Chapter 76: Orcs

Ten days later.

On Luoxing Pingyuan.

The over three hundred thousand Bulake Kingdom Allied Forces, after ten days of reorganization and grinding, finally began to operate slowly.

Their first goal was to clear out the Orc tribes roaming around, looting villages, and threatening trade routes within the Xin Feng Province.

Once the horn of war was blown, there was no possibility of stopping.

For a time, the entire Xin Feng Province seemed to be plunged into a sea of flames and smoke.

Countless scouts were sent out to scout the traces of the Orcs.

One by one, noble private armies, led by their respective lords, began a carpet-style clearing of various areas within the province.

The two thousand troops under Roko, because they were in the Logistics and Baggage Battalion, were not sent to the most dangerous frontline battlefield.

Their main task remained protecting the priests and mages accompanying the army.

These spellcasters who mastered healing divine arts and elemental magic played a crucial role on the battlefield and naturally could not have any mistakes.

Time passed quietly in this day-after-day clearing and fighting.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

In this month, the Bulake Kingdom Allied Forces showed astonishing efficiency.

Facing the absolute numerical advantage and the devastating combat power of the Iron Lion Knights.

The Orc tribes within the Xin Feng Province had almost no power to resist.

Orc tribes, large and small, were uprooted one by one.

Countless Orcs turned into cold corpses under the blades of the human allied forces.

Those Orc heads that were cut off piled up like mountains, emitting a strong smell of blood.

According to incomplete statistics, in this month, the number of Orc heads captured by the allied forces had already exceeded one hundred thousand!

This was a number that would make anyone feel terrified.

The allied forces' camp on Luoxing Pingyuan was immersed in a kind of joy and fanaticism of victory.

Soldiers sang war songs, showing off their spoils.

Noble lords were busy counting merit, calculating how much actual benefit this war could bring them.

Even in the air, there seemed to be an optimistic and upward atmosphere.

However, beneath this seemingly peaceful scene, a trace of increasingly heavy unease quietly grew in Roko's heart.

"Hart."

In the evening, after patrolling the camp, Roko called Hart into his tent.

"Young Master."

Hart bowed and saluted.

Roko waved his hand, signaling him not to be polite.

He walked to the sand table in the tent, where the terrain of the Xin Feng Province and the progress of the allied forces' clearing of Orcs were densely marked.

"Hart, after this month, what do you feel?"

Roko's voice carried a hint of imperceptible solemnity.

Hart was slightly stunned, then pondered.

"Reporting to Young Master, subordinate feels that this clearing operation has been much smoother than expected."

"Those Orcs, although numerous and fearless of death, their combat power does not seem as strong as rumored."

"Most Orc tribes are just ordinary Orc warriors, and very few are well-equipped."

Roko nodded, his deep gaze moving slowly over the sand table.

"Yes, too smooth."

His fingertips tapped lightly on the red marks on the sand table representing the cleared Orc tribes.

"Over one hundred thousand Orc heads sounds like a brilliant achievement."

"However, Hart, have you noticed a problem?"

Hart frowned, carefully thinking about Roko's words.

A moment later, a flash of realization crossed his eyes.

"Young Master, are you talking about those high-level Orcs?"

"Exactly."

Roko's tone became serious.

"This month, we have cleared over a hundred Orc tribes, large and small."

"But Hart, try to recall, how many true powerhouses have we encountered?"

"Let alone Golden Rank or Silver Rank Orc warriors, even Bronze Rank Orc warriors can be counted on one hand."

"Is this normal?"

Upon hearing this, Hart's expression also gradually became solemn.

He recalled the battles of the past month and found that the situation was indeed as Roko said.

The Orcs they encountered were mostly cannon fodder with low strength.

Occasionally, a few powerful ones appeared, at most reaching the level of a human Great Knight.

As for Bronze Rank Orc warriors who could compete with Bronze Rank knights, they were even rarer.

"Young Master, you mean..."

Hart's voice was a bit dry.

"These Orcs seem to be just bait, or cannon fodder."

Roko's gaze became deep.

"If I'm not mistaken, the true elite of the Orcs are probably still hidden in some place we don't know."

"Or, they have a bigger plot."

