Chapter 114 The advantage is mine

This time, Jackson was acting under the direct orders of King Pyrelis, preparing to use Pyrenees County’s border as a staging ground—with the ultimate goal of swallowing up three counties controlled by King Marrius.

King Pyrelis had devised an all-out military campaign, aiming to crush Murrican Palace in a single decisive battle.

Not only in Pyrenees County—every county bordering King Marruis’s territory had already been assigned a top-level commander under King Pyrelis’s banner.

To rally his forces, King Pyrelis had declared:

“The first battle will be the final battle—one war shall decide the fate of the land!”

On the surface, King Pyrelis’ forces vastly outmatched Murrican Palace, overwhelming it in sheer military strength.

None of the five grand marshals under King Pyrelis’s command entertained the possibility of defeat.

For Jackson, this was the battle that would cement his legacy.

His time as Grand Marshal was nearing its end.

This war was his last opportunity—his final chance to seize the position of King Pyrelis’s First Marshal.

If he succeeded, he would not only become the highest-ranking general under King Pyrelis, but when the time came for succession, his son would inherit the same prestigious title.

The thought ignited a fire in his chest. Jackson slammed his palm against the command table, his voice booming across the war tent as he resumed his pre-battle speech:

“It is said—‘Whoever holds Luo River shall hold dominion over the land!’”

“Murrican Palace—weak and unworthy—dares to occupy this land that determines Aragon State’s destiny? It is an insult! An outrage!”

“Look back upon history! Every ruler of the Luo River Basin has been either a formidable warlord or a founding emperor!”

“Aragon’s first emperor launched a multi-pronged campaign to seize the Luo River Basin, crushing the old capital of the previous dynasty!”

“The last emperor, seeing his empire crumbling, had no choice but to kneel before Aragon’s first emperor—offering his surrender in disgrace!”

“Now, I stand at the head of a million-strong army, marching to wipe Murrican Palace from the earth!

“When this battle is won—Aragon shall be united under one banner!”

“Everywhere our legions march, the people will welcome us with open arms! The time, the place, the will of the people—all favor our cause!”

Jackson’s excitement surged, and he could no longer restrain himself. He grabbed a jar of aged spirit wine, broke the seal, and drank deeply on the spot.

“Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent!”

“This is the dawn of a new era! The rising tide of fate! A moment in history that shall be remembered forever!”

“And no matter how you look at it—the advantage is undeniably ours!”

His face glowed with confidence, as if he could already see Murrican Palace collapsing in defeat, himself riding into Luo River Basin as the first conqueror, raising his own marshal’s banner over its lands.

“Marshal Yates is truly wise!”

“Your brilliant strategy and unmatched foresight shall be remembered through the ages!”

“With you at the helm, Murrican Palace will crumble in mere moments!”

Amid the crowd, Carl seized the opportunity.

As soon as Jackson finished speaking, he stepped forward without hesitation—lavishing the grand marshal with praise.

Carl knew that if he wanted to climb even higher, he needed to strengthen his relationship with Jackson.

Hearing Carl’s flattering words, Jackson stroked his thick, coarse beard, his deep laughter rumbling across the war tent. Clearly, he was very pleased.

“Dylan, I never expected your adoptive son to be such a talent.”

“For this battle, let your people lead the vanguard!”

With a grand wave of his sleeve, Jackson threw a bronze command token into Dylan’s hands.

Dylan clutched the token tightly, his heart soaring with triumph.

The Vanguard Army—a position that, at first glance, seemed dangerous.

But in reality, it was an incredible honor.

Jackson’s vanguard consisted of only the most elite soldiers.

With such a force under his command, he could carve his way through the Luo River Basin, leaving behind a string of dazzling victories—without fear of any faction stopping him.

With the vanguard under his control, Dylan’s military record would shine.

And with that record, his path to inheriting Jackson’s marshal position would be all but guaranteed.

Watching his adoptive father reap such a reward, Carl couldn’t help but feel equally pleased.

