Chapter 009: Oscar, Oscar

Inside the imperial palace of the capital city, cries of battle filled the air, yet it did not affect any of the city’s inhabitants. This bustling economic hub of the Roland Continent was simply too vast—so vast that no one could even notice what was happening inside the imperial palace.
“Yayaya… It seems the exciting show has already begun tonight… I guess I win this bet again, don’t you think, dear Lord Brandon?”
Standing atop a high mountain outside the capital city, Oscar held a strangely shaped tubular object in his hands. After squinting at it for a while, he put it down and turned to smile faintly at the person beside him.
Next to him stood a warrior clad in armor. If Du Fan were here, he would surely recognize him right away—it was Brandon, the governor of the Kot Province.
Besides him, there were also a pair of maids standing by Oscar—the twin lolitas whom Du Fan had given to him back in Rui Gen City.
Hearing Oscar’s question, Brandon quickly bowed respectfully and said, “Young master is truly ingenious. We originally didn’t believe that on such a special day, those good-for-nothing members of the Austin family would actually take action… But unexpectedly, they did. It seems everything was within your prediction… With your leadership, all the hard work we’ve put in hiding in the northern lands will finally pay off!”
Oscar nodded and said, “You’re right. If we succeed in restoring the kingdom this time, you all will surely receive the best rewards. Lord Brandon, thanks to you for managing affairs in the northern lands all these years. Truly, you’ve worked hard!”
Brandon smiled slightly and said, “What are you saying, young master? Fighting for the empire is the lifelong goal of us all. Our family has strived for this goal for generations…”
Just then, footsteps were suddenly heard behind them. Soon, several armored men arrived behind Oscar and Brandon. They knelt down at once, one of them quickly saying, “Young master, Lord Brandon… Our men below have sent word. They’re ready and waiting for your command to end it all.”
Oscar shrugged and said calmly, “Send someone to give them orders to get ready. As soon as we receive news from the capital’s defenses, we can set off at any time… If my guess is correct, by sunrise tomorrow morning, this capital city will have a new master!”

Brandon hesitated for a moment beside Oscar before asking, “Young master, how confident are you about this mission?”
After giving Brandon a deep look, Oscar replied calmly, “For any task, having 70% confidence is enough to proceed. Things with 100% certainty are rare in this world… But don’t worry, Brandon. Even if we fail, it won’t have much impact on us. No matter which branch of the Austin family comes to power, their first task will be to deal with the Lanny Empire in the south. As long as we hold firm in the north, they can’t do much to us for now…”
Brandon nodded, frowning slightly. “But, young master… there’s also the Green family in the north…”
Oscar smiled. “I know there’s the Green family in the north. But with the Lanny Empire launching a full-scale invasion, the Gavin Empire only has its northern army to resist. Though distant help won’t solve immediate problems, it’s almost certain that the northern army will be sent to the south… Compared to the fertile southern lands, the barren north means nothing in the eyes of the Austin family. That’s why we’ve been able to establish a strong presence in the north over the years… What? Now that it’s time, are you afraid, Brandon?”
Brandon quickly bowed. “I wouldn’t dare!”
Oscar seemed to ignore him. He turned back, picked up that long tubular object again, and squinted at it. Then he suddenly stepped back a few paces, went over to the twin sisters, and gently placed his hands on their waists, smiling mischievously. “Hey… I almost forgot. According to our agreement, if I win this bet again, you two will have to serve me together tonight!”
Both twins’ faces turned red at once. The one on the left struggled slightly and said, “Young master… please don’t…”
Before she could finish speaking, Oscar’s hands were already on their chests. Whatever he did, the twin girls couldn’t say another word before starting to gasp softly.
Seeing this, Brandon’s face also turned red. He coughed loudly before saying, “Young master, though I can’t interfere in your affairs, please consider the situation. Look, the others are still watching…”

Oscar curled his lips, lowered his hand, then stretched out his slender fingers to lift the chin of the girl on his right. He gently licked her rosy lips before smiling and saying, “You two should get ready too… We’re going to war today. Although you two are my women, you still have to go to the battlefield… National hatred, national hatred… If I don’t let you go, wouldn’t that be unfair to you?”
The twins exchanged a glance before bowing slightly and saying, “Thank you, young master. We’ll go prepare right away!”
With that, the two quickly left.
After seeing them go, Oscar frowned slightly and said to Brandon indifferently, “Have them all come up… As for you, go down and get ready first.”
The warriors lying on the ground hurriedly retreated, while Brandon nodded and made a gesture behind him.
Soon, several more people emerged from the darkness. If Du Fan were here at this moment, he would surely realize that these people were all familiar faces.
The first one was Gabriel, the lord of Rui City. He was also dressed in military attire, with his daughter Angelina following behind them. Behind them was another person—none other than Viscount Evan, the arms dealer from the Gavin Empire.
Seeing these people, Oscar’s eyebrows raised slightly, but he didn’t speak up first.
It was Viscount Evan who stepped forward first, bowing slightly and saying, “Your Highness Oscar, it’s been a long time!”
Oscar quickly nodded and smiled, saying, “Viscount Evan, you’re too kind. If it weren’t for your generous help this time, even if we had received the news, we wouldn’t have been able to prepare so much equipment in such a short time. So, no matter what, we must thank Viscount Evan.”
Evan laughed heartily and said, “What are you saying, Your Highness… I’m a businessman. Wherever there’s business, I’ll naturally be there… I came here today at my own risk. Seeing your strong troops fills me with satisfaction. It seems we’ll have many opportunities to cooperate in the future!”
Oscar replied indifferently, “Of course… I invited Viscount Evan here today just to have him as a witness.”

Viscount Evan nodded. He stepped beside Oscar, glanced several times in the direction of the imperial capital, and after a moment, spoke in a half-smiling tone, “However, Your Highness Oscar, there is one thing I don’t understand… I would like to ask for your guidance…”
Oscar seemed to have anticipated this question and nodded, saying, “Lord Evan, please go ahead…”
Evan turned his head to look at Oscar and said, “Very well. Since Your Highness insists, then I won’t hold back… Your Highness, as we both know, although the Gavin Empire is on the decline, its city defenses are among the best in the Roland continent. From a professional perspective, it would take at least five hundred thousand troops attacking day and night, and half a year, to capture this city. Even now, though the empire is in chaos, everyone understands that these defenses must not be neglected. Your Highness’s army may be strong, but it numbers only a few tens of thousands. In my opinion, it’s almost impossible to take control of this imperial capital overnight, even if a miracle occurred. Moreover, there are ten thousand heavily armored cavalry from the Northern Legion stationed on the city’s citadel… In front of them, Your Highness’s few tens of thousands of troops are nothing but a joke. Your Highness, do you think my view is correct?”
Upon hearing Evan’s question, Brandon, Gabriel, and the others all paled. Brandon even placed a hand on the sword at his waist and shouted loudly, “How dare you!!!”
It seemed they were about to draw their swords in a fight.
But at that moment, Oscar smiled faintly, made a gesture, and said, “What are you doing? Lord Evan is our honored guest… We must not be rude!”
Then, Oscar bowed slightly to Evan and said, “My subordinates were reckless and offended you. Please forgive them…”
Evan, seemingly expecting such a reaction, patted his plump face and narrowed his small eyes as he stared at Oscar, still calmly saying, “Your Highness, you still haven’t answered my question…”