Deliberations and Reconnaissance

"How is that possible? Viscount Isold and Viscount Leo brought seven thousand men, all of whom were the elite of their respective families. How could they have been defeated?"

"Tell me who you really are! Are you sent by that rebellious Viscount Golden Sunflower to impersonate messengers?! Believe me or not, I'll kill you all!"

A middle-aged nobleman with a burly, fleshy face roared angrily.

The two messengers were so frightened that they begged for mercy, "We really are messengers under the command of the two viscounts, sir, we are not lying to you!"

Not hearing the answer he wanted, the middle-aged nobleman was about to draw his sword and strike at the two men.

"Baron Cassian, calm down and let them finish speaking!" Count Black spoke, and Knight Yellen stepped forward, grabbing the nobleman's right hand to prevent him from drawing his sword again.

Knight Yellen leaned close to Baron Cassian's ear and whispered, "Please do not draw your sword in front of the Count. Maintain your noble demeanor!"

"I..." Baron Cassian's face flushed red, and he felt his right hand being tightly gripped, unable to move at all.

Knight Yellen quickly let go and stood back beside Count Black.

Baron Cassian apologized to Count Black and retreated to the other nobles, keeping his reddened and trembling right hand behind his back.

Under the encouraging gaze of Count Black, the two messengers began to recount the course of the battle, one sentence at a time.

"After the two lords arrived at Red Ginseng Territory with their troops yesterday..."

"The main force was routed... The two lords even tried to escape with their Cavalry, but were intercepted by the ambush troops of Golden Sunflower Territory..."

"Viscount Golden Sunflower has expressed his willingness to negotiate, saying that he will release the two gentlemen as long as a ransom is paid."

"We were sent by the two lords to inform the punitive expeditionary force; we are not lying!"

"We have letters written by two officials, and they even have their personal seals on them!"

The two messengers pulled two letters directly from their pockets. Count Black raised his hand, and Knight Yellen took them. After checking that there were no problems, he handed them to Count Black, Count Black picked up the monocle hanging around his neck and began to read them carefully.

All the other nobles craned their necks, trying to see what was written in the letter. By this time, many people already believed that the Vanguard Army had been defeated.

After all, the accounts given by the two messengers were plausible and corroborated each other. It was just a pity that they were only low-ranking officers and could not interpret the defeat from a comprehensive and holistic perspective.

Baron Cassian, however, remained somewhat indignant, still unwilling to believe that the two viscounts had been defeated and captured.

Everyone understood that Baron Cassian Sweet Pea was Viscount Leo's brother-in-law and had a very close relationship with both viscounts, so naturally he was unwilling to admit their defeat.

A few minutes later, Count Black put down his glasses and the letter and handed it directly to Knight Yellen.

"Let's all take a look and then discuss what to do!"

The letter quickly passed through the hands of the nobles present, eventually reaching Baron Cassian.

The entire venue instantly became lively, with the nobles who had participated in the expeditionary force discussing among themselves.

"Look, it really is the seal of the Viscount Olive and the Viscount White Asparagus!"

"Yes, so the Vanguard Army has truly been defeated!"

"It wasn't just a defeat, it was a crushing defeat!"

"That's called total annihilation; even the two viscounts were captured!"

"This Viscount Golden Sunflower is quite something; he might even be comparable to the Great Oak's army!"

"They should be even stronger. The armies of the Olive Territory and White Asparagus Territory are not to be underestimated. Everyone knows that they are much stronger than us baronies!"

Baron Cassian remained silent, his hand holding the letter trembling.

One nobleman looked at him with schadenfreude and said to another nobleman beside him, "Look at him, he wasn't like this before. He used to look down on us just because he was Viscount Leo's brother-in-law. Now he looks like a defeated rooster!"

The entire venue became increasingly chaotic. Count Black rubbed his head, thinking, "How can so few people make such a racket?"

Count Black took out his scepter and tapped it on the ground, making two "thuds" that silenced everyone.

"If you have any thoughts, just say them out loud. Don't discuss them privately!"

However, everyone remained silent except for Baron Cassian.

"Count lord, we should immediately head to the Golden Sunflower Territory, lead the punitive expeditionary force to attack Viscount Golden Sunflower, and rescue Viscount Leo and Viscount Isold!"

As soon as Baron Cassian uttered these words, some people chuckled.

Just as Baron Cassian was about to erupt, Count Black sighed.

"Baron Cassian, Viscount Golden Sunflower has reached an agreement with the two viscounts. They will be released if a ransom is paid. What am I doing taking you to Golden Sunflower Territory now? Are we to have Viscount Golden Sunflower execute the two viscounts on their own?"

Upon hearing this, Baron Cassian turned deathly pale.

"That's not what I meant. I just wanted to save my brother-in-law!"

"Alright, Baron Cassian, you're just overthinking things. Now that things have come to this, the most urgent thing is to find a way to confirm the situation of the two viscounts. What if these two messengers obtained their seals through other means?"

We should first investigate the details of this battle. How about this, we send a Cavalry unit to Red Ginseng Territory to scout it out.

"Very well, as expected of Count Black, those are wise and prudent words!"

"That's right, exactly!"

All the nobles nodded in agreement, including Baron Cassian.

Count Black looked around. "In that case, let's arrange it this way!"

Yellen, you take a small team to Red Ginseng Territory, and each family should send 10 people to go together.

These two messengers can rest in my camp for now. Once the investigation is complete, you will be released!

Furthermore, until this matter is clarified, the army will not advance further for the time being. I will arrange for the various noble families to take turns on defense and vigilance. Your cooperation is appreciated!

"Yes, Count Excellency."

All the nobles expressed their heartfelt admiration, and at least for now, everyone was willing to let Count Black be their leader.