Chapter 366 - 257: The Empire Shakes (2)

Chapter 366: Chapter 257: The Empire Shakes (2)

"Have you all heard? Count Henry’s army is smaller than a single wartime Legion, yet he somehow defeated an old Count and even conquered a fortified city," a Legion Commander said with a frown.

"Does that even make sense?"

The officers also shook their heads, staring at the intelligence reports in their hands in disbelief.

In their eyes, Henry’s victory seemed to defy conventional military logic.

"Less than a single wartime Legion... how is that possible?" The same discussion was taking place inside another fortress.

"Our armies are vast and well-equipped, but even for us, conquering a fortified city takes months, if not years. How did Count Henry do it?"

They began to analyze Henry’s tactics and strategies, trying to discover the secret to his success.

They discussed the quality of Henry’s troops, his command abilities, and any possible external support.

"Perhaps he has some special tactics, or maybe he has outstanding commanders in his army."

Everyone fell silent. ’What kind of commander could bring about such a drastic change?’

"Regardless, we cannot underestimate him," the Legion Commander said grimly.

"Count Henry’s rise could change the situation on the eastern grasslands and even affect the entire empire’s military balance."

They decided to dispatch reconnaissance units to the eastern grasslands to gather more intelligence on Henry.

At the same time, they were also considering how to report to the emperor and adjust their military deployments to counter this potential new threat.

The shockwaves from this news sent a stir throughout the entire empire.

Minor nobles dreamed of their own futures, merchants chased profits, and Legion Commanders assessed the threat.

In Lukaron, the heart of the empire, the nobles’ gatherings grew more frequent.

They gathered in lavish banquet halls to discuss Henry’s rise. These nobles were mostly the empire’s core strength, and they were both shocked and unnerved by Henry’s victory.

"Count Henry’s rise is a tremendous challenge for us," said an elderly noble, his tone tinged with worry.

"He not only conquered Odoche but also dismantled the Hoyland Clan’s rule. This proves he has both sufficient strength and ambition."

"True, but we must also admit that his rise presents us with an opportunity. We can use his power to achieve our own goals."

They began to discuss how to establish contact with Henry, even considering whether to form an alliance with him. Henry’s ascent had already changed the landscape of the eastern grasslands, and they had to adapt to this change.

Even the canaries in Lukaron harbored dreams of becoming eagles.

Compared to them, the great nobles in regions like Xilonia, Onira, Danustika, Housen Fulger, Akakarat, and Autongard had all grown tense.

The nobles of these regions had been peacefully enjoying their power and wealth in their own domains, but Henry’s recent lightning offensive made them feel an unprecedented threat.

"Damn that Henry. His next target won’t be me, will it?" a Count muttered anxiously to himself, pacing back and forth in his study.

His territory bordered the eastern grasslands, and Henry’s victory placed him under immense pressure.

’Based on the current situation, Henry’s ambition definitely won’t stop at Odoche, which makes my domain the next potential target.’

The Count quickly summoned his subordinate vassal lords. They gathered in the castle’s great hall, the atmosphere tense and solemn.

The Count stood on a high platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Everyone, Count Henry’s war has already changed the situation on the eastern grasslands. We must be prepared, lest he turn his sights on us."

The vassal lords in the hall nodded one after another; they too realized the gravity of the situation.

A young lord stood up and said, "My Lord, we should immediately recruit more soldiers and build up our army. Only with powerful military strength can we defend our territory."

The Count nodded, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "Well said! Pass down the order: all domains are to immediately begin recruiting Wandering Knights and Warriors. Expand the army at all costs. Don’t worry about the consumption of Dinars and grain for now. What we need right now is a powerful military force."

The vassal lords accepted their orders and departed, moving swiftly into action upon returning to their own domains.

Recruitment orders spread throughout the various domains. Wandering Knights and Warriors, eager for official enlistment, responded in droves, hungry for the glory and wealth a new war might bring.

On the training grounds of every domain, soldiers began to drill intensely. The clash of swords and the neighing of warhorses filled the air.

As if by a shared instinct, the various Counts also began to increase the frequency of their correspondence.

Henry had shattered the balance, and they knew they had to unite to face this powerful adversary together.

Within the domain of Housen Fulger, a Count was in his study writing a letter. His quill moved swiftly across the parchment, the script somewhat messy, yet it was enough to reveal his urgency.

He wrote: "My dear friend, the threat of Henry is imminent. We must unite as soon as possible to discuss countermeasures. If we delay any longer, he will eventually drive us all out as exiled nobles! We will lose everything!"

Once the letter was finished, he quickly sealed it and handed it to a courier.

Meanwhile, in the domain of Danustika, another Count was doing the exact same thing. He summoned his strategists and advisors to discuss countermeasures. They sat together, the atmosphere tense and serious.

"Henry is too strong!" one of his aides said.

"His army is well-trained, his tactics are flexible, and he seems to have endless resources. If we don’t unite, we have no hope of resisting him with our strength alone."

The Count nodded, his eyes filled with anxiety. "I agree. We must contact the other lords as soon as possible and discuss a joint strategy. Henry’s ambitions will not stop at Odoche. His next target will very likely be us."

So, he quickly wrote a letter with contents largely identical to the one written by the Count of Housen Fulger.

He emphasized the importance of uniting and proposed holding a meeting as soon as possible to jointly devise a strategy against Henry.

Couriers crisscrossed the various domains, carrying urgent letters that conveyed the worries and resolutions of the different Counts.

In the domain of Xilonia, the Count received the letter from Housen Fulger. He opened it, scanned it quickly, and his expression grew solemn.

And so, this Count also wrote a reply, expressing his willingness to unite and proposing they convene a meeting soon to discuss a concrete plan of action.

The Counts from all regions responded one after another, and through their correspondence, they quickly reached a consensus.

The various Counts redoubled their recruitment efforts, expanding their armies at any cost.

On the training grounds, the soldiers drilled day and night. They didn’t know what was happening, only that their pay had increased and their benefits had improved.

Meanwhile, the Second Prince of Chai Kan had also fallen into a deep state of anxiety.

When the news of Henry conquering Odoche reached Chai Kan, the Second Prince felt a bizarre sense of relief.

’Damn that Henry, how did he get so strong?’ the Second Prince muttered helplessly to himself, sitting in his room and gazing at the sky outside his window.

He had been imprisoned for many years and had long since grown weary of this life devoid of freedom. Now, he saw a glimmer of hope.

’If Henry really does break through Chai Kan, maybe he’ll let me out and grant me my freedom.’ The Second Prince shook his head with a bitter smile. He knew the idea was somewhat absurd, but his deep-seated yearning made it impossible to suppress the fantasy.

He wondered how he might contact Henry, even considering if he could use Henry’s power to escape his own predicament.

However, such a thought was fraught with risk. If discovered, he could face even more severe punishment from the emperor.