In a short while, Portia arrived and paid her respects to Howard.

Howard immediately inquired about the information he was eager to know.

Portia began, “My lord, this war, it can be described as a sweeping force, unforeseen by anyone. Who could have imagined that the Duke would muster such a vast army?”

“How many exactly?” Anna interjected.

Portia glanced at Anna, “I’m not certain of the exact numbers, but it exceeded five thousand.”

“Alright, go on,” Anna urged.

“The truth is, the war had an almost theatrical beginning, beyond anyone’s imagination. Hof, whom we thought had gone bankrupt, had somehow managed to gather funds to hire mercenaries. And not just one group, but two,” Portia revealed.

“What are the names of these mercenary groups?” Anna inquired.

“The Scalavich Brothers Squad and the Mambabers Stalwart Warriors Regiment,” Portia replied. 𝑖𝘦𝑎.𝗇t

A look of surprise crossed Anna’s face.

“Those two mercenary groups are not to be underestimated.”

“Indeed, Knight,” Portia continued, “Though primarily consisting of light and heavy infantry, archers, and a few light cavalry, their valor in battle is well-known. The equipment of these mercenaries is always of the highest caliber, battle-tested and carefully selected.”

“After each battle, they often upgrade to even better gear. Their frequent combats ensure both their skill and equipment are of superior quality.” 𝘦.𝘤𝘰𝑚

“Moreover, they possess substantial wealth, enabling them to craft uniform, brand-new armor and weapons for their special warriors. Their profession is warfare, and their wealth is dedicated to the same cause, constantly enhancing their strength.”

“Once their equipment needs are met, they expand their ranks. Currently, the Scalavich Brothers Squad numbers around 1200, while the Mambabers Stalwart Warriors Regiment boasts a force of 2100.”

“To be honest, I had once considered hiring a mercenary group for Mibo, but the mere thought of their fees was enough to send shivers down my spine.”

“How much does it cost?” Howard inquired.

Portia replied, “To initially hire the Scalavich Brothers Squad, it costs 150 gold coins, and for each month they fight for you, you must pay them 10 gold coins plus 50 silver coins.”

“The Mambabers Stalwart Warriors Regiment is even more expensive. Their initial recruitment fee is 250 gold coins, and for each subsequent month of service, they require 20 gold coins and 70 silver coins.”

Howard nodded, licking his lips, and commented, “That is indeed very expensive.”

Anna questioned, “It seems unreasonable that Hof could afford both of these mercenary groups. Where did he get such funds?”

Portia replied uncertainly, “It’s rumored that Hof controlled the production of mercury in his castle, but I don’t know how he managed that. There are also whispers that Hof’s wealth came from a treasure he found on an expedition.”

“Yet, according to the soldiers in the castle, it’s the spoils from when Hof led his troops to exterminate a band of thieves. That’s how he suddenly became wealthy.”

Anna pondered this information.

Portia continued, “When Hof had these two fully-staffed mercenary groups on his side, my informant thought he was poised to win the war. But it turned out he was mistaken. Mibo brought a massive army, like eagles and vultures, and more dauntingly, they were numerous and dense.”

“Hof suffered another ambush, leaving him unable to effectively command his troops. Hof’s defeat was humiliating; his forces were completely annihilated during their retreat.”

Howard sat back, hands crossed, half-reclining in his chair, momentarily lost for words.

Portia continued her account: “Mibo’s vast army was bolstered by his relatives, including a duke’s forces. After winning a decisive battle, the duke arrived at Hof’s castle, launching an immediate and forceful siege, foregoing even the symbolic gesture of surrounding the fortress. The moment Hof’s castle was breached, Hof lost the war.”

Anna shook her head incessantly, her face a mix of self-mockery and disbelief.

“Has he gone mad? Such a strategy would lead to enormous casualties. Does he trust his vassals so blindly? If his forces diminish, what would he do if others seize the opportunity to declare war on him?”

Portia, unchanging in her expression, replied, “That is the reality, Knight.”

