William turned to his daughter and sighed. He could understand her shock. Asher was supposed to have died a nobody, a sick one at that.
This same lad was once a prodigy, one so talented in the sword that the nobles of the wastelands feared the Ashbournes would rise through him.
It was extremely crazy to think that the great Ashbounes would rise through a bastard child.
Even he, the count, believed it and for that reason he betrothed Asher to Liya.
This plot was to marry Asher into House Tigris!
That way, House Ashbourne would lose their skilled young swordsman and potential leader and he would gain a powerful servant.
Along the way, Asher suddenly fell ill and it was diagnosed to be the same one that killed his mother.
"Isn't he a cripple?" Viscount Syria, one of the count's most favored vassals, said with a raised brow.
"Apparently, the lad knows how to trick people into believing his made-up truth." Sofia, Liya's mother, spat in a tone that was still quite soft.
It was as if she never got furious.
"It would be an insult to you, father. Other nobles would laugh at us, saying you lack foresight. You had such a talent under your grasp, and you lost him." Cain's words made Liya glare at him, but the man, who looked like his father, ignored his stepsister.
He looked straight into his father's eyes.
William looked right back at his son and smiled a bit. "He's still a pawn. In a way, he has gathered all the baronies into one place, allowing me to take them in one fell swoop."
Cain smirked. It had always been his wish for his father to officially claim the wastelands.
"I can lead 10,000 Wildland horse riders and force him to his knees. Just give permission." Cain went on one knee and said with his head lowered.
Count William's reply shocked the nobles, his wife, and his daughter.
"I don't understand... why?" Cain lifted up his head.
"Slade Nubis has already sent 100 Dark Skies to Flameheart's domain along with 2000 Tigris Infantry."
Cain's pupils shook. "100 Dark Skies!"
"Isn't that a little bit too much? Just 10 Dark Skies would be able to take that baron's domain. He's merely a merchant that bought his way up there." Viscount Syria said.
Liya chuckled. Glee could be seen in her eyes as she clapped softly.
Cain glared at her. "Father, you let an outsider know about a family problem before your family members!" He clenched his teeth as his gaze locked on his father's expressionless face.
"Slade is also a son to me."
Cain clenched his teeth harder. "I see." He muttered under his breath, his fist clenched so hard that his fingers almost pierced into the flesh of the palm of his hand.
He got to his feet and sat down.
"You will lead the invasion. Let the Dukedom of Mormont face the might of 100,000 strong Tigris soldiers."
Upon hearing that from his father, Cain fell on one knee and bowed deeply.
"I shall not let you down, father!"
What was a small barony compared to leading a fearsome force of 100,000 gathered from the wildlands into the domain of the House Mormont?
It was time for them to ascend from the title of count to that of duke!
"I heard House Ashbourne now has the title of count, and it was bestowed upon them by the imperial family. If Asher is truly a count, do we disregard the imperial family?"
Viscount Syria questioned.
"That is why the plan is to take control of his only ally and wait to see his reaction. If he sends forces to rescue the Flamehearts, then it shall be recorded that he initiated the attack, but if he doesn't attack, then he will be in a tight corner. Because we would have taken over a massive part of his territory and sent bandits to attack those visiting his outpost."
Hearing what Count William said, Viscount Syria shook his head. "So he lost right from the start."
Everyone turned to the general. Count William raised an eyebrow. "What is it, General?"
"Is this outpost the one called Goshen?"
"It is," said Viscount Syria.
The general cleared his throat. "Have you heard of the diamond-ranked Hexakad chickens being sold in their restaurants along with their eggs? Have you heard of the Golden Fragrant Corn and their meals that can increase lifespans and clear the internal system of infections and budding sickness? Have you heard of their Moonlit Starhorn Milk, which comes from a true Moonlit Starhorn cow?"
By the time the general was done, there was a sudden silence.
Looking at everyone's faces, the general did not know what to say. He thought this outpost was owned by one of his lord's vassals, and his lord was funding it in secret.
It was one of his men that told him about it, and he sent for a meal there. After tasting the meal, he had spent almost 200 gold coins throughout yesterday and today. The only thing he thought they lacked was a proper wine.
"Are you joking?" Liya got to her feet, looking at the general like she was about to attack him at any moment.
"Where did Asher get Moonlit Starhorn cows or Hexakad chickens? Do you know how rare these animals are?!"
"Golden Fragrant corn has only been spotted in the capital. In the entire domain governed by the Eternal Immortal Empire, only one region has this rare corn, so how did that unknown lord who lives in an uncharted territory get so much to sell?"
Sofia questions with squinted eyes.
"I have their bread." The general said quickly. William gave him permission to get what he had ordered, and the general brought the King Bread, the Moonlit Starhorn Milk, and some remaining meals that he had not eaten.
When Viscount Syria and Cain tried it, they felt like their taste buds would never stop jubilating.
"What kind of wondrous food is this?!" Viscount Syira remarked.
"Father, this outpost might be more important than we thought."