212: 143. Something is suspicious in North.

143. Something is suspicious in North.

****0

During these 4 days,

Mist thought as he looked at John and noticed his heavy killing intent which was leaked unintentionally, "It seems he is the general likely. What do you think Alison?"

Alison was focusing on his next Chess move as he spoke, "Ohh, I knew about that already when he came back. From the looks of it, He doesn't intend to reveal himself early on as his domain is vulnerable. I am just wondering how long this war would continue. Well, it's good either way as I can enjoy as much wine as I want. Aah, yes that's the move, I was looking for."

Alison focused on Chess as he made his next move and drank his cup of wine.

Mist thought as he heard Alison, 'It seems something big is brewing from the way these guys have reacted. I better start paying attention to the politics over here. That previous battle has already shocked enough people in Aelius I think.'

****

John got a report from Ross which said that recently they had found another Magic metal mine at the North. Hearing this he immediately left for Winter City.

After Transporting the cannons at Winter City and making a thorough Inspection, John immediately ordered Ross, "From now on keep expanding to the west, there is no need to fear the beasts, The magic metal Mines themselves are quite valuable at the North, Tornwall is quite interested in them as Dwarven kingdom was lacking in it and he never had a free hand in experimenting with it. Try expanding towards Fire-abyss kingdom's Volcanic Hills. Meanwhile, we will be slowly starting our base of Operations over here. Where is Tim, Currently?"

Ross nodded, "Milord he is at Aurora Currently. He is currently studying the ships and preparing for the usage of steam engines in the ships that were provided by you. He has already started using the water boosters and steam engines for the ships. While the Cannons will be installed as they arrive. All the plans are on schedule. Tornwall has headed for Aurora so that he can start Cannon and Steam engine factories. I think you can meet him at Aurora If you want."

John nodded and gave final orders, "Hmm... Ok, Since all the checks have been done, I will be returning back. No need to meet Tornwall, I have already sent my orders to him. Tell Blake that he can use the cannons in seas if he feels that our existence at Aurora is going to be leaked, It doesn't matter who the enemy is. Meanwhile, I will be sending someone over here to handle the administration so that you can go back to Aurora."

John thought of Bruce who recently visited him, 'Maybe I should give him the administration of Winter City. He is quite a capable man from the way he adjusted the budget recently.'

Ross nodded and noted it down, "Ok, Milord. I will immediately inform Blake. I will be waiting for the administrator."

****

After reaching Imperial City, King fumed as he read Luke's report where that Count had completely rejected Royal family's offer, "It seems, that Count is overconfident now that he got a big victory with those ballistas. Good, that overconfidence will be his downfall."

One of the commanders from Dragon unit spoke, "Lord, why don't we invade them already, he clearly doesn't respect the authority of Aelius family, they will only be waiting for a surprise now that we have the magic metal ballistas not to mention the newly improvised Dragon knights. Those ballistas have indirectly upgraded our Dragon Knights as well."

The Law minister smiled as he got the report from Luke, he was always wondering for a justification for invasion and explain the other nobles but now he got a chance, He spoke, "Isn't it good Milord? Now we can legitimately invade them. We can also use this conversation where the talks deteriorated while Count John didn't give any face to the Royal Family. Not to mention, these are official conversations."

Minister Plato was more concerned as he thought, 'The guy who can write those laws to jump through our laws doesn't know the consequences of such an official conversation? Nah, he certainly knows the consequences. It seems just like Luke said, he is certainly hiding something and itching for a war, maybe he believes that Duke Rose will support him in such an endeavor? Naive boy. However, after such big moves, can we really move back even if he has something? Nah, he is more likely overconfident after the last battle. Maybe we should invade them faster. Or maybe I should try to attack their Granaries by using the Dragon Knights. Hmm... let's wait for now. No one has given me so much headache over time, not even those pesky demons or dwarves.'

Lionheart smiled and answered after hearing the Law minister, "Yes, now we won't have those problems which we faced previously. Inform all the domains that we would be invading North-frontier City as it rightfully belongs to us. I am sure Irwin is already informed."

Plato and others answered as they got to work, "Yes, Sir."

****

The next day,

There was hubbub in the aristocratic circles as they heard about the elimination of 70,000 mercenaries in a single day by General Anak from North-frontier City.

One of the aristocrats at the Imperial Ball commented, "Damn, that guy killed 70,000 men in a single day without blinking? How can he sleep at night? It's good that the Royal family is taking some action against those Barbarians. You heard about the talks, right?"

Marquis nodded his head and spoke, "Yeah, but I am just worried that this doesn't escalate into something big. Though the royal family has a big army and they can easily squash them but I think the foreign powers might try to invade us when we are vulnerable internally. They might even try to ally with that Count if they get a chance. It's good that he is landlocked or it would have been troublesome to contain him and all those technologies."

One of the Marquis who was from Norman's territory had a different view, "I think we are just viewing the same situation when the Lorr family made those swords but this time it was someone weaker and hence the consequences."

The Marquis who spoke earlier had been hit because of the sanctions The Royal family had imposed on North-frontier City. Previously he was supplying food, mulberry and other resources to North-frontier city which had improved the finances of his domain. He was finally able to become debt-free.

Almost everyone went quiet and didn't talk on this as they too knew about the situation but were drooling at North-frontier city and waited for mobilization if the war expanded.

****

Duke Fjord was quite happy as he read the report of Joss where he successfully managed to divert the war, "hahaha, good, with this we are now free in the seas. What do you think Jonas?"

Jonas too smiled as he nodded and spoke with worrying face, "Yes, this news is certainly good but I am just worrying about that general who killed 70,000 men in one day. I am sure everyone has taken a note on that guy. Joss particularly did a good job, while we the Fjord's and the Radiant Church were able to achieve our aims. 1. We were able to divert the war towards land. 2. Radiant Church got a chance to intrude in North-frontier town while the Royal family was forced to make a deal and share the loot. But still, there is one thing."

Fjord furrowed his brows as he spoke, "What is it?"

"It's the number of ships that we are losing as we travel north to track Blake and losing it to beasts while also King Ludwin's suspicious actions."

Fjord thought as if it was natural, "Well, I think it is because of the beasts that we are losing our ships. As far as Ludwin is concerned, we will keep him at a distance currently or else that greedy king Lionheart will invade us on the pretext of treason to get his hands on our ships. Though we are very strong in the sea, he still has the Magic Dragon Knights. Anyway, what are the results of those ballistas on the sea beasts?"

Jonas nodded and answered, "They have been quite useful, we are now able to clear the sea beasts without much effort because of the ballistas not to mention the runic ballistas. And this is one of the reasons why I feel there is something amiss at the northern seas, I don't think there should be such a big difference between Northern beast and deep northern sea beasts. The same is the case with Dwarves, I heard their ambassador previously grumbling that they are losing quite an amount of ships in North-western waters as opposed to North-eastern waters. I think this may be related to Count John and Blake, mind you, previously he has been able to escape towards north without any problems."

Fjord thought a bit as a grim picture formed inside his head, "Hmm... Okay, inform your conclusions to Ludwin and his men. We too will accelerate our investigations in the North. Tell Erin and Shannon to increase their scope of investigations."

"Okay, Milord."

pqdm.com