[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela":3,"chapter-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-90":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Exiled from the Start and Dominating the Wasteland with an Intelligence System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1688690,2155,"Chapter 90 : Chapter 90","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>Chapter 90. A Marriage Alliance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bang—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive fist wrapped in a steel gauntlet smashed down onto the heavy oak desk, making the solid wood groan under the blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How — dare — he — !!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roar of Marquess Marcus shook the window lattice of the commander’s residence study until it buzzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive frame trembled slightly with extreme fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the letter he had just slammed onto the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Colluding with the rebel army! Inviting wolves into the house! Selling out the Western Frontier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn that Medici! Damn that Sabda! Does he really think I’m dead?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like father, like son! Back then, his father used shady tricks to stir up trouble everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now this brat runs right under my nose and starts pulling the same treacherous stunt?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does he take our Western Frontier for? Some tool in his hand?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spittle nearly sprayed into the face of Sir Lucius, who sat calmly across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The governor who held the highest authority in the Western Frontier still wore almost no expression at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended long fingers and leisurely took up the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquess Marcus,” Lucius said in a calm, even voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this is true... then this Sabda Medici truly is a ruthless man who will stop at nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lightly rubbed the letter between his fingers. For some reason, the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus panted heavily, his chest rising and falling violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Lucius! Evidence! Although that boy Eli failed to seize hard proof, there is no smoke without fire!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I request that troops be mobilized at once! Runestone City must be thoroughly investigated! This precedent must never be allowed to stand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the Western Frontier’s defenses will become meaningless, and anyone will be able to collude with the enemy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius did not answer directly. Instead, as if making casual conversation, he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the Hohenzollern Family... are there any unmarried legitimate women of suitable age in this generation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus’s blazing fury caught in his throat at that abrupt question. Then his eyes widened in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Lucius! What are you trying to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My only niece is already betrothed to the second son of that old fox in the Alders Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That matter is settled! Don’t set your sights on her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Then that is... unfortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius gave a slight nod, though there was little real regret in his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Eli’s intelligence proves true, and if we can use this opportunity\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to uproot that malignant tumor, Sabda Medici, together with the remnant federal army tied to him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then Eli, having received such aid from us,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>will likely cease to be an insignificant nail on the southwestern border.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius’s gaze grew deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he repels an attack from two sides and takes in Runestone City, perhaps even part of the legacy left behind by the remnant federal army...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then that strength will expand rapidly. He will become the true lord of the southwestern Western Frontier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then looked directly at Marcus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Power itself is neither good nor evil. The key lies in whose hands it rests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And... whether it can be controlled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus’s thick brows drew together. “Sir, you mean...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A marriage alliance.” Rarely, Lucius smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is the most common and most effective method. An uncontrollable force is drawn into a controllable system through the bond of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did not that boy proclaim in his letter, in such stirring terms, that he would be ‘eternally loyal to the Western Frontier’?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, then let him prove it through action. Let him be joined in marriage to the Western Frontier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus stared at Lucius’s still nearly expressionless face, and the corner of his mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Lucius... as expected of a man who came out of the royal capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A politician’s heart really was black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Eli had been here, he too would have had to admire Sir Lucius’s far-reaching vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there were only about three ways to handle complicated relationships—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>treat them well, kill them, or take them in as a dog. And at this moment, the last option was undoubtedly the best one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then who is the candidate?” Marcus suppressed the urge to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Count Hulen’s family has no daughter of suitable age. As for the daughter of Marquess Claire’s family... I fear they would never think much of a mere baron like Eli, and might not be willing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the other families...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius cut off his selection process directly, his voice as calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the collateral branch of the La Roche Family, there is a girl named Mies La Roche. She is eighteen, accomplished in character and appearance, and still unwed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh... what?!” Marcus was utterly shocked. He nearly thought he had heard wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“La... La Roche?! Sir! You mean... a daughter from the duke’s family... even if only from a collateral branch?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, that is still La Roche blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this... not giving him far too much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli Pendragon is only a baron right now. This...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To marry a woman of a ducal family into the house of a newly risen baron?