Viscount Jansen looks frustrated, his wife hasn't spoken to him for a month because of this issue.

  With bitterness, Jansen excims, "It's those bastards; they can't stand Arius doing well!"

  Then, turning to Henwell, he adds, "By hastily deploying your troops, you're putting the Grand Duke in a difficult position. Some things might not go as pnned, and your achievements have been got could be hindered afterward. It's not a wise move!"

  Henwell responds indirectly, "Arius has his biological father to protect him. He can use my life to ensure Arius's safety."

  With an innocent look, Henwell continues, "Uncle, your nephew here is just a small fry, with no one to shield him!"

  Jansen scolds, "What nonsense are you talking about? You're part of the Phoenix family, and as my nephew, I won't stand idly by!"

  Henwell grins, "Then, Uncle, could you help your nephew by keeping those three legions at bay? Buy me some time!"

  "You!" Jansen gres at Henwell. "What do you think I'm doing right now? If I weren't holding them back, you'd be facing the three legion commanders!"

  Henwell, with a cheeky smile, raises his gss, "Ah, that's my fault, Uncle. Don't mind me! Could you hold them away for longer time?"

  Jansen sips his wine, "Time is short. Show Ogiro some strength, then hurry back. Don't give people room to gossip."

  Henwell's smile fades, "Uncle, I really need to hit Ogiro hard! Otherwise, Peace Haven won't have peace. If Peace Haven isn't peaceful, its prosperity will vanish like a mirage."

  Jansen looks at Henwell in shock, "Are you really going to war?"

  Henwell shrugs, "What else? Peace isn't handed over; it's fought for!"

  Jansen stands and paces, "But I'm tied up with these three legions; I can't support you!"

  Henwell rises with him, "Uncle, give me one month! I can crush Ogiro's border legion!"

  Jansen turns to Henwell in surprise, "You must be joking! Has your army even seen real combat? You're outnumbered; how could you possibly win?"

  "Uncle, you know me. I never do anything unless I'm confident."

  Jansen studies Henwell's determined face for a moment before sighing, "I'll buy you two months. But think about how this will end. Even if you win, don't expect any recognition for your achievements. Your prior accomplishments with the envoy might also be overshadowed. I'm afraid someone might interfere with Peace Haven's affairs. Afterward, one of those three legions might even be stationed here!"

  Henwell points to a map in the study, "If I can defeat Ogiro's three legions, why should the duchy's legions funt their power here? Besides, I'm not just aiming to hurt the Kingdom of Ogiro; I want to take a piece of it!"

  Henwell traces a section on the map, marking an area as rge as Peace Haven. "Peace Haven is too small! I need a rger territory, more people!"

  Jansen is shocked once again, "You're dreaming! Ogiro won't just let this go!"

  Henwell smiles confidently, "Then let them come and take it from me! I'd be thrilled if they don't give up! Only if they continue to attack Peace Haven can I justify expanding my army and maintaining more troops!"

  "That's impossible! Your forces are already comparable to a count's. The duchy won't allow it! Plus, those three legions to the north won't stand by; they'll definitely enter Peace Haven!"

  Henwell counters, "Uncle, why was this army moved to the south?"

  "To guard against Ika and the Kingdom of Ogiro, and to keep an eye on you!"

  Henwell feigns an exaggerated expression, "Oh, don't say that! I'm loyal to the duchy. How could an outstanding young man who risked his life to bring back a prince be a threat?"

  Viscount Jansen rolls his eyes.

  Henwell continues, "If they're not here to keep an eye on me, then they're here to guard against the other two countries. Even a nominal defense is enough. After I seize Ogiro's territory, they won't just let it go. But as I said, if I attack them, they can't withstand it. So why would they think they'd gain anything by attacking me? It's war, so it doesn't matter where it's fought. If they can't defeat me, they'll target other parts of the duchy!"

  Henwell points to the northeast of Peace Haven. "Uncle, if the Kingdom of Ogiro attacks here, where do you think the three legions will go? Will they continue to station in Peace Haven, which doesn't need their defense, or will they rush to aid the areas under attack?"

  Jansen looks at Henwell with a curious expression, "You’ve pnned all of this?"

  Henwell responds seriously, "War is a matter of national importance. How could I not pn thoroughly?"

  Jansen studies the detailed map for a long time before asking, "What else do you need me to do?"

  "Hold back the three legions for a month! You don't need to do anything else."

  "In the end, the duchy will likely make a big show of it but let it go quietly."

  "And by then, you'll be the gentle hand of the duchy that lightly spanks on me!"

  With a sigh, Henwell remarks, "Uncle, the situation with the envoy should have made it clear to you! The Phoenix family is too weak! We're looked down upon, not even at the table! So we have to shake the table together! Let those pying the game know that we have the strength to flip the table! We might not become the pyers, but at least we won't be just pawns anymore!"

  This clearly strikes a chord with Jansen, who paces the room for a long time. Finally, Jansen makes up his mind, "Go ahead and do it! I've got your back!"

  That's exactly what Henwell was expecting to hear!

  The two of them discuss the possible changes ahead and devise pns to counter them. In the following days, reports of victories from the troops start rolling in.

  The right fnk army marches swiftly, penetrating a hundred miles into the Kingdom of Ogiro and unching a surprise attack on the Ninth Border Legion. After successfully taking over the border fortress, the right fnk army sets up camp there, while the left fnk army moves out of the fortress.

  Four days ter, the Twelfth Border Legion arrives near the fortress, waiting for reinforcements from the Fourth Legion in the kingdom's north. Ten days ter, the two legions unite, with two more legions on their way to provide support.

  On the twelfth day of the war, a combined cavalry group of two thousand from the two legions attempts to ambush Peace Haven's supply convoy but ends up surrounded. After a difficult breakout, they're intercepted by Peace Haven's cavalry, with only a hundred or so managing to escape.

  On the thirteenth day, Arnold's left fnk army makes a rapid advance of three hundred miles to the kingdom's northwest logistics hub city. They easily capture the city and set the supplies abze. During their retreat, they ambush the pursuing Ninth Legion from the kingdom's north. If it weren't for the left fnk army's deep incursion and reluctance to linger, this legion might have faced total annihition.