A chill rose in Hart's heart.

If Roko's guess was true, then behind this seemingly brilliant victory, a huge crisis was probably hidden.

"Young Master, what should we do now?"

Hart asked anxiously.

Roko was silent for a moment, then said slowly.

"For now, don't spread this matter."

"After all, this is just my guess, and there is no solid evidence."

"Moreover, the allied forces are now immersed in the joy of victory; rashly proposing such remarks will probably only cause unnecessary panic, or even be considered alarmist."

Hart nodded; he understood Roko's concerns.

"However, we cannot sit still and wait for death."

A flash of brilliance crossed Roko's eyes.

"Hart, pick some of the sharpest scouts from our Vanguard Valley elites and let them secretly scout the border of the Xin Feng Province, especially the areas close to the Orc Wasteland."

"I need to know what the situation is over there."

"Yes! Young Master!"

Hart took the order immediately.

"In addition, I will find a way to reveal my guess to some people who can influence the decision-making level of the allied forces."

Roko's gaze looked toward the direction of the allied forces' headquarters.

He thought of his uncle-in-law, Earl Leonard Colvin.

With his uncle-in-law's connections and status in the military, if he could get his attention, perhaps it could cause some changes.

A few days later.

Roko found an opportunity and went to Earl Leonard Colvin's tent alone.

"Uncle-in-law."

Seeing Earl Leonard, Roko bowed respectfully.

"Oh? It's Roko, sit down."

Seeing Roko, Earl Leonard showed a warm smile.

He signaled Roko to sit down and personally poured him a cup of hot tea.

"You kid, have you been getting used to staying in the logistics battalion lately?"

Earl Leonard asked with a smile.

"Thanks to Uncle-in-law's care, everything is fine."

Roko replied.

"That's good."

Earl Leonard nodded.

"The operation to clear out the Orcs this time has progressed very smoothly, and the Royal Capital has also given high praise."

"Legion Commander Gelifen has already reported the first batch of merit lists, and you kid are also on the list this time."

"Although it's just the credit of the logistics battalion, it's better than nothing."

"After this war ends, you might have a chance to be promoted to the title of baron."

Earl Leonard's tone carried a hint of gratification.

Upon hearing this, Roko felt no joy.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Uncle-in-law, regarding this operation to clear out the Orcs, I have some doubts in my heart, I don't know if I should say them or not."

Earl Leonard was slightly stunned and put down the teacup in his hand.

"Oh? If you have any doubts, just say them."

Seeing Roko's slightly suspicious expression, he also put away some of his casualness.

Roko organized his language and detailed his discovery about the lack of high-level Orcs on the battlefield, as well as the worries arising from it, to Earl Leonard.

"Uncle-in-law, do you think this is normal?"

"Over one hundred thousand Orcs were slaughtered, and among them, there weren't even a few decent Bronze Rank Orc warriors."

"This is completely against common sense."

"I'm worried that these Orcs were just cannon fodder sent out to die."

"Their true main force is probably still brewing some bigger conspiracy."

After listening to Roko's narrative, Earl Leonard's brows also gradually locked together.

He had been on the battlefield for a long time and naturally understood the meaning of Roko's words.

If they only encountered the old, weak, sick, and disabled on the battlefield, it really wouldn't explain any problems.

But an Orc unit of over one hundred thousand, and there weren't even a few decent high-level Orc warriors among them—this was very abnormal.

An army without high-level combat power was no different from a mob.

"Roko, this discovery of yours is very important."

Earl Leonard's tone became serious.

"To be honest, these days, I also vaguely felt that something was not quite right."

"The war is going too smoothly, which makes people feel uneasy."

"It's just that, lacking solid evidence, it's not easy to propose it rashly."

He pondered for a moment and continued.

"You are right; the Orcs' abnormal behavior must hide some plot."

"It's just that we still can't determine what their goal is."

Seeing his uncle-in-law agree with his view, Roko felt a little relieved.

"Uncle-in-law, then what should we do now..."

Earl Leonard waved his hand and said.

"I will find a way to report this to Legion Commander Gelifen and other high-level allied forces."

"However, you also know that the allied forces are now immersed in the joy of victory; wanting to make them alert immediately is probably not easy."

