Lord: I can see loyalty.

Chapter 255 The Loyalty of the Families

In the North, not far from the Grey Wolf family's territory, lies an inconspicuous little town.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the North.

The words "The Golden Saddle Horse family suffered a crushing defeat, Renault was captured, Godfrey is missing, and ten thousand troops were routed" resounded like thunder in the ears of the lords of the various small and medium-sized families in the North.

Those families that had once made solemn vows to Cedric, those lords who had once looked down on the Southern Territory, all fell silent at this moment.

Lord Hawke, the lord of the small town, sat before the fireplace, a glass of wine that had gone cold in his hand, staring blankly at the flames.

His territory was located in the central part of the North, neither too big nor too small. He lacked the financial and military strength of the Golden Saddle Horse family, as well as the confidence and boldness of the Grey Wolf family.

He originally thought that as long as he followed Cedric, he could get a share of the spoils after the war.

But now, the Jin'an Ma family has lost, and the Gray Wolf family has defected. What should he do? Or, what should these small and medium-sized families do?

"My lord," the butler said in a low voice, standing at the doorway, "the Silver Fox family has arrived."

Baron Hawke abruptly looked up. "The Silver Fox family? Who's here?"

"It's the second young master of the Silver Fox family. He said he has something important to discuss."

1

A moment later, a man in his thirties walked into the hall.

He was dressed in dark casual clothes and did not wear any family crest, but his narrow eyes and the faint smile at the corner of his mouth gave away his identity.

The Silver Fox family is known for its cunning and naval prowess, and they never put all their eggs in one basket.

When the allied knights set out on their expedition, the Silver Fox family sent troops while simultaneously making secret contact with the Southern Territory.

Now that the Jin An Ma family has fallen, their true colors have naturally been revealed.

"Lord Hawke, it's an honor to meet you." The second young master of the Silver Fox family bowed slightly, his tone casual as if he were visiting someone's home.

Baron Hawke had no time for pleasantries and went straight to the point: "What brings you here?"

The second young master of the Silver Fox family smiled and said, "I have a question for you—Lord Hawke, who do you think will win this battle?"

""

Baron Hawke remained silent.

"The Golden Saddle Horse family lost, the Grey Wolf family surrendered to the Southern Territory, the Black Serpent family's reinforcements are still on their way, and Cedric's Griffin Legion hasn't even been seen yet."

The second young master of the Silver Fox family strolled to the window, gazing at the hazy sky outside. "Do you think the Earl of the Southern Border will stop his advance?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"What I want to say is," the second young master of the Silver Fox family turned around, his gaze sharp, "that it's time for us small and medium-sized families to choose sides. If we keep playing both sides, we'll be disliked by both. Rather than waiting for the Earl of the Southern Territory to come knocking on our door, we should take the initiative to pledge allegiance."

Baron Hawke's expression changed. "You want me to betray His Majesty Cedric?"

"Betrayal?" The second young master of the Silver Fox family laughed. "When has His Majesty Cedric ever given us a second glance? He only thinks of us when he needs cannon fodder, and what about when it comes to rewarding merit? The Golden Saddle Horse family, the Black Serpent family, and the White Horse family are feasting, while we can't even get soup. Now the Golden Saddle Horse family is about to have its pot taken away, are we going to be buried with them?"

Baron Hawke remained silent for a long time, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

He knew that what the second young master of the Silver Fox family said was true, but he still hesitated. If he surrendered to the Southern Border and Cedric won, he would be killed without a burial place if the matter was settled later.

If they don't surrender, and the Southern Territory wins, once Golden Horse City falls, these small and medium-sized families will definitely be wiped out. Surrendering or not surrendering is a gamble.

"Will the Earl of the South accept us?" he asked.

The second young master of the Silver Fox family smiled slightly.

"The Grey Wolf family has already surrendered, and I've heard that the Earl of the Southern Border is very lenient towards families that surrender. As long as they hand over some of their military power, retain their fiefdoms, and do not resist, they will not be purged."

Baron Hawke closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled. "Let me think about it some more."

"Time is running out, Lord Hawke." The second young master of the Silver Fox family turned and walked towards the door. "The people of the Southern Territory have already begun to set up camp outside Golden Horse City. Once they conquer Golden Horse City, it's hard to say who will be next."

The door closed, and the footsteps faded into the distance. Baron Hawke sat alone before the fireplace, gazing at the flickering flames.

After a long while, he stood up, walked to his desk, spread out a piece of parchment, picked up a quill pen, and the quill pen fell, making a scratching sound.

Scenes like this are quietly unfolding in the territories of various small and medium-sized families in the North.

The news spread so fast that the families who were still observing didn't have time to react.

The Golden Saddle Ma family was defeated, the Gray Wolf family surrendered, the Silver Fox family began to take action, and the Iron Hammer family remained silent.

Those once-loud slogans of "loyalty" have now turned into whispers; no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

But everyone knew that the Earl of the South was getting closer and closer to them.

In the southern region, in the city of Portol, the scene is quite different.

In the streets and alleys, in taverns and shops, everyone was talking about the war at the front.

The people's faces were no longer filled with worry and fear, but instead with excitement and pride.

"Have you heard? The Jin An Ma family has been defeated by us! Of our ten thousand troops, more than half were killed or wounded, and even the eldest son of the Jin An Ma family was captured!"

