In the Governor's Mansion, Lynn gave the officers instructions for the next step of action: the army would advance to the north bank of the Yaruga River bordering Nilfgaard, and then build fortifications along the river to prevent Nilfgaard Army from attacking.
At the same time, disperse Syndicate to the countryside to prevent Nilfgaard's spies from causing damage.
As for the demon hunters, three hundred were dispatched to the north bank of the Yaruga River to assist the army in defense, and one hundred were dispatched to cooperate with Syndicate. The remaining one hundred were to go north to stop Northern Coalition, and to prevent Northern Coalition from going south in the name of Nazair people.
Of course, it is impossible for these one hundred demon hunters to stop tens of thousands of Northern Coalition, but if the opponent ignores the obstruction and forces their way through, these one hundred demon hunters can also make the opponent drink a lot by engaging in guerrilla warfare.
Finally, a group of people were recruited from the Nazair people to form a militia group, responsible for fighting crime and protecting the villages outside the city.
Originally, Lynn was worried that Nilfgaard would send more troops to recapture Nazair.
After all, Nazair's independence will have a very bad impact on other provinces, and the empire still has at least 200,000 standing troops.
If it were me, I would take back Nazair no matter what.
However, there was no movement at all on the Nilfgaard land on the other side of the Yaruga River. No food was transported from the rear to the front, and no troops were assembled.
I don't know what Emhyr is thinking.
But no matter what the other party is thinking, Lynn is naturally happy to see this happen.
He wished Nilfgaard would hesitate as much as possible.
A few days later, Lynn met with the public opinion representatives selected by the Nazair people themselves in the Governor's Mansion.
These public opinion representatives, including men and women, old and young, first expressed their gratitude to Lin En, who was polite.
But he also knew that this was not the purpose of these people coming to the presidential palace.
Sure enough, during the exchange of hello, me, and everyone, a sharp voice broke the calm.
"Your Highness Grand Duke Augustus, how long will your army stay in Nazair and when will it return to Kovir?"
Except for Lynn, the smiles on everyone's faces disappeared.
Their eyes were all focused on the person who just spoke.
"Russell, what are you doing? How can you be rude to His Majesty the Grand Duke?"
"I just asked His Highness the Grand Duke a question sincerely with a humble and respectful attitude. How can it be considered disrespectful? His Highness the Grand Duke's army is an army of benevolence and righteousness. They can't be as cruel as Nilfgaard Army, right?"
Russell had a smile on his face, as if he was really sure that Lynn would not do anything to him.
The eyes of other public opinion representatives switched back and forth between Russell and Lynn, but most of them still stayed on Lynn.
They were all watching to see what Lynn would do.
"Have you forgotten that Yaruga River South Bank is still under the control of Nilfgaard people, Maecht, Geso, Ebbing, Metinna are all It is still Nilfgaard's most loyal province. As long as the Nilfgaard people are willing, they can come back at any time. If my army withdraws, who will protect Nazair... Or is this your purpose?"
"Then according to His Highness the Grand Duke's wishes, wouldn't he be like the Nilfgaard people, occupying Nazair and refusing to leave?"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of other public opinion representatives changed.
Some people quickly grabbed him and asked him to stop talking. The remaining people gathered around Lynn and repeatedly told Lynn that it was only his personal opinion and could not represent all of them. They had and only felt gratitude to Kovir's Master Wang.
Lynn then nodded.
After some further discussions, the public opinion representatives left the Government House.
When only Lynn was left in the conference room, a member of Syndicate walked in with a document.
"Sir, the public opinion representative named Russell has found out that his wife, children, and parents are all in Etolia, and he himself also has assets in Etolia."
(Remarks: Etolia is a province of the Nilfgaard kingdom. Etolia, Aiden, Gemmera, and Vicovaro are called people from the old province. The capital is lower than City of Golden Towers, but higher than the newly conquered Nazair, Maecht, Geso, Ebbing, Metinna)
Lynn frowned.
"Isn't this a proper lackey of Nilfgaard? Why would anyone choose him as a public representative?"
Replied member Syndicate.
"Russell's personal file is top secret on Nilfgaard's side. Even few people on Nilfgaard's side know about it. If Nilfgaard Army hadn't retreated too quickly and our people had given priority to preserving the database when they took over Les Lane, this top-secret file might have been destroyed or taken away by Nilfgaard's people."
"Although Russell is under the instructions of Nilfgaard people, Nilfgaard people are not asking him to directly serve the empire like other Nazair people. Instead, Russell is asked to play the role of helping Nazair people to speak up and resolve the demands of Nazair people."
