84: Situation in the East

Chapter 84: Eastern Situation

Godwin led the young man into the inn, chose a table, and ordered two meals from the owner.

"How old are you, kid?" Godwin asked.

"Sixteen."

"What's your name?"

"Paul."

"Alright, Paul. You don't look like someone of unsound mind. So, why do you want to join us on our journey to Qingfeng Valley?"

Paul replied, "Because I admire Lord Arthur's reputation."

This made Godwin chuckle, "Listen, young man, Lord Arthur is indeed worthy of admiration."

"But insincerity won't get you to join us."

The inn owner placed two dinners on the table.

Godwin pushed one of them towards the young man and said coldly, "Eat it, then leave."

"Sir, I am not here to beg."

"If you can let me meet Lord Arthur, he will naturally understand."

"That's quite a tone, but if you want to meet him, you'll have to convince me first."

Paul nodded and said firmly, "I will."

This was a high-class restaurant, and everyone dining there was a respectable person.

This made Arthur wonder if his casual attire would attract strange looks.

Fortunately, not many people paid attention to him; most just hurried past and then immersed themselves in their own conversations.

It wasn't long before Molly and Forni arrived.

Neither of them seemed to care about Arthur's plain clothes.

As soon as they sat down, they handed him a package directly.

"This is all the information we've gathered," Forni said, "It's all yours."

Arthur took the package, placed it at his feet, and asked, "You're just going to hand these things over to me so casually?"

"We trust you," Molly said, "Ever since we invited you to be our witness,

"More and more forces have turned their attention to us. This information is not safe in our hands."

"This information is not safe in our hands."

"You are clearly solving problems for your respective families, yet you have to hide like rats in a sewer."

"Politics are inherently complex," Forni sighed, "My brother never misses an opportunity to ruin me."

"He and his cronies don't care about the border villages, nor do they care about the mist that turns people into undead creatures."

"They only care if I pose a threat to them."

If this information were discovered, they would surely destroy it.

"That way, I would still be the young noble who likes to run around the world, rather than the son of Rahman who solves the family's difficulties."

Molly gently held her fiancé's hand and softly comforted him, "Don't worry, one day, you will succeed."

At this moment, Arthur reminded, "I must state first that I have no intention of participating in the struggle for the heir."

"No, no, Lord Arthur, you've misunderstood," Forni waved his hand, "We absolutely have no such intention."

Despite this, Arthur felt that he seemed to have already been drawn into this family dispute.

"Amn's eastern region will soon face great chaos. To survive this turmoil, the best way is to pledge allegiance to a wise Lord, and Lord Arthur is an excellent choice."

Paul elaborated on his reasons.

Godwin simply focused on his meal, not saying a word.

So, Paul continued, "I have heard of Lord Arthur's deeds, and he is absolutely worthy of being called wise."

"Otherwise, someone like Jessica Hughes would never willingly submit to him."

"Furthermore, although Qingfeng Valley is remote, its location is excellent, and it is far from Amn's political center."

"Once one can gain a foothold there, one can advance offensively and retreat defensively."

Godwin put down his spoon, broke bread into small pieces, and put them into the broth, saying, "We know all of what you're saying."

"So, do you have a way to ensure we gain a foothold in Qingfeng Valley?"

2

"No." Paul answered very directly.

Godwin smiled faintly and asked, "Then I'm curious."

"Not to mention that all your assumptions are based on Lord Arthur genuinely becoming the Baron of Qingfeng Valley."

"It's simple. The Noble Alliance has long been in name only, and the Eastern nobles each have their own agendas."

"This can be seen from the border war that has lasted from winter until now."

"In the past, the allied noble armies could defeat the orcs in just two or three months, but now..." "I heard that there's a skilled and brave chieftain among the orcs," Godwin interrupted, "This war is not as easy as it seems."

"But surely, Sir, you can see that this isn't the main reason, can you?"

"Are you testing me?"

"No, I'm just stating an obvious fact."

"The real reason for the stalemate in the war is that certain families are deliberately preserving their strength."

"In order to deal with the larger conflict that is coming."

"Are you referring to the Falcon, Buck, and Greyhound families?"

"Exactly. Once the allied forces are defeated, the orcs will plunder westward in large numbers, and the Evil Wolf Family and the Stag Family will be the first to bear the brunt."

"But orcs only know how to plunder; they don't know how to manage. Once they've plundered enough, they'll leave."

"At that time, the Falcon Family can seize the opportunity to launch an attack and, with the help of the Western Merchant Council, unify the entire Eastern region."

This analysis finally made Godwin put down his cutlery.

He re-examined the thin young man in front of him: beneath his messy hair was a face slightly pale from malnutrition.

But his eyes were bright and piercing.

His ability to analyze Amn's situation so thoroughly was truly impressive.

The Falcon Family's ambition had long been known to all.

Although Godwin had anticipated an internal war in the East that would determine the fate of each family, he had never imagined that they would betray their ally, the Stag Family.

But upon closer thought, the Falcon Family could even change their beliefs, so allies were even less of a concern.

Now, the Falcon Family was no longer just a simple Eastern noble family, but a stepping stone for Western merchants to plot against the East.

"Given that, why don't you go pledge allegiance to the Falcon Family?" Godwin asked. "Because the Falcon Family itself is similarly chaotic, and the current family head is tyrannical and unpopular."

"While his two younger brothers are quite talented and ambitious."

The family can currently present a united front because they have a common enemy.

"Once they unify the East, internal conflicts will intensify, likely leading to family strife."

And the Greyhound Family is merely a vassal of the Falcon, not worth mentioning.

"Although the Buck Earl has great ambitions, unfortunately, his subordinate Lords do not obey his command."

"The Crow Family has been severely weakened since the last seat struggle and has not yet recovered. In the entire East, only the Evil Wolf Family can contend with the Falcon, but now..."

"Now the Evil Wolf Family is trapped by the orcs; once the border falls, they will be too preoccupied to help themselves!" Godwin interjected.

"Exactly so." Paul nodded.

Godwin pointed to the cooling broth in front of Paul: "Eat it while it's hot."

"The Lord has gone to a banquet. When he returns, I'll take you to see him."

These words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly relaxing Paul's previously tense shoulders.

He grabbed the bread and began to eat it heartily with the broth.