Just as Viscount Webster finished explaining the distribution and risks of the enemy strongholds, the atmosphere in the main tent fell into a brief silence, with everyone waiting for the next deployment proposal.Viscount Webster spoke with a serious and solemn tone: “Based on current intelligence, the Icefang Mine area has relatively flat terrain, so we could consider prioritizing the elimination of this stronghold, then using it as a starting point to advance and defeat the enemy one by one. This is the most secure method.”Some old-school nobles nodded, clearly agreeing with this steady and cautious deployment.But before he could elaborate, a hoarse, slightly drunken voice suddenly interrupted him: “Old man, why are you being so slow?”Everyone looked towards the main seat.Count Firth was leaning on the back of his chair, barely managing to straighten himself, his face still heavily flushed with drunkenness.He pointed at the three red dots on the sand table: “If we’re going to fight, let’s fight all at once! These three nests of rats… why not clear them simultaneously? We’ll gather five thousand men, what are we afraid of?”The nobles present looked at each other, not knowing what to say, and a silence fell.Firth’s military advisor behind him coughed and quietly added: “Lord Firth means we can send three detachments to clear the three locations separately. If the advance goes smoothly, the war could end earlier.”But this was clearly an attempt to save face for Firth’s drunken ramblings.Viscount Webster’s brow furrowed: “You say it so easily. Our forces are already limited, and splitting them up is like cutting off our own reinforcements. The Snowsworn are accustomed to setting ambushes; every location is dangerous. How can we treat this like a game?”These words completely ignited Count Firth’s drunken rage.He slammed his hand on the table and stood up: “Am I the commander or are you? You, a vassal, dare to openly contradict your liege here?”Normally, he would never dare to speak to Viscount Webster like this.This Viscount was once his father’s right-hand man, an old retainer of the Firth family.Even now that he held the full title of Count, with a higher rank and legal authority, when it came to prestige, the one who could make decisions with a single word in front of these noble officers was not himself, but this old man with extraordinary strength.Firth knew this very well.Unfortunately, he was drunk today, and so his frustration burst out with the help of the alcohol.Viscount Webster’s face instantly turned ashen, as if he had been publicly slapped.But he did not immediately retort; he simply stood silently, hands clasped behind his back, suppressing his anger.Because he was a vassal, and Firth was his liege.Even if this liege was drunk and spouting nonsense, he could not be completely humiliated in this setting.The entire war room was silent, the atmosphere very oppressive.“Since you’re as timid as a mouse, I’ll decide!”Firth stood up, staggered a few steps to the sand table, and heavily tapped his finger on the three red dots: “These three enemy points, we will occupy them all at once.”“We’ll pick a few from the Southern Expeditionary Army, and those few warlike nobles from the North. Let them go as vanguards. I’ll stay in Snow Eagle City, overseeing the command!Only by deploying forces on three fronts can we truly display our army’s might!”When he said “overseeing the command,” his tone actually rose a few notches, as if he truly saw himself as a commander who could strategize and win battles from afar.There was a moment of silence in the room.No one spoke, only a few awkward coughs and the soft crackling of the candle burning by the sand table.The nobles weren’t fools; who couldn’t tell that this was clearly a plan to use them as cannon fodder?Even the few Southern nobles who had initially nodded in agreement couldn’t help but subtly change their expressions.Louis leaned back in his seat, coldly watching the drunken Firth, recalling the second piece of intelligence from today.He had only one thought: the corpses were speaking.But this was also good.He had originally been pondering what reason to use to secure an opportunity to go to war, as a young noble suddenly requesting to join the battle would be too abrupt and easily arouse suspicion.Now, however, Count Firth’s reckless deployment ironically gave him a natural stepping stone.“Lord Firth, Lord Webster,” Louis suddenly raised his hand.“If possible, I hope to lead my accompanying troops to Qingyu Ridge first to scout the terrain and probe for enemy traces.Qingyu Ridge has complex terrain and narrow roads; it’s a typical mountain valley. And I have participated in battles in similar terrain in previous conflicts, so I have some experience and know how to set up Vigilance lines and quick retreat routes.If we can determine the enemy’s whereabouts, then decide whether to concentrate our forces and advance, the chances of victory will be more secure.”The main tent suddenly fell silent.Many people turned to look at him, their gazes astonished.They clearly hadn’t expected this popular young noble to volunteer at such a time, requesting to go deep behind enemy lines.Didn’t he realize that this was a suicide mission?!“Huh?” Yoen, sitting in the back, instinctively raised his hand: “I’ll go too! Wherever Baron Calvin goes, I’ll go!”The few nobles behind them took a soft breath and whispered to each other.“Are these two crazy?”“A place like Qingyu Ridge… [N O V E L I G H T] isn’t that just going to die?”“At this crucial moment, to dare to volunteer for battle, haven’t they realized that’s a trap?”In this situation, who couldn’t see the danger of this mission?This wasn’t a vanguard; it was expendable material.But Louis, of all people, had volunteered.Viscount Webster silently stared at Louis, his eyes dark.He was trying to determine: Was this young man acting on a whim, or did he have an ulterior motive?Did he want to run?Impossible, unless he was insane.He could run the monk, but not the temple, and moreover, the Governor’s envoy was watching.Running away meant being stripped of his title, or even being captured and beheaded.Or was it a young man’s desire for glory?Did killing Haskell make him arrogant? Did he think he was invincible?But no matter what, even if he was going to his death, it was a good thing.If sacrificing a few hundred men could make Firth calm down, it would be worth it.“In that case,” Webster’s tone was as steady as ever, “then let Baron Calvin and Baron Harvey lead their troops to Qingyu Ridge. Remember, focus on reconnaissance, and do not act rashly.”“Yes,” Louis replied, bowing his head.Then Webster casually named a few Southern pioneer nobles with shallow backgrounds, instructing them to lead their respective teams to the other two strongholds for feigned reconnaissance.The faces of those who were called upon instantly turned pale, and they hesitated to speak.Everyone knew this wasn’t reconnaissance; it was a mine-sweeping mission.But no one dared to defy the order, and some even secretly resented Louis, believing that if he hadn’t jumped out, they wouldn’t have been named.The meeting didn’t last much longer.Viscount Webster briefly arranged a few logistical provisions, then announced the meeting adjourned.The nobles rose, their expressions varied, but everyone looked rather grim.After all, the command of the entire Fifth Army Corps was in the hands of a very unreliable Count.

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