"Moreover, we lack the most direct evidence."

"How about this, Roko, don't spread this for now."

"I will arrange for some trusted people to investigate this matter secretly."

"At the same time, you can also use your convenience in the logistics battalion to pay more attention to the movements of those generals of the Iron Lion Knights."

"If you can find an opportunity, you might as well chat with them privately about your views."

Roko nodded.

"I understand."

"Mm."

Earl Leonard patted Roko on the shoulder.

"You kid, having this vigilance is very good."

"Remember, on the battlefield, never be deceived by superficial victory."

"True danger is often hidden in the most inconspicuous places."

Meanwhile.

Deep in the Northland Orc Wasteland.

Inside a magnificent palace built of giant stones and Orc bones.

Dim firelight flickered, reflecting a tall and majestic figure on the throne in the center of the palace.

That was a massive Orc with dark cyan skin.

He had two horns on his head, a ferocious face, and wisdom and cruelty flickered in his pair of crimson eyes.

He was the mastermind behind this Orc invasion of the Bulake Kingdom, the Seventh Prince of the Bloodhoof Kingdom, Kagerosh

Bloodhoof.

Beneath his throne knelt an Orc commander who was also tall but appeared somewhat stupid.

"Your Highness, those warriors we sent to the Xin Feng Province have already attracted the vast majority of the Bulake Kingdom's attention."

The Orc commander reported in a rough voice.

"The Iron Lion Knights and the private armies of those human nobles have been firmly dragged into the Xin Feng Province by us."

"According to the latest intelligence, they have already cleared out nearly one hundred and fifty thousand of our clansmen!"

Speaking of this, a look of heartache appeared on the Orc commander's face.

After all, those were one hundred and fifty thousand living lives.

Upon hearing this, Prince Kagerosh curled his mouth into a cold arc.

"One hundred and fifty thousand? Hehe, using one hundred and fifty thousand lowly cannon fodder to exchange for the attention of the Bulake Kingdom, and even attracting one of the Bulake Kingdom's ace legions, the Iron Lion Knights."

"This deal is very cost-effective."

His voice was low and magnetic, forming a sharp contrast with his ferocious appearance.

"Commander, you still don't understand."

Prince Kagerosh looked at the commander at his feet with a look of near-pity.

"War is never won by numbers."

"Those wastes who aren't even Bronze Rank, no matter how many are sent out, are just sending merit to humans."

"What I want is to let them shed their last drop of blood to create opportunities for our true warriors!"

The Orc commander nodded as if he understood, but a hint of confusion still remained in his eyes.

"But, Your Highness, why don't we send our elite troops directly to break through the Xin Feng Province?"

"With our Silver Rank, or even Golden Rank warriors, those humans are simply vulnerable!"

Prince Kagerosh let out a disdainful sneer upon hearing this.

"Stupid!"

"Do you think the Bulake Kingdom is made of paper?"

"The Xin Feng Province is just a barren land they pioneered in the last few decades and is not worth us investing too much main force."

"My goal has never been that bird-don't-poop Xin Feng Province."

He stood up and walked to the edge of the palace, looking at the rich human land in the south.

"What I want is the hinterland of the Bulake Kingdom, the rich provinces behind the Xin Feng Province that have been managed for thousands of years!"

"That is where everything we Orcs need to multiply and live is!"

"Food, wealth, and more human slaves!"

The Orc commander listened with blood boiling, but was still somewhat puzzled.

"But, Your Highness, the Iron Lion Knights are the ace legion of the Bulake Kingdom; with them there, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to break through the defense lines of those provinces, right?"

Prince Kagerosh turned around, wisdom and control flickering in his eyes.

"So, we need to use our brains more."

"As one of the ace legions of the Bulake Kingdom, the Iron Lion Knights should have been dispersed and stationed in several border provinces."

"And now, most of the Iron Lion Knights have been attracted to the border area of the Xin Feng Province, and the defense of other border provinces of the Bulake Kingdom will inevitably become weak."

"At this time, I only need to send a portion of ordinary Orc armies to create some small-scale conflicts on the western border province of the Bulake Kingdom, creating an illusion that we are going to attack comprehensively."

