Count's Support

The King's messengers, after overcoming numerous hardships, finally arrived in Fran City.

Their original plan was to take the best route via the relatively safe Field Territory, by sea to Winters Harbor, and then across the peninsula to Carnford.

The sea leading to Winters Harbor is now frozen over, and one can walk across without taking a boat, but they have not been able to do so because they are worried about the instability of the ice or encountering sporadic Sauron Cavalry.

Ultimately, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to Fran City, where he first informed the Count of the matter.

However, informing the Count wouldn't have been of much use. The Sparrow Corps was heavily besieging the city from the outside, not to mention that Carnford was also surrounded by a large force. No news could get through, let alone allow Karl to launch an attack from the rear.

The atmosphere inside the Governor's Office was somber.

Earl Rochefort carefully read the urgent Imperial Edict bearing the King seal, his brow furrowing deeper and his face growing increasingly grim.

In his view, the contents of the Imperial Edict were utterly delusional!

He ordered Karl to launch a preemptive strike, joining forces with the defenders of Fran City to launch a pincer attack and annihilate the besieging Sparrow Corps. Then, they would combine their forces and march south to defend the king.

This was a completely fabricated "brilliant plan" devised by people sitting deep in the palace who knew nothing about the situation in the Northern Territory!

The Count suppressed his anger and sense of absurdity, gently placed the Imperial Edict on the table, looked up at the trembling envoy, and said in a calm voice with an undisguised weariness and sarcasm, "Your Excellency, I am aware of His Majesty's decree."

Sensing the coldness in the Count's tone, the envoy quickly bowed, his voice tinged with fear and admonition. "Your Count, please understand! His Majesty... His Majesty is also deeply worried! The Royal Capital is in imminent danger, and His Majesty has no choice but to do this! I hope you will understand His Majesty's heart and absolutely... absolutely must find a way to carry it out! Otherwise... otherwise, the court may... have some criticism of you!"

Earl Rochefort sneered inwardly.

He knew, of course, that this was less a strategic deployment and more a desperate attempt by His Your Majesty in a state of extreme panic, and a means for certain people in the court to shirk responsibility and find scapegoats.

If he foolishly follows this absurd command, he will not only fail to save the Royal Capital, but will also destroy Fran City and Carnford, the only remaining forces in the Northern Territory capable of resisting.

Wasn't his predecessor, Governor William, dismissed for "failing to send troops to support Carnford in a timely manner"?

Although sending troops under those circumstances would have been tantamount to suicide, what the King and the court needed was for someone to take responsibility for the failure, not calm and objective analysis.

However, completely disobeying the imperial decree is clearly not an option either.

A solution must be found that addresses both the King's anxieties and the actual course of the war.

The Count's gaze fell back on the map, his mind racing.

Karl's tenacious resistance at Carnford, while preventing him from directly attacking the Sparrow Corps, did indeed play a significant strategic role in containing them.

Ulf was forced to divert troops to besiege Carnford, which undoubtedly relieved the pressure on Fran City.

This loosened Fran City's previously tightly bound hands and feet slightly.

A plan gradually took shape in his mind.

As the core of the Northern Territory, Fran City has a strong military force, with a standing army and conscripted garrison totaling nearly 45,000 men, including 20,000 cavalry, of which about 5,000 are the heavily trained Northern Border Iron Cavalry.

Previously, because the enemy was too powerful, he dared not easily divide his troops, lest Ulf seize the opportunity to exploit his weakness.

But now, the balance of power between the enemy and ourselves has subtly shifted, so perhaps... it's worth taking the risk and doing something truly meaningful for the kingdom, rather than carrying out that suicidal order.

After a moment of contemplation, Earl Rochefort raised his head, his eyes regaining their usual composure and decisiveness. He said to the messenger, "I deeply sympathize with Your Majesty's concerns. The siege of the Royal Capital is a matter of national importance that threatens the very foundation of the state. How could I possibly stand idly by?"

He then changed the subject. "However, Your Excellency has also witnessed firsthand that Carnford is heavily besieged and cut off from communication. It is still unknown whether Lord Karl is alive or dead, let alone sending troops to attack from both sides. This order is simply difficult to carry out. Forcing the order would only compel the Carnford garrison to come out and die, which would not benefit the overall situation."

Seeing the envoy's pale face, the Count continued, "However, I understand His Majesty's original intention to relieve the Royal Capital's predicament, and I have decided to adopt a more practical and feasible solution."

He walked to the map and pointed to the location of Old Osric Fortress: "I will select three thousand elite cavalry from my garrison in Fran City, led by Sir Kylan, and set off immediately! Their mission is to reinforce Old Osric Fortress."

"If Osric Fort is still holding out, we will help them relieve the siege and secure the northern gate. If that coward Reinard has truly surrendered, then Sir Kylan will bypass the main force of Sauron and rush directly to Plai to strengthen the Royal Capital's defenses!"

He looked at the envoy, his tone firm. "This will be a truly elite and fresh force, far more reliable than relying on a besieged flanking force. This is also the maximum support that my Fran City can provide at present, while ensuring its own defense! What do you think, Your Excellency?"

After hearing the Count's plan, the envoy found it to be far more reliable and practical than the order to "ambush the Sparrow Corps," even though it differed from the King's decree.

At least, this is a tangible reinforcement!

He quickly bowed and said, "Count Excellency is wise and far-sighted! This plan is excellent! Excellent! I will certainly report Your Excellency's loyalty and the actual situation to His Majesty truthfully! His Majesty... His Majesty will surely understand!"

Earl Rochefort nodded, said no more, and immediately turned to the messenger beside him, issuing a series of orders. "Send word to Sir Kylan! Gather three thousand elite cavalry from the First and Second Cavalry Brigades, carrying ten days' rations, and prepare to depart immediately!"

"Remember, your mission is to provide reinforcements and maneuver, avoid engaging the enemy's main force, and reach Osric Fort or Plai as quickly as possible!"

"Yes, sir!" The messenger accepted the order and left.

Soon, the bugle call to assemble sounded Fran City.

A well-equipped cavalry unit, led by Sir Kylan, quietly slipped out of the city through a hidden side gate.

The envoy watched the dust settle over the departing cavalry and breathed a long sigh of relief; at least he could go back and report.

Earl Rochefort stood atop the city wall, gazing intently at the vanishing procession in the distance.

He knew that the journey of these three thousand cavalrymen was fraught with danger, but it was the only choice he could make under the current circumstances that best served the interests of the kingdom.

As for Carnford and Karl... he sighed silently in his heart, hoping that the young man who always managed to create miracles could pull through again.