Edge of the Apocalypse

Chapter 432: Administer The Army

"It wasn't hard at all. It was just a small twist. Fortunately, thanks to the Count's good fortune, we arrived at Ark Harbor smoothly." Roger looked at Alan and smiled.

Count Orban put down the book in his hand and leaned forward slightly. "Speaking of which, I would like to ask Mr. Roger to bring me another batch of war slaves. I believe they will be of use soon."

Roger was slightly surprised, but he still said, "That's not a problem, but I need time to prepare. After all, I don't have many war slaves. If the count has a large number of them, I'll have to transfer them from other places."

"I need another thousand people, at least."

"A thousand war slaves? Alright, I know."

Ellen, who had been silent for a long time, said, "Is the Count too dependent on war slaves? After all, they are only slaves. They are not an informal army. If they rely too much on them, they will never be separated from the army master."

The count shifted his gaze and landed on Ellen. "Young Baron, please tell me which territory you are from."

"Storm City, Your Excellency."

"Storm City?" Count Orban looked at Roger in surprise and said, "Didn't you work with the baron from Storm City? Then this "

"Baron Maud is a thing of the past, and Sir Allen is now in charge of the city, and he is doing a better job than Baron Maud. Sir Allen and I have come to pay our respects to you, Earl Marquis, in the hope that we will have the opportunity to serve you."

Only then did Oban seriously look at Allen and quietly asked, "Baron Allen, in your opinion, how can we forge an invincible Iron Lion?"

"Financial resources, armaments, training, and experts are all indispensable. As for war slaves, I admit that they are good cannon fodder troops, but they are only cannon fodder. They should be the auxiliary parts of the army, not the main links."

"Looks like Sir Allen has his own ideas on how to run the army."

"I don't dare. This point of view is nothing in front of the Count."

Oban laughed and thought for a moment, "I have a meeting later. If Mr. Roger and Sir Allen have time, why don't we sit in together?"

"Your Excellency, if it's a secret, I don't think it's appropriate, right?" Roger said.

"It doesn't matter. You're my friend and business partner. As for Sir Allen, I'd like to hear his opinion later." Oban looked at the clock on the wall and said, "The meeting will be held in an hour. The two of you can rest in the castle first."

He tap that silver bell on the table, and butler Mace came in, and the count instruct, "take these two down to rest. They are my distinguished guests, and butler Mace, entertain me well."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Alan and Mace were taken to an elegantly decorated room. After Mace had the servants bring coffee and snacks, he retreated. When he returned to his study, Count Oban said to him, "Call the men from the Black Cat. I want to know what has happened at the nearest border, and who Sir Allen is. You have half an hour, Mr. Mace."

"I'll do it immediately."

In the room, Ellen stood at the window and saw the butler, Mace, not leaving. Behind him, Roger was enjoying his delicious coffee. He blew a mouthful of hot air and said, "The Count's reaction is a little strange."

"Mr. Roger, when did Earl Oban start buying war slaves from you in large quantities?"

Roger pondered for a moment and said, "Earl Oban has always done business with me. The largest merchant group in Ark Harbor, the Emerald Pearl, is run by the Radley family. They have several merchant caravans, almost all of which are guarded by war slaves provided by me. But when it comes to buying war slaves in large quantities, it was only half a year ago."

"Looks like this count is ambitious."

"Are you saying that the Count is preparing to expand?" Roger's eyes lit up. Whenever there was a war, there would always be great benefits. Especially those initiated by their business partners.

"Obviously, from the city of Ark Harbor, it is not difficult to see that the wealth of the Radley family has reached the pinnacle that the title of Earl can reach. The Earl is probably no longer satisfied with the wealth of the secular world, and what he wants now is probably more power." Allen turned around and smiled, "But the Ridley family's skill in running the city is not bad, but when it comes to running the army, it doesn't seem to be their specialty."

"You have touched on the Count's sore spot." Roger put down his cup and said, "The Ridley family has never been good at martial arts. Otherwise, they would not bow down to the relatively peaceful southern border of the empire. The northern border of the empire is the most chaotic place. Variants are everywhere. All the families with a long enough history in the northern region are good at martial arts. At the same time, it is also the best place to try to seize military merits."

