Arthur paused for a moment, lost in deep thought, as his mind wrestled with different options. Joining the alliance was a choice worth considering carefully, as it would provide him with a higher level of political and military security.
Additionally, the resources and connections of the earl's son, even though he was an illegitimate child, naturally outclassed those of the Viscount family.
His position was far better than that of the lesser sons of the Viscounts, which made him reconsider his next steps.
Then he remembered the information Edward had provided, which raised several questions in his mind. From it, he understood that his family had not chosen the same path that Arthur might consider, and that his father had not treated him the same way other families treated their ambitious sons.
Perhaps it was due to what happened when Arthur stole that potion, or his recklessness when he met the mercenaries alone, or even his reluctance to risk the family's resources.
The key point was that the Viscount did not plan to support him with the resources necessary to achieve the military competence that would allow him to earn a fief.
On the contrary, the supplies he had been given barely covered the requirements for mandatory recruitment, making Arthur feel that his ability to achieve his military ambitions was extremely limited under these circumstances.
Of course, these were secondary matters because Arthur was not like the others.
He was not just an illegitimate son struggling to carve his path; he had the advantage of deception—a group of summoned soldiers he could rely on, along with knights of higher ranks who represented his trump card.
Also, having recently acquired a new card, he might be prompted to rethink his entire strategy.
After all, the journey north was still in its early stages, and the war itself could last for years, just as it had in previous decades.
Surely, he would acquire more cards in the future. It would not be wise to rush into a decision.
The most important thing, which for him was another fundamental matter that could not be ignored, was that he did not yet know all the details regarding the alliance that Edward had not mentioned, even after speaking at length to persuade him.
This suggested that he had chosen to conceal them for some reason.
Therefore, Arthur decided to seek them out himself—such as the number of its members, the types of contributions required, and the expected share of the spoils.
In such hasty alliances, interests often conflict, and any miscalculation could cost him dearly.
Additionally, most of the members of this alliance would be young non-heirs, like Arthur and Edward, meaning that recklessness and inexperience would play a significant role in the unfolding events.
Many of these alliances collapse due to internal disputes before they even reach the battlefield.
Edward looked at Arthur, expecting his response, but did not rush to comment. Instead, he chose to remain silent, waiting for the latter to finish his thoughts.
He had grown up with Arthur and knew that his cousin was accustomed to following those of higher rank, due to his father's strict upbringing.
For this reason, Arthur tended to choose the path that was considered the most logical, rather than making independent decisions based on his own vision.
It was true that they had not met much since his mother's death, Edward's aunt, and it was natural that Arthur had changed a little.
Still, Edward was confident that their familial bond and mutual trust would lead Arthur to take his suggestion seriously and choose to join the alliance directly, which would enhance his position and value.
After all, there was no doubt that the Viscount had invested in Arthur just as nobles do with their heirs, or perhaps even more than his stingy father.
This was evident from his ability to hire a large group of mercenaries and convince them to participate in this campaign, something he could not have achieved without considerable support.
In the southwestern region, there were only four families holding the title of Viscount. With Arthur's joining, he would be under their guidance, naturally placing him in the position of the right hand of the alliance leader.
This, in fact, was the main reason why Edward had come here and wasted his precious time, rather than attempting to win the favor of higher-ranking noble heirs.
After a moment of silence, Arthur spoke:
"At the moment, I cannot make a final decision regarding joining the alliance. True, there are potential benefits, but there are still many unknowns."
A faint smile appeared on Edward's face, though it wasn't entirely sincere. He nodded and said:
"That's what I expected from you, Arthur. You've really matured, and it's good that you're not making rash decisions.
But as your cousin, and also as someone with more experience than you, it's my duty to point out something important: long hesitation might also cause you to miss out on opportunities.
Alliances are built quickly in times like these, and those who don't secure a foothold from the start might find the doors closed to them later."
Arthur pondered Edward's words for a moment. He wasn't wrong—situations on the battlefield change rapidly, and alliances that seem open today may become exclusive to a certain group tomorrow.
However, Arthur was not a naive boy easily swayed by the pressure Edward tried to impose to push him into a hasty decision out of fear of missing an opportunity.
He said confidently:
"I'm fully aware of that, but I prefer to take a thoughtful step rather than rushing recklessly and regretting it later.
If we're going to join, we'll first ensure we have clear terms that guarantee real gains for us. I'll send a letter to my father to consult him; he may be able to offer a clearer perspective.