"What's ten thousand soldiers? Our Earl is someone who isn't even afraid of the legendary Red Dragon!"

"Exactly! Back then, the Western pirates were so arrogant, but they were still dealt with by the Earl, weren't they? No matter how powerful the Golden Saddle Horse family is, can they be as powerful as the entire Western pirate gang?"

In the tavern, people raised their glasses in celebration, as if the war were over.

The tavern owner was a middle-aged man who had fled from the North. He stood behind the bar, listening to the discussions, his eyes filled with emotion.

He had only been in the Southern Territory for a few months. The people here didn't understand war or politics, but they did understand one thing—whoever fed them was a good lord.

"Boss, another pot of wine!" a young customer called out.

The tavern owner smiled and responded, then turned to get the drinks.

His gaze fell on the portrait of the Earl of the South on the wall. Vio in the painting was young and composed, with a faint smile on his lips.

He was once a minor lord in the North, but because he supported the previous King Albert, he was stripped of his lands by Cedric and fled to the South.

Now, he runs this tavern in Portor, and although life is hard, at least he doesn't have to live in fear.

He filled the wine cup, carried the tray over, and while the guests were still talking, he suddenly interjected.

"The Golden Saddle Horse family has lost, but the war is not over yet. Cedric still has reinforcements from the Black Serpent family, as well as the Griffin Legion. The real tough battle is yet to come."

There was a moment of silence in the tavern, when a customer looked up at the tavern owner.

"Boss, you seem to know a lot about this place?"

The tavern owner smiled. "Because I used to be from the North too."

He didn't say anything more, but simply placed the drink on the table, turned around, and went back to the bar. Behind him, the murmurs started again, but this time they were more serious.

The Golden Saddle Ma family lost, but the Black Serpent family still exists, Cedric still exists, and the war is far from over.

The North, the capital city, the Emerald Palace.

Inside the golden palace, the candlelight shone brightly, casting the griffin banners on the walls on and off.

-

Cedric sat on the throne, his face so dark it seemed to drip water, his gaze sharp as he swept over the bowed ministers.

The hall was deathly silent; no one dared to speak.

"The Golden Saddle Ma family has lost." His voice was emotionless, but everyone could hear the suppressed rage beneath the calm. "Reno has been captured, Grand Knight Godfrey is missing, and the ten thousand-strong army has been routed."

He paused, then said, "Can anyone tell me what's going on?"

No one answered; the ministers lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

Cedric stood up, walked to the huge map of the North on the wall, then turned around and looked at a mage in black robes. "Leonard, you speak."

The great mage Leonard emerged from the shadows, bowed slightly, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, the Southern Earl's strength has exceeded our expectations."

"Most importantly, he obtained the magical bombs that our deceased mage, Aldrich Blackwood, had been researching, as well as the support of the Grey Wolf family, and—the Great Knight of the West, Alec Stone, has broken through to the fourth rank."

"He's fourth-tier too?" Cedric frowned. "Wasn't he third-tier?"

"That was before. It's said that he had already broken through to the fourth rank." Leonard paused. "Moreover, after the Grey Wolf family sided with the Southern Territory, many small and medium-sized families in the Northern Territory began to waver. According to reliable intelligence, the Silver Fox family has already secretly sent people to contact the Earl of the Southern Territory."

""

Cedric clenched his fists. He had previously thought that the Allied Knights Army could hold off Vio for at least half a month, allowing him to fully mobilize the main forces of the Golden Saddle Horse Clan, the Black Serpent Clan, and the Griffin Legion to march south and completely annihilate the Southern Army.

But now, not to mention the already annihilated Allied Knights army, even the Golden Saddle Ma family couldn't last three days before being defeated.

"Where is the Black Snake family?" he asked.

"The Black Serpent Clan's reinforcements have already set off," Leonard said, walking up to the map and tracing a winding road with his finger. "At their current marching speed, they should reach Golden Horse City within three days."

"Three days?" Cedric's voice rose several decibels. "The Southerners are already at the gates of Golden Horse City. Three days? By the time they arrive, Golden Horse City will already be in the Southerners' hands!"

"Your Majesty, the Black Serpent Clan's reinforcements are the maximum force we can currently mobilize." Leonard's voice remained calm. "If you send the Griffin Legion south now, perhaps—"

"No," Cedric interrupted him. "The Griffin Legion is the last line of defense for the capital and cannot be used lightly. Most importantly—we still need to make the final preparations."

He was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Have the Black Serpent Clan speed up their march and make sure they arrive before Golden Horse City falls. Also, send messages to those small and medium-sized families who are still observing, telling them that anyone who dares to pledge allegiance to the Southern Territory will bear the consequences."

Leonard nodded: "Yes, sir."

Cedric walked back to his throne, sat down slowly, and looked out at the gray sky.

He recalled the first time he met Vio, his demeanor at the banquet, his calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.

He thought he had the victory in his grasp, believing that as long as the Golden Saddle Horse family held back the main force of the Southern Territory, the Black Serpent family and the Griffin Legion could annihilate the enemy in one fell swoop. But now, he realized he was wrong.

"Vio Ross—" he said softly.

"Also, let the White Horse Clan send troops—let Sand Knight Christ Ross take action."