The minor interlude ended, and the army continued its march.
As they advanced, the troops under Hudson's command continued to grow. He could not refuse even if he wanted to.
It was all the Giant Centipedes' doing. Having lost their territories in the war, nobles needing to atone for their crimes were everywhere.
Rather than spend the rest of their lives hiding their identities in dark corners, they saw Hudson as their lifeline.
Losing one's territory was a grave crime, but their circumstances were understandable this time. The enemy had come fiercely, and small and mid-tier nobles had no power to resist.
The nobles' world ran on connections. If they followed along and earned a little military merit, then pulled a few strings, the matter would pass.
The war had not yet ended, but the number of nobles killed in the Black Forest Kingdom had already reached the thousands. The higher-ups also had to consider that excessive losses among the lower nobility would affect the stability of their rule.
Hudson had no interest in meddling in an ally's internal affairs, but he could still do them a favor.
If they could not serve as the main force, they could at least be used as auxiliary troops. With more local powers cooperating, it would be easier to gain home-field advantages on the battlefield.
The army advanced steadily at an unhurried pace, but the Giant Centipedes ahead were not having a pleasant time.
Their morale had indeed recovered somewhat recently, but remembering the painful experience of their previous clash, even the Centipede King lacked confidence.
Stopping to fight the enemy was certainly an option, but the risks were simply too great.
If the human forces lost a battle, they could continue calling for reinforcements from the rear. If the Giant Centipedes suffered