Lynn I understood it as soon as I heard it.
This is just like when Korean Peninsula was still occupied by Japan, North Koreans were dragged into extremely risky jobs such as mining. In order to prevent these North Korean miners from rebelling, the Japan people would bribe available North Koreans and train them to become opinion leaders of the North Koreans.
Then, the Japan people can know which Koreans are least able to be bribed from the chess pieces they have trained, and get rid of them.
This Russell is a character similar to this.
Although he seems to be running for the independence of Nazair, in fact he wants Nazair to be independent more than anyone else.
Otherwise, he will have no use value.
"Sir, I need to give him to..."
Syndicate member made a throat-cutting gesture.
Lynn shook his head.
"Just 'inadvertently' spread the information that his family and assets are in Etolia."
"Yes, I understand."
After this Syndicate member exited the room, Lynn was in the conference room and had to receive a second wave of guests.
They are Marshal Vissegerd of Kingdom of Cintra, General Reynard Otto of United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia, and Lord "Madman" Lugos of Skellige Isles.
They came to represent their respective lords.
Tens of thousands of troops in black were defeated outside Marnadal Valley Fortress. Although Northern Coalition paid a heavy price, it was still gratifying to have blocked the Nilfgaard people's plan to advance northward.
The premise is that if Grand Duke Augustus doesn't appear halfway.
The Nilfgaard people were completely defeated and withdrew from Nazair until they retreated to the south bank of the Yaruga River.
This is why Lioness of Cintra has some ideas.
After all, Lyria and Skellige are not bordering Nazair, and if Cintra includes Nazair within its jurisdiction, it will not be considered an enclave.
However, someone got ahead of Cintra.
The Three Lions flag is blocked by the black and gold double-headed eagle flag.
Cintra people recognize this flag.
Grand Duke Augustus is the co-owner of Hengfors and Isparaden. Its territory is larger than Cintra, but Cintra exceeds the former in both agriculture and commerce.
And compared to the former, Cintra is closer to Nazair, and there is less resistance to its rule.
But Calanthe has heard about what Grand Duke Augustus's troops did in Nazair.
To be more precise, if there were no Grand Duke Augustus troops, then even if Northern Coalition could rely on Marnadal Valley Fortress for defense, it would not be as easy as it is now to get the Nilfgaard people to retreat.
In addition, Calanthe was not willing to offend Kovir easily, so he proposed that each of the three countries that make up Northern Coalition send a representative to Les Lane to test the attitude of Grand Duke Augustus.
Vissegerd Unexpectedly, the legendary Demon Hunter Archduke turned out to be younger than he expected.
However, Vissegerd quickly put away his shock.
Thinking of the mission given to him by the Queen, Vissegerd snorted coldly.
"Your Highness, I wonder how comfortable it is to live in the Nazair Governor's Mansion? I didn't expect that the Kovir people only know how to remain motionless when friendly forces are fighting, and will only seize the fruits of victory when the enemy is defeated."
Reynard and Lugos were both stunned for a moment.
Although they all knew that Cintra was eager for Nazair's territory and would definitely be dissatisfied with Lynn's occupation of Nazair, neither of them expected that Vissegerd would say it so directly.
Does Calanthe feel that Lynn's power is sandwiched between Nilfgaard and Cintra, so he must bow to Cintra?
Can Calanthe still make peace with Nilfgaard for Nazair?
The two of them were about to say something to lighten the atmosphere, but Lynn's tone was even harsher than Vissegerd's.
"If I hadn't predicted Cintra's future and asked Mousesack to make suggestions to Queen Calanthe, the Sun Flag should have been planted on Cintra's city."
Lynn smiled disdainfully, as if the person standing in front of him was not a nobleman at all.
"As for you, my dear Marshal Vissegerd, I'm afraid you will also become a prisoner of the Nilfgaard people now."
Cintra Marshal's knuckles clenched the scabbard, and the polished metal gorget rose and fell with his heavy breathing.
Seeing that the situation was not going well, Reynard quietly stepped forward and stood between the two of them. Lugos's palm was pressed on Vissegerd's shoulder armor.
"Marshal Vissegerd is disgraceful, and His Highness the Grand Duke's remarks are also somewhat inappropriate. Now that the threat from the south has not been completely eliminated, we should not trigger a new conflict."
Lynn glanced at Reynard.
