Expedition Council

Upon returning from Beda City, Hudson immediately convened a meeting of all the county nobles.

As expected, everyone offered their greetings to Viscount Ciss and his family.

The chaotic scene clearly showed that everyone was furious.

Hudson even suspected that if he weren't there, he might also be the target of criticism.

The human heart is the most unpredictable thing; it's impossible not to feel resentment when faced with such bad luck.

Even though it was Viscount Ciss who got it by mistake, many people still refused to accept reality.

Deep down, there was bound to be some discontent: Why didn't Hudson go and smoke instead of letting that unlucky guy Ciss do it?

As for Hudson's difficulties, they were completely ignored. One cannot expect every nobleman to be intelligent enough to see the essence of the problem.

While Hudson's "good luck" persona brought him numerous benefits, it also had negative effects.

For example, when it comes to things like drawing lots, those old foxes just logically kicked him out.

In the end, we didn't even get out. We can't just go against the top leader of the province for the sake of a single draw, can we?

Military obligations must be fulfilled sooner or later; there's no escaping them.

Going to fight in the Moxi Duchy means having no obligation to defend the territory. For Hudson personally, this might not be a bad thing.

While it may seem that Hudson fell into the trap along with the nobles of Laite County, the real victims were actually a group of ordinary nobles.

Without any obligations to restrain him, Hudson could run away without any pressure in a crisis.

Personal safety was guaranteed, which is why Hudson was able to quickly accept reality and face the mission with equanimity.

"Viscount Ciss, why isn't he here?"

Guards, send someone over to urge them on.

How could the prefect be absent from such an important meeting!

Hudson asked with feigned concern, as if the meeting couldn't proceed without Sheriff Ciss.

"Your Excellency Hudson, Viscount Ciss's caravan left Beda City two days ago, heading north."

Hudson was not surprised by the result.

Military power was seized, and all the nobles in the prefecture were offended.

If we don't run away quickly, are we going to follow the army to the Moxi Duchy?

Do you really think nobles are easy to mess with?

The saying "revenge for grudges" truly reflects the inner workings of the nobility.

If Ciss dares to go to the Moxi Duchy, given his luck, it's only a matter of time before he gets tricked and killed.

Hatred has been created, and this cannot be resolved by simply sending a political signal.

Desertion in the face of battle is impossible; the Ciss aren't that stupid.

If nothing unexpected happens, he should be leading his men to volunteer for the front lines and join the kingdom's Standing Army.

Given Grand Duke Cavadia's influence, the military should still be willing to tolerate such a small matter.

Hudson wasn't too bothered by losing a few hundred elite troops. The key was getting rid of this jinx.

Judging from the relaxed expressions on the faces of the nobles, it was clear that they all shared similar thoughts.

"Baron Bazel, are you sure you're not mistaken? Viscount Ciss really left with his men?"

Hudson asked, feigning surprise.

"Your Excellency, how could I dare to speak such a thing?"

To verify the information, I visited Dadir City on my way here. Viscount Ciss was indeed not in the city; his steward was in charge of the territory's affairs.

I learned from the butler that Viscount Ciss had been urgently summoned to the front lines. Because of the urgency, he didn't have time to say goodbye.

Baron Bazel answered seriously.

This wasn't because he wanted to betray the Ciss, but because things had already happened and there was no way to keep it a secret.

Anyway, they've been gone for two days. Even if everyone is angry, it's impossible for them to lead the team to catch up now.

Judging by the time, Viscount Ciss had just returned from Beda City when he and his men fled.

That decisiveness alone is something most people can't match.

Saying goodbye is impossible.

They've screwed everyone over so badly; anyone who dares to attend the meeting will get beaten up.

A figurehead prefect could not intimidate the people.

When anger flares up, you might beat someone up, and that's it.

They don't even know if they'll come back alive, so who would care about the face of a duke thousands of miles away?

Waving his hand to silence the murmurs, Hudson slowly began to speak:

"Now that the Governor of Ciss has accepted the kingdom's summons and left, I will take charge of the affairs that follow."

The task of rescuing the Moxi Duchy now falls on our shoulders in Laite County; there's no point in saying anything more.

