CH227 Receiving Intel

***

The civilians fell silent, unsure how to respond.

Then, a hesitant voice broke the quiet.

"One of the soldiers just called him Young Lord... is he the heir of the Fury family? Of Earl Drake Fury?"

"With his strength, it would make sense if he is," another muttered.

"If the heir of the Fury family is here personally, while our own fief lord and his kin cower into hiding... then it's clear who deserves our blame."

"Yes... this isn't the General's fault. Nor the Fury Army's. The monsters and those false nobles are the guilty ones. And yet, he bows before us commoners..."

The murmurs spread like wildfire.

The father who had lost his son clenched his fist so tightly that his nails pierced his own flesh. Blood welled from his palm.

The man beside him, who had lost his wife, stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It will be alright," he said gently. "I lost my wife... my brother, my niece, and nephews that day. I know your pain."

His voice wavered but did not break.

"It will be hard, but we who survived... we must live on. We must cherishing the lives we still have. That is what our loved ones would have wanted.

"So please, endure. Live, for yourself... and for those waiting to hear your stories when you meet again."

At those words, the grieving father collapsed to his knees and wept bitterly.

Alex exhaled heavily, his chest tight.

'The hegemony of power... it is simple, natural, even rational. But human nature is not so simple.

'Nobles in this world have become so fixated on power that they've forgotten this truth. And as a result, they have become disconnected from the very people they are meant to guide and protect.'

He suddenly felt a gaze upon him. Looking up, he saw Jared—and beside him, Drake, once again disguised as Jared's adjutant.

'Drake... Father... I hope you see and come to understand. Ambition for power does not demand the sacrifice of one's humanity. A noble's desire for dominion need not be opposed to a commoner's yearning for peace and stability.

'If you pursue peace and stability with even the barest humility and humanity, then the people will devote everything to your ambition.'

Almost as though in answer to his thoughts, the grieving father lifted his head. His tears had not dried, but in his eyes now burned conviction.

"General... no, Young Master Alex." He straightened and bowed deeply. "Thank you for freeing us from those Wildkin monsters and for saving our homes."

Alex hurried forward and caught the man by the shoulders, pulling him back up.

"No. Don't. I don't deserve this. I—"

"You do," the man interrupted firmly. His grip tightened around Alex's arm. "You are not like the nobles I've known. Nor like the people of high station I always imagined. I can feel it—you are still human. Just like us."

He clasped Alex's hand, his eyes glimmering with hope.

"You promised, didn't you? That you will rid our lands of the Wildkin?"

Alex shook his head.

"I can only promise we will do our utmost."

The father accepted this with a firm nod.

"You asked for our support, yes? Then I believe I speak for everyone when I say—please, tell us what you need. We will do our best, for our loved ones... and for our homes."

Others stepped forward, echoing the sentiment.

"Please tell us what you need, General!"

Alex's gaze swept over them. He nodded solemnly.

"Information," he revealed. "You live here. You know these lands better than we ever could. Any and all details—roads, terrain, hidden paths, rumors, sightings—everything. The more we know, the faster we can crush the Wildkin threat."

He gave a cue, and Lieutenant Cross along with several officers stepped forward, guiding the civilians to give their statements.

Alex turned his eyes toward Drake and Jared's position.

'Do you see, Father? Show people humanity and humility... and they will offer you their loyalty. In the right moment, such gestures achieve far more than fear or raw power ever could.'

He looked back at the citizens now lining up, determination on their faces.

'Before long... these people will be the key to nailing the Kellermans for their betrayal.'

Alex had no idea just how right he was.

---

Within hours, the Exercitus Alexii officers reported a flood of vital intelligence—details not included in the operation dossier.

Some of it was so obscure that even Black Mantle had no knowledge of it.

And the interviews had only just begun.

Recognizing the value, Alex ordered the Division's Black Mantle attaché to call in and have operatives of the Intel wing take over the interviews. This freed up the Taskforce Division to press deeper into Kellerman lands and break the Wildkin occupation.

The information uncovered by Cowle City's citizens exposed several previously unknown Wildkin hideouts nearby. These were swiftly eliminated before the creatures could regroup and grow stronger.

Even more shocking was the discovery of the secret refuge where Baron Konradin and his family had hidden throughout the Wildkin occupation of the city—abandoning their people to fend for themselves.

As thanks to the citizens for their aid, Alex returned the Baron and his kin to the people... but under one condition: that he was not to be killed.

What the people of Cowle City chose to do with their fief lord afterward was no concern of his.

---

Somehow, news of Exercitus Alexii's actions in Cowle spread quickly.

With the existence of Rune Phones, stories of their General bowing to commoners reached neighboring settlements, stirring hearts and inspiring trust. Soon, civilians across the region came forward with their own information and assistance, accelerating the collapse of the Wildkin's grip on northwestern Kellerman territory.

By then, the taskforce had carved deeply into enemy lands, pushing toward Werth—the epicenter of the Wildkin occupation.

Exercitus Alexii was preparing for the decisive battle when Alex received two critical pieces of intelligence obtained through his own secret channels.

First: the Orc Chieftain ruling over Werth was no ordinary foe. He was a Half-Legendary Orc.

Second: the Kellermans had begun to move. Their forces were already slipping through hidden routes into Fury territory. Their first target—

the Northern Dankrot barricade fort, gateway to the Fury lands.

***

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