King
Chapter 548 - 548 112 Lively Dwarf King_2

548: Chapter 112, Lively Dwarf King_2 548: Chapter 112, Lively Dwarf King_2 If one takes a closer look, they will discover that small circles are filled with regional characteristics.

This is the product of the times.

Transportation and communication limitations restrict everyone’s social circles.

For the majority of the time, everyone is used to dealing with the nobles around them.

Throughout countless ages in the past, through mutual marriages, the neighboring major nobles have long become one family.

Even if they are competitors in normal times, they become natural political allies in the competition of the Kingdom.

Among the many small groups, the alliance of the Five Great Dukes of the North is the most unique.

In other political groups, aside from the major nobles, there are some fairly powerful intermediate aristocrats squeezed in.

Only among the Five Great Dukes of the North does it consist of their five families alone, other nobles of the North are all vassals.

Although they are the least in number among all political alliances, their military power is nonetheless the most ferocious.

“Who’s out there?”

Duke Cavadia questioned angrily.

Someone dared to eavesdrop when they were deliberating in his own camp, it’s outright disrespect.

The other four were equally furious.

The topic they were discussing just now was hardly praiseworthy.

If the news got out, it would cause an uproar.

“Please calm down, Father.

I just received a particular message.

The content involved is too significant, I dared not make decisions on my own, so I had to bring it over for your counsel…”

With an intimidating stare at his son, Duke Cavadia’s face gloom ran deep.

It was indeed embarrassing.

He should have thought that aside from his own son, no one else could deal with the guards so easily.

“Hiro, your news had better be of great import.

Otherwise, I will make you regret your recklessness!”

Duke Cavadia retorted gruffly.

“Father, the content of this letter is too shocking.

You better read it yourself!”

While replying, Hiro handed over the secret letter.

At this moment, he did not dare to provoke Duke Cavadia’s patience.

Otherwise, he would certainly face severe punishment.

In an instant, the originally annoyed Duke Cavadia suddenly looked horrified.

Perhaps realizing his lapse, he quickly composed himself then addressed the other four Dukes:

“You better read it yourselves.

The content is truly beyond words!”

Duke Pias, who was the closest, was the first to take the letter.

After taking a casual glance, his face dramatically changed.

Without any prattle, he directly passed the letter on to Duke Yagailong sitting beside him.

Without any surprise, their faces were filled with shock after reading the contents of the letter.

“Does the letter contain accurate information?

The Orc…”

His words fell short and Duke Yagailong swallowed them back down.

Though just an “Orc” word had revealed a host of issues.

“Regardless of their credibility, isn’t it still an opportunity for us?”

Duke Pias said disdainfully with a cold laugh.

Having been dealing in the North for so many years and monopolizing most of the trade with the Orc Empire, how could they not have contact with the Orcs?

Only that the connection, coinciding with the breakout of the war, had subtly been tapered off by them.

Unlike the other nobles of the Kingdom, they had a love-hate relationship with the Orcs.

Sometimes they wished to root out the Orc Empire entirely, whereas they hoped the Orcs would be more active at times.

Everything is due to interests.

The most critical factor to the rise of the five great families is—resisting the Orc invasion.

Because of the existence of the Orcs, the Kingdom had continuously provided them with support, turning the five families into the most powerful nobles in the kingdom.

If the Orcs weren’t there, their lands’ output alone would not be able to maintain the vast military arsenal they had.

Maybe in less than ten years, they would fall from being the Kingdom’s strongest military nobles, slowly becoming gatekeepers for the major nobles.

That’s a fairly optimistic estimate.

Given the countless enemies they had offended in the past, it was uncertain whether they could retreat all in one piece.

“Yes, an opportunity!”

“It might also be a disaster!”

“The Orcs are a hungry bunch.

Even if they’ve been severely wounded this time round, we won’t be able to handle them on our own.

If the Northern Expedition Army suffers heavy losses, it won’t be a walk in the park for us either.

Control of the Kingdom, what a large pie indeed!”

Duke Cavadia mockingly said.

The prospect depicted in the letter showed much promise.

Regrettably, it was barely feasible.

To seize control of the Alpha Kingdom, mere strength would not suffice.

If the King refuses to cooperate and the southern nobles won’t support, could they resort to military measures?

No matter how badly wounded, a broken ship also has three pounds of nails.

If any internal strife occurred, any little carelessness would lead to Alpha Kingdom’s decline.

The next time the Orcs invade, they would no longer find so many “close” allies.

“Pie, whether we can eat it, we’ll see about that.

So long as the initiative is in our hands, everything would not be a problem.

What needs to be considered now is whether the Orcs genuinely intend to let us go.

If this is a conspiracy against us, then there’d be big trouble.”

Duke Yagailong exclaimed worriedly.

“A prolonged defense will always fail!

We don’t have much food left in the army, the alliance’s reinforcements are yet to arrive.

Using extraordinary measures, the Northern Expedition Army may not last much longer.

We’re left with two paths: either to follow the Marshal’s guidance and exchange lives with the Orcs, or to break through and leave.”