Behind the Strife

After Count Colt dismissed the Northern Frontier nobles with his words, Alex accompanied him back to his lodgings.

"Father, you're being too polite to these guys. You've already made a decision with the legion Legion Commander, so why bother with their opinions? Their titles and territories aren't particularly strong, so why bother explaining things to them?"

Alex's words carried a hint of complaint.

Count Colt was silent for a moment before speaking, "You're right. Even the strongest among them, Ziegfried Siegfried Azalea, only holds the position of Legion Deputy Commander, and his private army is only a regiment. Their total strength combined does not exceed that of a legion."

From a purely strength perspective, there's really no need to overemphasize them.

But you must understand, Alex, while their strength is indeed inferior to that of the major noble territories like Crimson Maple Territory, Pumpkin Territory, and Sage Territory, they represent the vast majority of the Northern Frontier nobles, and their support has certainly amplified our voice.

Without their help, we could not have obtained the title of the Northern Alliance Army, nor could we have raised the banner of rebellion against the Grand Duchy in the name of representing the Northern Frontier nobles in their resistance against injustice. This is our righteous cause!

Alex felt ashamed after hearing his father's words; he hadn't thought that far ahead.

"Father, I'm sorry, I..."

Count Colt interrupted Alex: "Besides, how do you think they came to me for advice on their own initiative?"

This statement stunned Alex: "If they didn't come looking for us themselves, who else could it be?"

Among the Northern Alliance Army, only the nobles with this capability belong to the Crimson Maple Territory, Golden Pear Territory, Pumpkin Territory, and Sage Territory, with the addition of Victor's Two Rivers Territory at most.

Victor and his uncle aren't here, and Viscount Edmund, Viscount Hawke, and Viscount Philip are basically serving as Legion Commander. Didn't they change the battle plan before?

"Yes, they did support our change of plans and stopped urging Victor to lead his troops north."

But that doesn't mean they didn't have other ideas. With the Iron Knights and the Iron Birch Second Legion suffering heavy losses, and Haines dead, the Iron Birch Family's original power balance within the Allied Army had shifted. It's normal for some to have ulterior motives."

"But what good does this do them?"

"It will damage the reputation of the Iron Birch Family. Even if we win the Civil War, I won't become the new Grand Duke; I'll just become Duke's vassal in the Raine Kingdom."

"I suspect some are already eyeing the redistribution of interests in this Grand Duchy after the Civil War!"

"But I still don't understand? We haven't won yet!"

"The Silver Maple Ducal House still has so many supporters! Even in the Eastern Region, which was thought to have been pacified, supporters of the duchy have reappeared!"

Count Colt shook his head. "After Victor took over the Southern Region, we are now invincible. Victory is only a matter of time."

The reason they agreed to my delay in Victor's northward march was to prevent Victor from entering the main battlefield and gaining even greater military achievements.

"That's not right. Wasn't it your decision to delay Victor's troops' northward advance?"

"Isn't the goal to allow Victor's troops to rest and recuperate, then cut off the Duchy's supply lines and achieve a steady victory?"

Count Colt gave a wry smile, "It was my idea, because I had my own ulterior motives too!"

Alex was somewhat taken aback. Count Colt continued, "Victor did a great job. Whether in the battles in the Eastern Region or in supporting the battle in the Ironvine Territory, he successively wiped out two Duchy's Regular Legion. His legion is already the most successful unit in our Northern Alliance Army Forces."

Based on this war achievement alone, Victor would have been promoted to Count after the war, or even Marquis based on his war merits.

Victor is very young, which is what worries me the most; his future is limitless.

Although I will be granted the Duke of the Kingdom after the war according to the agreement with the Kingdom, the Iron Birch Family will be suppressed by the Kingdom for a long time to come.

If Victor's Golden Sunflower Family were to catch the kingdom's eye at this time and become an accomplice in suppressing our family, it would not be good news for our family.

So, in order to suppress Victor's achievements, they proposed changing the battle plan, and I readily agreed!