Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 100 Glory or Survival
"The encirclement of the valley failed, and Garn Amirka died on the battlefield?"

This news was like a bolt from the blue.

Grand Duke of Bucks, as the pillar of the valley, has always been a key figure in the kingdom. His son, Garen, is also a brave and skilled knight. Even when his base was raided during the Battle of the Hills, he maintained morale and performed admirably.

In terms of succession, Gann is far superior to Salman's sons.

The purpose of returning to the valley to gather the generals was to wipe out Ivo and his men who were entrenched in Stream County. Logically speaking, the Amirka family should have a strong army and be able to deal with Ivo and his men easily. How could they possibly fail?
"No detailed information has been sent back from the front lines. This information was obtained through the Thieves' Guild's intelligence network. It is said that a giant teleportation portal has fallen in Stream County, which was subsequently frozen for several days. The ships of the River Valley nobles could not move and had no choice but to fight."

Lord Garen fought to the death, inflicting considerable losses on the enemy, but was exhausted by several mages and sank into the Agate River along with his warship.

Wayne, the intelligence chief, was indeed quite capable. Especially after his meritorious service in killing Hillel, Forrest allocated him a sum of money to improve intelligence channels targeting the towns in the south, and he quickly made progress.

"This happened a few days ago?"

"Judging from the timeline, it happened about three days ago."

Esildur's army will surely continue its offensive with a great victory, Sumu calculated the days ahead and looked at the map to see the possible directions the enemy might take.

The Streamshire is crisscrossed by waterways, making a successful pursuit extremely difficult without a sufficient number of ships. Conversely, if Isildur wants to press his advantage, he must build enough ships and engage in naval warfare, which is not their forte.

Judging from the situation on the battlefield, it is highly likely that the enemy used high-level magic to change the terrain, which left Amirka with nowhere to escape.

However, such magic is difficult to maintain continuously, and Isildur could not possibly lay down ice all the way to the center of the valley.

So it seems that all their efforts in teleporting troops are only for one direction.

"Strongbow Town! Oh no!"

"Quickly send a message to Baron Eugen, telling him to hold the city and absolutely not to go out!"

"Send an urgent message to Miss Maggie and return immediately, heading straight for Longlet Castle!"

Strongbow Town, Rock Town, and the satellite city of Kana—although the road is rugged and winding, once you pass through these large towns, you can head straight for Longlet Castle.

The western side of Longleat Castle is a wide open road, which Isildur can use as a springboard to advance directly into the heart of the capital.

Their massive campaign was not for a small counter-encirclement; Isildur's real objective was Longlet Castle and the capital!
The messengers immediately mounted their swift horses and set off to the north and west to deliver the messages.

Whether it's from their own messengers or intelligence from other sources, they hope it arrives in time!
……

In the dimly lit underground prison of Qiangnu Town, a prisoner, covered in bruises from being whipped, exudes despair.

"Tell me, who is the mastermind behind this?"

The presiding judge was Dean Richie. Although he and Su Mu had temporarily reconciled at the aristocratic banquet, he was still filled with resentment.

Eugen and Sumu's brilliant plan to hide their troops and utterly defeat the enemy makes his arrangements seem almost idiotic.

To make matters worse, despite contributing the most money and effort, he also suffered the greatest losses, even giving away the Archer Tower. The surrounding nobles continued to mock and belittle him, showing him no kindness whatsoever.

Eugen forbade anyone from discussing the matter, but the aristocratic circle was only so big; how could it be completely sealed off?

The day after the nobles left, even the tavern Jiyuan was spreading rumors that the commander of Qiangnu Town was as stupid as a pig, and that if Su Mu hadn't turned the tide, the common people would have become burning targets.

This was an utter disgrace to the Richie family.

He could only vent his anger on these rebels. If they hadn't opened the city gates so easily, the situation wouldn't have been so dire, and at least there would have been some defense.

The opening of the west gate shattered his defense plan.

What puzzled him was that the mercenaries guarded the west gate but didn't control the main city defense mechanisms. The ones truly in control of the gate's magical defenses were undoubtedly their own people. How did the thieves gain the trust of the higher-ups, and who were their accomplices?

This is what Dean is more concerned about.

With the nobles all present, he couldn't conduct a large-scale interrogation, so he hastily executed a group of people to give an explanation. However, he spared the most crucial criminals, personally pursuing the clues.

Seeing that the thieves still wouldn't confess, Dean became ruthless, raised a red-hot branding iron, and burned it directly into the eyes of the thief leader.

With Dean's heroic strength, it would be difficult for the other party to survive such a venting of anger.

"stop!"

Just as the execution was about to begin, a hooded man suddenly entered the cell. His voice was very hoarse, yet familiar.

"You all get out."

Unexpectedly, as soon as he spoke, the guards around him exchanged glances and hurriedly retreated.

Dean's hand holding the branding iron suddenly trembled, and he pointed at the other person but couldn't utter a word.

"Bang!"

As the instruments of torture hit the ground, the newcomer lifted his hood, revealing himself to be Jayne Richie, the heir to the Richie family.

"I should have known it was yours! No one but you could make the halberdier commander open the door himself. What did the thieves have against you that they'd betray their family?"