Though deep in his heart, he felt no loyalty to Dylan whatsoever.

For now, however, their fates were intertwined—if one rose, so did the other; if one fell, both would suffer.

If Dylan secured an even higher position—perhaps even becoming one of King Pyrelis’s grand marshals—then Carl’s own rise would only accelerate.

“Your son kneels in gratitude, Father!”

“Rest assured, Father—I will lead the Vanguard Army to crush Murrican Palace’s forces, leaving their armored guards in utter ruin!”

Dylan knelt with both hands gripping the command token, his voice fierce with determination.

Seeing his adoptive father kneel, Carl followed suit without hesitation, dropping to the ground and performing a series of deep bows.

“Your grandson will follow you, Grandfather! Even if it means braving fire and steel—fighting to the last breath—I will see Murrican Palace’s forces annihilated!”

“Grandfather, wait for our triumphant news!”

With a flurry of bold declarations and eager flattery, Carl fanned Jackson’s already soaring mood, causing the old marshal’s ego to swell even further.

Schemes in the Shadows

Within the vast military tent, the other sons of Jackson sat in grim silence, watching as Dylan and Carl basked in their father’s favor.

Since Carl had arrived, Dylan’s status had risen rapidly—an infuriating development for the others.

They would have loved nothing more than to eliminate Carl entirely.

But unfortunately… the opportunity had yet to arise.

Carl and Dylan were almost inseparable.

If they wanted Carl dead, they would first have to deal with Dylan—a task far from simple.

But what if they turned Carl against him instead?

If Dylan fell, the source of the threat would be severed at its root.

At that moment, the gathered sons of Jackson exchanged glances, their thoughts aligning in unspoken understanding.

They had discovered a new path forward.

And winning over Carl? That wouldn’t be difficult.

From their observations, Carl was both greedy for wealth and obsessed with power.

If they offered him sufficient incentives, perhaps… just perhaps… he could be swayed.

And if they pulled Carl to their side, their own influence would surge.

Carl was useful—there was no doubt about that.

After all, before Carl’s arrival, Dylan had never been particularly remarkable among his father’s many heirs.

But ever since Carl began backing him, Dylan’s status had climbed rapidly.

A Sudden Arrival at Albigensians Sect

While Jackson revealed in his confidence, and his sons plotted in silence, far away in Pyrenees County, outside the Albigensians Sect’s mountain stronghold, a hundred celestial warship sliced through the sky, parting the air as it descended from the horizon.

Standing atop the colossal vessel were cultivators of the Level 2 and Level 3 realms.

With no hesitation, the ship barreled straight through Albigensians Sect’s defensive formation, arriving brazenly over the sect’s entrance.

The disciples of the Albigensians Sect erupted into chaos.

In all the years since Albigensians Sect’s founding, no force had ever dared to intrude upon their stronghold in such a blatant display of provocation.

To do so was a declaration of hostility—a challenge that, if mishandled, could ignite a full-scale war between factions.

Compared to the shock and panic among ordinary disciples, the sect elders and deacons remained far calmer.

One did not simply storm Albigensians Sect’s gates unless they were either seeking death… or powerful enough to disregard consequences entirely.

The warship’s construction alone spoke volumes—it was no ordinary vessel.

A warship of this scale, possessing the power of a Level 4 artifact, was not something that could be easily stopped—not even by Albigensians Sect’s formidable protective arrays.

It was clear.

The one who had arrived… was a force to be reckoned with.

And that realization soured the expressions of Albigensians Sect’s highest authorities.

None of them dared to make the first move.

Instead, all eyes shifted toward the sacred grounds, where Albigensians Sect’s Level 3 realm Grandmasters remained in seclusion.

The intruder was too strong. Acting recklessly might turn them into nothing more than sacrificial pawns.

And those who had risen to the ranks of deacon or elder in Albigensians Sect—none of them were fools.

So, in that moment, they did nothing.

They merely stood in silent anticipation, waiting to see who would act first.