Chapter 1399: Chapter 883: Blooming on Both Ends

Outside Augus City.

Joseph stood on the hillside, looking at the Western Territory Alliance Army, which had gathered and prepared for the siege, a trace of satisfaction crossing his expression.

The Western Domain borders the Fengyue Free Territory, and among all the participating domains, the nobles who came here are the most numerous, and their overall strength is second only to the strongest Rosen family.

If this group can be forced to act, Augus City should be conquerable.

However, just as Joseph was watching the army outside the city, anticipating a strong assault on the city, an unexpected scene unfolded.

The Western Territory Army suddenly became agitated, their previously neat formation began to disorder, and gradually, they broke formation, with the front turning to the back, and started retreating towards the north...

Joseph was stunned.

The nobles from other domains observing the situation were also taken aback.

They looked at each other, not knowing what was happening with the Western Territory.

Only when the disorganized Western Territory Alliance Army abandoned their prepared siege engines and towers and began moving northward, did a noble finally ask:

"Is Count Misi retreating?"

Joseph’s expression changed slightly.

He was about to order his personal guards to investigate the situation when the knight responsible for communicating with the alliance rode over.

"Duke, Duke!"

The knight arrived in front of Joseph, looking furious:

"Count Misi and the other Western Territory nobles have withdrawn, they want to return to the Western Domain!"

"Not... not fighting?"

The nobles were dumbfounded.

"Nonsense! Have they gone insane!? Retreating at this moment?"

Joseph was furious.

"Apparently, the Elves have attacked the Western Domain."

The knight added.

"Elves?"

Joseph was astonished.

Some quick-thinking nobles immediately understood, their expressions changing slightly:

"It’s bad, the Elves must have bypassed us and are attacking the Western Domain from behind."

Yet more nobles were still puzzled:

"Daring to bypass me to attack the Western Domain? How many Elves are there?"

"That can’t be right... our Scouts haven’t found any news about large-scale movement of the Elf Army..."

Of course, some nobles shook their heads and said:

"No, maybe it’s just small groups of Elf Army, that timid and cowardly Count Misi must be frightened by the Elves!"

"Fools! This is the time to press on, the spoils from Fengyue Free Territory are more than enough to offset the losses caused by the Elves."

Listening to the nobles’ discussion, Joseph’s expression grew darker.

He snorted coldly, said no more, and personally mounted his horse, heading towards the Western Territory Army.

...

"Continue fighting? Fight for what! The territory has been pushed by Elves, we suffer heavy losses with a strong attack, and after winning, watch you reap the rewards?"

At the rear of what was now the front of the Western Territory Alliance Army, Count Misi glared at the other domain nobles who had rushed over, angrily shouting.

Among nobles, there’s not always harmony; often their actions are dictated by strength.

Count Misi’s concern was not unfounded.

Behind him, the smaller nobles within the territory were also flushed with anger, and echoed him:

"Right, exactly!"

"We need to go back; we must eliminate the Elves invading the territory!"

Watching the Western Domain nobles, anxious as ants, the Empire Nobles who arrived looked at each other.

Count Misi snorted, pushed through the crowd, and continued his northward retreat with his army.

Until Joseph’s angry voice came over, shouting loudly:

"Count Misi! Retreating before battle, do you want to face the nobles’ council judgment?"

Hearing him, Count Misi didn’t stop his movements, instead continuing to grind his teeth and say:

"Duke Rosen! A noble’s property is sacred and inviolable! The Elves have ambushed our Western Domain, we have every right to abandon the attack and provide reinforcements!"

"Fools! Returning now is too late for anything! Better to capture Augus City and compensate losses from Fengyue Free Territory!"

Joseph cursed.

"Not going back is the real folly! By the time Fengyue Free Territory is captured, the entire Western Domain will have been ravaged by Elves! With so many nobles participating, can the spoils really compensate our losses?"

Count Misi countered.

Joseph was at a loss for words.

He took a deep breath, and said grimly:

"Count Misi, I am the commander of the Northern Army, having joined the army you should heed my orders, now I command you as the army commander to immediately stop your retreat!"

Count Misi laughed with anger:

"Just a chosen legion commander, thinking you’re a leader? Respecting you for your higher rank, but we’re all nobles loyal to Your Majesty, as domain nobles, I have the right to withdraw from the war!"

"This offensive, our Western Domain won’t participate!"

"Nonsense!"

Joseph was completely furious.

He looked at the other watching nobles and commanded:

"What are you waiting for? Stop them!"

The nobles looked at each other, but took no action.

Count Misi snorted:

"What? Trying to stop us by force?"

Finishing, he gave a meaningful look at the surrounding spectators, and sneered:

"By the way, the Elves stealthily attacking the Western Domain number several tens of thousands, reportedly mostly cavalry, many have even crossed the Western Domain and went towards other domains..."