"Ha, this is to see how much power and manpower I have beyond official channels, isn't it? It's also a chance to see how much effort the White Folks of Harrison Port are willing to put in for me."
Ian's mind was like a clear mirror.
He was well aware that Marquis Barton granting him a military rank and formation, apart from acknowledging him as one of their 'own', was also to see what forces he actually had in South Ridge, and whether he could secure his position as the upcoming Lord.
After all, he was already at the Second Energy Level, perfectly qualified to be a formal Baron Ian. In fact, if Ian were willing to stay in the Imperial Capital a bit longer, say until after the grand meeting and the subsequent national-local meeting had ended, and the Mountain People rebellion was confirmed, he could even become a baron directly through the relationship with the second prince and return to his territory as a baron to clean up the rebellion.
