The meeting between Count Gaston and Charlotte was no secret.
In fact, a troop movement of this magnitude cannot be concealed.
Not to mention that before Charlotte set off, the nobles in the North already knew that she was going to meet with the garrison commander of the Tulip Earldom. The Tulip Earldom also had officers loyal to the Boulder family staying behind.
However, Charlotte had no intention of hiding this meeting.
Not only that, after returning to North Port, she also announced the result of this meeting in a high-profile manner, that is, she would form a coalition with Count Gaston stationed in the Tulip Territory, and go north together to eliminate Castel's rebels.
The same goes for the Tulip Earldom.
Count Gaston, who returned to the fortress, also quickly reorganized his armaments and announced that he would assist Count Castells in going north to put down the rebellion.
This decision caused a stir among the top brass of the garrison, and many commanders loyal to Bold expressed opposition.
After all, the garrison at Tulip was named Bold. Even though Earl Gaston was the commander-in-chief and the Gaston family had been operating here for ten years, they could not completely replace Bold's influence.
There were also good reasons for opposing Count Gaston's commanders.
That is, without orders from Bold, the garrison cannot leave the Tulip Earldom without authorization, let alone help the nobles of the duchy to suppress the rebellion.
】
For them, the fact that Count Gaston mobilized his troops to leave the fortress was already very dissatisfying.
For a time, the noble commanders of the Tulip Earldom had a quarrel in the fortress about whether to assist Castel in sending troops to suppress the rebellion. The Boulder faction and the Gaston faction disagreed.
However, this quarrel did not last long.
Because Count Gaston wrote an urgent letter and sent it to Bold using the mage tower in the fortress.
Not long after, the Mage Tower also sent back a reply from Bold.
Eleanor, the Duchess of Boulder, agreed with Count Gaston's decision and ordered him to send troops to assist Castel in his march north to quell the rebellion.
With Bold's consent, other commanders of the garrison naturally had no reason to object.
Although many commanders were confused as to why Boulder would agree to Count Gaston's actions, orders were orders, and they ultimately chose to follow them.
At the same time, in North Port, Charlotte, who had returned, also announced that she would personally lead the army north to put down the rebellion.
Charlotte will serve as the leader of the coalition forces, while Baron Angus will serve as the de facto commander-in-chief.
All nobles participating in the war can receive rewards based on their military exploits. Those with outstanding achievements can even obtain the land of the Gris family, and even... a title.
When the order came out, the nobles of the North who had already been gearing up suddenly became excited.
In their opinion, the strength of the coalition forces is obviously higher than that of the rebels. Now with the assistance of Count Gaston's principality standing army, countering the rebellion is as simple as walking in a garden.
This is almost an easy victory, not to mention that the perpetrators can still hope to obtain land and titles.
However, it is not without opposition.
For example, the old Viscount of the Romain-Fol family...
"My Lord Earl, why did you... agree to Earl Gaston's proposal? It is well known that the third prince covets Castel, and you have read all the information about Violet."
"Compared with the rebellion in the north, the most dangerous thing to us now is the third prince who is eyeing us with covetous eyes and the Violet Army who is ready to move."
"I don't think it's a good choice to lead the army north at this time, especially since you have to go out in person..."
"Have you ever thought that this will most likely lead to an emptiness in our south. Once the Violet side launches an attack, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
"What's more, aren't you worried about Earl Gaston's sudden betrayal and defection during the counter-rebellion? Or do you plan to deal with the rebels and the Tulip Earldom's army together?"
"I know you may want to resolve the civil strife as soon as possible and concentrate on dealing with possible invasions, but your choice... is too risky!"
Looking at the old Viscount who ignored the obstruction of his personal guards and hurriedly felt that the Earl's Palace came to advise him after knowing his decision, Charlotte's expression softened and she said gently:
"Your Excellency Viscount, of course I know who our real enemy is."
"Don't worry, I won't take away all the troops. Until the rebellion in the north comes to an end, there will be no problems in the south."
Viscount Romain-Fol frowned:
"That's even more inappropriate and more dangerous! You're risking your own life!"
"Leave aside the rebels for the time being, the Tulip Earldom's army is an extraordinary force that can form a magic energy array! Once our army faces their defection and flanking attack, the consequences will be disastrous!"
After hearing what the old Viscount said, Charlotte smiled slightly:
"Don't worry, Your Majesty Viscount, the Tulip Earldom's army is no longer a problem."
"Um?"
Viscount Romain Faure was obviously stunned for a moment.
Charlotte did not continue to explain, but gestured to Sebastian beside her, who took out a roll of parchment from his arms and handed it to the old Viscount with a smile:
"Your Excellency, please take a look."
Viscount Romain Faure took it, and when he saw the content clearly, he was stunned:
"This is... a secret contract between you and Earl Gaston, Lord Count?! Earl Gaston is willing to support you in your rebellion against the third prince?!"
"This...this...how is this possible?!"
…
Viscount Romain-Faure couldn't figure out why Count Gaston would side with Castel.
The contract shown by Sebastian is real. It is a contract certified by the God of Contracts. Once violated, it is tantamount to becoming an enemy of the Holy Royal Court and will lead to self-destruction.
But in any case, now that he has this contract in hand, Viscount Romain Foul has nothing to say.
As for why there is such a contract...it was naturally signed by Charlotte specifically with Count Gaston.
Blood servants can't be brought to light, but contracts can.
She could not dispel the doubts of nobles like Viscount Romain-Four by saying that she had no proof. She needed a more reasonable way to give the nobles an explanation.
After reading the contract, Viscount Romain-Fol no longer opposed Charlotte's plan.
Although he still had doubts in his heart, as a vassal, he also understood that every noble had his own secrets, and if Charlotte didn't want to talk about some things, it was hard for him to ask.
At least... based on the current relationship between them, it's not easy to ask.
So, three days after Charlotte announced her move north, Northport's army began taking action.
Charlotte specially put on a suit of skirt and armor, and with a total of 25,000 people, surrounded by many nobles, rushed to the north in a mighty manner.
At the same time, the third prince in Boulder City also received a letter from Charlotte personally going north to put down the rebellion...