According to the kingdom's regulations, the minimum number of troops to be dispatched must not be less than 15,000, and they must be elite soldiers.

There is no room for negotiation; even without the Ciss County Governor, the mission cannot be compromised.

Task assignments followed the same old rules, everything was done according to the kingdom's established procedures.

Special circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Underage nobles are exempt from military service. However, they must still fulfill other military obligations.

Elderly nobles may have their service replaced by their heirs.

I'm sure everyone knows these rules.

What I want to emphasize is the quality of the soldiers. They must be elite; we can't just throw any kind of trash into the ranks.

Even if I don't pursue it, I still can't get past the kingdom.

If we get caught, it will make everyone lose face, and don't blame me for being ruthless.

You don't need to be too pessimistic!

The journey to the Moxi Duchy is indeed dangerous, but it's not a mission that guarantees certain death.

It's good to want to preserve the family's strength, but the prerequisite is that you yourselves must survive first.

He could have easily come back alive, but if he lost his life because his soldiers were incompetent, it would be a joke!

Whether his subordinates can fight is directly related to whether they can win the battle. Hudson didn't want to suffer a defeat, as it was his first time leading a large army into battle.

Building a persona is difficult, but destroying it is incredibly easy. Just a few defeats can completely destroy the reputation one has painstakingly cultivated.

If a battle is truly lost, then a tragic hero image of "not being guilty of war" must be created.

As long as you kill enough enemies and achieve a brilliant record, even if the entire army is wiped out, everyone will help you find reasons why you had to lose.

In this regard, the Alpha Kingdom has done an excellent job. When evaluating the achievements of its generals, they consider both battle records and casualties, rather than simply judging heroes by wins and losses.

They were all forced into this situation by the Beastfolk. As the weaker party, if we mechanically assign blame based solely on victory or defeat, the kingdom will have no generals left to command.

In the face of an enemy's overwhelming strength, being able to hold out for a few more days, or to avoid a humiliating defeat, is already a sign of a great general.

Demanding that frontline commanders always win against overwhelming odds is utterly insane. Forcing victory will only create a bunch of adventurers.

A resilient kingdom that has survived countless wars is destined not to be an adventurous one.

Rather than gambling on a slim chance, people prefer a steady and methodical approach. Even if they suffer repeated defeats, as long as they delay the enemy for a sufficient amount of time as planned, it is a strategic victory.

Guided by this sound philosophy, the Alpha Kingdom's strategic deployment has always been conservative, with all campaigns serving the overall strategy.

The only sacrifice was the reputation of the generals commanding troops at the front. Almost all of the kingdom's major generals were built up from a series of defeats, with the number of defeats far exceeding the number of victories.

The title of "famous general" can only be mentioned within the kingdom; it is not recognized by outsiders at all.

Many people even attribute Alpha Kingdom's Alpha Kingdom passive defense to its lack of "famous generals," believing that having just a few "famous generals" would allow it to reverse the situation and gain control.

Hudson completely dismissed this argument. The fact that the Alpha Kingdom could withstand centuries of attacks from Beastfolk and still remain standing was enough to prove that its strategy was correct.

Following the established practices of other countries on the continent, the outcome is either a resounding victory or a crushing defeat. Alpha Kingdom, operating in this manner, has long since disappeared into the annals of history.

There was no way to reverse the absolute gap in strength; it couldn't be achieved with just one or two victories. But if they lost the gamble even once, the kingdom would be gone.

"Your Excellency Hudson, this mobilization mission is too rushed. Could you perhaps request permission from the kingdom to postpone the expedition until after the autumn harvest?"

Baron Keterai's suggestion was also what everyone wanted. Following the normal mobilization sequence, the earliest they could go to the battlefield was next year.

The sudden conscription not only disrupted everyone's plans for their territory, but also their training schedule.

Despite Hudson's earlier boasting and demands for everyone to bring out their best troops, in reality Laite County simply couldn't muster 15,000 elite soldiers.

Even with the Coslo Family included, they could only muster half of the elite troops at most; the rest would have to be serf soldiers.

Considering the practicalities, the Coslo Family couldn't play all-in, the nobles couldn't all come out, and the number of elite soldiers would be even smaller.

