Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 552 - 552 264 Proof and the Alliance Crisis

552: Chapter 264: Proof and the Alliance Crisis 552: Chapter 264: Proof and the Alliance Crisis A war that determines the fate of countless people naturally requires a commander to lead the entire army, serving as its brain.

Especially in this urgent situation where the enemy is strong and we are weak, if the army is like scattered sand, the hope of victory will be out of reach.

However, being a guest army, Leon was surprised by Count Runav’s attitude.

The other party’s question was not to ask the four thousand Orland reinforcements to accept the command of Baldim County.

This seemingly young Great Lord actually intended to give up the position of commander to the Thorny Flower Army, who were outsiders.

Based on Leon’s understanding from Yevan’s letter, this newly appointed count should be the leader of the Kantadar Eastern Nobles Military Alliance.

Given this, why would he entrust his life and fortune to outsiders?

“My leadership position is now nominal at best.”

Facing the doubts of Leon and others, Runav explained bitterly.

“To be frank, the continuous failures earlier have exhausted the prestige my family and ancestors accumulated… The dissatisfaction of many lords who lost their territories has reached a peak.

Previously, I concentrated forces to attack the Undead and abandoned many indefensible lands under allies, but now, with the fall of an important gateway fortress, the counterattack I promised those lords sees no hope of realization…

if not for the ‘ten thousand’ reinforcements you lead stabilizing morale, this alliance would probably have collapsed before your arrival.”

“Ten thousand reinforcements?” Leon raised an eyebrow at the words.

Runav nodded with resignation, “A necessary lie, please do not expose it to others.”

Leon and the others were not fools; they immediately understood this was a statement to reassure people.

“But Lord Runav, we are, after all, Orland people, and not long ago, we were enemies.

Entrusting us with the command of the Kantadar army, how can you convince the masses?” Balfe touched the scar on his face, asking skeptically.

“There’s no choice.

Even if it’s just nominal command, I can’t take this position now, nor can any other lord.

You may not be able to effectively command other lords, but it’s better than allowing this alliance to disband,” Count Runav shook his head.

“Lord Balfe, Lord Runav wants to use our ‘ten thousand’, a sharp military force, to give other lords the confidence bottom line, making other nobles believe that we Orland people can help them withstand the current dangerous situation,” Azeryan interjected.

He could see Runav’s true intention, that by handing over the command authority to the Thorny Flower family, he was actually looking for someone to take the blame while maintaining the alliance.

This land, after all, is the last of their territory, and in such a situation still wanting to keep other Kantadar lords to continue assisting the Baldim family in battle, Runav evidently had no chance of convincing others.

“How much combat-ready strength does your alliance have now?”

Although Leon was asking Runav, his gaze fell on Yevan to the side, and Uncle Ron standing behind him, seeking confirmation from them.

Count Runav pondered a while and answered, “Including newly recruited soldiers, my army has a total of four thousand people.”

Ron nodded silently at Leon.

“My ‘Griffin Mercenary Group’ still has 1,800 soldiers,” Yevan continued, speaking frankly.

Griffin… Mercenary Group?

Leon couldn’t help being momentarily stunned by the name of the armed force under the other’s command.

Yevan hadn’t stopped speaking, then continued openly, “In the alliance, the two lords under Langstone County also have 2,500 troops.

As for the armies of the other eleven small lords combined, there are approximately three thousand people.”

That is, eleven thousand three hundred people.

Leon thought for a moment, taking the lead would not contradict his goal, if the Sobonitz Domain alliance dissolved, relying solely on the four thousand he brought would be unsustainable.

The only problem was who would serve as the commander of these 15,000 soldiers.

Leon looked at Baron Balfe and Commander Irem beside him.

Here, it seemed only these two weathered commanders had the ability to lead a large army.

No, wait!

…Lola!

Leon blinked, almost forgetting there was an ancient overlord within him, waiting silently.

“Lola, do you have experience commanding an army over ten thousand?” Leon quickly asked in his heart.

“…Of course I do, rest assured, I will help you, but…

actually, you can also do it yourself…”

Lola’s voice echoed leisurely in his heart.

Leon didn’t mind the encouragement in his small teacher’s latter half of the sentence, only feeling immediately more confident.

After all, to have an elder at home is like having a treasure.

With an ancient emperor and Holy Sun Prophet of thousands of years helping him personally in commanding troops, it seemed he could just be Lola’s spokesperson?

This was genuinely the “advice on military matters from Jesus Christ.”

Feeling as if a +20 military buff floated above his head, Leon composed himself and proactively recommended himself to everyone:

“Ladies and gentlemen, could you entrust the position of the army’s commander to me?”

Evidently, only by him taking the command could Lola’s military orders be directly disseminated.

“I agree.” Balfe touched his chin, not objecting.

Though experienced in battle, he truly didn’t have the experience of commanding an army of ten thousand scale, and moreover, being unfamiliar with the land, considering Leon’s acquaintance with their generals, he indeed was more suited to unite both forces together.

Especially since the elite brought by Leon from the Holy Court Kingdom had nothing to do with him, Balfe didn’t think these mystifying Holy Lake Knights would follow his command.

Not to mention, this Griffin Baron has already created numerous miracles, and despite being young, with outstanding feats, Balfe didn’t have any discontent with this young man.

Leon thanked the Scar-faced Baron’s trust and then looked towards Commander Irem.

“If you can ensure cherishing the precious lives of all my comrades and avoid unnecessary sacrifices, then the Illaril Knights would be most willing to fight under your leadership for the liberation of the Holy City,” Irem nodded.

He had a good impression of this secular lord of the Land of Divine Decree, not only because of the good reputation spread among the people but also due to…

a certain indescribable sense of affinity.

More than one knight had reported to him that staying by this Baron Leon made the magic element in their bodies more active and warm than usual… as if they had drunk the Holy Lake Water.

This must be Illaril’s favor and blessing to the one who governs the Holy Land.

“I vow to make your fights worthy of your glory.”

Leon observed this inexplicably agreeable leader of the Lola fan club and gratefully saluted him.

The Ranger Knights also had no objections, although skilled in martial arts, the soloists had no experience in commanding an army and were inherently happy to follow a professional military leader.

Count Runav, seeing the internal agreement within this support army, also felt a bit relieved, as if relinquishing an unbearable burden of the heavens.

Next….

it depended on whether the other Kantadar lords insisted on opposing.