"What do you think those high-level officials of the Bulake Kingdom will choose?"

The Orc commander scratched his head and said somewhat hesitantly.

"They should mobilize the Iron Lion Knights to reinforce the more important western provinces, right?"

"After all, the value of the Xin Feng Province is far less than those old-brand provinces."

"Smart!"

Prince Kagerosh looked at the commander approvingly.

Although this guy's brain wasn't very good, he finally had some basic judgment.

"That's right, this is an open plot, an unsolvable open plot!"

"The high-level officials of the Bulake Kingdom, as well as those generals of the Iron Lion Knights, even if they guessed my intention, even if they knew we wouldn't really attack the western border province with all our strength, they wouldn't dare to gamble!"

"Because they can't afford to gamble!"

"One side is the rich land managed with a thousand years of effort, the other side is the barren province pioneered not long ago."

"Which is heavy and which is light, it's clear at a glance."

"So, no matter how they choose, the Iron Lion Knights will inevitably leave the Xin Feng Province."

"And by then, having lost the protection of the Iron Lion Knights."

"The remaining mobs in the Xin Feng Province will be nothing but a group of lambs waiting to be slaughtered in front of our true warriors!"

"By the end, even if the Iron Lion Knights want to return to defend the Xin Feng Province, time will not allow it."

Prince Kagerosh's voice was filled with confidence and cruelty.

"And we only need to pay some insignificant cannon fodder to achieve this strategic goal."

"As for the life and death of those cannon fodder, who would care?"

"Once we occupy the Xin Feng Province and use it as an outpost for our invasion, and then slowly erode other rich lands of the Bulake Kingdom, that is the true victory!"

The Orc commander listened, dumbfounded, and the look in his eyes toward Prince Kagerosh was filled with awe and worship.

He finally understood why this young prince could be valued by the Orc King and become the supreme commander of this action to invade the Bulake Kingdom.

This deep foresight, this precise grasp of human nature, was simply breathtaking.

"Your Highness is wise!"

The Orc commander exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

Prince Kagerosh waved his hand and sat back on the throne.

"Pass my order, let the troops lurking in the western border province of the Bulake Kingdom start acting."

"Remember, the movement must be big, but don't really invest too many troops."

"I want to let those idiots of the Bulake Kingdom feel enough pressure, but not enough to make them jump over the wall in a hurry."

"Yes! Your Highness!"

The Orc commander took the order and left.

In the empty palace, only Prince Kagerosh remained.

He closed his eyes, a bloodthirsty smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Bulake Kingdom, wait to welcome the wrath of my Bloodhoof Kingdom!"

Just as Prince Kagerosh had expected.

The smooth days of the Iron Lion Knights and the Kingdom Allied Forces in the Xin Feng Province did not last long.

Just as they had cleared out most of the Orc tribes within the Xin Feng Province and were preparing to push toward the border area, or even push back into the Orc Wasteland.

A shocking piece of news exploded in the high-level allied forces like a heavy bomb.

Three important western border provinces of the Bulake Kingdom—Sunset Province, Silver Moon Province, and Alva Province—were simultaneously attacked by large-scale Orcs!

According to the emergency military situation sent from the border, Orc armies of over one hundred thousand appeared on the border lines of the three western provinces.

These Orcs attacked fiercely and were well-equipped, obviously coming prepared.

The garrison troops of the three provinces retreated steadily under the fierce attacks of the Orcs, suffering heavy losses.

Dozens of towns on the border line were lost, and countless civilians were slaughtered.

For a time, the entire border of the Bulake Kingdom was plunged into panic and chaos.

The high-level officials of the Bulake Kingdom were furious and terrified after receiving the news.

They immediately realized that this was likely a large-scale invasion by the Orc main force.

And the first to bear the brunt were the three western border provinces that were economically developed and densely populated.

If these three western border provinces fell, it would be a devastating blow to the entire Bulake Kingdom.

Thus, a stern order was sent to the commander of the allied forces in the Xin Feng Province, Legion Commander Gelifen Aogusudu, at the fastest speed.

The content of the order was simple: it required the Iron Lion Knights to immediately stop military operations in the Xin Feng Province and rush to reinforce the three western border provinces, must block the Orc invaders outside the national border!

