NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 92: The Maine Alliance
Chapter 92: The Maine Alliance
The initial distribution of the territories was just a preliminary arrangement. To officially claim these lands, the recognition of the Northern Province was still required, and development was essential. The former could be settled by reporting the recent war against the beastmen accurately, which would naturally grant ownership of these lands. However, the latter was far from simple. Development is always the most challenging task, demanding ample manpower, gold, and resources.
Nevertheless, the group was not overly concerned. Having defeated the Minotaur tribe, they had sufficient time to develop slowly. Most of the newly acquired territories had already been developed for several years, if not over a decade, making their further development relatively straightforward. The five pioneer lords, even those two who were not barons, had accumulated enough resources after years in the Northern Province.
As for Thor, securing the title of baron would undoubtedly allow him to gain additional support from his family, easing his development efforts. It was a win-win situation for all.
The celebration was held at Eagle Ridge, where everyone indulged in revelry. Before a massive bonfire, Baron Graton raised his glass high.
“Gentlemen, let’s toast to our victory!”
His voice boomed with laughter.
“To victory!”
“Cheers!”
Voices echoed, and each person raised their glass, draining it in one gulp.
After finishing his drink, Thor set his glass down and glanced at the three barons and the remaining two pioneer lords.
“Lord Thor, if you have something to say, just say it!”
Pape Lawrence sensed Thor’s intentions, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Following his lead, the others also paused, turning their attention to Thor.
“Gentlemen, the Northern Province offers vast lands and abundant resources. Fighting among ourselves is the most foolish choice—we can work together, just as we did this time. I propose that we form an alliance to confront future frontier wars and even the kingdom’s wars that lie ahead.”
Thor’s words hung in the air, drawing mixed reactions—some frowned, others pondered, while a few eyes sparkled with interest.
“Gentlemen, as you know, the next kingdom war is less than three years away. If we seize this opportunity, it could elevate us to viscounts or even higher ranks. This is a chance not just for us but also for our families. The Northern Province offers vast lands and resources; united, we can gain more and build greater capital before the kingdom.”
Thor’s words resonated, and Graton Baron was the first to respond after a moment of contemplation.
“Lord Thor, you’re right. We can achieve more by uniting. I support this.”
“I agree. The Northern Province is vast, and that’s where our future lies,” echoed Jos Aubi.
“Hahaha, since both of you agree, naturally, I, Pape Lawrence, also agree,”
“I agree!” Valmy chimed in.
The final gaze turned to Saatchi.
“Lord Thor, forgive my boldness, but if we form an alliance, would we be following your commands?”
Saatchi hesitated briefly before voicing his concern, though he felt anxious afterward.
“Of course not!” Thor chuckled, shaking his head. “The alliance is meant to confront crises and unite externally; there’s no need to follow my commands.”
“Then I agree as well!” Saatchi quickly nodded.
With all five pioneer lords agreeing, the alliance was formed. They then began discussing the alliance’s terms. As a relatively loose coalition, the matters requiring deliberation were few, and Thor did not push too hard. After all, progress must be gradual; he was not even a baron yet, and he knew he couldn’t expect everyone to instantly follow his lead.
The alliance’s formation was largely due to the contracts, Thor’s success in dealing with the Minotaurs, and the strength Eagle Ridge had shown. Even without binding terms, it was still significant. Those who could become pioneer lords and survive had exceptional talent, strength, and abilities. Many things went unsaid because everyone understood the broader picture. They were willing to take a chance on the future because they saw potential in Thor’s leadership.
For Thor, this was also his goal. As he continued to demonstrate greater strength and bring more benefits, these lords would naturally align with him.
As the night wore on, the six pioneer lords, including Thor, spent the next few days discussing the specifics of their alliance. On the fifth day, the terms were finalized. According to the agreement, allied members would aid each other in times of danger, maintain open trade, and share information to some extent. Although the alliance was not strictly binding, it marked the beginning of a unified force in the Maine Valley, something unprecedented in the Northern Province.
Typically, pioneer lords in the Northern Province were not allies but fierce competitors, often clashing due to conflicting interests during frontier wars. These conflicts bred hatred, making mutual trust nearly impossible, let alone uniting all lords in a single region. Yet, in the Maine Valley, this union had been achieved, signaling an inevitable change across the Northern Province.
For now, however, few were aware of these developments. Most areas of the Northern Province remained chaotic. The Minotaur tribe crossing the Royal Knights’ defensive line was no accident and not an isolated event. Many other beastman tribes had also breached the northern front lines, causing chaos. While Thor and his allies had managed to deal with the Minotaurs, other regions were not as fortunate, leading to dire consequences.