Chapter 448: Charlot’s Founding Retinue

Charlot pondered for a moment and said, “Indeed, I do have some friends in Byron, Ingrima, and the Lionheart Empire.”

Antonio glanced at Ardosa and asked, “Junior Sister Ardosa, how did Charlot manage to lure you onto his pirate ship?”

Though Antonio was destined to become the Fars Empire's strongest warrior, he was still quite young. During his school days, he was only two grades ahead of Ardosa Mesu, and they had encountered each other on campus a few times. Thus, they were at least acquainted.

Although Duchess Mesu had pledged allegiance to Byron, the current honeymoon period of the Four-Nation Alliance kept Antonio’s attitude amicable.

Ardosa smiled faintly and replied, “My mother made a deal with him. He relinquished Sesath to us, and we helped him attack Black Phoenix City. At that time, we didn’t expect that even in its dying moments, Black Phoenix could produce a formidable figure like Georgia Hadrian. He even managed to kill Uncle Sensa.”

“I think we’re justified in demanding compensation.”

Charlot, without hesitation, declared, “The death of Mr. Sensa is indeed deeply regrettable. Please inform Duchess Mesu that I am willing to compensate the Northern Fleet with a magical alchemical warship!”

“Life is priceless. Mr. Sensa died for me. If he has a wife or relatives, they can come to Black Phoenix, and I will ensure their livelihood.”

Ardosa was momentarily stunned by Charlot’s generosity. She seemed unaware of the story of “spending a fortune to buy a horse’s skeleton.” Charlot wasn’t merely compensating the Northern Fleet; he was reassuring all his subordinates.

This was especially true for the defectors from Black Phoenix. They had fought hardest in the battle because they knew one crucial fact: Charlot had an escape route—he was a Fars native. However, they had none. They had betrayed Black Phoenix, and the Black Phoenix Dynasty no longer existed.

This explained why six of the seven saint-rank warriors who perished in battle were former Black Phoenix defectors.

Charlot didn’t waste the impact of his performance. He addressed everyone, saying, “Those who died for me today will forever be remembered. The Mecklenburg family never neglects its loyal vassals.”

“The son of Baron Exon will inherit his title. His family has always been under the protection of the Mecklenburgs.”

“The descendants of Viscount Angelo will receive the same treatment…”

The seven fallen saints, save for the one under Duchess Mesu, were all claimed by Charlot as his vassals. In truth, only Baron Exon had explicitly pledged loyalty. However, the families of these deceased saints, having lost their strongest protectors, would undoubtedly live in fear. At such a time, a great noble’s promise to ensure their status and care for their families was almost impossible to refuse.

The remaining four Black Phoenix saints exchanged glances after hearing Charlot’s impassioned speech. They knelt on one knee and declared loudly, “We vow to serve the Mecklenburg family to the death.”

Previously, they might have had their reservations. But Charlot’s conquest of Black Phoenix City, his ability to repel Georgia Hadrian, and his support from the Fars Crown Prince Antonio had solidified his position as the ruler of the city.

With Black Phoenix under his control, no one could stop Charlot from annexing the surrounding imperial territories.

Charlot Mecklenburg was destined to become one of the top great nobles of the Old Continent, rivaling the ancient families with centuries of heritage—such as the Bretagnes, the Mesus, or even the Guillaumes and Axels.

What’s more, Charlot now commanded a massive army and boasted ten loyal saint-rank warriors. Such power placed him among the leading families not only in Fars but also across the Old Continent.

Without any pretense, Charlot accepted the new pledges of loyalty.

Antonio, far from objecting, smiled warmly, looking every bit the supportive brother-in-law.

Antonio’s demeanor essentially reflected the stance of the Bretagne family and, by extension, the newly founded Bretagne dynasty and the Fars Empire.

This brought great reassurance to the nobles swearing fealty to Charlot.

While some had considered pledging loyalty to Antonio, nobility greatly valued legacy. The Bretagne family had no shortage of loyal followers, and new recruits would always rank below the old vassals. The Mecklenburg family, however, was different.

At this moment, the Mecklenburg family consisted of Charlot alone.

Those who joined him now would become his founding retinue—his “oldest” vassals.

Charlot reassured all his subordinates and kept Antonio as his guest. He waited patiently for several days but received no further attacks from Georgia Hadrian. Instead, he learned that the count had seized control of Black Phoenix’s last naval fleet and set sail for the open seas, leaving the Old Continent.

Before departing, Georgia Hadrian sent a letter to all Black Phoenix nobles: “I have shed the last drop of blood for His Majesty the Emperor! From this day forward, I am no longer a Black Phoenix citizen. I will lead my followers to establish a new nation!”

Having defeated the Four-Nation Alliance in a stunning battle, then rushing back to Black Phoenix City to wage a desperate last stand, Georgia Hadrian had won immense prestige among the Black Phoenix populace.

Though the Four-Nation Alliance soon returned in force, they faced no resistance from Georgia Hadrian, who had already departed.

In the following days, many Black Phoenix nobles loaded their families’ centuries-old fortunes onto ships to chase after Georgia Hadrian. This exodus from the twelve core imperial territories of Black Phoenix was a spectacle, with thousands of sails taking to the sea.

Upon learning of this, Charlot immediately launched a campaign to seize territory. The West Wind Knight Order struck swiftly, occupying all available land. Even territories temporarily obstructed by local nobles were claimed in name, with flags planted as placeholders.

Using his geographic advantage, Charlot captured eleven of Black Phoenix’s twelve core territories before the Four-Nation Alliance could act. When the allied forces finally reached Nordack County, they found not Black Phoenix remnants but Charlot’s West Wind Knights awaiting them.

Although the Emperor found the situation awkward, he quickly chose to join forces with his “future son-in-law.”

Count Lamorak of Ingrima immediately initiated diplomatic negotiations, calling for a Four-Nation Conference to divide Black Phoenix’s land.

The Lionheart Empire and Byron expressed similar intentions. They would not allow Fars to swallow Black Phoenix’s most fertile core territories unchallenged.

Even the Emperor, unwilling to provoke a three-nation coalition against Fars, agreed to the conference. He also requested that all armies remain in their current positions, sending only great nobles to attend the meeting in Black Phoenix City.

• Please take a moment to rate this novel at Novelupdate.

Next Chapter >>>