Elite soldiers aren't made in a day, but the autumn harvest speaks for itself. Even when heading to the battlefield, no one forgets the food from the fields.

"I regret to Baron Keterai. The situation in the Moxi Duchy is tense. The Beastfolk army has completely occupied the Augsburg defenses and is advancing directly towards Terence City."

No one can guarantee how long the Principality of Moxi Duchy can hold out. To help our allies stabilize the front lines, we must set off as soon as possible.

Rest assured, it's not just our Laite County that's sending troops to reinforce the Moxi Duchy. All six provinces in the southeastern region of the Empire will contribute troops from one county to participate in the war.

The Foreign Affairs Department is also coordinating with other neighboring countries. At the very least, the countries bordering the Moxi Duchy will not stand idly by.

Preliminary estimates suggest that the total number of troops reinforcing the Moxi Duchy will not be less than 500,000. Combined with the Moxi Duchy's existing military strength, there is a good chance of successfully holding off the Beastfolk army.

Hudson tried to paint a rosy picture.

It is certain that Alpha Kingdom will send reinforcements, but whether other countries will send reinforcements, and when they will do so, is entirely unknown.

The so-called 500,000 reinforcements were just a number made up to boost the morale of the underlings.

Whether it's true or false isn't important; what's crucial is that everyone needs some reassurance. The sheer number of troops coming from Laite County is negligible compared to what's needed on the battlefield.

The slightest misstep could result in total annihilation. Even on the well-prepared front lines of the Alpha Kingdom, it was not uncommon for entire county troops to be wiped out.

Needless to say, the army stationed in the Augsburg of Moxi Duchy was wiped out by the Beastfolk, except for a few noble officers who escaped.

Such wasteful behavior is truly shocking.

The situation was exceptional; facing the eagle-men's sling-throwing army, the inability of reinforcements to arrive in time was merely a self-comforting notion of the Moxi Duchy.

Essentially, the problem stemmed from insufficient prior preparation, resulting in reinforcements failing to arrive in time.

As long as the defensive line is recaptured and the city's fortifications are utilized, the Magic Crystal Cannon and Magic Crossbow can be used to fiercely attack the eagle-men air force. Even if the defensive line cannot be held in the end, it can still inflict heavy casualties on the enemy.

If they are so unreliable in rescuing their own people, who would dare to hope that reinforcements from the Moxi Duchy would arrive in the first instance if the visiting army encountered a similar situation?

After calming everyone down, Hudson immediately assigned tasks to each person. With that unlucky guy Ciss gone, everyone's responsibilities were involuntarily increased.

It was estimated that everyone's desire to kill Viscount Ciss had intensified.

Fortunately, this unlucky fellow knew what was important and ran away on his own. Otherwise, if something had really happened on the battlefield, Hudson wouldn't know how he would have handled the situation.

While killing the Ciss might seem satisfying, such an internal conflict could lead to endless troubles once it sets a precedent.

There were quite a few grudges among the nobles in this army of Laite County, and when they started fighting each other on the battlefield, the army was completely wiped out.

After seeing off his underlings, Hudson also got to work. As the legion commander, he was not exempt from military obligations.

The various branches of the Coslo Family in the Mountain Territory have a considerable military obligation to shoulder this time. Even with Hudson abusing his power to minimize his own mission quota, more than 5,000 troops still need to be deployed.

When a family's private army goes to the battlefield, it is essential to make arrangements for who goes with them and who stays behind.

As for the nobles of each branch who possess fiefdoms, there's not much to say. They just need to pack their things and go on the expedition with the army.

With clear military obligations in place, there was no escaping it. Involving over seventy people, Hudson dared not play the game of cover-up.

"Father, you don't need to go on this expedition to the Moxi Duchy."

With such a large family business, someone has to stay behind to take charge.

"This involves numerous branches and requires coordination of too many matters; Nelson and Evola might not be able to handle it."

Staying behind is just an excuse. A family bound by blood has a far more reliable sense of unity than an ordinary alliance.

Especially in times of crisis, everyone understands the importance of sticking together. Even if someone tries to cause trouble, they will be stopped by the other members.