"Talking to arrogant people with dignity is like spraying perfume on Ghoul." His eyes slowly turned to Vissegerd, "Go back and tell Your Majesty Calanthe that every inch of Nazair's land belongs to Kovir. Her Majesty the Queen has two choices:"
"When the Kuroshio spreads northward again, there will be one more dam; it is better to have a damaged reputation, offend Kovir, and face the glory of the Rilun Flag."
Vissegerd's face turned red and he seemed to want to say something, but in the end he held back.
Then he turned around and left.
Reynard watched Vissegerd leave, but he did not follow him, nor did he say anything to persuade him to stay.
Instead, he sighed and said to Lynn, "Well, Your Highness, I have no intention of blaming you, but I think that even from your perspective, it is beneficial and harmless to have a good relationship with Cintra."
Lynn rubbed the heraldic ring on her finger and said, "I agree with your opinion, General Reynard, but only if Queen Calanthe stops coveting Nazair."
In the original plot, the Nilfgaard army defeated the king's army and captured the Cintra city before the local nobles came to the king. Calanthe did not leave the people and soldiers to escape, but died for the country, which is worthy of admiration.
But Calanthe has never been a fuel-efficient lamp. In the original plot, because Calanthe's granddaughter Ciri became the unexpected son of Geralt, Calanthe once wanted to send Mousesack to kill Geralt.
Although her life was finally withdrawn, it can be seen from this incident that Calanthe is actually not as good as another female ruler, Queen Meve.
In fact, if you look at it purely from the perspective of profit, let Nilfgaard break through Cintra as in the original plot, and then wait until Battle of Sodden Hill breaks out and Nilfgaard Army's offensive is blocked, and then order Syndicate who is lurking in Nazair to cause trouble.
As long as Nazair is independent, the Nilfgaard people will no longer be able to maintain the rule of Cintra.
By then, as long as the speed is fast enough, both Nazair and Cintra can become the territory of Lynn.
And because the Nilfgaard people burned, killed, and looted in Cintra, as long as we raise the banner of opposing Nilfgaard, the resistance to Lynn's rule in Cintra will not be too great.
But Lynn didn't do this, not because of Calanthe, but because he couldn't bear to see Cintra's life in ruins, with gallows and fires burning corpses everywhere.
As for Calanthe...
Although he and Vissegerd broke up on bad terms, Vissegerd will not add fuel to the fire or fan the flames, but will truthfully report to Calanthe.
Therefore, the choice is in Calanthe's hands.
If Calanthe is so ambitious that he will not hesitate to fight Kovir, but also invade Nazair...
Then Lynn also has a backup plan.
As long as you sneak into Marnadal Valley Fortress, assassinate Calanthe, and then pretend to be the assassin of Nilfgaard, the Cintra army will retreat on its own.
With his current strength, it is not difficult to achieve this step.
But Lynn still hopes that Calanthe can make the right choice.
"General Reynard, as Queen Meve's most trusted deputy, are you also here for the land Nazair?"
"Queen Meve has no thoughts about lands other than Lyria and Rivia, if that's what you're asking."
"Wise judgment, in order to deal with the threat from the south, the north should be united. General Reynard, when you leave Les Lane, don't forget to bring a few carts of food. This is my respect for Queen Meve."
Reynard lowered his head and left the conference room.
Lynn then turned his attention to the last person left behind.
"Lugos."
"Lynn."
The two hugged each other.
"I didn't expect you to become a big shot. No wonder you weren't interested in Clan Drummond's invitation."
"I didn't expect that the representative of Skellige Isles would be you."
"Originally it was someone else, but I took the initiative to take on this responsibility. Before you take action, let me make it clear that Skellige Isles has no jealousy towards Nazair. They are eager to have another friendly to the north, or a vassal state from the north, to the south of Cintra to help Cintra resist Nilfgaard."
Lynn thought thoughtfully, "King Bran is so enlightened?"
Lugos smiled and said, "Do you think that Skellige people can only use an ax to open scoops for others? There are several families on the archipelago. Being able to control these seven major families and prevent them from fighting requires wisdom. Well, what is that look in your eyes?"
"No, it's nothing."
Lynn put away his sighing eyes.
In the original plot, this Lugos lord is very difficult to deal with the an Craite Clan, where Crach belongs, and at the same time he is not liked by other families.
If Crach's children become the king of the archipelago, Lugos will even join forces with Nilfgaard people and become traitors because of old grudges, rather than accept the leadership of the an Craite Clan.
But in the current world line, because Lynn joined Lugos's adventure, he did not let the evil spirit of "Haunted Castle" damage his mind.
As a result, Lugos's smart IQ has regained the high ground.