NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 98: Territory Expansion 2.0
Chapter 98: Territory Expansion 2.0
Peros was overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation. The other knights who had followed Thor to expand the territory felt the same, especially after having witnessed firsthand the miracles their lord had performed.
Their hopes were undeniably growing stronger.
The knights were filled with visions of the future, the freemen were reassured, and even the slaves held on to hope.
The entire Eagle Ridge was in a state of celebration.
Thor then decided to hold a grand feast in the Eagle Ridge, even extending invitations to the other five lords of the Maine Alliance.
Massive bonfires blazed.
Huge chunks of magical beast meat were shared, even the slaves receiving their portion.
Thor wore a smile as he conversed with each of the lords from the Maine Valley.
The five lords took turns congratulating Thor, offering him many gifts.
“To think, in just one short year, this man has reached such heights. We...!” Baron Valmy sighed as he looked at Thor by the distant bonfire, his expression tinged with emotion.
“Yes, indeed!”
“The offspring of Dresrosa are beyond our reach!”
“I’ve heard that two others were also conferred the title of baron this time, both from noble families.”
Baron Graton’s expression also carried a trace of bitterness.
As a knight who had clawed his way up from the lowest ranks, only he knew how much effort and how many brushes with death it had taken to get to where he was.
But what about Thor?
And the two other nobles who were conferred titles?
While they had also faced difficulties, they were nothing compared to what he had endured.
As the two conversed, in another corner, Saatchi and Jas Anubi also had complex expressions.
At the center of it all, Thor was quietly conversing with Pape Lawrence.
Time slowly passed.
The grand feast extended into the deep of night before finally coming to an end.
However, the lords did not leave.
Instead, Thor invited them to his castle.
In the castle’s meeting room, the maids brought in fruit and drinks before quietly leaving.
All eyes turned to Thor.
“Lord Thor, is there something else?” Baron Valmy asked, curiosity in his tone.
As Baron Valmy spoke, the other four lords also focused their attention on Thor.
“Gentlemen, a few days ago I met with Marquis Raymond and was tasked with eliminating the surrounding orc tribes. I wonder if any of you are interested?” Thor said with a smile as he looked at them.
As soon as his words fell, the five men’s pupils contracted.
“Oh, my goddess, Lord Thor, you’re not planning to participate in that campaign, are you?” Pape Lawrence asked in surprise, his eyes flickering.
Hearing Thor’s words, he couldn’t help but feel a bit shaken.
They were well aware of the mission to eliminate the orc tribes.
But knowing was one thing, they had no intention of getting involved.
“Lord Thor, this...” Baron Graton instinctively began to speak.
The others couldn’t help but feel a chill, recalling the alliance they had previously formed.
A bad thought crossed their minds, especially the three barons, who had signed a contract.
If Thor forced them to participate, they would have no way to resist.
“Baron Pape, Baron Graton, Baron Valmy...!”
“As I mentioned before, the kingdom’s war will last no more than two years. If we can gain more merits, it will be crucial, whether to offset the conscription for the kingdom’s war or to exchange for kingdom resources. If I’m not mistaken, Baron Graton, Baron Valmy, your knight breathing techniques are still the most basic in the kingdom, correct? They don’t allow for breakthroughs to Earth Knight, and even now, the life energy your breathing techniques absorb is likely insufficient.”
“With just 500 merit points, you can exchange for a top-tier breathing technique in the kingdom. With 1,000 points, you can get something comparable to our Dresrosa family’s Eagle Breathing Technique.”
“The Northland Province is currently under attack, but the tribes that have penetrated it are much weaker, and they often possess considerable wealth. Eliminating them not only brings merit points but also great wealth. This is our opportunity. Don’t forget, the kingdom’s war is less than two years away.”
Thor’s words were calm as he looked at Baron Graton and Baron Valmy before turning his gaze to Baron Pape.
Hearing his words, Baron Graton and Baron Valmy exchanged glances, their emotions stirring.
Even Baron Pape was affected.
For Baron Graton and Baron Valmy, the most crucial thing was their knight breathing techniques. As knights who had risen from the lowest ranks, their breathing techniques were extremely basic. Even after earning some merits through their lordship, their breathing techniques were still inadequate.
They struggled to maintain their current status, let alone advance further.
Although Baron Pape didn’t have this particular issue, he was still concerned about the kingdom’s war.
As the three of them pondered in silence, Thor’s gaze turned to the other two pioneering lords.
“Lord Jas, Lord Saatchi, if the vast territories in the Maine Valley are not registered in Loren City quickly, they might not remain yours. While the upcoming war might secure them, once the kingdom’s war breaks out, you’ll have to participate unless you’re willing to abandon your territories.”
“I assume neither of you would want to abandon your lands, right?”
His voice broke the silence.
Saatchi opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to respond.
“Lord Thor, clearing out the orcs is indeed possible, but there’s a significant risk. If we divert too much of our forces from the Maine Valley and our territories are attacked by orc tribes, how would we respond?” Baron Pape took a deep breath and couldn’t help but voice his concern.
His words brought the room to a momentary silence.
“That’s not an issue. We don’t need to deploy all our forces. My Eagle Ridge will deploy one Grand Knight and twenty official knights. You only need to deploy a third of your forces. As for the threat to our territories,” Thor continued with a light smile, “our northern border is protected by the Northern Glacier, and the orc tribes can only attack from the western downstream of the Maine Valley. I’ll position the magical crystal cannon downstream. Besides, don’t forget, it’s still flood season.”