Dean was furious to the extreme, and even had the urge to draw his sword and kill his son.

Jayne scoffed, "Handbook? What handbook do we need? Our years of trade with Griffinson are gone just like that, and all the property in the city has been looted."

I also slept with one of Griffinson's youngest daughters, who knew all about the dark history between the two families. She's currently imprisoned at Longleat Castle and could reveal the truth at any time; in fact, I think she's already confessed.

What will Maggie think of the Richie family? Will she still let us garrison Strongbow Town?

Dean went up and slapped Jayne across the face: "You unfilial son!"

Is it that widow, Elaine Griffinson? Do you know how many men she's slept with or licked?

"Just because he couldn't control his desires, he ruined everything!"

Jayne covered the blood at the corner of his mouth, gave his father a meaningful look, and then said sarcastically, "Back when Griffinson was at the height of his power, I hooked up with her, and you were quite happy about it. Who could have known they would fall so quickly and let that idiot Maggie take over?"

Besides, do you really think Maggie is willing to forgive the Richie family?

Isn't protecting the Marquisate the duty of Longlit Castle? Su Mu and his men came and took away the gold coins they'd accumulated over the years, and even stole the archer's tower. They also utterly humiliated the Richie family in front of the nobles.

Isn't this all just to drain us dry so she can easily deal with the Richie family?

Dean was speechless. Although he was very dissatisfied with Su Mu, since the nobles had accepted the territory, protecting the city was their responsibility, as clearly stated when they were granted the fief. Therefore, he was willing to spend money to hire other nobles to guard it together, because that was the tradition.

"Who else knows about this? Besides this bandit leader, how many of us are there?"

Dean raised the torture instruments again, his gaze toward the thief extremely hostile.

Jayne remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Everyone in the city has died in battle, but this thief has some men who left the city, and it seems they stole the family's trading ledgers."

Upon hearing this, Dean could no longer hold back. He kicked Jayne to the ground and then kicked him several more times, yelling, "How could I have such a stupid son like you!"

Although Jayne was just guessing, judging from his behavior, it's highly likely that the thieves had something on him, otherwise why would he have ordered his men to open the city gates?

Dean has been a lord for so many years. If he can't even figure out this little trick, he shouldn't be in this position.

He went straight to the bandit leader, grabbed his head, and demanded, "Prove me the evidence that you controlled Jayne, and I'll spare your life. Otherwise, I'll tie you up and take you to Longlet Castle to beg for forgiveness."

Even if things fall apart, I can swallow my pride and plead for him, imprisoning Jayne for life, and that will ensure the Richie family escapes unscathed.

"father!"

"Shut up, you idiot!"

To drive a thief to this state is truly the mark of a failed heir. If he weren't his only son, Dean would have wanted to chop him up and go to the Marquisate to beg for forgiveness. The thief leader grinned, revealing his bloodstained teeth, and said, "He's not coming back! He's already been sent to Stream County."

"Killing me won't do any good; he still has our people with him!"

This time, Jayne stood there stunned, an expression of disbelief on his face.

Seeing the fool's appearance, Dean punched the thief several times, then closed the door and ordered his guards to keep a close watch on him.

Back in his enclosed study, Dean felt as if his bones had been removed, slumping into his chair and helplessly looking at Jayne kneeling on the floor.

"Do you really think you can survive by joining forces with Isildur? Don't you see what happened to Kyle now? He's being forced to attack cities and is just a expendable resource forever."

Once the fortress hero gives the order, he has to bite people like a dog in order to get a share of the scraps.

If even the Lord of White Stone City is like this, what right do we have?

"Although Maggie is implementing new policies, she only wants to take back her own power. Giving her a few properties is enough."

If Qiangnu is not good at guarding the town, then let her transfer me away, give away all the family wealth, and go to a peaceful place. Wouldn't that be better?
Even though she has a noble title, we will do our best to help her. No matter how dissatisfied she is, we won't take forceful action. At least we have a way to survive.

"With what you've done, the Richie family is truly finished!"

Listening to his father analyze the situation, the once confident Jayne became fearful and even began to sob.

"Father, what should we do? Please don't hand me over, I don't want to die."

"Hand you over? In this situation, even if I hand you over, which of the surrounding nobles would trust me? Without everyone's support, the crossbow bolts will be stuck in one place! Sooner or later, Isildur will take you down."

The Rich family is caught in a dilemma; no, it should be said that they have no way out.

Dean slumped in the wooden chair, utterly despondent.

If all that remains is destruction at the hands of Isildur, then he has no one to blame but himself.

To uphold the honor of the nobility? Or to eke out a living?
Dean was torn between the two options and couldn't make up his mind.

However, after glancing at his wayward son, his heart softened. He had been preoccupied with business for years and had paid little attention to his son's upbringing, leaving it to his mother and the etiquette officer. Therefore, Jayne was unprepared for the treacherous nature of the battlefield and had always acted like a spoiled brat.

Jayne had envisioned inheriting the title during a time of peace, and with the gold coins accumulated from the family business, he could easily become a wealthy lord.

