Translator: Cinder Translations
...
In the reception room of the Lord's Mansion in Alden Town, apart from Earl Malon Ganard, who is currently serving in the royal capital, the lords of the Northwest Bay Customs Union gathered together. They were about to discuss a serious matter—how to deal with the invasion of the orcs.
"Damn barbaric savages from the plains!"
"Those bastards with fur growing on their backsides!"
"A bunch of delusional fools."
…
Such curses filled the room.
"It's still hard to believe,"
Earl Heller shook his head.
"The Watcher Fortress is impregnable. Theoretically, the orcs shouldn't be able to break into the Neron Corridor."
Although reason told him that Paul was unlikely to have gathered everyone here simply because of a rumor.
"It's truly regrettable,"
Paul said in frustration,
"Alden's intelligence network has sent back reports of large-scale orc activity in the northern part of Neron, near the Rocky Mountains."
Earl Parker furrowed his brows,
"If the Watcher Fortress still stands, does this mean the orcs have found a large-scale route to cross the mountains?"
Paul nodded,
"That's what I believe."
Their conversation sparked a round of discussion.
"Alright! We should make preparations,"
Duke Fraule rubbed his hands together, a bit nervous.
Thanks to the increasingly prosperous commercial activities, the lords of the Northwest Bay now had many channels of information, unlike the lords from other parts of the kingdom who were largely in the dark.
They had heard some rumors about the things happening on the great plains: the newly risen "King's Tent," the large chieftain named Abal, and how the orc armies had swept through the oasis kingdoms in the eastern part of the kingdom.
Fraule's family territory was in the inland, in the easternmost part of the Northwest Bay.
If something went wrong in the kingdom's northeast, his territory would be the first to bear the brunt.
"We should fortify the towns in the east!"
"Dig deep trenches!"
"Train the army!"
A slew of conventional measures was put forward and quickly confirmed.
But the group began to complain.
"Damn orcs, if we train a large army, it will severely affect our production."
"Exactly, who will farm, who will work in the factories?"
"But the orcs' cavalry are like the wind. We'll have to deploy armies everywhere, which requires a lot of manpower."
Paul stood up, patting his chest.
"Gentlemen, I've called you here to boost your confidence."
Two attendants brought over a wooden frame and set it up behind Paul.
This frame resembled an easel, with a large stack of boards hanging from it, which could be turned one by one.
"What's this?"
"A manual PPT, don't mind the name. We should focus on the content."
Paul flipped over the board.
On the first page was a drawing of a strange machine, emitting thick mist.
—
Marwin, an ordinary town in the northeastern part of the kingdom.
It was here that the Bradley family welcomed Princess Catherine and her army.
"Your Highness! We salute you, and we salute the great Aldor royal family."
Lamost Bradley, the second son of Duke Bradley, respectfully knelt on one knee and saluted the princess of the kingdom.
"Please rise, Sir Lamost."
Catherine smiled gently but still maintained her authority.
Lamost stood up, gazing at her with eager eyes.
"Since the last time I fought under your command against the Highland barbarians, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing your beautiful face."
Catherine replied,
"It's a pity you didn't attend the King's coronation ceremony last time."
Lamost sighed,
"Yes, I was entrusted with an important task by my father and couldn't go south. But my brother brought me a thunderous piece of news—our King actually betrothed his cousin to Earl of Alden."
Catherine's expression didn't change,
"It is the duty of every royal daughter to share the kingdom's glory, and naturally, we must fulfill our obligations to the kingdom."
"But…" The man across from her shook his head,
"The King should have chosen a husband for you with a more noble birth, purer bloodline, and a longer family history—someone who truly deserves your beauty and talent, instead of casually sending you off to some man's bed."
"Impudent!"
Catherine's commanders were furious. How dare this well-dressed young noble speak so disrespectfully?
Ophina, Leicester, and Dempsey all drew their swords and glared at Lamost.
TLN: I think it should say Ophina, Leicester and Dempsey, the Raws said Ophina, Leicester and Ophina.
To be honest, it was the first time they encountered such impudence toward their princess.
The knights behind Lamost immediately drew their swords to protect their lord's son.
For a moment, the sound of swords unsheathing filled the air as both sides were on edge.
Catherine was so angry that she didn't know what to say at first, as this was also her first time encountering such a situation.
"Sir Lamost, my future husband is a healthy, noble, and brave aristocrat."
She added a question mark in her heart since she hadn't gotten to know Paul in depth yet, but she had to defend him in public.
"He is well-matched with me, and I am very grateful to His Majesty the King for facilitating our union."
A look of regret appeared on Lamost's face.
He waved his hand, signaling the knights behind him to sheathe their swords.
He then bowed,
"I apologize, Your Highness Catherine. I admit, I was clouded by strong feelings of unwillingness, but I believe there are many others in the kingdom who share my sentiments, though they are too embarrassed to speak in front of you due to so-called face."
These words, wrapped in compliments, along with Lamost's expression, made him seem like a lovesick young man tortured by unrequited feelings.
Catherine raised her hand, signaling her subordinates to put away their swords.
But her tone had turned cold, making her seem like an iceberg compared to earlier.
"Sir, I won't hold your impudence against you because of your youth."
The princess sighed, her mind already drifting to the Watcher Fortress, not having the mood to deal with such petty matters.
"My army needs to head to the fortress immediately. The soldiers on the front lines are waiting for our support."
The Duke's second son seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Of course, Your Highness. My father is waiting here to provide supplies and act as a guide for you."
"Please rest briefly in the town. I'll return to camp immediately to transfer the supplies to your army."
Catherine nodded,
"Go as quickly as you can, Sir. The orc army is approaching. I hope you'll focus on defending the kingdom's people and your family's territory, rather than overthinking things."
"I will follow your advice!"
Lamost left with his knights.
Not long after he left, Ophina came to Catherine.
"Your Highness, there's bad news."
(End of the Chapter)
---
Read (FF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c832. [+1]
Early Access at $5.
Translated (5) Series, (2.2K+) Chapters, (2.9M+) Words.