Ever since Viscount West found out that more than half of the nobles in Dardiel City had taken their followers to the Mountain Domain for training, his mental state completely collapsed.

For the Provincial Military Conference, prefectural governors from other areas attended, only Layton County was represented by a military officer.

It would have been fine if he was just a representative. After all, Hudson is known for his fighting skills in the Southeastern Province, but the key point was that no one informed him from the beginning to the end.

Clearly, it's because the native nobles didn't want to include him. They left the Governor's Mansion with no excuses for stirring up any trouble, the convening of the military conference by the Governor's Mansion and letting the military officer join was completely acceptable.

As an officer in the county, Hudson, organizing the fief lords for military training, was also in accordance with the rules.

However, the other prefectural governors were pretty dominant, and often took over the prerogative of the military officers, even seizing the power directly from them.

What others could do didn't mean that West could do the same thing. In this land that belongs to Layton County, the strongest military strength was in the Mountain Domain.

Neither of the two infantry corps nor the bear who loved to show off his cuteness was something he could fight against.

Even the idea of seeking help from his family was impossible; the Felix Family did not lack troops, nor strongman, but none of these had anything to do with him as an illegitimate child.

Although Grand Duke Cavadia had the significant reputation, he could not assign the top strongmen of the clan to an illegitimate child. Especially at this moment, when the Orcs could attack anytime, the diversion of forces was more likely to cause controversy.

Unable to stop due to the rules and unable to suppress due to the power, Viscount West could only just watch the Mountain Domain vigorously train its soldiers.

Not only Viscount West, but all the Northern Noble Children also found this very troublesome.

The native nobles in the county sent fifty thousand young and strong men before. Even with a little training, the military strength of both sides would be unbalanced.

In fact, with the rise of the Mountain Domain, the comparison of military strength in Layton County had already reversed.

The native nobles, who were at a disadvantage to begin with, overtook their counterparts. The Nobles had no other choice but to intensively train the serfs, attempting to prevent the gap from widening.

Without taking Mountain Domain into account, the area of the territory controlled by both sides was not much different, but there was a profound difference in the number of young and strong soldiers they had.

In the final analysis, their family hometown was too far away. Despite various attempts to increase the population, they still couldn't keep up with the native nobles.

...

"Honourable Viscount West, you need to come up with a plan soon! If the current situation continues, we will be driven out sooner or later!"

Knight Justin said with a heavy heart.

As someone going through a string of continuous bad luck, he was pretty down these days.

He first suffered heavy losses in the locust plague, and then he was caught during a robbery attack on a merchants' convoy. Before he could recover from the shock, a slave rebellion broke out in his territory.

The devastated territory hadn't ruined him yet, but the attitude of his neighbours sent shivers down his spine.

The serf soldiers hadn't been fully trained, and they were already ridiculing him, how would it be when they get fully trained.

It's fair to say that debt has to be paid back quickly in June.

There were no unfounded hatreds, all this mockery was sourced in the past conflicts.

When power is weak, you have to endure; when the comparison of power changes, politeness flies out of the window!

The fact that they didn't stir things up, stated that the native nobles hadn't made their preparations yet, also considering the overall situation.

Once the serf soldiers are formed, can the native nobles continue to restrain themselves?

Everyone already knows the answer to this question.

"Don't worry, Knight Justin.

What we should worry about now is not a small conflict with the county nobles, but we must focus on a bigger picture.

The situation on the northern border is tense, I'm sure you have heard of it. It's almost certain— the war has entered its countdown.

Once the fighting starts in the north, all of us will have to go to the front line.

We have all fought against the Orcs, and we all know how formidable the enemy is.

In the history of full-scale wars, my Alpha Kingdom has always suffered heavy losses.

Don't look at the playful fuss of the native nobles, they will get their share of misery in the future.

The issue of dispute, even if it has to be settled, it has to wait till after the war.

A large power gap now does not mean there will be a power gap in the future.

Compared to the native nobles who know almost nothing about the Orcs, our chance of survival in the war is much higher."

Viscount West tried to reassure.

Imbalances in military power have already become a reality. The native nobles haven't come back to retaliate, they are considering the overall situation.

If they instigate conflicts voluntarily, then they're asking for a beating. They'd be hit for no reason.

To prevent him, the leader, from appearing incompetent, West could only suggest that the people take a long-term view and focus on the upcoming war.

War is the best way to turn the tables, given the terrifying casualty rate in the past wars, even large forces can be overthrown, let alone a group of minor nobles.

Unfortunately, everyone present was intelligent, and this soothing talk certainly didn't allay their fears.

On the battlefield, while the native nobles will indeed suffer heavy losses, it doesn't mean that they would be able to escape unscathed.

To survive in a war of this scale, you either rely on strength, or you rely on luck. For a majority of people lacking strength, luck is of first importance.

"Viscount West, according to the usual practice, the Kingdom's levies are mostly formed by regions.

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