Furious Rage

Count Lloyd gripped the scepter tightly, the crystal ball on the scepter jingling under his grip.

He knew that what Lagos had said earlier was definitely aimed at him.

He had been prepared for all of this, but it was the sight of his nephew Bolton being brought onto the stage that truly broke his spirits.

He never expected his own family to betray him; Bolton was the posthumous son of his deceased brother.

He had always treated his nephew well, regarding him as his own son, and even granted him a baronial title, giving him the opportunity to become an independent nobleman.

Now his good nephew is planning to repay kindness with enmity.

Count Lloyd was deeply distressed.

The Count Lagos led Baron Bolton to the front of the platform. "Baron Bolton, please boldly point out which traitorous accomplice you are. His Majesty the Grand Duke will stand up for you!"

Baron Bolton swallowed hard and began to speak.

"I am Baron Bolton Ironvine, nephew of Count Lloyd. My uncle has always taught me to be loyal to the Grand Duke... I never expected this... I don't want to believe it... but... so today I will stand up and expose this man's true colors."

My great- Lloyd, Ironvine Count, conspired with the traitor Colt to overthrow the country, and he even planned to marry his daughter to Colt's son.

After hearing Bolton's words, Count Lloyd closed his eyes in anguish.

Count Lagos noticed Count Lloyd's expression and asked a question with great interest.

"Count Lloyd, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Count Lloyd did not reply. Instead, he raised his scepter and slammed it to the ground, shattering the crystal ball at the top of the scepter.

"If you're determined to find fault, you'll always find a reason. Mora, you've gone too far!"

Then Count Lloyd turned around and addressed the nobles behind him.

"Today the Grand Duke dares to pin such a fabricated crime on me, who knows what he might do to you in the future? You'd better watch out!"

Mora was furious at Count Lloyd's behavior and immediately stood up and ordered the guards to seize the old man.

Several guards surrounded Count Lloyd, intending to seize him directly.

But to everyone's surprise, Count Lloyd left his seat and raised his hands to indicate that he would not resist, saying, "I am Count Lloyd, and I will enjoy the treatment due to Count."

The guards looked at each other, and instead dared not confront him directly.

Mora was about to speak, but was stopped by Count Lagos, who spoke first.

"Although Count Lloyd is unwilling to admit his mistake, Grand Duke Mora is still willing to give you a final courtesy, hoping that you can recognize your mistake as soon as possible."

"Guards, escort Count Lloyd back to rest."

Count Lagos then said to Baron Bolton, "You should persuade your uncle to come forward and accuse Colt. We will preserve the Count's title of the Iron Vine Family."

Bolton's face suddenly turned red, as if he was very angry at the Count Lagos's words.

Lagos saw through his thoughts and leaned closer to him, whispering, "As long as you do well, aren't you also a member of the Iron Vine Family? Ultimately, it's up to us who will inherit the Count."

Bolton understood immediately and quickly stepped down from the platform to leave with Lloyd and the guards.

The scene just now made the discussion among all the nobles even more lively. Although Count Lloyd's last words made them feel uneasy, it was still very rare to see such a great nobleman suffer a setback.

However, none of the nobles present, nor Mora and Lax on the platform, noticed that when Count Lloyd smashed the scepter, two western nobles quietly left their seats.

At this moment, Count Lagos looked at the hall, which was now much emptier, and felt that the time was right.

He said to the still angry Grand Duke Mora, "Your Majesty, it's time to hold a vote."

It was only then that Mora realized he hadn't initiated the vote.

Mora stood up abruptly and looked across the entire venue.

"What happened today is something I did not want to see. I have devoted myself to the well-being of the duchy, yet some people are so ungrateful. Whether as a grand duke or a nobleman with a conscience, I will not allow such a thing to happen."

Therefore, I am launching a campaign against the traitor Colt and his Northern Frontier nobles. I need the support of all the nobles present here, and I believe that with your support, the duchy will surely be victorious!

After the Grand Duke Mora finished speaking, Viscount Borey immediately raised his right hand and shouted, "Victory is certain!"

The guards throughout the venue joined in the shouting, stomping the flagpoles on the ground as they yelled, "Victory is certain!"

At this moment, the Count Lagos made a gesture to the nobles who had been arranged in advance, and soon some of the nobles began to shout, "Victory is certain!"

Gradually, more and more nobles began shouting "Victory is certain!", and even Count Sibeth had to join in.

Mora heard these "Victory is certain!" shouts, she unconsciously opened her arms wide, as if she were about to revel in them.

Seeing Mora's reaction, Viscount Borey and his guards shouted even louder.

Fortunately, the Count Lagos knew his limits; if he continued shouting, those pampered nobles would lose their voices.

He leaned close behind Mora, covered his mouth, and whispered a reminder to Mora.

"Vote! Vote!"

Mora quickly snapped out of his reverie and said, "My loyal nobles, I am now launching a war against the traitors. Those who wish to support me, please raise your hands."

Soon all the nobles raised their hands; at this moment, everyone knew that they couldn't go against the grain.

Mora was very satisfied with the rows of hands in the hall.

The Count Lagos also loudly proclaimed. "The Grand Duke Mora's order to declare war has been unanimously approved by all the nobles, which shows that this is a just war."

Count Lagos then continued, "Since everyone has agreed to go to war, then according to custom, the duchy needs a special military fund for war, and every nobleman needs to contribute generously."

The payment standards are as follows: Baron 800 gold, Viscount 1500 gold, Count 3000 gold.

All nobles are requested to submit their special military funds before winter begins, without delay.

Upon hearing Count Lagos's words, the nobles, who had just been in a lively atmosphere, instantly erupted in wails.

Lagos quickly added, "In this battle, all nobles must send troops to participate. The spoils will be divided according to the results of the battle. I hope everyone will be proactive."

In addition, the duchy will reclaim the territories of the Northern Frontier nobles in the interior before winter.

"Starting with Boler County, the Duchy will dispatch three regiments of the Fifth Legion to attack the Northern Frontier Noble Territory of Boler County in the east. Nobles of Boler County in the east are hereby requested to participate in this operation. All participating nobles will be eligible to share in the spoils of war from these traitorous territories."

Upon hearing that they could share the spoils of war, the nobles of Boler County immediately perked up.

Seeing the whispering Eastern nobles, Mora and Lagos exchanged a smile. It seemed that using spoils to attract these profit-driven nobles was indeed the right move.

Just as Lagos was about to announce the end of the meeting.

The conference room door was flung open, and a royal messenger entered the room.

The messenger, drenched in sweat, shouted as soon as he entered the meeting hall, "Urgent military intelligence!"

Mora was furious to see the messenger suddenly enter the venue, but he was also curious about what urgent military intelligence the messenger wanted to deliver.

"What urgent military situation do you have? Just say it here!"

At this point, the messenger couldn't open his mouth. Seeing this, Mora angrily shouted, "Speak up now, or you'll be accused of falsely conveying military orders!"

"Report: White Earth City, Sextus County, has been attacked by the Northern Frontier Allied Army and has now fallen."

The Northern Frontier Allied Army have begun to penetrate deep into the entirety of Sextus County, and two regiments of the Fifth Legion are surrounded and urgently need reinforcements.

Mora was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and the silver wine glass in her hand was crushed, with red wine dripping onto the ground through her fingers.

The veins on his temples bulged suddenly. He turned around, stood up, and kicked over the chair behind him. "How dare he! He..."