Although Arman had secretly instructed the servants to tidy the tent before he left, the inside of the leather tent was still filled with a foul stench.

"Lift the curtains, it's too dim." Arman, with a slight aversion to dirt, whispered to the attendants at the entrance, still mindful of the nobles' dignity inside the tent.

The servant laid a clean blanket on the chair, only then did Arman sit down.

On the greasy long table, the nobles who had partied all night had not yet awakened from their hangover, some were even nodding off.

Unlike the Golden Plains deep within the Empire, the nobles of the Thousand River Valley still retained the roughness and savagery of the old nobility.

Perhaps due to the lack of resources, their banquets were always "unrestrained."

In the Empire's core areas, where the new Mary fashion prevails, nobles long abandoned such revelries, opting for dining elegantly and quietly with clean tables and bone china bowls, and gracefully socializing at balls.

Facing the crooked and disheveled nobles, Arman could only say they possessed a rather retro and simple style.

"Priest Mizam has a sudden matter, so we will hold the meeting first." Arman rubbed his nose, unable to bear it anymore, and said, "The first matter is for all banquets to be suspended for three days, and a three-day alcohol ban, to piously pray for the Holy Father's grace."

"Ah?"

Inside the tent, there was instantly a mournful wail, as if they would die without a daily banquet.

The male servants and maids beside them, however, all showed expressions of relief, and when they looked at Arman, gratitude flashed in their eyes.

They were all beautiful women and handsome men caught by the knights from nearby.

As mere mortals, having continuously served the nobles for several nights, their bodies were already on the verge of collapse.

Almost every night, there would be maids and male servants who died suddenly, and they would be dragged out of the tent, casually buried by the roadside, or taken away by their families with a cart.

But most of their families were besieging Rapids City, likely having no time and energy to deal with them, and might even envy their beauty for not having to go to the battlefield.

Know that the area around Rapids City was originally densely populated, with many civilians.

To quickly capture Rapids City, Arman had pulled more than ten thousand civilians, including those from Dog Fox Village, to the battlefield.

Their daily task was to be given a spear or even just a wooden stick, constantly attacking the city, with hundreds dying every day.

Among these people, at least one-fifth were killed for fleeing battle in fear or for displeasing the knights.

At the downstream Biqi Castle, dozens of bloated corpses could be seen hanging in front of the water gate's iron bars every day.

Their skin ballooning, displaying bluish faces in the heat, surrounded by small fish and shrimp tearing off pieces of pinkish-blue decomposing flesh.

Unfolding the war report in hand, Arman was still dissatisfied; with such effort, how had Rapids City not been breached yet?

Calling the servants to wipe the faces of the hungover nobles to sober them up, Arman turned and asked Count Koma, "That Desai, have you contacted him?"

"Uh, uh, contacted, I've given him access, he can come to me anytime."

"Good, I will ask you about related matters in the future." Arman looked at Count Koma with profound meaning.

"Yes, yes."

Watching Count Koma wipe his sweat with a handkerchief, a slight curve appeared at Arman's mouth.

Regarding the nobles secretly taking potions, he was somewhat aware.

After all, if Koma took it, if Marika took it, how could Arman, the supreme commander, not take it?

Only Koma went too far, making Arman decide to knock him down a peg.

But he couldn't show that he knew, because knowing meant responsibility; not knowing meant not having to take responsibility.

As for the impact of these potions on the war and the harm to the knights, Arman never cared.

Because the potions in the military warehouse were only consumed by lower-level knights, guards, and mercenaries—what combat power could they offer?

Arman's 160 decrees under his command, as well as the other extraordinary knights of his entourage, all had exclusive potion warehouses.

Those belonged to Prince Kongdai's private property, giving Koma ten thousand guts, he wouldn't dare take them.

"Everyone..." Seeing that most of those present had washed their faces and hands, wiping the grease off with difficulty, Arman then unhurriedly said, "Bishop Banifus has sent a letter urging us to take Rapids City as quickly as possible.

I ordered the prohibition of banquets for the next three days to seek the Holy Father's blessing, rest assured, once Rapids City is captured, you may hold a victory banquet for as many days as you wish."

"Why? Are things so urgent at Feiliu Castle?"

Arman threw a stack of letters: "See for yourselves, the rebel forces in Hotam County are growing larger, they even conquered Dov Monastery, seizing thousands of pounds of gold.

We believe the rebels in Hotam County have now nearly reached ten thousand strong!"

According to the letters, after the knightly power was withdrawn from Hotam County, dealing with the local rebels became exceedingly difficult.