After all, the Hudson were experts at playing the game of checks and balances. The family members who came to join them seemed to be given important positions, but in reality, each of their powers were constrained.

Everyone has their own selfish desires, and Hudson was no exception. The future of this journey to the Moxi Duchy was uncertain, and he naturally didn't want to risk taking Baron Redman with him.

In case of danger, he could abandon others and run away, but he couldn't abandon Baron Redman.

"This isn't a good idea! Everyone else is going to war with the main force, and if I'm the only one making an exception, it might cause trouble..."

Before Baron Redman could finish speaking, Hudson interrupted, "Don't worry, I've already thought of an excuse for you. Just say that you damaged your vital energy while cultivating."

If anyone has any objections, let them come and talk to me.

Besides, we're not shirking our military obligations to the kingdom. If you don't go to the front lines, Nelson will take your place.

Even if someone complained to the Governor's Mansion about such a minor matter, the provincial government would not investigate the issue further.

"There are so many things to Mountain Territory right now. If I'm not there to oversee things and you also leave, who will be responsible for handling any problems that arise?"

Honestly, the only person he could trust unconditionally was Baron Redman.

Others, even brothers, might not want to come back. After all, the foundation of the Mountain Territory is still something many people are concerned about.

Fortunately, it is a chaotic time. Even if someone wants to take advantage of it, they know that without Hudson, the Coslo Family simply cannot hold onto this legacy.

"Alright! Since you've made all the arrangements, I'll stay here."

However, the journey to the Moxi Duchy is a distance of two thousand miles. Fighting in unfamiliar territory is not as simple as suppressing Rebel Army.

Hudson, I know you have good military skills and have always acted with composure, but I still have to remind you of something.

The enemy we now face is a ferocious Beastfolk army. We must proceed with extreme caution and refrain from acting heroically on the battlefield!

Baron Redman said earnestly.

Although he has many sons, only Hudson has truly distinguished himself so far.

Even his eldest son, Nelson, whom he favored the most, could only be described as having great ambitions. The problem is that having ambitions is one thing, but being able to get back on his feet is another.

The nobles who can truly rise to the top need not only ability and ambition, but also luck.

After all, there are plenty of capable people in this world. But most of them fail along the way, and very few survive to the end, let alone succeed in taking the top position.

A noble scion like Hudson, who distinguished himself at a young age, was a rare sight on the entire Aslant Continent. Naturally, he held a special place in Baron Redman's heart.

"Don't worry, Father. This is not our war. The main purpose of our mission to support the Moxi Duchy is to help them stabilize their front lines."

Overall, this war should be primarily defensive.

As guest troops, our military tasks will not be too heavy. The Moxi Duchy will only station its own troops at some of the most important fortresses and strongholds.

The fall of Augsburg was merely an accident. They will not repeat the same mistake.

As long as we don't venture out of the city and engage the Beastfolk army without authorization, the risks are actually manageable. Even if the defensive line collapses, we still have a chance to retreat.

Hudson said, feigning composure.

Confidence is a mysterious thing; even if he himself is not confident, everyone else must be.

Having persuaded Baron Redman, Hudson quickly shifted his focus to troop deployment. Elite troops were essential, but a garrison force could not be neglected.

For a long-distance rescue mission, mobility is crucial, and cavalry is indispensable.

Hudson's head ached at the thought of the pitiful number of warhorses in his territory. The entire Coslo Family combined could barely muster a thousand warhorses.

Obviously, not all of these warhorses could be assigned to the cavalry. The mounts of the knights had to be prioritized; the warhorses of the messengers and scouts also had to be deducted.

These men all had to ride two horses each, effectively halving the number of warhorses they could have. With the remaining warhorses, Hudson could barely muster enough for a cavalry regiment.

Stepping out of his room to relax, and gazing at the cattle grazing on the distant hillside, Hudson suddenly had the idea of forming Bull Cavalry.

Of course, these weren't real Bull Cavalry. Although the mutant cattle in their own territory had powerful genes, they still couldn't outrun warhorses.

The so-called Bull Cavalry was mainly designed for Heavy Infantry. Traveling in heavy armor during the summer would have been a disaster.

If they march without armor, they'll become light infantry if they suddenly encounter the enemy.