After Paul and Mellon returned to their territory, they described their experiences at Lanaka Territory to Government Affairs Council and the top military officials.
Parker Family is secretly forming an alliance against Earl Kent? Everyone was surprised by the news.
"So, how do you think we should respond? Should we participate in this secret alliance? Or inform Earl Kent? Or should we not help each other and stick to neutrality? Before the two sides start fighting, we still have the opportunity to make a choice."
Paul asked everyone. He wouldn't turn to the secret alliance just because he had a problem with the Kent Family. What if he was on the wrong team and lost? There was a sound of fists hitting the table.
"Of course I joined this alliance and gave the Kent family bastards a beating. Have you forgotten how they treated us last year? I feel angry just thinking about it now."
The speaker was Bryce. He kept hammering the table with his fists and expressed his opinions.
"In the past, we were weak and had a hard time dealing with the Kent Family. We had to pretend that nothing happened to their rude behavior. But now that there are so many lords against him, why not seize this opportunity to avenge the humiliation they have imposed on us?"
"Bryce! Be careful in front of the earl."
Schroeder stretched out his hand to stop First Battalion Commander from speaking impulsively.
"Maltz Kent is now the heir to the duke. If that letter is true, then Duke is already under his control. He can order other vassals of the Ferdinand Family through Duke Ferdinand. What we are facing is not just Kent Family."
Bryce was dissatisfied, "As long as that letter is made public, who else will support him?"
Schroeder shook his head, "It's just a letter. It's not very convincing. Even I doubt the authenticity of this letter. It's very likely that Earl Parker had long wanted to defeat Kent Family, and Viscount Henry was dissatisfied because he didn't become the heir to the duke. So the two hit it off and forged this letter. The reason why it was scrawled was to avoid being exposed by the imitating words."
"Hmm... that's a possibility."
Bryce is speechless.
"Which side do you two lords want to stand on?"
Chief Steward Ford asked aloud while stroking his beard? He had just been closing his eyes and concentrating, listening to everyone's discussion.
"Mellon and I are inclined to join the alliance against the Kent Family, if... if Earl Parker gathers enough strength."
Chief Steward Ford nodded, "Morally speaking, Kent Family has always acted unscrupulously in Northwest Bay. Everyone has been bullied and eradicated or weakened Kent Family is definitely something that everyone would like to see, and there are also the two things of kidnapping the Duke and plotting to betray the kingdom - ah, it doesn't matter whether it is true or not, when everyone needs it to be true, it is 200% true - either one is a serious crime, and..."
Chief Steward Ford paused and said slowly, "According to the letter, Earl Kent is also suspected of practicing witchcraft..."
Paul noticed that Female Advisor Laddie, who was responsible for writing the meeting minutes, trembled slightly.
Chief Steward Ford continued, "In terms of actual interests, the existence of the Kent Family is a threat to us. They are powerful and put a lot of pressure on us militarily, and they did threaten us last year and almost fought us. Not only that, in the surrounding territories, Kent Family imposes the highest tax on our goods, which is almost equivalent to robbery. However, this family controls several important transportation hubs."
"So... I suggest you seize this opportunity."
The manager's words made Paul more inclined to join the alliance against the Kent Family.
Others also expressed their agreement with Chief Steward Ford's words. Especially Hansel, he was very sensitive to the suspicion that Earl Kent was planning to launch a rebellion. The royal government was concentrating on dealing with the rebels in the south. He had just received news from Royal Capital that the counter-rebellion army was about to move south. It would be very bad for another rebel force to emerge from the rear at this time.
"Now that we have set a general direction, we need to start making preparations. Revise and activate various plans last year to deal with the Kent Family threat, strengthen our armaments, and shift the focus of production to the military."
The meeting made the above resolution.
After Paul and others left, Earl Parker continued to contact nobles from various places. The lords exchanged letters and exchanged their views on the Kent Family. Gradually, an anti-Kent Family faction began to form among Northwest Territories.
One month after the last invitation to Paul and Mellon, Earl Parker felt that it was almost done. After many tests and screenings, he identified some staunch faction members who would 100% join his alliance as long as he took the lead.
It's time to bring everyone together to discuss specific matters.
Lakeheart Town once again received an invitation from the territory next door.
Paul and Mellon also set off again and arrived at Earl Parker's castle on the agreed date.
After entering the hall, Paul was shocked. There were already many people gathered here, all of whom were Northwest Bay's respected lords.
If you screen carefully, you will find that most of the lords are direct vassals of the Royal Family or their vassals, and there are only a few from the Duke Ferdinand line.
"Everyone! Let's start discussing business."
After everyone arrived, Earl Parker announced the start of the meeting.
"The most important reason why everyone is gathered here today is to investigate Maltz Kent for kidnapping Duke Ferdinand and plotting to betray the kingdom. As the ministers of His Majesty the King, we must not sit idly by and ignore this kind of thing. We must put out Huonian before he can cause trouble. Now that the rebellion in the south is undecided, it is time for us to be loyal to His Majesty and ensure the stability of the kingdom's rear area."
There was a response in the hall, and a few people stood up to express their loyalty to the Royal Family.
Earl Parker continued to speak loudly, "Of course, there is a secondary reason, and that is to unite against the oppression of the Kent Family. Everyone must be aware of Maltz Kent's evil deeds, and most of us have even suffered from his cruelty. He was so excessive when he was an earl, and it will definitely get worse if he gets the title of duke."
Paul thought to himself, "Is this the main reason why everyone comes?"
Sure enough, as soon as Old Earl finished speaking, the hall immediately became heated. Lords who had had issues with the Kent Family stood up one after another to denounce Maltz Kent's misdeeds. The meeting began to turn into a complaint meeting.