"If the Radley Clan's martial arts were prosperous, they would have already entered the Northern Lands. Why would they have stayed in Ark Harbor for so many hundreds of years? As for Earl Oban, as far as I know, he has great attainments in economics, urban management and even the arts. However, when it came to personal force, it was only Level 24. "This is still one level away from the standard set by the empire. If it weren't for the Ridley family contributing a huge amount of tax to the empire every year, I would have doubted that Lord Orban would be able to maintain this title."

"Where's their army?"

Roger shook his head and said, "On the surface, the count has quite a few men, a regular army of five thousand and a squad of two thousand slaves." In reality, however, the number of troops belonging to the Earl's direct line was pitifully small, with less than a thousand people. As for the so-called five thousand strong army, it was actually supported by several large mercenary groups. These mercenary corps had been hired by the Count for many years to guard several important cities in the territory. Such as Ark Harbour, will be guarded by the Black Wings mercenary group. "

"As for the other knights who are dependent on the count, they are more like merchants and artists than lords or warriors."

Allen thought to himself, "Is this called gathering of the same kind?" At this time, carriages came in succession from the castle's arch. Each carriage had different markings. Alan whispered, "The count has a guest."

Before the meeting began, Housekeeper Mace came back sweating profusely, accompanied by a pale-skinned man. In the study, the count looked at the man and said, "I think Housekeeper Mace has told you what I want to know."

"Yes, my dear Count Oban. However, the time you requested is too tight, so we only have time to get some information."

"Tell me."

The man bowed and said, "About the border, the last six months can only be described as turbulent." Sur City and Storm City had changed owners one after another. City Lord Edward and Lord Allen suddenly appeared, replacing their original lords at an unimaginable speed. Especially Lord Allen. According to the information we got, he seems to be the young master of a certain family. He first came to Sur City as a merchant. Then, he used some methods to allow his subordinates to sit in the position of City Lord, and from this, he established his position in turn. "I can only describe the entire process with the word 'Excellent'."

"Then what else do you black cats know about Sir Allen?"

"Not much." The man grinned and said, "But one thing is certain, Sir Allen is not from the empire."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because his identity document seems to have been fabricated by the magistrate himself. You should know that the empire doesn't care about places like the border. As for Lord Allen, although the documents were made up by the magistrates themselves, the formalities were legal. Even if this matter was placed in the Imperial Chamber, it would not be settled. That's why I said that this lord's methods are truly excellent. "

Ou Ban frowned and said, "Interesting. He's actually not from the empire. If he joins the imperial carriage and seizes the title, then the plot will not be just a border area. What an ambitious little fellow."

"Yes, this lord is not only ambitious, but also powerful." "Not only was Storm City's army defeated by him, even the Black Iron Castle signed a peace agreement with Storm City for some reason. Count, I think you know better than I do what the Black Iron Castle is."

"Furthermore, a major event has happened recently."

"Oh?"

"Danny son jue's side, one of his army, together with dawn castle, bauhinia two armies found an excuse to attack storm city, but let Lord Allen retreat. Forget it, the commanders of the Bauhinia and Dawn Castle armies had him detain them. The two knights have lost all face for this, and they have only recently exchanged the ransom for their commander. "

Count Orban's eyes lit up and he said cheerfully, "Does that mean that Sir Allen knows how to fight?"

"Yes, and he himself is a valiant warrior."

"Very good, the information you provided is very valuable. Go down with Steward Mace. He will give you the reward you deserve."

The black cat man saluted exaggeratedly, "Thank you for your generosity, my lord."

Just as he was about to leave the study, Earl Oban suddenly said from behind him, "I don't want Daniel to get any similar information. If it leaks out, you should know what will happen."

The man's back went cold. He quickly turned around and said, "Although our black cats sell everything, there is only one principle that we do not sell. One of the principles is that similar intelligence does not sell to the two masters. Please rest assured, Count."

"I admire your professional attitude. Do your best. I believe that there are still many places I can use you in the future." The count waved his hand.

The man went down, and Mace came back a moment later and said, "My lord, the other knights have arrived."

"Alright, go invite Sir Allen and the others to enter the cubicle first, so that no one else will notice."

"Yes, Your Excellency."