Luoxing Pingyuan, Allied Forces Headquarters.

Inside the huge tent, the atmosphere was heavy enough to make one suffocated.

Legion Commander Gelifen sat in the main seat, holding that emergency military order from the Royal Capital, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

Below him were the senior generals of the Iron Lion Knights and all the pioneer nobles with real power in the Xin Feng Province.

Roko and his two uncles, Baron Leo and Baron Ban En, were also among them.

"Everyone."

Legion Commander Gelifen spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and deep.

"I believe everyone already knows that something big has happened in the western border provinces of the Kingdom."

He handed the military order in his hand to the adjutant beside him, signaling him to read it to everyone.

When the adjutant finished reading the content of the military order in a heavy tone, a sound of gasping for air echoed in the tent.

Everyone's face showed shock and unease.

"Legion Commander, is, is this true?"

A pioneer earl asked with a trembling voice.

"Did the Orcs really invade the three western provinces on a large scale?"

Legion Commander Gelifen nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"The military situation is urgent, no doubt."

"The order from the Royal Capital is for our Iron Lion Knights to immediately abandon the Xin Feng Province and reinforce the west."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the tent became even more oppressive.

These pioneer nobles of the Xin Feng Province all turned pale.

They knew very well that once they lost the protection of the Iron Lion Knights, just relying on the allied forces composed of their noble private armies,

It was impossible to resist the attack of the true elites of the Orc Wasteland.

By then, the entire Xin Feng Province would become a paradise for Orcs to ravage.

Their territories, their wealth, their lives, would all be under serious threat.

"Legion Commander! Absolutely not!"

A baron shouted urgently.

"Although the Orcs in the Xin Feng Province have been temporarily suppressed, on the border line, there are still Orc tribes entrenched in large numbers!"

"Once the Iron Lion Knights withdraw, those Orcs will definitely make a comeback!"

"By then, our Xin Feng Province will be completely finished!"

"Yeah, Legion Commander! Please think twice!"

"We are willing to exhaust everything to support the Iron Lion Knights in continuing to clear out the Orcs!"

For a time, the tent was filled with indignation, pleas, and dissuasion.

Legion Commander Gelifen raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

His face showed no expression.

But in those deep eyes, a hint of imperceptible brilliance flickered.

"Everyone's mood, I can understand."

Legion Commander Gelifen said slowly.

"The Xin Feng Province is the new land of the Bulake Kingdom and the home pioneered by everyone with painstaking effort."

"I, Gelifen, also don't want to see it destroyed by the Orcs."

"However, I cannot defy the Kingdom's order."

"Moreover, the safety of the three western provinces relates to the lifeline of the entire Kingdom, and its importance is far above that of the Xin Feng Province."

"On this point, I believe everyone has a count in their hearts."

Hearing these words from Legion Commander Gelifen, the hearts of the pioneer nobles in the tent turned cold by half.

They knew that these words from the Legion Commander were equivalent to setting the tone for the withdrawal of the Iron Lion Knights.

Just as everyone felt despair, Legion Commander Gelifen changed the subject.

"However..."

His gaze swept slowly over every noble present.

"I, Gelifen, although I am the Legion Commander of the Iron Lion Knights, I am also a noble of the Bulake Kingdom."

"I know deeply that the honor and territory of nobles are sacred and inviolable."

"So, regarding the stay or departure of the Iron Lion Knights, I have decided to hand this choice to everyone present."

"What?!"

As soon as this was said, the whole audience was shocked.

Everyone looked at Legion Commander Gelifen with an expression of disbelief.

Handing the stay or departure of the Iron Lion Knights to them, these pioneer nobles, to decide?

This was simply unheard of!

Roko's heart also stirred slightly.

He keenly noticed that this Legion Commander, known as the "Iron-Blooded Lion," was probably not that simple.

Sure enough, what Legion Commander Gelifen said next confirmed his guess.

"I will hold a military council."

"All pioneer nobles who own territory in the Xin Feng Province have the right to vote."

"You can vote to decide whether the Iron Lion Knights will continue to stay in the Xin Feng Province to clear out the Orcs."

"Or obey the order of the Royal Capital and reinforce the three western provinces."

