King
Chapter 882 - 882 87 The Reversed Alliance Council_2

882: Chapter 87, The Reversed Alliance Council_2 882: Chapter 87, The Reversed Alliance Council_2 Family Private Armies were different.

Because everyone was from their own clan, members could confidently cover each other’s backs during combat, often unleashing greater combat power.

Similarly, stemming from within their own people, trying to implement systemic reforms also faced resistance from top to bottom.

If the Family Head was strong enough, it was barely possible to enhance the soldiers’ treatment, but reducing the treatment for Aristocratic Military Officers was out of the question.

Everyone was a hero of the clan, why should their treatment be reduced just because the Family Head said so?

The Family Head couldn’t be unreasonable.

Of course, as long as there was no corruption within the family, it wasn’t too much of a problem to ask everyone for temporary sacrifices during critical moments.

However, this was the same as Hudson’s reforms: merely temporary emergency measures that would soon revert to the usual ways once the danger was resolved.

“Enough, you two, Marshal Hudson’s military capabilities are beyond debate.

Instead of wasting time, better think about how to deal with the upcoming situation!”

Duke Rodriguez said with a helpless expression.

It seemed that these young people, holding great power, were the envy of outsiders, but in reality, they alone knew their struggles.

The biggest drawback of their premature rise was insufficient prestige; they simply couldn’t control the older members of the clan.

Nominally the head of the family, they suffered because the previous Family Head’s wrong decisions had caused the clan substantial losses.

Debts of the father fall upon the son, and many clan members resented their rise to power.

Had the Kingdom not had a strict succession system, it might even have led to a dramatic power grab from a collateral branch.

The Family Head’s power was undermined, affecting both their internal and external actions; they simply couldn’t assert dominance.

Sometimes decisions they made were overturned within the clan, and there were even more times when they were secretly defied.

If the five major families in the north were at their peak, they would have already jumped at the chance to compete for the position of Commander in Chief.

For Hudson, ascending to power would not have been so simple.

Now, they didn’t even have the confidence to compete for the position of Vice Commander.

Even if nominated, they could only painfully decline.

There was no other reason; they simply didn’t believe they were capable of performing well.

“Rodriguez, do you think the situation coming up is something we can control?

We’re destined just to follow the trends and go with the flow, so why bother looking for trouble!

As long as the Kingdom can safely get through this crisis, there’s nothing wrong with being watchdogs,” said Duke Hiro with an indifferent expression.

However, his actual actions starkly contradicted what he said.

If he truly intended to go with the flow, he wouldn’t be so actively learning in secret.

Clearly, their conversation was meant to be heard by interested parties.

If they were truly discussing official matters, they wouldn’t choose to do so at this heavily guarded city gatehouse.

Ever since Caesar IV ascended the throne, they had been intentionally or unintentionally cozying up to the King to escape their awkward political position.

Up to now, the plan had been half successful.

Under Caesar IV’s manoeuvring, their relationship with the Royal Family had slightly improved, but their political isolation remained unchanged.

Ultimately, they were too hasty.

Their desperate need to change their political status could not be hidden from the seasoned politicians in the Kingdom.

Having offended so many previously, now that they were declining, how could others let them have their way easily?

Even the goodwill released by the Royal Family was very vague.

Caesar IV said he would accept them, but what he truly felt deep inside, no one knew.

After all, their ancestors had once deceived the Royal Family into losing its legacy, and those who experienced it first-hand were not yet all dead!

With these old fossils around, the matter was far from settled.

With Hudson’s strong rise, they also lost their say in the military.

To avoid being struck in war, they repeatedly asserted that they harbored no ambitions.

…

Lutesya, the eighteenth Human Alliance Council convened.

Less than two years had passed since the last meeting ended, making it seem like a permanent institution.

It was inevitable; the ongoing conflict on the Continent required much coordination, which definitely called for discussions.

The delay in convening mostly resulted from the recent end of the last meeting; holding another one so soon seemed rather demeaning.

None of the nations wanted to set this precedent in history, facing issues by holding backroom discussions among representatives until representatives from the Five Countries of the Prairie jointly submitted a motion.

Problems reaching the Alliance Council clearly indicated failed negotiations.

Surprisingly, the usually attention-seeking Charles III was “ill at home” and didn’t come to stir up excitement.

Instead, Prime Minister Duke Bergson, as the host, presided over the meeting.

…

“Count Predrag, regarding the joint accusations from Franterune Kingdom, Ita Kingdom, Light Kingdom, Gamma Duchy, and Delta Duchy, what is your country’s stance?”

Duke Bergson asked sternly.

Meeting everyone’s gaze, Count Predrag slightly smiled and said, “Your Excellency Duke, esteemed Councilor representatives, these accusations are purely baseless!

When have we ever cut off shipping routes, affecting the war between the Prairie countries and the Orcs?

As for the threats to withdraw military forces to our country to use them as cannon fodder, that is an outright slander!

Only rogue nations could commit such shameless acts.

I wonder how some people’s minds work.

We merely once reminded them about severe sea storms, yet they conjured up all these scenarios.”