Can you conquer everything without ever declaring your own kingdom?
In M&T Blannerlords, I'm curious if you can go the entire game as a non-aligned merchant-trader that controls cities but doesn't formally declare their own kingdom (eg. conquer cities that rebel and never attack any of the main faction). Has anyone conquered the entire map by doing this?
From what I understand, there are gameplay benefits to declaring your own kingdom (at the cost of the main kingdoms fighting you). If you never declare your own kingdom, you lose gameplay benefits but the main factions will not fight you.
I currently have 7 or 8 cities spread out across the world that I obtained by only attacking rebel cities and have not declared my own kingdom. I was wondering whether I should continue doing this for the rest of the game (it will be a slow grind/slog to only attack rebel cities?) or if I should just declare my own kingdom.