The next day different convoys left Black City.
These were directed toward all the territories of the region, with the mission of delivering to them a copy of the Count of Blair's testament.
Thus the news was made known that André would be the new Count of what, from now on, would be called the County of Solomon.
The last convoy to depart was directed by Baron Heins.
This convoy transported 100,000 gold coins and different products elaborated solely in the County of Solomon.
Its mission was to take the Count of Blair's testament to Green City.
André named Baron Heins ambassador and gave him the mission of delivering the testament personally into the hands of the King.
Unable to find irregularities in the testament, the King would have no other choice but to approve its validity.
In Green City they would tolerate it this time, but André knew that he could not stretch the cord too far.
With the next step of his plan he would test the patience of the royal family to the extreme.
Perhaps things would change completely or they would continue tolerating him, but this would be the last thing they would accept before entering a state of cold war.
After the departure of the convoys, André ordered the execution of the Count of Blair and all his vassals who participated in the war.
There were only two exceptions: those who signed as witnesses on the testament.
André promised them that they would leave alive if they signed the document, although afterward he would take away their title of nobility.
Two persons accepted the conditions:
Alonso Basté, viscount vassal of the Count of Blair.
Leo Beller, viscount vassal of the Count of Blair.
The others were not willing to pass from nobles to commoners, and André did not discuss the subject further with them.
The execution was rapid, without any ceremony.
André ordered that their bodies be kept with ice to be delivered to their respective families once the new territory was controlled.
"Raúl, send the army to take control of the entire territory of the Count of Blair.
Leave this operation in the hands of General Armond.
One week is enough for this mission; once this step is achieved we will enter the final phase of our plan."
In some office of Black City, André gave instructions to Raúl.
"Yes, my lord. Tonight will be of rest.
Tomorrow the entire army will depart toward the territory of the County of Blair," Raúl answered.
"Very well. And how is the other subject going: we need to form a police corps with urgency.
The internal security of our territory is the maximum priority.
The few militiamen we had charged with the security of the viscounty no longer serve for this task; their presence causes no deterrence whatsoever."
"My lord, we began a large-scale recruitment, both to increase the ranks of the army and to form the police corps.
The plan is that, by the time we have unified the entire region, we will have a total of 10,000 fully qualified police.
By then we will already be a duchy, and I believe that figure is sufficient for the entire territory."
"Oh, good estimate. It seems I did not see wrongly in delivering that task to you.
Do you already have a candidate for the post of commander-general of the police corps?
You must know that this position will not be below you in power; the person you choose has to have absolute loyalty."
"My lord, I have a candidate. According to the characteristics you gave me for this position, I already have the ideal candidate.
It is just that things will be a little complicated with him," Raúl said with hesitation.
"Come on, tell me what the problem is with this person," André asked.
"The ideal candidate I have in mind is General Armond.
I know him and he loves his position in the army; I do not believe he will want to leave there."
"I see no problem in it. You only have to explain to him that it is a promotion and he will not be completely distant from the army.
As commander-general of the police he will be able to attend all the strategic meetings.
I believe that if you explain all these points to him he will accept willingly."
Raúl smiled brightly upon hearing André's analysis; his thought was far from a visionary like his lord.
"Thank you, my lord, for clarifying my doubts. I still have much to learn from you.
My vision is too limited; I hope you will have patience with me."
"Do not worry; with time you will be able to realize these details.
Now tell me how your recruitment plan is to increase the ranks of the army.
It must be taken into account that, once we force the duchy, there is a high possibility of receiving strong reprisals from the royal family.
They may not attack us directly, but in Green City there will be many disposed to take the lead and create problems for us."
"My plans for the army are to double its number by the time we are a duchy.
In this way, even if the King loses all scruples and launches a war against us, we will be certain of not losing," Raúl said proudly.
"Very well, but there is no need to worry.
Most probably only small-scale battles will be made, which will give us time to prepare for a future war with the Kingdom of Antares."
"My lord, according to your words, will we surely go to war against the Kingdom of Antares?"
"You need not worry. We will not go to war directly for at least 3 years.
In this time our army will be large enough and prepared for a war of this level, where we will surely have the victory."
"I see, my lord."
With this the meeting of the two ended.
The next day the entire army marched toward the territory of the County of Blair.
Three days later André received incredible news that left him sitting at his desk without knowing how to think.
Listening to the news, André did not know whether to be angry, sad, or simply laugh.
He closed his eyes and reclined at his desk.
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