The luncheon was set in the great hall of Boulder Keep’s main castle, and many people were already seated around the long oak dining table. Judging by their attire and insignias, most were noble lords from surrounding territories.
Lei Luo’s arrival didn’t cause much of a stir. After all, he was a newly appointed Baron, and his territory was in the remote Blackstone Territory. Many of the old-established nobles present hadn’t even heard of him.
Barton Boulder, the Earl, sat at the head of the table. He was burly with a rugged face, and his short brown hair stood up like steel needles. His eyes were sharp, exuding an intimidating aura without needing to show anger.
Seeing Lei Luo enter, he merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Lei Luo found a seat at the end of the table and quietly observed everyone present.
Some of these lords looked relaxed, chatting and laughing; others, however, had worried expressions, with a hint of solemnity hidden between their brows.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes.
Barton Boulder set down his wine glass, and his heavy voice resonated through the hall: “Gentlemen, I have invited you all here today not only to foster our relationships but also to discuss an important matter.”
The hall instantly fell silent, and all eyes focused on Barton Boulder.
“I presume you have all noticed,”
Barton Boulder’s gaze swept over everyone.
“Over the past six months, the activity of demonic beasts in the Emerald Marshes has become increasingly frequent, even beginning to impact the borders of our territories. My Boulder Territory has borne the brunt of it. I have already organized several small-scale clear-out operations, but the effect has been minimal, and we have suffered considerable losses in manpower.”
At these words, many lords’ expressions turned grim.
The Emerald Marshes, a vast and dangerous region in the northern part of the Duchy, was infested with demonic beasts and permeated by poisonous miasma, a nightmare for all lords on the northern frontier.
The lords present had all suffered numerous setbacks and losses.
Especially before the Lord of the Emerald Marshes, the Nine-Headed Demonic Serpent Haimwila, fell into slumber, she had stirred up demonic beast frenzies several times, during which multiple territories were even annihilated.
An old man near Barton Boulder sighed.
“The Earl is absolutely right. My Windwhisper Territory has also been harassed several times by small groups of demonic beasts. Farmlands have been destroyed, and livestock stolen. Although the scale isn’t large, if this continues, the people in my territory will likely become increasingly panicked.”
“Indeed, these damned demonic beasts are like maggots clinging to bone, impossible to drive away or completely eradicate!”
Another younger lord said indignantly.
Barton Boulder raised his hand to motion for everyone to calm down.
“Gentlemen, piecemeal defenses and clear-out operations are no longer sufficient to curb the expansion of these demonic beasts. My intention is to organize a joint army to delve deep into the Emerald Marshes and conduct a large-scale clear-out of the demonic beasts!”
“What? Deep into the Emerald Marshes?”
“That’s too risky! There are high-level demonic beasts deep in the marshes!”
“A joint army? Who will command? How will forces be allocated? And how will spoils of war be divided?”
No sooner had Barton Boulder finished speaking than the hall erupted like a boiling pot, with questions and concerns rising one after another.
Most lords looked troubled, clearly having serious reservations about this proposal.
The dangers of the Emerald Marshes were well-known, and venturing deep into them was akin to pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth.
Lei Luo remained silent, quietly observing the developing situation.
Since Barton Boulder dared to propose this plan, he must have some backing.
Sure enough, Barton Boulder let out a heavy snort, and a powerful aura emanated from him, suppressing the noisy discussions.
“I understand your concerns, gentlemen. But sitting idly by will only make the situation worse. Must we wait until the demonic beasts are at our city gates before regretting our hesitation today?”
His voice was like a grand bell, making everyone’s eardrums tingle.
“As for the safety concerns of venturing deep into the marshes, which you are most worried about.”
A meaningful smile curved Barton Boulder’s lips.
“For this operation, I have specifically invited a helper.”
He clapped his hands.
The side door of the hall slowly opened, and a man clad in dark-red heavy armor, carrying a greatsword almost as tall as himself on his back, walked in.
His steps were steady, each one seemingly treading on everyone’s hearts.
A cold and powerful oppressive feeling spread with his appearance.
The man walked to Barton Boulder’s side and stood still, his gaze from beneath his helmet sweeping over everyone like an eagle, indifferent and sharp.
“This is Crack-Rock Kahn.”
Barton Boulder introduced him, “Many of you may have heard of Crack-Rock Kahn. Six months ago, Crack-Rock Kahn broke through to become a Fifth-Tier Domain Knight!”
“A Fifth-Tier Domain Knight!”
Exclamations rose one after another.
A Domain Knight, that was an existence standing at the pinnacle of the kingdom, capable of manipulating the forces of heaven and earth and creating his own domain with a mere gesture.
With such a powerful individual overseeing the operation, the risk of venturing deep into the Emerald Marshes would undoubtedly be greatly reduced.
The lords who had been hesitant now had changed expressions.
Awe, excitement, and a hint of greed.
Barton Boulder watched their reactions with satisfaction and continued to offer more incentives.
“This joint army will be commanded jointly by Crack-Rock Kahn and myself. All participating lords can not only distribute spoils of war according to their troop contribution ratio and military merits, but also have priority in resource extraction from the safe zones cleared out. Furthermore, my Boulder Territory will bear thirty percent of the military expenses for this operation!”
Heavy rewards attract brave men.
With a Domain Knight leading the charge and such generous promises of benefits, the scales in the lords’ minds began to tip rapidly.
“The Earl is truly righteous! My Eagle Territory is willing to send three hundred troops to follow the Earl and Crack-Rock Kahn!”
A lord who lived closer to the Emerald Marshes and had suffered greatly from it was the first to declare his allegiance.
“My Rock Territory is also willing to send two hundred troops!”
“Count me in! Blackwater Territory will send two hundred and fifty troops!”
The atmosphere instantly grew enthusiastic. The lords who had just been making excuses now eagerly declared their participation, fearing to be left behind.
People die for wealth, and birds die for food. Moreover, this was a major matter concerning the long-term peace and stability of their territories.
Lei Luo watched this dramatic scene, pondering to himself.
Barton Boulder was indeed a seasoned Earl, with impressive tactics. He first highlighted the crisis, then displayed his strength, and finally promised great benefits. With this combination of moves, these lords couldn’t help but be tempted.
Seeing the excited crowd.
A barely noticeable smile appeared on Barton Boulder’s face. He clapped his hands lightly, signaling to a servant.
Soon, several servants came forward, holding a thick stack of parchment scrolls and ink pens. The edges of the scrolls were trimmed with fine gold threads, emitting a faint magical glow, clearly indicating they were specially made contract documents.
“Gentlemen, this is the alliance pact for the joint operation.”
Barton Boulder announced loudly: “The pact details the proportion of troops each party will contribute, the distribution of command authority, the principles for allocating spoils of war, and the division of resource extraction rights in the cleared areas. You may review it first, and if there are no objections, you may sign.”
The servants distributed the parchment scrolls one by one to the lords.
The hall instantly quieted down, with only the rustling sound of parchment being turned.
The lords either frowned in careful reading or whispered in discussion with their advisors beside them.
Lei Luo also received a copy and carefully perused the terms.
It had to be said that this alliance pact was very comprehensive, considering almost every aspect.
The number of troops contributed was linked to the strength of the territory, and the distribution of spoils of war was relatively fair, indeed as Barton Boulder stated, primarily based on military merits and troop contribution ratio.
Boulder Territory bearing thirty percent of the military expenses also showed his sincerity and determination.
However, what Lei Luo couldn’t figure out was what the Earl of Boulder was truly scheming behind expending so much financial and mental effort.
Was it really as splendid and selfless as he currently claimed?