Arthur's gaze swept over the mark representing Seaguard on the map, his tone filled with a resolve to face certain death:
"Lyman Leicester and I have decided to lead our army towards the western front."
"We will gather the scattered remnants of the army, and I will search for my liege! We will see if we can be of some help on the front lines!"
Norbert Vance was completely stunned. He gaped, like a fish out of water, staring at Arthur in disbelief.
In his life, in the treacherous Riverlands, he had never seen a lord so righteous, especially one who was a minor lord with an unstable foundation, always on the verge of being swallowed by a storm.
To go to the front lines at this time, to gather scattered troops—what a joke. How was that any different from willingly offering one's neck to the Ironborn's axe?
Countless thoughts flashed through Norbert Vance's mind: truly a big madman and a small madman. Yet, for some unknown reason, a faint, inexplicable sense of guilt emerged.
He, Norbert Vance, a great noble of the Riverlands, had fled home with a few thousand men, while this unknown young man and an old madman were going to take their pitiful forces to carry out a glorious mission for the Riverlands, for the entire Seven Kingdoms.
If he just left, allowing these two loyal madmen to go to their deaths, and the news got out later, how would his Vance Family maintain its standing in the Riverlands? What would the nobles of the Riverlands say about him? That Norbert Vance was a coward, without honor, a coward who abandoned his allies in a time of crisis. Such a loss of reputation was far more severe than losing a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers. Between this fleeting guilt and long-term strategic calculation, Norbert Vance made a decision.
Norbert Vance looked at Arthur. Regardless of his inner thoughts, the expression on his face became incredibly solemn and admiring.
He spoke in a deep voice, "Your loyalty is admirable."
"Since that is the case, I cannot let you and Lyman go adventuring alone."
He strode to the tent entrance and gave an order to a Vance Family knight outside.
"Go! Sir! Select two hundred of the most elite soldiers from my family's troops! Equip them with the best gear and ten days' rations!"
He turned back, his gaze falling upon Lyman Leicester, and cleverly continued.
"You will join Lyman Leicester's army! Obey his command! Go and help them accomplish this honorable and arduous mission!"
"To aid the refugees of the Riverlands! And to find the scattered lords!"
"For the Seven Kingdoms! For all the Riverlands!"
Anyway, I've provided men. If there's any success, I'll get a share. This arrangement both saved face for the family and created a favor.
A perfectly timed, grateful smile finally appeared on Arthur's face. Plan successful, the more he fought, the more he gained.
He bowed deeply to Norbert Vance, his posture extremely humble: "Thank you for your generosity and support, Lord! The Riverlands will never forget your help!"
In the study of Daintings City, the fire in the fireplace had long died out, leaving only a few wisps of grey embers, and the air was still.
Lady Roselyn slammed several parchments, sent by raven, onto the lord's desk, her movements trembling uncontrollably, her cheeks even flushed red with anger. Her usual calm and gentle demeanor was completely gone.
Her voice was sharp, piercing the silence of the study: "Look at these!!"
"These are the vassals who swore to my husband to protect us with their lives and honor!!!"
Arthur stood by the window, his gaze calmly fixed on the army outside, ready to depart. He did not turn around; he had actually anticipated this.
"I issued an emergency summons to all subordinate vassals in the name of Daedings Family."
Lady Roselyn continued to speak, her voice filled with anger and disappointment. She picked up the topmost reply and tore the thin parchment to shreds.
"I told them their liege was missing, his fate uncertain beneath Seaguard, and that Daedings Family needed their swords!"
"Yet only House Morrison replied, saying they would immediately lead their family's soldiers to rendezvous with your forces."
She paused, taking a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the rage in her chest.
"As for the others…."
She casually picked up another letter and read the words on it, her tone full of sarcasm.
"Esteemed Lady, our territory is facing the threat of Ironborn infiltration; we are truly unable to spare troops. Please forgive us."
She tossed another one aside.
"Father followed Balon with the family's forces and has gone missing! Our duty is done!"
She held up the last letter, laughing in exasperation: "And this one! This is the most ridiculous!"
"He actually advised me! To wait for the unified command from Riverrun! And not to act rashly!"
The study fell silent once more, save for Lady Roselyn's heavy breathing. She was losing control, but she couldn't contain her anger. In her view, these families had for generations received enfeoffment and favors from Daedings Family; their castles and lands were all granted by Daedings Family. Now, with her husband missing and their lord in distress, they dared not give their full effort!
Arthur finally turned around slowly, his face devoid of any extra expression, his dark eyes unfathomable.
He simply spoke to the Lady calmly, his voice not loud, yet it dropped the temperature of the entire room by several degrees: "So what then?"
"Lady, what do you intend to do with these vassals who do not obey your command?"
Lady Roselyn was stunned by the question. She opened her mouth, but found she couldn't say anything. Deal with them? How could she deal with them? Send envoys to reprimand them? Or write a more strongly worded letter?
She truly didn't know how to handle it.
Arthur didn't wait for her to come up with an answer. He took two steps forward, stood before the desk, and looked directly at her:
"If I request to handle this matter entirely myself…"
His voice remained steady, yet it carried an undeniable force.
"Whatever I do next, will you and Daedings Family give me your complete support?"
Lady Roselyn was utterly stunned. She looked at the young man who had once wept before her about his family's difficulties. Now, in his calm eyes, there was a sharpness that made her heart pound.
She thought of her helplessness at this moment, of her husband whose fate was uncertain, of the faces of those treacherous vassals. She knew he wasn't asking for advice or discussion, but for the authorization of Daedings Family—a blank order that would allow him to do as he pleased.
But… Balon was still waiting for her to find someone to rescue him.
Within a few breaths, the confusion and anger in Lady Roselyn's eyes faded, replaced by a desperate resolve. She abruptly rose from her chair, walked around the desk, and stood before Arthur.
She straightened her skirt and, with an unprecedentedly solemn tone, looked up directly into Arthur's eyes.
"Naturally."
"Lord Arthur, as long as you can safely bring my husband, Balon Deddings, back to Daintings City."
Her voice was firm and clear, echoing in the empty study.
"From this moment on! Whatever you do! It will represent the will of Daedings Family!"
Arthur gave her a deep look, then nodded solemnly, his promise ringing with conviction.
"I will certainly bring Lord Balon back safely."
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"