After all, he has been a Viscount for decades and has much more experience than I do."
He paused for a moment, then added with a slight smile:
"Besides, we still have time before reaching the main camp of the campaign, and there's still an opportunity. Aren't you my cousin? As long as you've already joined, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to help me join later if I decide to. After all, we're family."
For a moment, a slight change appeared in Edward's expression.
He hadn't expected Arthur to ignore the indirect pressure he had tried to impose and choose to wait before making his decision.
Edward took a moment to regain his composure, then smiled a new smile, but this time it was more refined, as if concealing his true thoughts behind it.
"Of course, we're family, and that's exactly why I called you at this time. I didn't want you to miss this opportunity," he said in a calm voice.
Then, he continued in a lighter tone, as if offering a passing remark: "But remember, Arthur, not all doors open twice, and some opportunities may not wait until you send your letter to your father."
Arthur noticed the implied warning in Edward's words, but he didn't show any sign of being affected, merely nodding quietly.
It wasn't easy to push him into a hasty decision, especially when so many things were still unclear.
The conversation shifted to other topics related to the campaign's progress and the plans the kingdom's high leaders might have, as well as news and rumors circulating in noble circles.
Deep down, Arthur admitted that Edward was truly a social person with an exceptional skill for building relationships.
Although he had refused the invitation at this moment, Edward continued to maintain his image as the wise cousin who sought to guide him toward gaining experience.
Edward provided Arthur with many pieces of information that had been undisclosed, but they were details that Arthur hadn't cared about before.
However, he was beginning to understand how this knowledge could be important.
Arthur easily realized that the nobles in their kingdom valued their image above all else. They couldn't openly turn against each other except in exceptional cases.
Most of the time, even if one of them wished to take revenge on another, they couldn't show it openly.
They had to maintain an aristocratic demeanor that exuded pride and respect.
And once a relationship becomes public knowledge, things turn into a battle to the death, with the room for maneuver becoming very narrow.
This is why it's difficult for an elegant young man to survive in noble circles if he offends too many people, as he'll eventually crash into an insurmountable wall.
Even Duke Kriman, the campaign leader, who had a strong reputation in the camps, would find himself forced to look to them and involve them in his military decisions.
But despite that, Arthur felt that the time was not yet right to make this important decision. His hesitation outweighed his enthusiasm at this moment.
He didn't want to take any hasty step without fully understanding the consequences it might entail.
In this kind of alliance, it wasn't just about strength and soldiers; it also involved delicate political relationships and hidden interests that might not be apparent on the surface at first.
After a while, he cast a brief glance toward the sky, where the sun had begun to set, signaling the nearing end of the day, and then returned to the tent.
.....
After his conversation with Edward, and as the first light of dawn spread across the horizon, the troops began to stir the next day.
They resumed their journey northward, their movements steady and purposeful beneath the soft morning light.
The first rays of the sun streamed through the overcast sky, giving the journey an almost serene atmosphere.
As the troops continued their march across the rugged terrain, fresh news began to trickle in from other camps regarding the situation on the northern fronts.
Soldiers were talking about fierce upcoming confrontations that could place everyone in dangerous and critical challenges.
With the increasing difficulties caused by weak transportation means and obstacles blocking the path, it became clear that the importance of political power and family connections had grown more than ever.
In such times, where the incoming conscripted armies and those on the front lines moved in varying patterns on the battlefield, and communication between the concerned parties was sometimes difficult, the presence of a network of political and family relationships had become essential for ensuring success.
Some in the army relied on the fastest transportation methods, but often, information was delayed and reached the camps with difficulty.
Under these circumstances, the size and speed of the information's update varied depending on the relationships each individual had.
Although Arthur's "Werner" family was not among the most powerful middle noble families in terms of economic or military strength, it still possessed a strong network of relationships with some of the commanders and generals leading armies on the front lines.
Arthur was able to take advantage of this family network, as he managed to gather a set of vital information that made his decisions more precise and realistic.
The reports coming in talked about enemy movements and tactics, and sometimes pointed to changes in military plans, giving Arthur the opportunity to understand the upcoming steps in a potentially decisive battle.
Military commanders in the army, including Vickthor, Gabriel, and other senior officers, began to study the successive reports with great caution.
They started reviewing every part of the information they received, trying to analyze the situation with utmost accuracy.