Chapter 106: Florence Principalitys Princess (3)

While Milton was imposing, Count Carbon was dumbfounded. Truthfully, Milton was the only one here who was powerful enough in his own country to do whatever he wanted. He was the savior of the Lester Kingdom and was enthusiastically supported by the people. And before he had come to fight in this war, Milton had gotten engaged to Queen Leila. At the time, Milton thought he was raising his own death flag and was reluctant to be engaged to her, but now, it was very beneficial for political negotiations. Would a man, who was to become the Queens husband once the war was over, need to be careful in his own country?

That was when these lumps of burden realized it.

Damn

Should I just temporarily give in?

They had finally realized that from the very start, Milton was completely different from them. But even if they realized it, it wouldnt change anything. Would Milton even forgive them if they were to give in now? They certainly wouldnt if it was them. Not to mention, the idea of heading out to war when their commander disliked them was terrifying. If Milton wanted to, he could purposefully give them a bad command and they would have no choice but to obey it.

Milton smiled with satisfaction as he watched them flounder, not knowing what to do.

Theyre probably going crazy? Insane? Nuts? I guess I should give them a way out now?

Milton thought he had sufficiently driven them into a corner. He finally brought out his original objective.

I also dont want to go to war with those who doubt my command and wont listen to me.

So, youre basically telling us to leave the army and return to our home country, Marquis.

No, I dont have the right to do that. But

Milton let out a sigh.

Ill divide the army and acknowledge your right to command, so leave my army.

At those words, Marquis Johannes and the other nobles looked startled. What Milton said was more generous than they had expected.

Are you being serious right now, Marquis?

I am. I dont want to head out to war when my army is filled with incompetent and anxious people.

Count Dios cried out at being called incompetent and anxious.

How dare you insult us.

You think speaking the truth is insulting you?

Your words just now

As I said earlier, if youre dissatisfied, then stop talking and fight me. Ill fight as many times as you want.

Count Dios crimsoned with shame. Even if Milton said that, Count Dios didnt have the guts to throw down his gloves and actually fight him. Instead, he ground his teeth and spoke to Milton.

Marquis Forrest sure is arrogant when your reputation just comes from fighting in a small battle on the frontier.

A greenhorn who hasnt even fought in a war sure likes to talk a lot.

Ha! If I wanted to, I could accomplish much more than you ever could.

Milton sneered at him.

Good. Then why dont you show off your skills during the war, though Im sure you dont have any.

Count Dios stood up from his seat seething from Miltons provocation.

Youll regret this!

Marquis Johannes, Count Carbon and Count Taurus all copied Count Dios and stood up from their seats.

Dont forget that youve caused all this trouble within the army, Marquis.

The Stravin Kingdoms army will fight this war separately.

Marquis Johannes spoke to Milton as Count Carbon and Count Taurus left.

Youre serious when you said youd acknowledge our command?

Yes, Ill even write it down for you.

Then, I wont refuse it.

Then, Marquis Johannes left without looking back. Milton laughed as he looked at Marquis Johannes back.

Giving you the command means you have to take responsibility for war related things. Theyll know once they try it.

And once they all left the barracks

Now I feel better.

Milton truly felt like he had gotten rid of the heavy burdens.

***

That day, the Allied Forces were split into two the four-nation Allied Forces led by Marquis Johannes and the two-nation Allied Forces led by Milton. The four-nation Allied Forces consisted of Valence Kingdom, Gloucester Kingdom, Stravin Kingdom and Hereford Kingdom with a total of 80,000 troops. And Miltons two-nation alliance was a combination of the Lester Kingdom and Florence Principality with a total of 90,000 troops. Officially, the military had divided in order to spread out their forces, but everyone knew that it was actually because of a problem with the leadership.

On the day the army divided, Milton spoke to Princess Violet as they marched side by side.

Now that I think about it, didnt Marquis Johannes say anything to you?

When the army had split, Princess violet had chosen Milton but theres no way Marquis Johannes wouldnt have tried to sway her.

Princess Violet smiled at Milton.

Marquis Johannes did make me an offer once or twice, but

But?

Count Dios how should I say it, was pretty persistent.

Persistent?

Yes. He said if I joined him, hed protect me and keep me safe. And well he offered me something very similar to a marriage proposal.

Ha that fool.

Milton was speechless.

Whos protecting who?

If Milton remembered correctly, Count Dios Strength was in the low 60s. But he wanted to protect Princess Violet whos Strength stat was 88? His stupidity knew no bounds.

I wonder what that idiots expression would be when this war is over. Guess Id just have to finish it first.

Now that theres nothing to bother us, well be jumping in feet first into the war. Are you ready?

Of course.

Good, then lets hurry.

Milton led the Allied Force of 90,000 troops and hurried to the Eastern Front.

***

Eastern Front.

Of the three frontlines in Strabus Kingdom, the Eastern Front faced the Kobrook Republic. Unlike the mostly mountainous Hildes Republic, Kobrook Republic had many plains. Both Kobrook Republic and Strabus Kingdom had built many fortresses and kept each other in check through a prolonged war that wore each other out. And unlike the Western or the Northern Front, the Eastern Front had always maintained a tight balance. But recently, that balancehadchanged.

Marquis Volona, a request for reinforcements came from Horn Castle.

Marquis, requests for reinforcements came from Carno Castle. If you cant send it within two days, theyre asking you to give them permission to retreat.

Bang!

Marquis Volona slammed the table with his fist after receiving the messengers report.

Why! Why cant I get any good news?!

Marquis Luke Volona. He was Strabus Kingdoms Marquis and the person in charge of the Eastern Front. Recently, he had been suffering from extreme stress as the situation on the Eastern Front grew worse, bit by bit, once the war had started.

How many reserves are left in Andemar Castle?

They said about 10,000 troops, Marquis.

10,000? Damn it

Both Horn Castle and Carno Castle that had requested reinforcements were key locations on the Eastern Front. Both places needed to be saved at all costs, but there werent enough reserves to send to both of them.

What should I do? Should I split them and send 5,000 each? No. Then, well lose both of them. We have to keep at least one of them.

Marquis Volona ground his teeth as he made a painful choice.

This damn thing is all because of the idiots on the Northern Front.

Even if nothing would change, Marquis Volona couldnt help but complain. There was a reason he was unhappy with the innocent(?) Northern Front. When the war had started, most of the enemy forces had concentrated on the Northern Front. Although the enemy had aggressively attacked the East and the West, that was only to keep them in check. 80% of the Republics forces had been concentrated on the Northern Front.

However, the problem was that the Northern Front was slowly being pushed back during the battles. Several fortresses and castles had already been lost, and the Republic was slowly gaining ground in the Northern Front. Naturally, Strabus Kingdom concentrated their forces in the North. Both Duke Ryan Catel and Duke McCarthy OBrians reserve forces, which had been in a state of readiness, were sent to the North. But even with them, the situation did not improve. Eventually, even the Eastern and Western reserve troops were sent to the North.

Compar