Chapter 383 - 266: The Steppe Nobles Assemble

Chapter 383: Chapter 266: The Steppe Nobles Assemble

"Boman, that son of a bitch, actually tricked me, and I didn’t even realize it! Fuck!"

Fass sat in a tavern in Baltahan, so furious he slammed his cup down.

He had been so hot-headed at the time that he didn’t stop to think. He never considered how absurd Boman’s proposal was: that Boman would lobby south of Autongard, while Fass himself would lobby the regions to the north!

Fass’s face flushed red with anger as he smashed his cup onto the table.

"Boman, that bastard! To think he’d set me up like this!" Fass cursed, gritting his teeth.

He recalled the scene from a few days ago when Boman had suggested they split up. At the time, he wholeheartedly believed that dividing their efforts would help them achieve their goal faster. He never imagined Boman was actually playing tricks on him!

The region south of Autongard was Henry’s main power base; there was no need to waste effort lobbying there at all.

Those nobles had long since tasted the sweet rewards of fighting alongside Henry. The rich spoils of war and Henry’s prestige made them follow him willingly.

Having tasted blood, so to speak, they were like a pack of hounds drawn to a feast. A single command from Henry and they would pounce on the enemy without hesitation.

And Boman had taken such an easy task for himself, leaving Fass with the toughest bone to chew.

The nobles north of Autongard, on the other hand, were a difficult bunch.

They were cunning, stubborn, and deeply scheming. They were also the group most opposed to Henry. The only reason they weren’t dead was because they had remained neutral during the last battle of the Alliance Army.

Among these people, some could be won over, some needed to be isolated, and some even had to be eliminated outright. This was no easy task. The slightest misstep could cost him his army.

’I must have been blind to trust a guy like Boman,’ Fass thought, growing angrier and angrier. He shot to his feet, drawing curious glances from the other patrons in the tavern.

’That big-eyed, thick-browed bastard, playing such petty tricks... And after we’ve known each other for so long!’

’Hmph! I’m done with you!’

His mouth twisted in a sneer of anger, Fass walked to a corner on the tavern’s second floor. He laid out a map and began examining it carefully with his Attendant.

On the map, the area north of Autongard was densely marked. Various colored lines and symbols represented the different noble territories and spheres of influence.

Henry hadn’t killed enough people last time. For the northern plains, it just meant a slight reduction in population. Besides, most of those who were quick to flee had taken their money, serfs, and troops and escaped to the territories of nearby nobles, setting themselves up as major landholders.

As a result, most of the nobles north of Autongard were hostile toward Henry.

Fass’s gaze swept back and forth across the map as he tried to find a starting point. ’I can’t delay the operation, or Henry’s plan will be affected.’

’Hmph, Boman, you just wait and see. I’m smarter than you!’

He began to circle key territories on the map, places where the local nobles were relatively strong. Fass decided to start with them, aiming to win over one faction and isolate another, gradually breaking their united front.

On the surface, these nobles maintained a certain reverence for Henry, but inwardly, each harbored their own ulterior motives.

They craved power and wealth, yet they feared that Henry’s immense power would threaten their own positions.

’That’s right, that old fox Carlos... he seemed quite interested in Henry.’ Fass’s eyes lit up. Carlos was an important noble in the region north of Autongard. His territory wasn’t large, but as a Baron, his influence was not to be underestimated.

Fass recalled that at a banquet, Carlos had praised Henry’s military genius nonstop, even hinting that he was willing to cooperate with him.

’I’ll start with Carlos!’ Fass made up his mind. He quickly marked the location of Carlos’s territory on the map and began to plan his route.

Fass walked out of the tavern. The sky outside had turned gloomy and was thick with dark clouds.

He strode to his horse, untied the reins, and swung himself into the saddle. The sound of hooves echoed in the street as Fass and the army stationed outside the city galloped away.

Along the way, the faces of the various nobles flashed through Fass’s mind. He analyzed their personalities and interests, pondering the best lobbying strategy for each.

Several days later, when he arrived at Carlos’s territory, night had already fallen completely. Fass dismounted at the castle gate and stated his identity to the guards.

The guards eyed him warily but let him into the castle nonetheless. Carlos’s territory was heavily fortified, which showed he took his own security very seriously.

Fass entered the castle, and a servant led him to Carlos’s study.

Inside the study, Carlos was sitting at his desk, a document in hand. When he saw Fass enter, he looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"Baron Fass, what brings you here?" Carlos asked, putting down the document in his hand with a hint of confusion in his voice.

Fass smiled faintly, stepped forward, and gave a slight bow. "Baron Carlos, I have come to discuss a matter of great importance with you."

Carlos raised an eyebrow, his interest apparently piqued. "Oh? From what I’ve heard, weren’t you taking your army to join the fray with Count Henry? What business could you possibly have with me?"

Fass blinked. He immediately understood that Carlos had been keeping a close watch on Henry’s faction. ’It seems I’ve come to the right place after all!’ He had to seize this opportunity to persuade Carlos to join Henry’s camp.