Lord: I Grind EXP with Warband Panel

After Earl Wei Man arrived, everyone took their seats according to their rank.

In all of Sirich, there were three Counts and five Viscounts.

It went without saying that Robson was seated near the front.

Once everyone had settled down, Earl Wei Man glanced around the room. After confirming that everyone was present, he nodded silently.

"I don’t need to elaborate on the situation.

You all knew what this was about before you came..."

"To be brief, the safety of His Highness the Prince is an international matter. The Algeria Kingdom and His Majesty the King are watching our every move.

We cannot afford to fail! Everyone here, myself included, can go and meet the Lord of Dawn, but Prince Noah must reach Sirich City safely."

"The matter is urgent, so we will move directly to mission deployment.

Count Theodore and I will lead the Sirich City Defense Army, the reserve forces, and the other nobles previously assigned to this task. We will be responsible for escorting Prince Noah.

The defense of Sirich City will fall to Count Valentino, Baron Robson, and Viscount Dinar.

Everyone remaining to defend Sirich will answer to Count Valentino."

"Your specific assignments were delivered beforehand. Are there any objections?" Earl Wei Man scanned the room, but no one raised any.

"Since there are no issues, then I declare: I, Wei Man Gaoqi, in my capacity as a Count of the Frank Kingdom, and by the authority of Article 37 of the National Defense Act and the Kingdom’s Noble Edicts, declare an immediate state of emergency in Sirich City. I request that military law temporarily supersede the laws of the nobility.

We will now vote.

I, Wei Man Gaoqi, on behalf of the Gaoqi Clan, cast ten votes in favor."

Earl Wei Man was concise and efficient. After just a few sentences to lay out the assignments, he moved directly to the final stage of the meeting.

This measure, Article 37 of the National Defense Act, allowed for a vote to temporarily let military law supersede the Kingdom’s Noble Edicts, making it the supreme law of the land. In essence, military law would reign supreme.

A Knight had one vote, a Baron three, a Viscount five, a Count ten, a Marquis twenty, and the King fifty.

However, the King could, depending on the situation, choose to bypass the Noble Council and enforce the measure by decree. This unilateral action could only last for one month, after which a vote from the nobles was required to decide whether to continue it.

The law’s passage had been incredibly difficult at the time, but under the immense pressure of the Beastman Empire, King Louis—that is, Louis I—successfully enacted it. It became one of the unique legal cornerstones of the Frank Kingdom.

For instance, Louis III had invoked this law over thirty years ago.

Earl Wei Man raised his hand first, followed by Count Valentino and Count Theodore. Within seconds, nearly everyone in the room had raised their hands.

The actual bartering of interests had been completed long ago; this vote was merely a formality.

What surprised Robson the most was that his own name had been included in Earl Wei Man’s orders.

This appointment was not to be underestimated. Although Count Valentino held the ultimate decision-making power, being on this list meant that Robson’s opinion would carry weight throughout the entire defense of Sirich.

At a critical moment, this title would even give Robson a great deal of discretionary power. For example, if Sirich was truly about to fall and no one else was willing to retreat, Robson could use this authority to temporarily withdraw.

He thought of it as "temporary" because if he actually fled, he would have grievously offended the southern nobles and the Royal Family. When others entrust their rear to you, you don’t just abandon them to their fate. Even if he had the authority, it wasn’t meant to be used that way.

The greatest advantage of this appointment was that during wartime, Robson’s influence would be greatly enhanced.

Clearly, Earl Wei Man had heard of Robson’s past military successes and was hoping he would play a key role in the coming battle.

However, Earl Wei Man had clearly not considered Robson’s feelings on the matter. A Baron being named alongside Counts and Viscounts would obviously displease some of the more traditional nobles.

Such as the few Viscounts who were now murmuring amongst themselves.

Robson, however, didn’t care. Whether they were pleased or not was their problem. With Count Valentino present, they wouldn’t be able to cause him any real trouble.

"The tasks have been assigned. Go and prepare. Those of you who are departing, I want to see you at the designated location tomorrow morning. We leave at nine o’clock sharp. We will not wait for latecomers," Earl Wei Man said sternly.

...

After Earl Wei Man left, no one was in the mood for further conversation. They wished each other well and departed.

Fioro, however, was a picture of disbelief. He crowded around Robson, repeating Earl Wei Man’s earlier command.

"Count Valentino, Viscount Dinar, Baron Robson!

Robson! Did the Earl just mention your name? My heavens!

To think you’d be named alongside a Count and a Viscount! My heavens!" Fioro exclaimed. If he had only heard rumors before, now Fioro could truly feel the level of prestige his younger brother commanded.

On the front lines, at least, he was on par with a Viscount who held real power.

This was especially true of Viscount Dinar, whose son currently served the King at the royal court. Clearly, his was a family, much like Count Ferdinando’s, that was making a push for the rank of Count.

"It’s not necessarily a good thing... He specifically named me. I guess some of my... ’options’ are off the table now," Robson said, shaking his head. These so-called "options" referred to simply fleeing.

Now that Earl Wei Man had named him as one of the leaders, he could technically use that authority to order a retreat, but the outcome would likely be the same as Count Offman’s fate.

"But... but this is a matter of honor..." Clearly, Fioro was still thinking in terms of knightly chivalry.

"Of course. Incredibly honorable..."

As the two were speaking, a person approached them.

"Robson, do you have a moment? I need to speak with you and Viscount Dinar." It was Count Valentino.

"Of course," Robson nodded.

Upon Count Valentino’s arrival, Fioro, who had just been excitedly chattering with Robson, instantly snapped to attention like a guardsman on review. The sight was so abrupt that even Valentino found it odd.

"And this is?" Valentino asked curiously, noticing upon closer inspection that the man bore a slight resemblance to Robson.

"This is Fioro, my older brother.

This is Count Valentino. She was my commander at Qimo Fortress and has helped me a great deal," Robson explained.

Valentino understood. No wonder he bore a resemblance to Robson.

"I am Valentino of the Fengman Clan. A friend of Baron Robson’s," Valentino said with a smile.

"Yes, my lady!" Fioro blurted out for no apparent reason.

Robson cringed. ’I knew I shouldn’t have brought Fioro,’ he thought.