In the past, it was always one rebellion after another—quelling one, then another, always dealing with a single group of rebels from the same area.

But now, ten groups of rebels have arisen simultaneously, while the Church only has the capability to deploy forces to suppress three groups, and even that might not be enough to capture them.

Led by Valent Taylor and André, the Holy Uncle's Army as the core rebel force in Hotam County utilizes the county's intricate water network to swiftly move around using small boats.

Under the unified command of these two, various rebel forces like the Saint Second Cousin's Army and the Saint's Big Cousin's Army are elusive and unpredictable.

The temple knights, unable to run on water, are played with as they scramble around, allowing the rebels to launch surprise attacks on churches and castles, leaving the rebels impossible to completely eradicate.

"Close to ten thousand men, is it really that exaggerated?" someone murmured.

Arman said nothing, though he too doubted this number. Could it be a fabrication instigated by Banifus to hurry him?

However, he at least knew one thing: the fall of Dov Monastery outside Feiliu Castle had frightened the normally life-preserving young bishop.

In just one day, he sent twelve goldleaf letters, demanding Arman "capture Rapids City at all costs and return as quickly as possible."

"Holy Uncle's Army? What's that?" Lady Marika picked up the letter on the table, skimming through a few lines, having never heard the name before.

"It's the former Saint's Grandson Army, led by Valent Taylor, who claims to be the Saint's Grandson's uncle and has now proclaimed himself Pope." Count Koma explained softly.

It's undeniable that even after so many years, the legacy of Miseria's church religious faction still influences the Thousand River Valley People.

Valent Taylor's actions formed a path dependence in Hotam County, where Valent Taylor first copied Horn's uprising and others mimicked Valent Taylor's.

Any rebel army must claim relations to the Saint's Grandson to be recognized.

In Kasha County, responsible for communications, Armand would acknowledge anyone daring to rise, unless they took too much advantage.

Thankfully, the Thousand River Valley People inherited the Kush Tribe's descriptive kinship terminology system, otherwise, there wouldn't be so many usable sacred relatives.

"This Hotam County rebel army also claims to be the Pope?" a noble naturally fond of humor picked up a letter and read aloud.

Everyone hurried closer in astonishment, listening to him read the letter in hand, unable to hold back their laughter.

"This self-proclaimed Pope, isn't it like having a Pope on the eastern end and a Pope on the western end; who's really the Pope of the Salvation Army then?"

"Look for yourself, Holy Father, it's so blasphemous, but I can't help but laugh."

"Western Border Guardian Pope, Eastern Guardian Pope, hahaha, what about the North and South? North and South?"

"And Western Border Guardian, hahaha, this is hilarious."

"Alright, alright." Despite nearly bursting into laughter himself, Armand gestured for them to quiet down, breaking the serious atmosphere stirred by the amusing noble.

"I've discussed with Banifus, aiming to capture Rapids City within three days; any thoughts?"

As Armand spoke, the nobles, who had been laughing heartily, seemed to be muted, suddenly turning from laughter to silence.

This awkward silence persisted for a full three minutes, apart from the scratching noise from a few nobles, there was no other sound.

Seeing these drunk-eyed nobles, Armand couldn't help but feel a twinge in his teeth, wondering why he thought to seek advice from them at all.

After all, the Thousand River Valley is a countryside place; expecting them to wield authority like the Longsong nobles or El Scholars would be asking too much of them.

Just as Armand pondered how to break this awkward silence, a series of footsteps neared from afar.

Outside the tent, shadows flickered; the halberdier guarding the entrance bowed, bringing a breeze as Prince Kongdai's strategist, Priest Mizam, entered the tent, looking curiously at the open tent flap.

Like Armand, he pinched his nose upon entering, unabashedly showing disdain.

Not bothering with the awkwardness inside the tent, he walked straight to Armand's side, leaned on his shoulder, and began whispering.

Count Koma discreetly moved to the left, barely overhearing words like "property," "city gate," "Meigedi Commerce Association," "witch" between Mizam's fingers.

Before Mizam finished speaking, Armand excitedly slammed the table: "Great, where is the person?"

Mizam nodded with a smile: "Follow me and you'll see them."

Armand stood up, noticing the puzzled gazes around, belatedly clearing his throat: "Alright, everyone can disperse for now; specific arrangements will be discussed tomorrow morning."

Eager to leave, Armand strode away, but after reaching the door, he returned.

"Lady Marika, could you assist me?"

"Happy to oblige." Lady Marika stood up, the lead powder on her face sprinkling down.

"There's been no news from Xiaochi City; could I borrow your fast horses and boats to investigate?"

"Of course, it's my pleasure."

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