234: Chapter 136, Siblings in Arms_3 234: Chapter 136, Siblings in Arms_3 …

“Hudson, the invitations are prepared.

Take a look and see if there’s anyone else we can invite, make sure not to overlook any important figures,” Baron Redman instructed.

Social standing determines one’s circle.

When first starting out, Hudson mingled with low-ranking knights, and it was exceedingly challenging to associate with a few barons.

Now, Hudson has half a foot in the “high society” of the Southeastern Province.

Although he didn’t have much interaction with nobles of the same level, he knew many strongmen!

In the last battle to exterminate the locusts, Hudson wasn’t idling around.

He had essentially acquainted himself with most of the strongmen who took part in the action.

This kind of acquaintance would normally not mean much, but Belsden’s remarkable performance gave him another impressive asset.

Although he couldn’t be certain about the others, those who were extended invitations would at least send a representative if they couldn’t attend in person.

In doing so, nearly all influences of substance within the province were encompassed.

Unquestionably, this ostentatious showcase of connections certainly had political implications.

Hudson’s objective was straightforward: create the illusion that all the major powers in the Southeastern Province supported him.

Only in this way would the minor followers feel reassured enough to continue following him.

Otherwise, they might back down at the slightest show of opposition from the Felix Family.

After a quick survey of the invitations, Hudson gave a slight smile, “Don’t worry, father.

These invitations have been sent to all major and medium sized powers in the province.

If there is still someone we have missed, they must be too insignificant and lacking in presence.

It won’t make a big difference if they’re left out.

I will personally attend to the important guests on the list.

The rest will be handled by Nelson and Evola, so there will be no chaos.

The main concern is our family.

It might be complicated given the people who might be coming, so you might need to put in some extra effort.

Many of the dwindling branches don’t even have a single knight now.

It’s likely they would be overlooked in the reception arrangements.”

It’s not that Hudson is looking down on others, but it’s the reality on the Continent of Aslante where social hierarchy is strictly respected.

It wouldn’t sit well with everyone if guests of different statuses were accommodated together.

The reception is destined to be divided into different levels.

At this point, the advantage of having a large population becomes evident.

Based on the principle of equivalence, Hudson would personally welcome the most prestigious guests.

The rest of the guests should be handled by his brothers.

For the family members who would be coming, Baron Redman would catch up with them.

Even the women attending the ceremony had his married daughters returning to help.

As for his stepmother, she didn’t have the opportunity to appear in such a setting.

It all comes down to social status; regardless of any grievances, she had to stay at home.

Even her influence as wife remained ineffective in matters concerning the face of the Koslow family; Baron Redman dares not slack off in these aspects.

Compared to Baron Redman’s seriousness, Hudson seemed much more relaxed.

Perhaps it was the confidence that came with his power, but he didn’t think much about the upcoming celebratory banquet.

The banquet is simply the public façade.

Essentially, people would only attend based on the strength they valued.

If Hudson had dared to send out these invitations a year ago, people might have merely used them as kindling.

If it were up to Hudson, the celebration would have begun long ago at the temporary Manor House.

The delay was primarily due to Baron Redman’s insistence that they couldn’t settle for something ordinary; the event should be of a certain standard.

As a result, the temporary Manor House, which consisted of a few small cabins, was obviously unacceptable.

Unfortunately, the construction of the castle also lagged behind schedule.

Even with a temporary extension, the date for the celebration had to be delayed by a month.

This was Hudson’s responsibility.

He had not given sufficient attention to the castle construction on regular days, choosing instead to prioritize labor and wealth generation on mining and land reclamation.

It was only when he needed it that he realized that even though construction had started a year ago, the main body of the castle was still unfinished.

It wasn’t until Baron Redman arrived at the Mountain Domain that he managed to persuade Hudson to dedicate a large amount of labor to the construction of the castle.

For the sake of expediting the construction, Hudson even lured Belsden in.

The price he had to pay was that in the plans for the estate, a Bear Castle had to be built according to the will of the young bear.

In present times, construction relies mainly on local materials.

The main cost comes from labor, which essentially consists of food, drink, excretion, and a small reward for the craftsman in charge of the project.

Overall, it’s negligible.

Hudson made this agreement so readily mainly because Belsden, as a bear who had seen limited grandeur, deemed a castle to be a large hole according to his unique aesthetic judgment.

Regardless of aesthetics and practicality, the key lies in the cheap construction cost.

A pile of stones and some wood would suffice.

What should have been the most costly decoration and carving were instead taken care of by Belsden due to a difference in aesthetics.

If their bear doesn’t mind, Hudson certainly wouldn’t go out of his way.

A simple Bear Castle is good enough, and it can always be altered later if it’s unsatisfactory.

When that time comes, it will be Belsden’s business, not something for which Hudson needs to pay.

…

Glancing in the direction of Dardiel City, Hudson casually tossed aside the invitation and shook his head in disdain.

Inviting us at this time, isn’t that a clear demonstration of power?

However, Baron West certainly had the grounds to boast now.

After enduring so many twists and turns, he ultimately triumphed over his competitors and reaped the victory of winning the position of Prefectural Governor.

It truly was a moment to celebrate.

In the world of nobility, only the result matters, not the process.

Compared to the triumphant Baron West, Hudson now appeared as a definitive loser.

Even becoming a Viscount didn’t make a difference.

Compared to the actual absence of the Prefectural Governor, Hudson’s title of Viscount was just a name; the real benefits could not be seen at all.