With all that settled, Robson breathed a sigh of relief.
'To be honest, I'm not sure what role these two pieces—Earl Uman and Viscount Edwin—will play in the future,' Robson thought. 'But as the saying goes, one must plan three steps ahead for every one taken.'
The current granting of fiefs beyond the pass was already fraught with tension. The area bordered Beastmen territory, meaning it was destined to require a powerful leader for humanity to truly establish a foothold there.
'Someone has to take up the mantle of leader beyond the pass. So why can't that person be me, Lord Robson?'
After their recent discussion, the situation beyond the pass had become much clearer.
First, the Northern Faction was finished. Robson had Earl Uman, its leader, firmly in his grasp.
With the Northern Faction out of the picture, the contest was now between the Military Merit Faction and the Robson-led Southern Faction.
