Chapter 252 252-The War Begins


    Howard nodded, emphasizing, "These matters concern the lives of our soldiers and must be handled with utmost care."


    He then inquired, "Regarding the fifty iron swords, how many has Smith Schumacher delivered so far?"


    Resarite replied, "Schumacher is working tirelessly day and night, but there are still over ten swords pending. Completing the entire order will take about half a month more."


    "Alright," Howard acknowledged.


    He then asked another question, "How is the task I assigned to Bosiden progressing?"


    Howard had sent Bosiden to scout Patch''s vige and, covertly, to gather the vigers'' support by having them sign a ''deration'' of will.


    This ''deration'' was a im to all rights and inheritances of the territory, legitimizing any future annexation of Patch''s vige.


    Resarite reported, "Such matters cannot be rushed. A few days ago, Bosiden informed us that his efforts to create a deration in Kenfa Vige were thwarted by Patch''s loyalists. He can no longer set foot in Kenfa Vige."


    Hearing this, Howard felt a tremor of doubt.


    If Bosiden couldn''t even enter Kenfa Vige, how could he persuade the vigers to sign the deration?


    When could the deration for Kenfa Vige bepleted?


    Anna spoke up confidently, "Howard, don''t be afraid. These kinds of maneuvers aremon among nobility. Since Patch has already discovered your ns, it''s unlikely you''ll achieve your goal by continuing. It might be better to withdraw Bosiden from Kenfa Vige. I believe Knight Patch might change his view of you once he sees you''ve stopped pursuing the deration."


    Howard remained silent, contemting the situation.


    Marguerite sped the front of her dress nervously, suggesting, "Lord Howard, if Bosiden has been marked by Patch, then perhaps it''s best to recall him. We could send someone else to continue the deration effort. Patch only recognizes Bosiden; with a different person, he won''t know."


    Resarite remained silent, waiting for Howard''s decision.


    Howard queried Resarite, "If we switch to another person, can we preserve the progress made so far?"


    Resarite shook his head, "No, changing the person means starting the efforts anew."


    Howard asked further, "On a scale of one to a hundred, how far had we progressed with Bosiden''s efforts?"


    Resarite replied, "Bosiden is capable, and his initial progress in Kenfa Vige was particrly smooth. Even though we''ve hit a standstill, we''ve achieved about 75% of our goal."


    Deciding, Howard took out a pouch of coins and handed twenty silver coins to Resarite.


    "Give these to Bosiden, and tell him to continue his mission with this money."


    Resarite epted the silver coins and bowed, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Howard."


    Two dayster, in the afternoon, as Howard was sparring with Anna in the training field, Vettel returned with news that Knight Kaido was very pleased with ndre and had sent a marriage proposal.


    Howard sheathed his greatsword and wiped his sweaty face with a towel handed to him by a maid before going to see ndre.


    At neen, ndre was of perfect age for marriage.


    Howard showed her the marriage proposal from Knight Kaido.


    ndre''s hands flew to her face, and she squealed in excitement, clearly thrilled.


    Howard nodded to the maid standing nearby.


    Seeing Howard''s approval, the maid left ndre''s room, walked down the corridor, and informed Vettel at the end of the hallway, "The lord has agreed."


    In the realm of paperwork, Howard entrusted the transcription to Resarite, who, despite his seemingly rugged exterior, possessed a meticulous touch.


    The document, oncepleted, met Howard''s exacting standards with its clear handwriting.


    Having received the document from Howard, Vettel was tasked with delivering it to Knight Kaido.


    This particr parchment signified the eptance of Knight Kaido''s proposal to betroth ndre.


    Subsequently, Howard ventured into the storeroom to meticulously inspect the quality of the Leather Armor in stock.


    Satisfied with what he found, he left the storeroom contentedly.


    More than a fortnight passed, and Schumacher''s iron swords were finally ready.


    Howard personally visited to inspect these new creations.


    He weighed an iron sword in his hand and casually inquired about various aspects of its craftsmanship.


    After a brief exchange, he stepped out of the cksmith''s shop and, with a nod of approval, said to Resarite, "I am satisfied. Proceed with the final payment."


    As they walked, Resarite reported to Howard, "My lord, just a day ago, Bosiden sessfully proimed the strength of Kenfa Vige. Now, with our arsenal and armor fully equipped and the vigers trained under my guidance, they are well-prepared for battle. When shall we dere war on Knight Patch?"


    It was just before noon, with the sun zing in its full glory, casting a stark light upon Howard''s face.


    He turned, inhaled deeply, and dered, "Now is the time."


