Chapter 516: Chapter 250: Watching from the Ramparts

Valentino was politically astute. Listening to Robson’s words, she soon understood and began to smile as well.

’This was what Valentino found most incredible about him. The man before her seemed to have no weaknesses, either militarily or politically, and his mind worked so quickly.’

Valentino didn’t mind deceiving the Gray Dwarves in the slightest; in fact, it pleased her.

Valentino was also aware of Robson’s schemes on the Beastman Grassland. She didn’t believe for a second that Robson would simply abandon those Gnolls once the war was over.

She had seen the strength of those Gnolls firsthand; they would undoubtedly be enough for Robson to carve out a rich piece of territory for himself on the Beastman Grassland in the future.

Though they were conversing pleasantly with the Gray Dwarves now, they were destined to become enemies later.

Valentino saw no problem with letting the Gray Dwarves and the Beastmen tear each other apart.

The Gray Dwarves... In this world, it was said that the Gray Dwarves and the other so-called dark races were masters of conspiracy and intrigue.

However, when people said this, they never bothered to include elves and humans in the calculation.

After all, if those two races were included, the Gray Dwarves wouldn’t even rank.

Ais, standing off to the side, scratched his head. He looked at Valentino, who was smirking, and Robson, who had a faint smile playing on his lips, and felt a sense of baffled awe.

Ais couldn’t fathom the deeper reasons behind Robson’s actions.

What Ais did understand, however, was that if his lord didn’t help the Gray Dwarves, they would likely have to face the Beastman Army’s vanguard all on their own.

"Alright, don’t worry.

The Gray Dwarves can’t be that weak, and the Beastman Army won’t break through their camp so quickly."

It wasn’t necessary, but Robson decided to explain anyway.

"In that case, we don’t need to march so quickly anymore.

Send word down the line. We’re changing our destination. Arrive at the new location within three days, and the reward will still be calculated at the highest tier," Robson said.

"Relay this message to Bo Yang and his men as well. Tell them to pick up the pace and catch up with us."

Though the route had changed, Robson knew that this was not the time to alter the promised reward.

He had announced the previous order publicly. If he went back on his word now, it would be extremely damaging to his, Lord Robson’s, future prestige.

Besides, his ultimate goal had been achieved: the Beast Emperor and the Gray Dwarves were now engaged in battle and wouldn’t be able to disengage anytime soon.

Compared to some meager gains, Robson cared far more about his reputation within the army.

"As you command!" Ais nodded.

Robson nodded. After a moment of thought, he had his Personal Guard hand him two sheets of Magic Letter Paper. He scribbled on them before handing them to Valentino.

Valentino leaned in to read them. The corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably, like a little miser who had just spotted a mountain of gold.

"See any issues? If not, have the Griffin Knights deliver them," Robson said.

"You’ve thought of everything. Let’s do it this way," Valentino said.

....

「Gray Dwarf Camp.」

By now, it was morning.

The Wolf Cavalry, personally led by the Beast Emperor, had dealt King Monroe a devastating blow.

King Monroe had now pieced together the timeline of the entire battle. Starting yesterday afternoon, Beast Emperor Kemal had begun to assemble his Wolf Cavalry. By the time they departed, night had already fallen.

Griffins were not suited for flying in the dark.

The Beast Emperor had covered the hundred-li distance in less than three hours, charging right up to them and breaking through the front camp.

Monroe had expected the enemy to press their advantage and destroy the central camp. Instead, the Beast Emperor drove the routed troops from the front lines to the gates of the central camp, then led his forces to annihilate the Gray Dwarves’ vassal tribes in the surrounding area.

Monroe had wanted to send troops to intercept them, but he couldn’t quickly assemble a force capable of a head-on charge against the Beastman Wolf Cavalry. By the time he had gathered his soldiers, there was no trace of the Beastmen outside the camp.

Monroe looked around. The expressions on the faces of his Gray Dwarf officers and soldiers were grim.

The pretext Monroe had used for his rebellion—to "cleanse the court of treacherous officials"—had become a joke the moment Kemal himself appeared on the battlefield.

Fortunately, however, the Gray Dwarf soldiers harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Purple-blooded Beastmen. So what if it was open rebellion? It didn’t make much of a difference to them.

What truly demoralized everyone was the sight of that Wolf Cavalry last night.

Rebellion wasn’t terrifying. What was terrifying was rebelling against an enemy this powerful.

"Your Majesty, the losses among the vassal tribes have been tallied. Please review the report."

As Monroe was fuming with frustration, a Gray Dwarf official approached and handed him a report.

King Monroe was already vexed, and seeing the names of the tribes on the report only made him more so.

"Take this away. Mark all of them down, these tribes..."

Monroe had been about to say they would hunt down and kill every last one of them in the future.

But on second thought, he realized if he kept killing them off, he wouldn’t have much strength left for his rebellion. His anger deflated.

"Sigh... Forget it.

Go find them privately. Use whatever means necessary—threats, promises—to make them all return.

If any refuse to return, their Chieftains are to be... dealt with on the spot," Monroe said.

"Is there any news from the humans?" Monroe asked.

"Several Knight Orders from Bronze Pass are already on their way."

"At their speed, how much longer will it take?"

"An estimated four or five days."

Four or five days...

Monroe frowned.

Four or five days. He estimated that the Beast Emperor’s main army of over ten thousand would arrive on the battlefield as early as tonight.

’Considering Kemal’s frenzy last night...’

Though he couldn’t understand why, Monroe was now certain of one thing: Kemal was coming to drag him down with him.

’In four or five days, who knew how devastating his own losses would be.’

Ever since he figured out the Beast Emperor’s plan, King Monroe’s own strategy had shifted. Previously, he’d aimed to stop Kemal; now, he was focused on how to preserve as much of his own strength as possible.

"Is there any news from Robson’s camp?" King Monroe asked, a sliver of hope in his voice.

Compared to the humans from Bronze Pass, King Monroe was far more eager for Robson to enter the fray.

For one, Robson was closer.

For another, King Monroe felt that Robson was different—different from all those other Frankish Nobles.

The Frankish Nobles viewed the Beastmen as mortal enemies, but Robson lacked that fanaticism. He was even willing to employ non-humans as his own subordinates.

King Monroe felt that Robson was the kind of person he could actually negotiate with.

The Gray Dwarf official was about to shake his head when the cry of a griffin echoed from the distance.

"It’s those humans!"

Monroe looked up at the griffin in the sky.

He had a prior agreement with Robson; they had established secret signals for one another.

"Let them come down," King Monroe said.

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