The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 1047 We must strike hard!

"Dual cultivation of combat and magic?" Roland's eyelids twitched. Such a rare creature had appeared in his camp? He subconsciously opened the system panel and found the page of Marquis Al-Tegran Franz. Holy crap, a fifth-tier assassin!

Roland was stunned when he saw the Tier 5 Assassin on Marquis Al-Tegran Franz's stats. The Tier 4 War Mage class had disappeared? So, dual-class combat and mage only showed the current class stats! No wonder Roland hadn't noticed!
"You...you ambushed me! You have no sportsmanship!" Pion, having already deactivated his Druid form, cursed as he looked at the short sword at his neck. Clearly, Pion was a wise man who knew when to yield. In this situation, the outcome of an assassin's attack on a weakness was not much different regardless of Pion's form. Gouge set for a surprise attack, Instant Slash set for a weakness attack—one combo and his throat would be as hard as paper.

"You still have the nerve to say that after being controlled by an assassin at close range?" Marquis Al-Tegran Franz sneered. Clearly, he was unqualified as a druid shapeshifter. Although the shapeshifting giant bear transformed into a "tank" was a strong counter to assassins, being controlled by an assassin's skills was another matter entirely. Marquis Al-Tegran Franz's skills were obviously proficient, easily exposing Pion's fatal weakness.

"You're wearing a robe! Holding a staff! You're shameless!" Pion shouted angrily, his neck being slashed by a short sword in his agitation.

"Oh? That's because you're trash! A professional, and a lord at that, so easily provoked that you dare to attack with all your might without any intelligence support? You've abandoned your defense?" Marquis Al-Tegran Franz laughed in anger. How did this guy even survive to become a fourth-tier druid? That attack just now was wide open and wide, full of openings. If it weren't for King Roland's orders, Pion would have been turned into a fountain by now!

"Speak! Will you surrender or not!" Marquis Al-Tegran Franz pressed on relentlessly, pushing his short sword toward Pion's neck repeatedly.

"Alright, alright! Calm down, everyone!" Roland quickly stepped in to smooth things over. If these two kept arguing, they might actually draw blood, which would be troublesome... It's a small matter if Pion dies, but it's a big deal if Roland's reputation is damaged! If Pion doesn't die, the blame will fall on Pion, but if he dies at the hands of Al Tegrand Franz, then the blame will fall on Roland's head.

"My apologies!" Roland apologized as he helped Pion up, while subtly waving to Marquis Al-Tegran Franz.

"Everyone calm down, don't start fighting right away. With a formidable enemy at hand, we need to be more organized!" Thranduil saw that everyone had calmed down and quickly stepped forward. If a fight broke out, those guys like Gambad would be the ones laughing. Thranduil had figured it out just now; it was probably Roland who instructed his men to do this. Having lived for so long, Thranduil naturally understood Roland's intentions, but he didn't say anything. He just pretended not to know and acted as a peacemaker.

"..." Pion turned his head and his eyes met those of Lavian. Lavian was still holding his sword, looking bewildered. After staring at Pion for a few seconds, he immediately and awkwardly slung his sword behind his back.

"Hehe!" Ravian gave an awkward but polite smile.

"Fine! Fine! You resorted to underhanded tactics too!" Pion felt a surge of anger and frustration. The thought of having entertained Ravian and his group filled him with resentment, his face paling instantly. Being insulted by this idiot who appeared out of nowhere was bad enough, but now his guests were betraying him… Then, he turned his head and saw Leo Breo with his hand on his sword. Seeing Pion looking over, Leo Breo gave him a "kind" smile. At this point, Pion understood. These people were all in cahoots! Not a single one of them was good! Pion had no doubt that if this scoundrel had been at a disadvantage, Leo would have attacked without hesitation… Damn it! Is this the power of connections and backing? Damn it! He'd been set up by Lagrange! Looking at Roland's concerned smile, Pion felt utterly hopeless…

……

"Just say what you have to say!" In the lord's hall of Karok Town, looking at the large group of high-level professionals, Pion sat calmly on the lord's throne. He had obviously come to his senses. After the anger subsided, his intelligence once again took over his mind. Clearly, the culprit behind everything was the seemingly harmless King Roland in front of him!
"Lord Pion, you must have misunderstood. I have no intention of annexing your territory..." Seeing Pion's nonchalant attitude, Roland knew that Pion was probably overthinking things.

"So you've organized such an unprecedented coalition just for a vacation? I surrender my territory, only asking that you treat my people well!" Pygm smiled sarcastically. To be able to mobilize dwarves, elves, and other northern humans—you think Roland came just to give him a warning? Pygm didn't believe it. Although he wasn't particularly clever, he still possessed that subconscious instinct from his long years as a lord and chieftain. While he didn't know the Earthly idiom of "borrowing a path to conquer Guo," it was clear this massive coalition, with its astronomical numbers of people and horses, wasn't here for a game. The idea of ​​annihilating Gombada was absurd. Pygm didn't believe Thranduil would use elves to fill the gaps at Gombada Fortress! Did he not understand others, or Thranduil?
"..." In an instant, Roland felt countless eyes focused on his back. This pricking feeling made Roland very uncomfortable.

Roland didn't need to turn around to know that although the kings didn't say anything, they were all watching him and waiting for his choice. Although he could rightfully accept Pion's suggestion and swallow Beon's territory whole, and the other kings in the North wouldn't object, they would definitely harbor some resentment...

"You've got some nerve! This isn't your average druid! We have to strike hard!" Roland launched a flying kick, which even the quick-thinking Marquis Al-Tegran Franz couldn't stop, sending Pion tumbling to the ground like a rolling gourd once more.

"BYD! I'll teach you to talk nonsense! Who the hell wants your territory? You're used to robbing and plundering, so you think everyone else is like you, eating and taking what you want?" Roland unleashed a storm of kicks, his oversized combat boots raining down on Pion!

"You bastard! How dare you slander my king! How dare you defame his glory! For the sake of the empire!" Marquis Al-Tegran Franz immediately followed up, his foot landing on Pion in the next second.

"You..." Before Pi Weng could finish speaking, a dark shadow lashed out, and Pi Weng's words turned into a sob.

Caslo wielded his scabbard, striking six times in a second. One strike slapped the mouth to prevent begging, one slapped the head to prevent thinking, one slapped the leg to prevent escape, and the remaining three were bonus strikes! Pion was beaten so badly that he twitched on the ground. Enraged, Pion wanted to fight back, but under the combined attack of the battle aura flames of Lagrange and the other sixth-tier "thugs," he couldn't even muster a bit of magic power and could only silently endure the beating from Roland and the others!
"Damn it! You think I'm like you? Ah! I formed the Allied Forces to find a way out and develop the North! What do you take me for? You think I'd care about your paltry sums?" Panting, Roland sat down to rest in a chair with the help of Al-Tegran Franz. Beside him were a group of Allied Forces lords who had been stunned by Roland and his men's actions.

"You flatter me!" Roland smiled and nodded to the others.