Who would have thought that the situation would change so suddenly? Isildur invaded the heart of the kingdom, and the days when a little money could change the course of events were over.

"Hey!"

With a long sigh, he chased his son out.

Just as he was wondering what to do, there was a knock on the door.

After opening the cubicle, Jayne returned and handed Dean an urgent military intelligence report.

[The city of Streamshire has fallen, Amirka is dead, and the entire army of the Valley has been wiped out. Archmage Isabel Isildur, leading the Holy Unicorns, descends and advances northward with overwhelming force. She advises the Richie family to be wise and prudent, otherwise, after the city falls, she will immediately exterminate all humans. — Locke Kyle]

Dean held the letter in his hand, remaining silent for a long time, unaware of the battle situation in the valley.

But such a major battle cannot be kept secret for long; news will soon emerge.

"Amirka was defeated?"

“Some defeated soldiers crossed the grassland and fled towards Qiangnu Town. I asked a few people and they all said that they had suffered a major defeat in the valley.”

Dean no longer trusted this fool, so he personally climbed the city wall, found several defeated soldiers to interrogate, and used special methods to prevent them from being traitors who were giving false information.

However, he soon had no need to worry, as the scouts sent by the valley arrived at Qiangnu Town and delivered the bad news.

When the scouts were about to immediately report to other towns, Dean said there was a crisis outside the city and he would send another messenger to deliver military intelligence, telling the scouts to rest first.

Before long, Strongbow Town discovered the enemy's presence. Kyle led his ragtag troops outside the city and shouted for them to surrender.

Judging from the enemy's strength, they don't have many troops, only a little over 500, and they are mostly level 1 soldiers.

But the fact that Kyle dared to lead his troops north at this time already speaks volumes.

The valley has indeed been defeated. If Isabel leads Isildur's army north, can the small town of Qiangnu stop them?
With a heavy heart, Dean retreated to the family's secret chamber. He looked up at the portraits of his ancestors and the room full of gold and silver treasures, feeling extremely unwilling.

Why Qiangnu Town of all places? Why was Griffinson defeated? Why did even the son of the Bucks die in battle?
He also wanted to be a good lord who guarded the territory, but the enemy was too strong!

Elton’s nation’s fortunes appear to have deteriorated to an extreme degree, beyond human control.

Dean trembled at the thought of the charred villages outside the city and the corpses hanging from tree branches.

Isildur was becoming increasingly harsh and severe towards humans. If Strongbow Town were to fall, he and his family would likely face annihilation. His son would be burned to a crisp, and his wife and daughters would be insulted and trampled upon. At that time, who would care about the honor of the Rich family?
"It's not my fault, it's really not my fault!"

"You're all so useless! You're the ones who're pushing me to this point!"

Dean went mad, ran to the table, pushed the treasure off, covered his face, and cursed through gritted teeth.

After cursing for a long time, he finally spread his hands helplessly, but his eyes became crazed.

"I just want to live! I did nothing wrong!"

He turned and left the secret room, went to the prison to release the bandit leader, and then went to deliver a message to Kyle, promising to surrender.

Kyle's troops were too few to enter the city. It wasn't until Dean personally came out of the city to greet him that he was able to openly enter Strongbow Town and take control of the city walls.

Having fought many battles, the castle soldiers were naturally unwilling to surrender. Dean, however, had arranged for an inside agent to kill the disobedient soldiers and hang their heads on the city wall as a warning to others.

The people inside the city looked at the heads of the soldiers guarding the city and burst into tears.

Just moments before, the city walls were adorned with the heads of centaurs, but now they were replaced by the heads of human warriors. All the resistance of so many days had been in vain in an instant.

Everyone hated Dean to the core; if looks could kill, he would have been dead many times over.

But Dean had no time to think about any of that; he was discussing with his good colleague Kyle how to make a name for himself.

"Lady Isabel is resting her troops and will soon head north. The Empire's target is Longlet Castle, which they intend to use to attack the capital. I don't need to draw the specific route, I'm sure Dean knows it better."

The only place you can pass through on your way north from Strongbow Town to Longlet Castle is Eugen's Rock Town.

However, this place is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even if a large army goes there, it will be difficult to make any progress. Without powerful siege equipment, it will be difficult to achieve anything.

With Isabel's strength, she can definitely take down Rock City, it's just that the losses will be quite significant.

"Eugen shouldn't have received the message from the valley yet. Even if he has, given your camaraderie and mutual support, you should be able to persuade him, right?"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it won't come again. Whether the Richie family can rise to prominence depends on your performance this time!"

Normally, there might be ways to quickly send messages between territories, but now, with the great war completely cutting off transportation and the prohibition of magical power, it is difficult for messages to travel between small towns.

Given Eugen's personality, it's highly unlikely he'll be persuaded to surrender.

But what if we tell them that Qiangnu Town is dangerous, and lure them out?
Dean's expression changed several times. In front of Kyle, he wrote a letter requesting reinforcements and sent scouts from the city to Rock City.

Seeing that his plan had succeeded, Kyle laughed heartily.

Dean smiled obsequiously, but the other side of his face was hidden in the shadows, like a sinister viper.

(End of this chapter)