Upon returning from Bera City, Viscount Hudson promptly convened a meeting with all the nobles of the county.

Unsurprisingly, everyone flocked to express their greetings to Viscount West's entire family.

In the ensuing chaos, it was clear that people were truly infuriated.

Hudson even suspected that he would have been the target of vehement criticism if he hadn't been present.

The fickleness of people's hearts was indeed difficult to gauge. In situations like this, it was impossible for people not to direct their anger somewhere.

While it was Viscount West who had drawn the lot, many were still unwilling to accept the reality.

This inevitably led to questions and criticism: why hadn't Hudson drawn the lot? Why had it been left to that unfortunate West?

Hudson's difficulties were conveniently ignored by them. They couldn't expect every noble to be wise enough to understand the crux of the problem.

Having a lucky disposition had indeed brought Hudson countless benefits, but it also came with negative effects.

For instance, for the lottery drawing, the cunning elder foxes had reasonably excluded him.

Since the result hadn't even been announced, he couldn't argue with the Big Boss of the province just for the sake of a single lot, right?

Military duties had to be fulfilled sooner or later – they were unavoidable.

Going to fight in the Moxi Duchy was not synonymous with the "Duty to Guard the Land". Personally for Hudson, it might not be a bad thing at all.

It appeared as though Hudson had fallen into the pit along with the nobles of Layton County, but, in fact, the real sufferers were the ordinary nobles.

Without obligations to bind him, Hudson could run away at critical moments without any pressure.

With his personal safety guaranteed, that was the reason why Hudson quickly accepted the reality and bravely faced the mission.

"Where is Viscount West? Why didn't he come?

Guards, send someone to go and urge him.

How can he be absent from such an important meeting as a Prefectural Governor!"

Hudson asked in a seemingly concerned manner, as if today's meeting couldn't proceed without West, the Prefectural Governor.

"Honorable Viscount Hudson, Viscount West left Bera City two days ago with his convoy, their course heading towards the Northland."

Hudson was not surprised by this outcome.

His military power had been snatched away and he had offended every noble in the county.

If he hadn't quickly fled, would he have followed the main forces to Moxi Duchy?

Did he really think the nobles were easy to deal with?

Retaliating against their enemies and settling grudges was the true reflection of the inner circles of nobility.

If he dared to follow them to Moxi Duchy, it would only be a matter of time before someone would scheme against West, considering his bad luck.

The resentment had been formed, this was something that couldn't be solved by just sending a political message.

Defecting wouldn't be possible; West wasn't that foolish.

If there were no accidents, he should have bravely volunteered to lead his men to the frontline, joining the Kingdom's standing army.

Given the prestige of Duke Cavadia, the military should oblige him with such minor matters.

The loss of a few hundred elite troops didn't bother Hudson. Getting rid of this ill-omened character was the key.

Seeing the relaxed expressions of the nobles, he knew everyone was thinking along the same lines.

"Baron Bazell, are you quite certain that you didn't mistake? Did Viscount West truly leave with his men?"

Hudson asked, feigning surprise.

"Viscount, how dare I lie about such a thing?

To verify the truth, I even visited Dardiel City on my way here. Viscount West was indeed not in the city, and the steward was placed in charge of managing his territory.

I learned from the steward that Viscount West had been urgently conscripted to the front lines. Due to an unexpected turn of events, he left in a hurry without bidding farewell."

Baron Bazell replied earnestly.

It wasn't because he wanted to betray West, but because the event had already transpired, and its secrecy was impossible.

The people had already left for two days, and even if everyone was bursting with rage, it was impossible for them to assemble forces and chase after them now.

Upon calculating the time, Viscount West had almost taken off with his men as soon as he returned from Bera City.

With such decisiveness, he was surely not to be compared with ordinary people.

Bidding farewell would have been impossible.

He had swindled the nobles so badly, if he dared turn up to the meeting, he would be beaten.

A nominal governor wouldn't deter the lot.

Once enraged, everyone would beat him up.

It was uncertain whether he could return alive, who would care about the face of a Grand Duke who was miles away.

Waving off the discussions from the crowd, Hudson began to speak calmly:

"Now that Governor West has been recruited by the Kingdom and left, I will take responsibility for the following affairs.

The task of aiding Moxi Duchy has now fallen onto Layton County. There is no use discussing anything else.

According to the Kingdom's regulations, the minimum soldiers sent should not be less than 15,000, and they must be elite.

There is no room for negotiation. Even without Governor West, the task cannot be discounted.

The task distribution still follows the old rules as set by the Kingdom.

Special circumstances can be considered.

Underage nobles are not required to be sent to the battlefield. But other military duties must continue to be fulfilled.

Elders can be replaced by the successors to the titles.

These are rules that everyone is aware of.

What I want to emphasize is the quality of the soldiers. They must be elite and not just any rubbish.

Even if I don't pursue it, this won't pass at the Kingdom. If you are caught then, don't blame me for having no mercy. This will be a disgrace to all of us.

You all should not be too pessimistic!

Indeed, going to Moxi Duchy is dangerous, but it is not a suicidal mission.

If you want to preserve your families' forces, that's understandable. But you need to survive first.

You can clearly make it back alive. But if you lose your life due to substandard soldiers, that would be something to laugh about!"

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