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was virtually unheard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no longer a simple matter of marriage and political co-option. It was almost a favor bestowed upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What it represented was Lucius’s personal regard for Eli Pendragon, a regard almost unimaginable in its weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head slightly and looked out at the gray sky above Thorn City beyond the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquess Marcus,” he said softly. “I... can no longer see the kingdom’s clearly visible future beneath the whirlpool...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sentence struck Marcus like thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could no longer see the future? What did that mean?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be... could it be that the whirlpool in the royal capital had already reached the point of no reconciliation, and was on the verge of erupting into... civil war?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then every frontier...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucius’s gaze fell once more on Marcus’s stunned face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Eli Pendragon... he is of an age with Constantine, and he has some ability as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We... are already old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps... letting him become a source of support for Constantine in the future would be a good choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus opened his mouth, but the flood of information crashing over him left him unable to speak for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark clouds over the royal capital, Lucius’s arrangements for the heir, and his extraordinary gamble on Eli...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all of it pointed toward a future that made Marcus’s heart pound uneasily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha! You may be old, Sir, but I’m not old yet! I can still take the field for the Western Frontier and kill the enemy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Sir, all of this rests on one premise: Eli’s intelligence must be true!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabda colluding with traitors—this is the bottom line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without conclusive proof, we have no cause for action, much less any marriage arrangement afterward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There will be evidence.” Lucius returned to his customary calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquess Marcus, in my name, issue a secret order. Dispatch a squad of Golden Lions to the southwest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Have them investigate the unusual movements in the direction of Runestone City. If this proves true...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then let them assist Baron of Lucerne Eli Pendragon, and place themselves under his command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Lion Knights!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus’s heart gave a violent jolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most core and elite fighting force of the La Roche Family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its symbolic importance and actual combat strength were both extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To send out a squad of Golden Lions... if Sabda truly had a problem, then with the Golden Lions present, that would be enough to become the final straw that broke the camel’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! Sir! I will see to it immediately!” Marcus said no more. He turned and strode out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, in Lucerne City, the study inside the City Lord’s residence was brightly lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brandon, who had just received Eli’s urgent order by raven,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was carefully reading the short but weighty secret letter in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows were knit tightly as he ran a hand through the black hair that seemed to be growing thicker atop his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bol!” he called sharply, urgency in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened, and the burly Bol strode in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it, Lord Brandon?! Are we going to war?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whom has the lord ordered us to fight? I’ll gather the brothers at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brandon looked at this knight, whose desire for battle was forever running hot, and gave a helpless, bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed Eli’s secret letter over. “Whom are we going to fight? Heh... others are coming to fight us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bol took the letter and scanned it quickly. The excitement on his face froze at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Runestone City... Sabda? And the remnant federal army too? Three parties?! Lord Brandon, then we...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The lord’s order is this: Lucerne City is to enter a state of war preparedness immediately!” Brandon gave the command with absolute firmness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bol, go do one thing at once. In the lord’s name and mine, carry out an emergency recruitment of new soldiers in Lucerne City!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number is two hundred! No fewer—only more! They must be strong in body and quick with their hands and feet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell them this is the time to defend their homes! Treatment will be generous, and merit will be rewarded after the war! You have two days!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they are gathered, their training and organization will also be entirely in your hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord!” Feeling the gravity of the situation, Bol asked no further questions and turned to rush out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!” Brandon called him back and added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move fast, but... try not to stir up so much resentment that the citizens resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are defending our land, not invading someone else’s! Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This subordinate understands!” Bol nodded heavily and disappeared out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brandon stood alone behind the desk, looking out at the silent night over Lucerne City, his heart weighed down like a stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Runestone City, a Western Frontier count, and the remnant federal army...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those three forces were like an invisible noose slowly tightening around Black Territory and Lucerne City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had to make every preparation before that noose cinched shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his pen and began swiftly writing out one order after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reinforce the city defenses, inspect the armory, requisition laborers, stockpile grain and fodder, strengthen city patrols and the curfew...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All forces were converging upon this stretch of land in the southwestern Western Frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without realizing it, Eli’s twin cities had already become the center of the whirlpool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>",1781,"2026-06-06T13:50:45.844Z",1,"novelbin.me","20a1d32993e3a212c6cf4a61c7e85424b73ac94b44bf71d92624f2b170cf4d35","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-91","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-89",112,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fexiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-cover.jpg"]