109: Chapter 95, Heavy Infantry_1 109: Chapter 95, Heavy Infantry_1 Having finally seen Governor Piers off from the City Lord’s Mansion, Baron West regained his territory.
Yet, the thought of having his hard-earned wealth confiscated under false charges ravaged his heart.
With his large fine of 10,532 gold coins, Baron West had the dubious honor of topping the fine list.
His fine even surpassed the total of the second, third, fourth, and fifth combined.
He was mockingly given the nickname “The Great Victim”.
The precise amount bore witness to the Governor’s finesse in managing his fines.
But in West’s eyes, it was nothing more than a blatant mockery.
There was no denying that the sons of the nobles of the North heading south were the most formidable destabilizing group in the Southeastern Province.
If Earl Piers wanted a peaceful Southeastern Province, he naturally had to go after the ringleader among these unsettling rioters.
Based on the current outcome, his strategy of using a severe punishment to serve as a warning to others seemed quite successful.
Baron West had accepted his punishment obediently, and not a single one of the Northern Nobles dared to stir up trouble.
He couldn’t bear to lose his hard-earned money for nothing.
As a noble of the North, Baron West believed that a loss must always be compensated.
“What’s the report on the recon?”
Baron West asked coldly.
His words were devoid of warmth, like that of a machine void of emotions.
Yet his eyes betrayed his deep desire and anticipation.
The four minor branches of the Koslow Family have gathered, along with twelve clans along their path.
The total count of all the guards exceeds a thousand.
However, once they enter into the Maple Domain, only the people of the Koslow Family, and the three knights loyal to the Mountain Baron will remain.
If we plan to strike, the optimal location would be in the Maple Domain, where their guard would be at its weakest, likely not exceeding 300 men.
Considering the large number of enemy knights, the Mountain Baron who is skilled in long-range attacks that can suppress our heavy cavalry, and the strength of the Earth Bear which is still unknown, we would need at least 600 elites if we want to ensure victory.
To minimize our losses it’s best if we collaborate with others.
I propose recruiting Baron Katelai, for instance.”
Upon hearing this analysis, Baron West nearly spat out blood.
If this plan were to be executed, he would likely be putting his entire future at stake.
Everyone knows he and Baron Katelai have had a falling out, right?
They’ve had conflicts back in the Northland and now they’re rivals.
Joining forces will be even more difficult as a result.
Especially if the plan actually takes place within his rival’s territory.
In the event of an incident, the Kingdom will immediately suspect Baron Katelai.
Unless Baron Katelai has lost his mind, there’s no reason for him to accept.
If they actually become allies, it’s quite likely that Katelai would betray him.
Going out to plunder the wealth of nobles and then being counter-killed is what one deserves.
The Kingdom’s laws strictly protect the safety of nobles, but only those in lawful states.
If one goes out seeking death, their safety is no longer guaranteed.
It’s common knowledge that Katelai colludes with the Mountain Baron.
You want us to ally with him?
Are you trying to get us killed?
And you judge that we need six hundred elites to take down several native nobles?
If we really mobilize so many forces all at once, wouldn’t we be exposing ourselves?”
His usually smart subordinate seemed to have suddenly lost his senses, repeatedly committing grave errors seemingly intent on getting him killed.
“West, don’t be hard on Laversey.
His analysis may not necessarily be wrong.
Rumors of Katelai colluding with the Mountain Baron are just that, rumors.
And rumors that are this widespread are likely not credible.
If the two really were collaborating, they wouldn’t have leaked it early, they could continue to hide it and take advantage of us at a crucial moment.
As for the judgment on the Mountain Baron’s strength, I think there is nothing wrong with it.
Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit, let alone when facing the renowned Divine Archery Knight.
This knight’s claim to fame was built on the dead bodies of the Church Cavaliers.
Though the claimed victory over a thousand enemies is probably an exaggeration, he must have killed dozens of Church Cavaliers in that battle to become widely known.
It’s said that even a Great Knight has died under his bow.
Common knights can’t dodge his arrows, let alone soldiers.
According to our data, he had been using regular bows before making his name.
After becoming famous, even if he couldn’t get hold of a divine bow, the connections of the Koslow Clan would be enough to obtain a high-quality elf-made bow.
Unless we can immediately engage in close combat after launching the ambush, this Divine Archery Knight could cause us heavy losses.
In fact, ambushing him won’t be easy.
Since he has tamed an Earth Bear, his own strength mustn’t be dismissed either.
We have seen that Bear, which can transform into a three-meter-tall beast, so it must have passed its vulnerable infant stage.
While we don’t know at which stage of growth it’s at now, an Earth Bear right after its infancy is still not something to be taken lightly.
It’s at least as strong as a Great Knight.