System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 957 - 285: Launching the War

A total of eight Manor Lords, and not everyone would pledge their allegiance.

Should at least five or six Manor Lords offer their support, combined with the well-equipped soldiers within Jon’s city.

The assembled fighting force would easily surpass five to six thousand strong.

To depose a Lord would then become a task as simple as turning one’s hand over!

Wasn’t this a clear ploy to find any pretext to revoke the punishment levied against him?

At this precise moment.

Zock’s previously suppressed emotions gradually subsided, returning to a state of calm.

Precisely as he had anticipated.

No sooner had Jon invited him to be seated than another Manor Lord, positioned nearby, immediately rose to their feet.

"Samuel Manor pledges allegiance to your call, my Viscount."

In the ensuing second.

Two more Manor Lords simultaneously rose, voicing their compliance in unison.

"Garrett Manor answers your summons."

"Steven Manor is prepared to respond."

"..."

Within a mere handful of moments.

Six Manor Lords stood one after another, their gazes alight as they fixed upon Jon, awaiting his acknowledgment.

Observing the expectant looks of the six Manor Lords, a seldom-seen smile graced Jon’s features.

He expressed his gratitude, "I thank you all for your swift response. Please be seated."

Following Jon’s directive, the expressions of the six Manor Lords visibly softened with relief.

They understood the implications.

To withhold their support at this juncture would be tantamount to declaring their betrayal of Jon.

Such a decision would not only result in the forfeiture of their tax-exempt privileges but would also invite Jon’s stern disapproval and subsequent suppression!

Several Manor Lords exchanged furtive glances before daring to slowly resume their seats.

As the assembly settled back down, Jon’s gaze abruptly shifted, sweeping towards the far extremity of the grand circular table.

He then addressed a particular individual with a tone tinged with inquiry.

"So then... Manor Lord Devant Benitez, do you refuse to answer my call?"

"Do you intend to break the solemn oath of fealty you previously swore to me?"

The Lords who had only just seated themselves raised their eyebrows, their collective attention now directed towards the distant end of the table.

There sat a young man, attired in a robe of rich brocade and possessing long, brown hair, perched upright upon a simple wooden chair.

His countenance was pale and wan, his frame elongated and gaunt, further emphasized by the hollows of his sunken, dark-ringed eyes...

At first glance, he appeared as though his very Essence Qi had been siphoned away by some malevolent force.

He lacked the vibrant youthful energy that one would expect in a man of his age.

Yet, within his eyes, a spark of enigmatic wisdom could be discerned.

Sensing the weight of every gaze upon him, Devant Benitez maintained an air of composure.

He responded with measured indifference, "Viscount, I believe you are mistaken."

"The Benitez Manor, situated in Boxi Town, has upheld its loyalty since the era of the previous Viscount."

"So long as the Zak Clan issues a summons, Benitez Manor shall invariably answer."

"This occasion shall prove to be no different!"

Upon hearing Devant’s explanation, the sternness etched on Jon’s face gradually began to recede.

The tense, almost suffocating, atmosphere within the meeting chamber eased perceptibly.

Devant continued without pause, "However, after responding to this summons, what precisely is it that we are expected to accomplish?"

"Are we to rely solely on the military might of the Eight Great Manors and your own Viscountcy, to directly confront the Lord you speak of with an assembled army and annihilate him?"

"Everyone present, let us not forget that we are currently in the midst of the critical summer plowing season."

"And we, as Manor Lords, subsist primarily on the fruits of agricultural production!"

"I am uncertain of the number of peasants affiliated with your Manors."

"But the peasant labor available to me is demonstrably insufficient to meet the demands of the summer harvest."

"I find myself compelled to allocate soldiers to assist in cultivation merely to manage the workload!"

"Should hostilities commence at this juncture, we might indeed achieve victory. But what tangible gains will we reap following such a triumph?"

"If no significant benefits are acquired, my territory will have squandered the entire crucial summer plowing period for naught."

"This would inevitably lead to catastrophic losses in my Manor’s agricultural output..."

Listening intently to Devant's reasoned arguments, the gathered Manor Lords fell into a profound silence.

Standing at the head of the table, Jon’s brow furrowed deeply at Devant's words.

Devant, seemingly unconcerned by Jon’s reaction, pressed on.

"Furthermore, Viscount, while we answer your call to arms, we remain entirely ignorant of our adversary."

"We have no knowledge of his background, nor any idea of the strength of his armed forces, nor even the exact location of his domain!"

"Such a conflict... if you’ll pardon my directness, Viscount, I confess I have no clear strategy on how to wage it."

"As your loyal supporter, providing military assistance is indeed my solemn duty."

"However, concurrently, I bear an equal responsibility for the well-being of the soldiers within my Manor."

"I will never permit the soldiers under my command to face a senseless demise upon the battlefield!"

At this declaration.

Several Manor Lords offered quiet nods of agreement, resonating with Devant's sentiment.

A number of others cast looks of admiration towards him.

Jon’s eyes narrowed slightly as he addressed Devant once more.

"So... Manor Lord Devant, tell me, what is it you seek to ascertain?"

Devant met Jon’s gaze directly, articulating his demand with unwavering conviction, "I wish to understand the ultimate objective behind this proposed attack on that Lord."

As a Viscount, once officially enfeoffed by Marquis Ducas himself.Serving currently as a sworn knight under Marquis Mark Ducas. Was it to suppress a rebellion? That assertion felt excessively high-minded. It presented such a flimsy justification that Lyra found it impossible to accept. A summons issued by a Lord for all his Manor Lords, a mobilization of forces, and the commencement of a foreign conflict... One possibility is territorial expansion. The goal being to seize more farmlands, forests, and other valuable resources through warfare, thus amplifying the territory's overall yield. Alternatively, it could be for economic gain. Securing control over vital trade routes and then levying substantial transit fees upon passing merchants. Or, perhaps it's to reinforce internal stability. When a territory faces economic hardship, or when internal strife brews within the city or among the competing Manor Lords. A war fought externally can effectively divert the populace's attention from domestic problems towards a common, external foe. By uniting against an outside threat, the internal solidarity of all societal strata within the territory is significantly bolstered. Another potential reason is the preservation of honor and reputation. Achieving victory in battle serves to safeguard the Lord's paramount prestige throughout the land. It demonstrates the immense martial strength wielded by the ruling Lord. And so forth. Any war initiated by a feudal Lord is invariably driven by a labyrinth of intricate political, economic, social, and other multi-faceted motivations and objectives! Such an undertaking is far more complex than a mere offhand declaration by the Lord to rally support and wage war. Because, inevitably, war brings about the grim reality of casualties!