Chapter 511: Chapter 245: Military Merits Doubled

By now, Robson and his army had already traveled a fair distance.

Robson had previously acquired a large quantity of Magical Beast Meat from the Tiger Race Royal City, so there was no need to go out of their way to hunt for more.

After marching for some time, Robson had Ais make arrangements for the soldiers’ "blessing."

The term "blessing" was the soldiers’ own invention. When Robson had previously explained battle aura, he’d used a god as a convenient explanation. As a result, many believed that the reason they grew stronger under their Lord was because he was a divine incarnation who had bestowed his blessing upon them.

In a way, they weren’t far from the truth. The silvery-white battle aura from his system panel did have a rather divine quality to it.

Another morning arrived, and battle aura permeated the entire camp.

However, far fewer soldiers were advancing this time compared to the last.

The old batch of Tier Six Warriors had mostly completed their advancement, while the new batch had yet to reach that level, creating a gap in numbers.

After all, the experience required to advance from Tier Six to Tier Seven was an astronomical amount, at least for the rank-and-file soldiers.

.....

Robson stepped out of his tent. He gazed at the camp, filled with the pervasive battle aura, and was about to stretch and order the army to resume its march. Just then, a frantic Ais galloped up to him.

"What is it? What’s happened?" Robson asked, his brow furrowed.

"Lord, last night, there was a...

...I don’t know what it was. It was yellow and carried people. They claimed they were here to deliver an order from His Majesty the King," Ais said.

Ais had never seen a Dragonhawk, so he had no idea what the creature was.

’His Majesty the King!’

Robson frowned at the news.

He couldn’t afford to be careless when it came to the King, so he immediately took the message from Ais’s hand.

One glance at the envelope confirmed it bore the royal insignia.

"What is it? What happened?"

Just then, a groggy Valentino emerged, still clad in her armor.

Robson remained silent, his eyes fixed on the letter as he read it word for word.

The gist of it was an offer of rewards in exchange for a swift advance.

Even Robson couldn’t help but be stunned by its contents.

A council seat!

’He hadn’t even dealt with Kemal yet, and the Royal Capital was already making such a generous offer. If I actually pull this off, what more could they give me?’

At the very least, if Robson could secure a high-ranking noble title now, his future position in the Frank Kingdom would be all but guaranteed.

Valentino leaned in, looking curiously at the letter in Robson’s hands.

After she finished reading, her jaw fell slightly open.

’When did Louis III become so generous?’

But Valentino had a sharp political mind, and it didn’t take her long to figure out the reason behind it.

"The King wants to prop us up!"

Why "us" and not just Robson? Because everyone knew the connection between the Fengman Clan and Robson.

Robson’s eyes showed his approval upon hearing her words.

"That’s what I figured."

"He likely feels the Southern Faction is growing too powerful and wants us to become an independent power."

"At the same time, we can be used to check the nobles of the Northern Faction," Robson added.

Although the Southern Faction seemed the most powerful at the moment, they didn’t actually control that much of the kingdom’s territory. Their noble houses numbered only three-quarters of the Northern Faction’s.

And that was only after Louis II’s previous... questionable maneuvers.

Before Louis II, the Northern Faction’s position within the kingdom was one of absolute dominance. Most of the realm’s conflicts were merely internal squabbles among the northerners.

It was inevitable that the Northern Faction would rise again in a few years. It’s possible that Louis II’s dubious schemes were an attempt to weaken them in the first place.

Especially after the death of Marquis Oscillate.

The Southern Faction currently held a firm advantage over the Northern Faction, even rivaling the Royal Family’s power. This was mainly due to Marquis Oscillate, who had kept the southern nobles perfectly united.

This was also why Louis III had allowed the marriage alliance between the Edward family and the Fengman Clan—it was all a preemptive measure.

Now, it was clear that Louis III wanted Robson to break away and become a completely independent force, ensuring there would be someone to challenge Marquis George in the future.

After all, Marquis George was only in his thirties. In politics, youth is the greatest asset. If you can’t defeat your opponent, you can often just wait for time to do it for you. But that wouldn’t work with George.

"In that case, our current marching speed is definitely not fast enough," Robson said with a frown.

He had also recently received a letter from the Gray Dwarves, which included a map of the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

Affleck was near the Demon Beast Mountain Range, and this map would be of great use to Robson in the future.

Robson turned to Ais.

’This business with Kemal is now completely tied to me, Lord Robson. There’s no room for carelessness.’

"Ais, relay my orders! Tell the entire army that this is the final battle."

"If we reach the battlefield within five days, everyone Tier Six and above gets a half-rank bonus to their military merits. Everyone below Tier Six gets a full-rank bonus."

"If we make it in three days, those Tier Six and above get a full-rank bonus, and those below Tier Six get a two-rank bonus."

"Do you understand?" Robson asked.

Ais’s expression faltered upon hearing the orders.

Even Valentino was stunned.

It wasn’t the military merits that shocked her; Valentino had yet to appreciate the appeal of that system.

What shocked her most were the three words he had spoken: "the final battle"!

Valentino knew the weight of Robson’s prestige within the army. If he declared this to be the final battle, then for the soldiers, it *was* the final battle.

If Robson were to go back on his word, the resulting blow to morale and the damage to his personal prestige would be catastrophic.

But for humanity, invading the Beastman Grassland was only the beginning of the feast...

Robson naturally noticed Valentino’s concern and patted her on the shoulder.

"Valentino, I know what you’re thinking."

"You have to make sacrifices to get things done."

As Robson spoke, a sharp, determined glint appeared in his eyes.

In both his past life and his present one, experience had taught Robson a single truth: to achieve great things, you must be willing to risk everything.

This was a time for the courage to burn one’s bridges.

Valentino nodded in understanding.

She understood the principle, but being young, she didn’t fully grasp just how rare such an opportunity was.

As she thought about it, a sense of tension grew within her.

Barring any surprises, this war would likely determine the heights Robson could reach, and by extension, the future of their children.

As a woman of her time, Valentino naturally found herself thinking about the future for her and Robson’s children.

’Can he do it?’ Valentino wondered, but looking at the man beside her, her restless heart began to settle.

’Even if he can’t, it doesn’t really matter.’

Ais shared Valentino’s concerns, but he knew his place. Though he had his own opinions, he wouldn’t voice them unless Robson asked.

The military order was quickly relayed. Throughout the army, the previously stagnant atmosphere was instantly swept away.

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