"The final voting result will determine the action of the Iron Lion Knights."

"However..."

Legion Commander Gelifen's tone suddenly became sharp.

"Everyone's vote will be recorded in detail."

"I will personally report this record, as well as the final voting result, to His Majesty the King and the ministers of the Kingdom."

"If,"

"Because of your choice, the Kingdom has suffered huge losses..."

"Then, this voting record will become ironclad evidence

Boom!

Legion Commander Gelifen's words struck the hearts of all the nobles present like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky.

Those nobles who had been secretly pleased, thinking they could force the Iron Lion Knights to stay in the Xin Feng Province—

now had faces as pale as death, with cold sweat streaming down their backs.

They finally understood Legion Commander Gelifen's sinister intentions!

This was no choice being offered to them at all.

This was clearly him dumping a massive, black pot of blame onto them!

If they voted for the Iron Lion Knights to stay, and the three western provinces truly fell because of it—

then every single one of those nobles who voted would become a sinner of the Kingdom!

By then, forget about any promotion in rank; whether they could even keep their current territories and their lives would be an unknown.

But if they voted for the Iron Lion Knights to leave, what would happen to the Xin Feng Province?

Without the protection of the Iron Lion Knights, what would they use to resist the Orcs' offensive?

This was simply a desperate dilemma!

Roko watched the nobles around him, their expressions shifting uncertainly, and sneered inwardly.

This Legion Commander Gelifen was truly an old fox.

This move of his was played with absolute brilliance.

He had both complied with the Royal Capital's orders and cleverly shifted all responsibility away, leaving himself clean.

No matter the final outcome, he, Legion Commander Gelifen, would remain in an invincible position.

And the ones who would always be unlucky were the pioneer nobles like them, struggling to survive in the Xin Feng Province.

Roko's gaze met that of his seventh uncle, Leo, and his twelfth uncle, Ban En, not far away.

Both uncles' faces were filled with bitterness and helplessness.

They clearly saw through Legion Commander Gelifen's scheme as well, but were powerless to do anything about it.

In the face of absolute power, any conspiracy or trickery appeared so pale and weak.

"Gentlemen, I give you one day to consider."

Legion Commander Gelifen's voice rose again, breaking the deathly silence within the tent.

"At this time tomorrow, we shall hold the vote here."

"I hope you will all make a wise choice."

Having said this, he stood up.

Surrounded by a group of personal guards, he strode out of the tent.

Leaving behind a tent full of pioneer nobles, looking at each other with worried and miserable faces.

The military meeting broke up in discord.

Roko followed his two uncles and several other familiar nobles out of the central main tent.

Along the way, the atmosphere was so oppressive it made it hard to breathe.

"This Gelifen is truly too sinister!"

Seventh Uncle Leo couldn't help but curse in a low voice.

"He is forcing us onto a path to death!"

Twelfth Uncle Ban En also sighed, his face full of sorrow.

"What should we do now?"

"Should we vote for the Iron Lion Knights to stay, or let them leave?"

Several nobles around them also spoke up one after another, their words filled with anxiety and unease.

"In my opinion, we should let them leave."

A Count said hesitantly.

"The safety of the three western provinces, after all, concerns the stability of the entire Kingdom."

"If we forcibly keep the Iron Lion Knights, and something truly goes wrong over there, we cannot bear that responsibility."

"But if the Iron Lion Knights leave, what about our Xin Feng Province?"

Another Baron retorted.

"Are we just going to watch our own territories be destroyed by the Orcs?"

"This..."

The group fell into silence once more.

Roko had not spoken, only listening silently to everyone's discussion.

In his heart, he had already made his decision.

In his view, the departure of the Iron Lion Knights was almost a certainty.

Just as Legion Commander Gelifen said, the importance of the three western provinces was far greater than that of the Xin Feng Province.

No matter how these pioneer nobles voted, the high-level officials of the Bulake Kingdom could not possibly allow the Iron Lion Knights to remain in the Xin Feng Province.

The so-called vote was merely a formality for Legion Commander Gelifen, a means to reasonably shift the responsibility.

Furthermore, Roko vaguely felt that the Orcs' actions in the three western provinces this time might very well be a feint.