Howard took a deep breath and asked Portia, “Alright, now that I’m aware of the formidable army Mibo’s relative possesses, tell me, has Mibo imprisoned Hof and then withdrawn from Gokasu Castle?”

Portia appeared somewhat hesitant, reluctant to speak.

Howard assured her that it was alright to speak freely, and Portia revealed, “My lord, the secret message briefly described the course of the war, but I only just learned of its final outcome.”

“My lord, Mibo has violated the verbal agreement with you and directly usurped Hof’s baronial title! Mibo is now the Baron of Gokasu, the Knight of Seasalt Village, and Hof has been stripped of his title, reduced to a commoner.”

That afternoon, Howard was furious.

According to the maids within the castle, they had never seen their lord so enraged.

Anna relayed the situation to Resarite, who, accompanied by Portia and Vettel, went to see Howard to discuss the possibility of waging war against Mibo.

Howard, seeking solitude, politely declined Resarite’s suggestion.

Margaret then visited her father, but he offered no advice on the matter.

He said to her, “Margaret, my pride, you have won a fief for our family. Your lord, the wise Howard, I believe, has merely suffered a disgraceful betrayal, nothing that strikes at the core. You needn’t worry overly. In the world of nobility, success and failure are as casual as choosing the spread for one’s morning bread.”

Margaret disagreed with her father’s view, feeling that he was merely placating her.

Leaving her father’s presence, she retreated to a room and confided in a trusted retainer, “My father is just humoring me. He doesn’t care about Lord Howard’s wellbeing; he’s only concerned about himself. His words are merely to prevent me from acting rashly and losing my fief.”

Her confidante, a woman, was a Knight Squire Margaret had acquired from another noble house.

The woman’s family was an ordinary knightly family, not particularly distinguished within the noble hierarchy.

The woman advised Margaret, “Lady Margaret, let it be. Let Lord Howard worry about these matters. If he has come this far, he surely has a way to handle it.”

Margaret viewed the situation with pessimism.

She sat on her bed, next to which a candle flickered on a bedside table, casting an uncertain light on the right side of her face.

She had intended to draw the dagger from her waist to fiddle with, but suddenly lost the inclination.

Her confidante said, “Lady Margaret, we come from ordinary knight families, while Lord Howard has already attained the status of an earl. Even if we wish to help Lord Howard, we simply don’t possess sufficient power.”

Margaret hung her head low, her twin braids forming a picture of sorrow.

Yet, she didn’t concede defeat.

An idea struck her, “True, my family lacks the power, but Anna’s family might just have it.”

Her confidante hesitated, “My lady, it’s hard to be sure about another family’s affairs. With Anna’s family, the Katerinas, one issue is whether they have the capability to help Lord Howard, and another is whether the head of their family would be willing to assist.”

Margaret pondered for a moment, “I recall that Anna’s family, the Katerinas, aren’t particularly powerful either. Anna’s father is the Knight Captain for Viscount Fernando, which means that the Katerina family, in essence, is just at a knight’s level.”

The confidante muttered, “Then they definitely lack the ability.”

But hope glimmered in Margaret’s eyes, “However, judging by Anna’s usual demeanor, she feels pride and confidence about her family. I think this has something to do with the Valuva family. Though not powerful, the Katerinas are a branch of the Valuvas.”

“Even though they are now separate families, should the Katerinas need assistance, the Valuvas might still lend a hand. I believe that’s the source of Anna’s usual confidence.”

The aide was skeptical and shifted the conversation, “Even if the Katerina family could persuade the Valuva family, would they really be willing to help Lord Howard? Relationships between families are based on interests. Howard has no ties with the Katerina family; why would they bother to help?”

Margaret, brimming with confidence, declared that she would seek Anna’s help the next day.

The aide refrained from rolling her eyes at Margaret, but inwardly she harbored doubts.

The following day, Margaret found Anna, who was clad in a deep yellow dress, strolling in the garden and admiring the plants. She looked every bit the princess.

𝘳𝘦.𝒸𝑜𝘮