Chapter 419: This Is Reality!

"Must he appear on the list? Who is it?" the President asked in surprise.

He did not understand why Duke Lieshi would say such a thing.

And who was this noble referring to?

"It is Viscount Gervas of the Southern Region!" Duke Lieshi was quite straightforward, giving the answer directly.

"Gervas? This... Duke Lieshi, can you tell me why there is such a proposal?"

The President looked at Duke Lieshi in shock, truly unable to fathom why Duke Lieshi would target Gervas.

Even the other great nobles turned to look at Duke Lieshi in surprise.

"Mr. President, the strength of Gervas's subordinates is very great, especially his spear soldiers; every time they manage to prevent the orcs from breaking through!"

"Therefore, I believe that if Gervas is sent to the rear of the orcs to block their retreat, it will play an even greater role in delaying the orcs!" Duke Lieshi replied.

Hearing the explanation given by Duke Lieshi, although it seemed reasonable, the President knew clearly that this was definitely not the true reason for Duke Lieshi's proposal.

After all, whether sending Gervas or dispatching other minor nobles, the effect they would have when the orcs were in retreat was about the same.

After all, at that time, the orcs would only think of retreating and would not truly get entangled.

So, the manpower they could tie up was limited.

The President did not answer immediately but looked at Duke Hernand.

Duke Hernand still valued Gervas quite highly; he wanted to see what opinion Duke Hernand held.

At this moment, Duke Hernand seemed somewhat lost; after pondering for a moment, he said, "Duke Lieshi, Gervas is at least the noble with the greatest merit in this campaign, yet you want to send him to carry out such a task; this is far too unreasonable!"

"If the orcs do not come to attack these garrison locations, then there will simply be no merit!"

"But if the orcs do come to attack, it will fall into danger, because these garrison points cannot receive any support from us!"

"So, for Gervas, this meritorious figure, is this not too unfair? Is this not chilling his heart?"

Duke Hernand indeed did not disappoint the President; he indeed refuted Duke Lieshi's proposal!

And with Duke Hernand speaking first, the President also prepared to fight for Gervas.

"Duke Lieshi, what Duke Hernand says makes sense. I, as the President, cannot chill the heart of a meritorious figure; otherwise, who will fight hard in the future? Therefore, I cannot accept Your Grace's proposal!"

Duke Lieshi frowned slightly.

Of course, he had actually foreseen this; it was not so easy to get the President to agree.

After all, he had personally witnessed the President's high regard for that Gervas before.

"Mr. President, Duke Hernand, actually, I have another reason why Gervas must be sent to guard these passes, but..."

Duke Lieshi paused, looking at the assembly of Marquises and Counts, "However, this reason can only be known by the three of us!"

The President was stunned, wondering what trickery Duke Lieshi was up to.

But seeing his serious expression, the President finally said to the great nobles, "Your Excellencies, please go and make preparations according to the plan!"

The great nobles, although curious, could not disobey the order and could only withdraw regretfully.

And after everyone withdrew, the President finally could not hold back and asked, "Duke Lieshi, what exactly is the reason?"

"The reason is that Gervas offended the Second Prince; the Second Prince does not want to see him achieve great merit!"

"This..."

Neither the President nor Duke Hernand expected that the reason Duke Lieshi gave was actually this.

And he said it so blatantly.

"Duke Lieshi, you say Gervas offended the Second Prince; that seems unlikely! Gervas is only from a minor noble family!"

"I cannot explain this matter to you; in short, this matter is real! So, this minor noble has already achieved enough merit!"

"If he achieves even more merit, this is absolutely not what the Second Prince wants to see!"

"I know you all value this minor noble very highly, and my proposal to send him to guard those passes is not only simply to prevent him from gaining merit, but secondly, it is also a way to protect him indirectly!"

"As for what Duke Hernand said, that the orcs will attack these garrisons, the possibility is very low; after all, all of the orcs' attention is on us here!"

"So, Mr. President, I hope you can agree to my request!"

Duke Lieshi did not explain the specific reason why Gervas offended the Second Prince.

To tell you, saying the Second Prince wanted to snatch something, failed to get it, and thus bore a grudge, would be too lame.

However, even though he did not state the reason, the President and Duke Hernand already believed him.

The only reason that could explain a dignified Duke targeting a Viscount, one who had already achieved considerable merit, was this.

The President's expression changed, and Duke Hernand, standing nearby, also frowned.

However, this time Duke Hernand did not speak again.

If before it was just Duke Lieshi's own will, then if he opposed it, he opposed it, with no need for caution.

But since it concerns the Second Prince, he must choose carefully.

Although he, Hernand, was not afraid of the Second Prince, he still had to consider the family's interests.

To risk offending the Second Prince for a relatively appreciated, unrelated young minor noble was naturally not a good choice.

This was cruel, but it was reality.

Secondly, Duke Lieshi was actually right in one thing he said.

If Gervas really offended the Second Prince, then having less merit would actually be good for Gervas himself.

Because if Gervas remained just an insignificant minor noble, the Second Prince might not remember him too much.

But if Gervas became brilliant, then the Second Prince would probably no longer allow him to grow!

Not only Duke Hernand, but the President also knew how to choose. "Very well, then let us follow Duke Lieshi's proposal and have Viscount Gervas participate in this garrison duty."

"However, I will arrange the garrison locations!"

Duke Lieshi smiled and nodded. "That is natural; I said I just do not want this minor noble to continue gaining merit!"

Thus, before dark that day, Gervas received the order transmitted from the President.

The order instructed him to depart before dawn tomorrow, before the orcs arrive, heading for the westernmost Baron Kal's Castle.

"What's going on? Why are you, Gervas, being sent alone to this Baron Kal's Castle?"

"Yes! Could this be a fake order? Even before, when we were sent to guard outside the city, they always sent us along with you, Gervas!"

When the messenger arrived, Mil and the others happened to be drinking together in Gervas's camp.

Upon hearing the order, everyone burst into surprised, overlapping chatter.

Sending them to guard a checkpoint forty or fifty li away was already unbelievable.

Now they're sending only Gervas—this is utterly inexplicable.

Hearing this, the messenger dared not delay and quickly whispered, "Your Excellencies, this order is genuine!"

"Additionally, the Commander-in-Chief has a personal letter for me to deliver to Lord Gervas!"

Saying this, the messenger handed over a sheet of paper.

"Thank you, friend!" Gervas took the letter, then handed the messenger a handful of copper coins.

"This... I dare not accept!" the messenger hastily refused.

"It's for your drink—don't refuse. Also, please convey my regards to the Commander-in-Chief."

"Then thank you, Lord Gervas!" The messenger finally accepted the coins and respectfully withdrew.