Their true target might still be the Xin Feng Province.

After all, one picks the softest persimmon to squeeze.

The Xin Feng Province, having lost the Iron Lion Knights, was undoubtedly a piece of fat meat easier to chew in the eyes of the Orcs.

"Seventh Uncle, Twelfth Uncle."

Roko suddenly spoke up.

"In my opinion, for tomorrow's vote, we should still choose to let the Iron Lion Knights leave."

"What?"

Seventh Uncle and Twelfth Uncle looked at Roko with some surprise upon hearing this.

"Roko, you are..."

Roko smiled slightly and explained.

"Two uncles, think about it: even if we all voted for the Iron Lion Knights to stay, would they really stay? Would Legion Commander Gelifen dare to defy the Royal Capital's orders?"

The two uncles looked at each other, both seeing a glimmer of realization in the other's eyes.

"Moreover, if we forcibly keep the Iron Lion Knights, and something goes wrong in the three western provinces, then our Raymond Family will likely be implicated."

"Although our Raymond Family's strength and foundation are very powerful,"

"even not inferior to some old-fashioned Duke families,"

"this kind of matter is, after all, a trouble."

Hearing Roko's words, the expressions of Seventh Uncle and Twelfth Uncle became solemn.

They knew that what Roko said made a lot of sense.

Although the Raymond Family was powerful, it could not withstand such turmoil.

"Then are we just going to watch the Xin Feng Province fall into the hands of the Orcs?"

Seventh Uncle said with some unwillingness.

A flash of brilliance crossed Roko's eyes.

"Of course not."

"The Kingdom will not truly sit idly by regarding the Xin Feng Province."

"As long as we can hold out for a period of time, until the Kingdom gathers other ace legions to reinforce us, the crisis of the Xin Feng Province"

"can naturally be resolved."

"By then, we nobles who held our ground in the Xin Feng Province during this time of crisis and fought in blood,"

"will likely gain far more merit and prestige than we have now."

Roko's words were like a beacon, illuminating the confusion in his two uncles' hearts.

They looked at the Roko before them, their eyes filled with surprise and approval.

Once upon a time, this little guy who still needed their protection had now grown to the point where he could stand on his own and devise strategies.

"Good lad! That makes sense!"

Seventh Uncle Leo slapped his thigh, his fighting spirit reignited in his eyes.

"Damn it, let's just do it!"

Twelfth Uncle Ban En also nodded and said in a deep voice.

"Well said."

"Since that's the case, for tomorrow's vote, we will listen to you."

The next day.

Inside the central main tent of the Allied Command, all the pioneer nobles of the Xin Feng Province gathered once again.

After a night of torment and weighing options, everyone's face carried a trace of exhaustion and determination.

The voting process was simple and swift.

Under the cold gaze of Legion Commander Gelifen, the vast majority of nobles made the same choice as Roko.

Agreeing to the Iron Lion Knights' withdrawal from the Xin Feng Province to reinforce the west.

After all, no one wanted to become a sinner of the Kingdom, nor did they want to use their own lives and property as a gamble.

The moment the voting results were announced, a subtle smile appeared on Legion Commander Gelifen's face.

Everything was within his grasp.

That afternoon.

The thirty thousand Iron Lion Knights, led personally by Legion Commander Gelifen, broke camp and set off.

They did not take the land route, but headed directly to the provincial capital of the Xin Feng Province, Pu La Da City.

There, a long-distance magic teleportation array, built at great cost, could transport them to the western border of the Bulake Kingdom at the fastest speed.

Although the number of people per teleportation was limited, and there was a certain interval required between teleportations,

it was at least countless times faster than marching directly to the western border provinces.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the tall walls of Pu La Da City with a layer of golden halo.

On the teleportation array in the central area of the provincial capital, the massive magic array flashed with dazzling white light, emitting energy fluctuations that made one's heart palpitate.

Squads of Iron Lion Knights, clad in heavy armor and holding sharp blades, walked into the teleportation array expressionlessly.

With a flash of white light, their figures disappeared.

Roko stood on the city wall, looking at this scene from afar, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

From this moment on, the fate of the Xin Feng Province would truly be in the hands of these pioneer nobles themselves.