William, who was in Rouen, was very concerned about the front-line war, and every day he had to read the battle reports sent from the front, and he was eager to take his army over Flanders to the Rhine to face off against the HRE Empire.

However, he knew how bad the situation he was in at this time, and if he was not careful, the foundation created in the past twenty years, and the glory of Normandy values would be wiped out by the enemy.

Until he has accurate information on the whereabouts of the place, William had better stay put, because he doesn't know where the enemy will appear, and the initiative is still in the hands of the enemy.

They may fight William to the death on the Rhine, they may lead an army to land in England or Normandy and attack the heart of our Normans, or they may march into France and contact the French rebels to attack Normandy.

William had to keep enough troops in his hands, just in case.

Judging from the latest battle reports sent from the front, due to the timely arrival of Count Hubert, the combined forces of Gihad, Duke of Upper Lorraine, Friedrich, Duke of Lower Lorraine, have now withdrawn from Antwerp and Brussels, and they are leading their positions in the castle of Uilich, waiting for the arrival of the follow-up army.

Hubert and Andrew, who had regained their inferiority, led an army to surround and besiege the city of Ulych, but they could not conquer it for a while.

At this time, the Normans on the left bank of the Rhine had an army of 33,000 men, and the follow-up troops were still gathering, while the Holy Roman Empire had more than 25,000 men, not much different from the Normans, who were stationed in several castles in Uillich and built a solid defensive system.

Hubert and Andrew sent their troops to attack tentatively twice, and seeing that the enemy army was well prepared and could not capture Uillich Castle in a short time, they withdrew from Uillich and returned to Brussels to confront Gerhard, Duke of Upper Lorraine.

"Recruit Duke Rodrigo, Guy. Morality. The Duke of Pontilleu and Mephistopheles. Duke Sauron came to meet him. William said to Walter Jr., the waiter who was standing beside him. Giffard commanded.

"Yes." Walter Jr. bowed and retreated.

After a while, Walter Jr. took Duke Rodrigo, Guy Rouge with him. Morality. The Duke of Pontier and the Duke of Mephistopheles came to meet him.

Guy. Morality. The Duke of Pontier and the Duke of Mephistopheles were the Duke of Connaught and the Duke of Leinster in Ireland, respectively, who were the commanders and lieutenants of the Irish aristocratic coalition and were responsible for leading the Provisional Seventh Legion formed by the Irish aristocratic coalition.

"Three of you, please." William raised his hand and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The three of them stood up and said in unison.

"Do you know why I summoned you today?" William said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, is it because the war on the front line has changed, and we need to go to support?" Duke Rodrigo stepped forward and bowed.

"Never." William shook his head and said, "Earl Hubert has already taken the First Legion and Duke Andrew's Third Legion, Roger. Morality. The Fifth Army of the Count of Montgomery converged, and together they pushed back the army of Gihard, Duke of Upper Lorraine, and lifted the siege of Brussels and Antwerp.

However, as if premeditated, the other side led the army to retreat to the castle of Uillich when it was time to learn that our reinforcements had arrived.

At present, the situation of the war seems to be shrouded in a fog, and no one can see it clearly.

In order to deal with the possibility of Emperor Henry III of the HRE coming with the main force, I need you to move to Bruges in the Duchy of Belgium with the Second and Seventh Legions, and then prepare to support Duke Hubert and others on the front line. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." The three of them said in unison.

"By the way, Duke Mephistopheles, you and your brother, Duke De Hebas, Albert. Sauron was a German nobleman from Heihingen in the Swabian Duchy of the HRE Empire, and must be familiar with the situation in the HRE Empire.

In this war with the HRE Empire, I need you to do everything in your power to help me defeat the HRE Empire. William looked at the Duke of Mephistopheles and spoke.

"Your Majesty, it is my duty as your courtier to take up arms and fight for you.

Even if we are broken, my brother and I will repay you for the kindness you have given us. The Duke of Mephistopheles bowed.

Mephistopheles and Albert were originally only the second and third sons of Bourchard I, Count of Sauron in the Duchy of Swabia, but because they had no inheritance rights, the brothers had to take someone to William's side.

The House of Sauron was not a very noble family, and its highest title was only a count under the command of the Duke of Swabia, who ruled in the Duchy of Swabia near Hehingen, between the present-day Upper Neckar, Swabian Mountains and the Upper Danube.

They were fortunate enough to be appreciated by William, and they rose from the second and third sons of the Earl of Sauron, who had no inheritance, to the noble dukes, which seemed to them a great gift.

They know that hard work will not necessarily pay off, and there are many noble children like them who have no inheritance rights, and those who are better serve and become a minor nobleman or knight under the command of the lord, and those who are unlucky will become a wandering knight, or fall into the grass, or fall for life.

It would be a privilege to be an earl, let alone a more noble duke.

With gratitude, the Duke of Mephistopheles was naturally willing to die for William.

"Well, in a moment I will have Duke Albert accompany you to Bruges, Belgium, and you will have Duke Rodrigo in charge of all your actions." William finally commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Mephistopheles and the others replied again.

"You stand down first, Duke Rodrigo stays." William waved the other two to retreat, leaving Duke Rodrieu alone.

After the two of them retreated, William spoke: "Rod, you may be the hottest army I sent to the Rhine battlefield, the first, second, third, fifth, and seventh five legions, as well as feudal knights and militiamen, totaling more than 56,000 people, this is the last force I can send."

The remaining Guards Corps and the Fourth and Sixth Legions were to be used as the last reserve to deal with the surprise attacks of the Norwegian, Danish, and Holy See.

It is impossible for me to send troops to support you in a short period of time, and in this decisive battle, you can only rely on more than 56,000 troops to face the nearly 80,000 forces of the HRE Empire. ”

Duke Rodrigo was silent for a while, made up his mind in his heart, and bowed down and said: "Your Majesty, please sit in Rouen with peace of mind, and we will bring you the good news of victory."

Even if the HRE Empire has more than twice as many troops as ours, so what, I'm confident that the Normans will win this victory. ”

"Rode, I wish you all the best!" William nodded encouragingly.