Chapter 480: Chapter 224: The Marquis’s Plan

「Outside Bronze Pass.」

By now, the central front had been completely steamrolled by the Human Alliance Army.

The Beastman Empire was certainly powerful, but humanity was, after all, the hegemon of the continent. Fighting the hegemon came at a bitter price.

Besides, the Beastman Empire itself was currently facing internal unrest...

「In the main tent of the human encampment.」

Inside the main tent, Marquis Oscillate was surrounded by noble lords from various factions.

The international Algerian Faction, Tilia Faction, and Pope Faction, as well as the domestic Northern and Southern Factions...

Indeed. Although Marquis Oscillate was the leader of the Southern Faction, he actually held considerable prestige even within the Northern Faction.

After all, Marquis Oscillate had offered them no small amount of help when the Northern Faction was rebuilding their territories.

This was also why Louis III had dispatched him to help Prince Noah take command of the army. The Marquis could get along with anyone, yet he was able to maintain his own stance without wavering. Throughout Louis III’s reign, Marquis Oscillate had done his utmost to act as a unifying figure, and his contributions were a primary reason for the success the king enjoyed today.

After his discussion with the generals concluded, the Marquis walked to the front of his tent. Gazing at Bronze Pass in the distance, he suddenly felt a sense of wistfulness.

If all went as expected, this would likely be the last war against the Beastman Empire he would experience in his lifetime.

His domain was in the south, so he would have few opportunities to encounter Beastmen in the future. Unless he could break through to the Legendary rank, he would certainly not live to see the next time the Beastmen marched south.

As the saying goes, "a new monarch for a new court." Based on recent news from the Royal Palace, it seemed Louis III’s life was drawing to a close, no matter how one looked at it.

Louis’s era was ending. He himself likely had another ten years of political life left. Noah would need him to counterbalance Marquis George, and to lay the foundation for the Southern Faction’s future.

However, in ten years, once rising stars like Robson and William had come into their own, it would be time for him to step down.

Thinking of Robson, Marquis Oscillate couldn’t help but feel a little proud. This was an outstanding talent he had discovered in his later years. If nothing unexpected happened, Robson alone would be enough to give George headaches in the future. Their territories were, after all, adjacent.

As the Marquis was thinking, he habitually began to review everything for any oversights, checking to see if he had missed anything.

"Marquis! Marquis!"

While Oscillate was lost in thought, a Griffin Knight approached him.

"What is it, Sir?" Oscillate asked.

The Griffin Knight was panting, a letter in his hand.

’Another urgent message from the Royal Capital, I suppose.’

The closest Magic Tower to the central front was in Barol City. Therefore, any news from the Royal Capital was first sent to Barol City before being delivered into Marquis Oscillate’s hands.

He opened the envelope and found there was more than one letter inside.

One was from Marquis William, one was from Louis III, and another was from Robson.

Marquis Oscillate slowly finished reading all the letters. For a moment, he was left speechless.

All three letters were urgent, and they all centered on a single person.

’His nephew-in-law, Viscount Robson—no, it should be Earl Robson now.’

’That fellow actually managed to launch a counterattack against the Beastman Empire on the eastern front! That’s something I never expected. And the results of the counterattack are quite impressive!’

For various reasons, this news was only dispatched once a month, which was why the Marquis was only just now receiving it.

Reading the battle report in his hand, Oscillate drew a sharp breath, growing more alarmed the further he read.

’How can a person be so formidable? He’s just too good at fighting! He didn’t just wipe out the Centaur Royal Court; he even managed to annihilate the elite forces of the Tiger Race while he was at it.’

In Oscillate’s eyes, the last person this capable in battle had been Marshal Grantham.

’But will Robson become another Grantham?’ Oscillate smiled to himself.

’I originally thought my political career would last another ten years, but now it seems it will likely only be five or six. At Robson’s current rate of development, he’s certain to have a place among the kingdom’s highest echelons. With a little maneuvering, the kingdom’s political situation will quickly reach a new equilibrium. Still, this is for the best.’

Just like Louis III, Marquis Oscillate himself had no regrets; he had basically unlocked every achievement he could.

As a political genius, he was well aware of how much resentment old men like him could attract by sticking around when the Frank Kingdom was thriving and the next generation was brimming with talent.

The Marquis cherished his reputation and didn’t want to stir up trouble before he died.

"Excellent! This Robson is truly excellent!" the Marquis laughed heartily.

Earl Far, who was standing close by, was filled with confusion.

"My Lord, what news could possibly make you so happy?" Earl Far asked, puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Oscillate laughed again and handed the letters to Earl Far.

Earl Far was also a rising star of the southern inland faction. He was also Earl Kifri’s brother-in-law—the very same Earl from Robson’s home region.

Earl Far opened the envelope and once again saw that dazzling name: Robson.

’Him again?’

The pressure always comes from one’s peers, a sentiment Earl Far felt keenly. He was nearly ten years older than Robson, but they were, just barely, considered contemporaries.

Marquis Oscillate clearly sensed Earl Far’s disappointment and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Favorable timing, strategic location, and popular support... It’s fine to have a competitive spirit, just don’t let it hinder your own progress," the Marquis said.

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