Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 553 - 553 264 Proof and the Alliance Crisis Part 2

553: Chapter 264: Proof and the Alliance Crisis Part 2 553: Chapter 264: Proof and the Alliance Crisis Part 2 …

The next day in the fortress stronghold, over thirty commanding nobles from various regions gathered in the Baldim family’s conference hall.

A long, anciently-decorated table stretched across the center, resembling an invisible divide that subtly split the assembly into two sides.

Each sat in their respective place, the atmosphere heavy and tense.

When Count Runav suggested temporarily transferring military command to Baron Leon from Orland, his words were like a boulder cast into a serene lake, stirring vehement opposition from the Lords of Kantadar.

Predictably, the hall plunged into heated debates.

If not for the series of devastating defeats and the staggering losses that had consumed the minds of these nobles with fear and despair, perhaps even the Orland reinforcements would have met resistance in being accepted.

Let alone appointing a lord from the Northern Kingdom as “Marshal” to lead their battles.

“This Lord Leon Pendragon once assisted King Caso in the Ustato territory, defeating the elite forces of the rebel Duke Ablo and even severely injuring Count Arsen, who had joined the rebellion.

If anyone remains unconvinced, then please propose a more outstanding commander who can lead us out of this plight.”

Count Runav, regardless of whether the achievements mentioned were true or not, desperately needed this Orland Lord to take on the burden and thus exaggerated his merits relentlessly.

Baron Yevan stood up at just the right moment and voiced his support loudly: “Lord Leon had selflessly aided Shatai City in repelling an invading Undead Army.

He saved my life, and it was thanks to his warning and help that I had the opportunity to lead civilians away from the clutches of death.

I swear before the gods, I can vouch for Lord Leon’s integrity and valor.”

The Kantadar nobles murmured among themselves.

“Integrity and valor can defeat countless Undead, can they?” A young lord sneered.

Judging by his more ornate armor and robe, he clearly held a higher status among the Eastern nobles.

Leon glanced at the man, recalling that before the meeting began, he was introduced as the new Great Lord of the southern region of Langston County in the Eastern Domain.

But now, Langston County had already been completely overrun.

“…I say Baldim isn’t worth defending.

It’s only a matter of time before the Undead cross the great river.

We should follow Sir Aska’s example and retreat to Mamor County, letting Count Marmore lead us.”

A lord with a sullen expression spoke cynically, his own territory long since reduced to a dead zone, and he was thoroughly disillusioned with the current alliance.

“Indeed, my army hasn’t received enough rations for three days!

My warriors are constantly half-starving; how are they supposed to fight?

Lord Runav, how many provisions does the alliance have left?!” Another lord couldn’t resist using the moment to voice his discontent.

Arguments erupted again and again.

Examining the faces around the long table, Leon realized that on Kantadar’s side, there truly weren’t many mature and dependable figures capable of taking charge.

Though he himself was also young…

Listening to the endless, meaningless disputes, Leon furrowed his brows, growing tired of the fruitless bickering.

——Bang!

His hand armor slammed onto the table, the resonating sound cutting through the quarrels.

The Kantadar lords turned their gazes toward him.

“You are all correct.

Hollow words cannot bring victory…”

Leon gripped the hilt of his sword and stood.

“In that case, let me prove myself first.

Without relying on any of your armies, within five days, I will launch a counterattack, reclaim a town on the South Bank, and destroy an Undead Army.

Then, you may judge whether I am qualified to command the forces.”

Ignoring the dispirited young nobles, he turned and left.

The Avalon knights, Holy Lake knights, Ranger knights, and house servants of the Thorny Flower family moved in unison, their robe armor neatly aligned, following him as they tossed aside the quarreling Kantadar nobles and exited the conference hall.

Runav stared at the departing figures of the Orland soldiers, dazed for a moment, then quickly got up and went after them alongside Yevan.

…

“Lord Leon.”

Runav and the others caught up to him in the courtyard.

Leon turned around, seeing the doubt in their eyes, he could only shake his head: “I’m sorry.

I don’t want to waste time trying to convince them one by one.”

He had not expected the Kantadar forces that had suffered countless defeats to be able to assist immediately, but it now seemed that this alliance was even more fragile than he had anticipated.

The fledgling commanders were unable to control their emotions of defeat, with their irritation and despair written all over their faces.

The morale of their troops was likely even lower, and dragging them onto the battlefield would result in immediate collapse—hardly worthy even as cannon fodder.

Leon realized that to restore their fighting spirit, a truly significant victory was indispensable.

But before that, a more pressing issue needed addressing.

“Lord, what did the lord’s earlier question mean?” Leon’s sharp gaze locked onto Runav.

“Which question?”

“Lord Runav, don’t take me for a fool.

Since you entrusted me as commander of the alliance, speak to me honestly.

The provisions feeding everyone in your territory—how much is left?” Leon asked with a deadpan expression.

Runav’s gaze flickered slightly.

Yevan sensed some tension and quickly clarified: “Lord Leon, please don’t worry.

That lord’s army must have encountered some issues during ration transportation.

Lord Runav does have plenty of grain in reserve.”

“Oh?

Then how much, specifically?” Leon turned to him and repeated the question.

Yevan faltered for a moment.

The alliance’s supplies had always been managed by Count Runav’s trusted aides, and he did not know the exact quantities.

He only knew the fortress’s granaries looked sufficiently stocked.

Refraining from pressuring the honest knight of Shatai further, Leon sighed and shifted his gaze back to Runav, waiting for his response.

For a long moment, confronted by the penetrating black eyes, Count Runav sighed.

“Lord Leon, please follow me for a private discussion.”

He instructed the others to return to the camp first.

Leon brought with him only Azeryan, Olivia, Commander Irem, and Baron Balfe to follow Runav to his study for a secret meeting.

…The alliance’s provisions…

Could only last for eight days.

This was the truth Count Baldim revealed to Leon and the others.

Yevan shot to his feet in shock.

“How is that possible?!

The alliance clearly had abundant supplies prior…”

“The defeats came too swiftly.” Runav closed his eyes with regret.

This was the true reason he couldn’t wait to pass on the burden, hoping the Orland forces could quickly launch a counterattack.

“I hadn’t foreseen the rapid fall of Kilmerton Fortress.

On the plains of the South Bank, much of the grain in the granaries hadn’t been transferred to the North Bank before we lost control of those areas…”

Yevan sat back down, speechless.

Always brimming with resolve, he now found his spirit shaken.

It must be remembered—the North Bank didn’t only host over ten thousand soldiers but tens or even hundreds of thousands of civilians…

With food insufficient even for the troops, should famine break out in this land, no Undead invasion would be necessary; the army itself would collapse.

Starving refugees could even form another force of enemies…

Yevan had already experienced this once in Shatai City.