke who avenges such criminals... Roland feels that such revenge has no honor at all, and is a way to frame others.
So he gave his own suggestion - go to Long River Town and have a look. If Godric can be rescued, then give it a try. If it really can't be saved, then at least he can learn more about the situation.
He is a Paladin. No one can stop him from going anywhere. Alma does not know him. He can indeed enter Long River Town openly.
However, he definitely does not have the ability to rob a prison - Roland is indeed very strong in terms of martial arts, but he is a truly decent person, and he will not even lie...
So Sarah and Lesley are going to go with Roland.
Only Amy was almost forced to stay with White Deer Fortress by these people - they all liked Amy, and they all knew what would happen if Amy appeared in front of Alma.
Long River Town.
Duke Alma is sitting on Godric's chair.
He was looking at a king's order with the golden lion crest on the table.
It was a sealing order from the Lionheart Kingdom, the content of which was to the effect that in the name of Lion King, Long River Town was transferred to Duke Alma!
Long River Town is the hometown of Alma, and it is also the family territory that he wants to restore throughout his life. The family territory was lost in his hands, and of course he wants to get it back with his own hands.
Such transfer of territory is certainly in line with Alma's wishes.
This is also the reason why he can easily settle in Long River Town without causing any commotion.
However, this king's order probably has nothing to do with King Ulrich - you can think of it with your knees, King Ulrich will definitely not seal Long River Town to Duke Alma, who already owns Lion Lake City.
But so what?
As long as the people at Long River Town do not object to this transfer order...
In this way, Alma executes the will of Lion King - no matter whether the person sitting on Silver Throne is Ulrich or Alanric, it is Lion King...
In Alma's opinion, it would probably be more appropriate if the person on the throne became Alanric - after all, Ulrich is definitely not so generous...
This imperial decree is a gift from Alanric Prince to Alma, a great gift.
If Horton Family reoccupies Long River Town, the entire eastern and northern parts of the kingdom will be connected. Such a territory will be almost half the size of the Lionheart Kingdom!
It's just that the population is relatively small - the east and Northern Bay are both sparsely populated areas with vast territory, and their populations are not large.
The eastern region with Long River Town as the core has a total population of only a few hundred thousand. After all, it is a pioneering area. Border fortresses like Brave Shield Fortress and White Deer Fortress are at war with each other all year round, and they face the most troublesome enemies.
Northern Bay, with Lion Lake City as the core, has about 300,000 people. This area used to have a large population, but it has been harmed by Gatu people for more than a hundred years. Now the northeast has completely become a no-man's land, and a large number of people have moved to Cliff Bay or the southwest.
The northwest region with Cliff Bay as the core is prosperous and prosperous. Kaineburg is also a big city. The entire northwest has a population of more than half a million, which is equivalent to the combined population of the east and Northern Bay.
As for the western region, that is, from Lion City to Longhowl Fortress, this area has basically never been invaded by foreign enemies. In addition, the land is fertile and easy to cultivate, so there are villages and towns everywhere.
There are nearly one million people in the entire western region, which is almost equal to the combined population of the other three regions.
But population is one thing, combat effectiveness is another...
If we talk about combat effectiveness, the troops in the east and north are the main combat effectiveness of the Lionheart Kingdom.
Because these two places have been at war for a long time, the soldiers have much richer combat experience.
If we understand it in another way, it is probably that most of the soldiers in the eastern and northern regions are of relatively high-level arms. Although the western region has a larger population, the soldiers are generally lower-level and have less actual combat experience...
Therefore, if you can hold the East and Northern Bay, Duke Alma will no longer be afraid of anyone, including King Ulrich!
As long as Long River Town can be controlled, Horn Summon Ranger Corps can only submit to him, because this is Ranger Corps's home.
Now he still has more than a thousand troops in Lion Lake City, and Long River Town has more than 2,000 troops. In addition, Horn Summon Ranger Corps, who dislikes him but must only temporarily obey him, and the troops of his ally Baron Cadelon - Alma now has an army of 5,000 people. He is completely confident enough to do anything.