    As the midday mealtime approached, a group of determined individuals emerged from Yami Vige, led by the spirited Bosiden.


    Their mission was to deliver a message to Kenfa Vige, presenting Knight Patch with an ultimatum: surrender Kenfa Vige or brace for imminent defeat.


    Knight Patch, upon receiving the message from Bosiden, was seething with fury.


    His initial impulse was to abandon the chivalric code and brutally punish Bosiden, but his scouts reported that Bosiden and his party had swiftly departed after delivering the letter, making it impossible to pursue them.


    This news only intensified Knight Patch''s anger.


    As the battle officiallymenced, the scent of gunpowder wafted into Baron Fernsouth''s nostrils.


    Unperturbed by his subordinates'' reports, the Baron casually continued watering his nts, dismissing the news as insignificant.


    Meanwhile, Knight Kaido, upon learning of the situation, was inclined to assist Howard.


    However, he found himself without a justifiable reason to deploy his troops.


    The alliance with Howard could only be formalized following the marriage with ndre, leaving Kaido powerless to intervene at the moment.


    Knight Zoron, on hearing the news, was filled with anxiety.


    He feared that a victorious Howard would emerge stronger and potentially turn against him.


    In preparation for the conflict, Howard began the total mobilization of his peasant soldiers.


    Resarite, Anna, and Margaret tirelessly roamed Yami Vige, Rui Vige, and Safa Vige, gathering troops for the cause.


    Knight Patch, in response, also called upon the peasant soldiers of Kenfa Vige.


    One of Patch''s subordinates suggested taking advantage of the time needed for Howard''s forces to assemble, proposing a preemptive strike against Howard''s gathering army.


    However, Patch, blinded by rage, pped his subordinate, roaring, "Do you take me for a fool? Marching towards such a multitude would be walking straight into a trap!"


    The reprimanded subordinate, nursing a sore cheek, dared not utter another word.


    A dayter, Howard''s forces were fully mobilized.


    Resarite, appointed as themander, led the troops on behalf of Howard, poised to steer the course of the impending battle.


    Inside the camp, Resarite pointed to a spot on the map hanging before them, exining to Howard the optimal location for their attack.


    Anna and Marguerite, as Howard''s Knight Squires, stood protectively at his sides.


    Howard patted Resarite''s shoulder, reassuringly stating, "Go ahead with confidence; I trust you."


    Resarite''s strategy involved drawing Patch''s forces away from Kenfa Vige and then swiftly seizing it, catching Patch''s troops off-guard and demoralizing them.


    Howard agreed with the n.


    The operationmenced.


    Anna led a small team to distract Patch, luring him into a chase.


    Meanwhile, Howard''s main force swiftly upied Kenfa Vige.


    Upon learning this, Anna circled back to reunite with the main force in Kenfa Vige.


    Outside Kenfa Vige, Howard, mounted on his horse, pulled the reins to halt.


    He looked with concern at Anna approaching and asked, "Are you alright? Did you encounter any danger?"


    Anna shook her golden hair, radiant and angelic in the midst of the battlefield, and replied, "No, that foolish Patch kept cursing behind us, but couldn''t catch up."


    Marguerite ran over and embraced Anna, anxiously inquiring if she was injured, her concern evident.


    The morale among Howard''s troops was soaring.


    With their numerical advantage and the tide of the battle in their favor, everyone was ted.


    As Patch''s forces arrived, he hurled insults at Howard: "Howard, you dare to trick me! I''ll tear you apart!"


    Unperturbed, Howard replied with a chuckle, "Patch, harsh words alone won''t help you. If you want to win, you''ll have to defeat my army. Can you do that?"


    Howard''s forces were strategically positioned along the outskirts of Kenfa Vige, with archers lining the rtively low walls.


    The archers, bows drawn and arrows nocked, reflected a cold, lethal shimmer in the sunlight.


    Patch''s soldiers began to show signs of panic.


    Kenfa Vige was their home, now upied by the enemy, filling them with rm.


    Patch, out of options, resorted to berating his troops for their cowardice.


    Howard gave themand, "Archers, fire!"


    The archers on the walls released their arrows, sending deadly shafts flying towards the enemy.


    Patch''s army, poorly equipped with shields, suffered heavy casualties under the barrage.


    Howard then ordered, "Full assault! Capture Patch alive!"


    A thunderous battle cry echoed as the gates of Kenfa Vige opened, and Howard''s forces charged at Patch''s troops.


    Mounted on his horse and wielding ance, Howard pierced a soldier with each thrust, his steed galloping forward, barreling through any soldiers who dared block his path.