Now that Long River Town has been captured, and then Godric is captured, the only trouble Alma has to face in the east is White Deer Fortress and Brave Shield Fortress.
The three barons in the eastern region are allies and close business partners. Of course Alma knows this situation, so he will deal with it together.
From Alma's point of view, White Deer Fortress and Brave Shield Fortress are both borders. The military forces in both places dare not move rashly, so they will not be able to attack him, and they will have to submit sooner or later.
In order to make Leofric of Brave Shield Fortress surrender, of course, we must control Leofric's original territory.
So he sent Lion Lake City's troops to Kewen Village.
As for White Deer Fortress, it is now managed by Li Ang. Alma naturally plans to solve the problem of Li Ang.
Alma already knows that what Forster did has a lot to do with Li Ang's deception. Foucher was also killed by Li Ang or Amy - he will definitely avenge this!
In fact, Alma can't even figure out when Li Ang started to oppose him...
Probably, he said a few words to Renier when he was in the throne room?
But Renier is Alma's nephew!
In that situation, of course Alma would speak for his nephew... but who knew that all kinds of troubles would follow one after another!
Alma thought that guy Li Ang was quite cunning, and White Deer Fortress might not be that easy to deal with, so he started a series of arrangements.
After just entering Long River Town, Horn Summon Ranger Corps was dispersed to various villages in the form of a hundred-man team to guard against Gatu people--Alma, although he colluded with Gatu people, he, like Ulrich, harmed other people's territories.
When Long River Town becomes his territory, he will not let Gatu people cause trouble again...
Of course, this arrangement is mainly to comply with Ranger Corps's wish to protect his hometown, so as to prevent Ranger Corps from ruining his affairs.
Horn Summon Ranger Corps indeed has no intention of participating in the civil war and has no objection to this arrangement.
Then Alma did release Raphael. This Duke can be said to keep his word.
But Raphael hated him with all his heart.
As soon as young Raphael was released, he impulsively moved his hands towards Alma.
Of course, this is useless, Alma now has hundreds of knights around him to protect him.
But Alma was not angry. He even told Raphael: "I know your father is friends with Baron Li Ang. Take your father to White Deer Fortress."
Therefore, young Raphael left Long River Town with the seriously injured Ralph and a small group of rangers who were willing to follow Ralph, intending to defect to Li Ang.
That's about fifty rangers.
But shortly after they left Long River Town, Alma issued an order to arrest the father and son of the rebel leaders Ralph and Raphael. Any lord who takes in the rebels will be regarded as treason!
Ralph's crime was to kill nobles and create riots in Lion Lake City - this is absolutely true. In order to rescue his son, Ralph killed many knights in Lion Lake City. Some of them were indeed minor nobles, and it did cause quite a disturbance.
And Raphael's crime was to attack the Duke in public - this is absolutely true, Long River Town was seen by many people.
Ralph's previous identity was Pioneer Baron granted by the king - that is to say, he was not officially a noble. With such a crime, it means that his Pioneer Baron identity has expired and he is now a civilian who has committed a crime.
As for Raphael, his current identity is also a civilian.
For civilians to kill nobles and cause riots, or to attack high-ranking nobles, both of these things are capital crimes in the Lionheart Kingdom, and they are not pardonable.
Alma did not accuse them wrongly, he just wanted to blame Godric and Li Ang.
He has been publicly accusing Godric and Li Ang of treason. If White Deer Fortress takes in Ralph and his son, it will indeed prove that they are all treason.
Then, his attack on Godric was a feat of incomparable justice, eliminating rebellion for the country and saving the kingdom!
Moreover, he also found the best reason for treason for Godric, Li Ang, and Leofric - the claimant to the throne of the Old Pendor Kingdom, Dalion!
Dalion is indeed a rebel to the Lionheart Kingdom. This is a sure thing, and Dalion himself will not deny it.
But Alma probably didn't expect that just when all his plans were successful, something happened to him...