Alien world

Chapter 1828, Section 461: The Empire Strikes
The reason the Chaos forces didn't launch a large-scale counterattack was because the three legions were constantly engaging in guerrilla warfare, remaining slippery and elusive. In addition, the demons were hiding in the rear, stalling for time, and the Skaven had also withdrawn their main forces to stagnate, leaving only scattered troops to play cat and mouse with the Empire.

But this time was different. Urgent news reported that after the Empire occupied Old Val, it immediately opened a portal and sent a large number of workers to build fortifications there.

Olmedo pointed to the sand table and told Annan Old Val Town that it was backed by the Gray Mountain Range. Once they settled down, the Gray Mountain Range, including Hell Mountain, and a plain in front of it would be within the sphere of influence of the Empire, which was equivalent to taking away a large piece of the cake.

This was unacceptable to the Northern Chaos forces, who had already seized the North and were now eyeing the Middle-earth. Although there was no concrete intelligence yet, it was predictable that the Northern Skaven were swarming towards this region like madmen.

For most people in the Middle Kingdom, however, this was a great and exciting development.

War symbolizes both death and glory.

Some achieve great success, while others become nothing but excrement. Bloodlines are worthless in war; a prince doesn't need to be stabbed more than a commoner, and a general who has been beheaded cannot survive.

War is fair; it grants death to every participant.

Annan looked out the window where the first lightning bolt had flashed, and the faint sound of thunder came from the clouds.

The rainy season has arrived in Liberty City.

……

In the town of Old Ware, workers are busily pouring cement onto the dilapidated city walls.

In less than a day, they will solidify as hard as rock, and for every centimeter the city wall is raised, the ratmen will have to spend tens of thousands of lives to build it up.

Workers toiled on the high walls, while in the center of town, Imperial soldiers poured out of the portals.

After thoroughly ravaging Old Vale, the Silverwing Storm Legion and the Ash Bone Corps turned their attention to clearing out the surrounding swarms of rats.

The Crimson Guard, skilled in city defense and positional warfare, will hold Old Val with the assistance of the Imperial Army.

Amidst the commotion, a gray-furred rat messenger appeared outside Old Vale, bringing with him the Macken ratmen's question: "Human creatures, are you declaring war on us?!"

"War? It started a long time ago."

The legion commander ordered his men to cut off the head of the gray rat messenger and send it to the gray rat mound still being built on Montreal Hill.

The barbarians showed no mercy, and their greatest respect for their enemies was to cast their skulls into a mound.

……

The flames of war have not yet reached the Central Plains, but the surrounding powers of the empire are all experiencing an atmosphere as cold as winter: prices are skyrocketing, villagers are fleeing to towns, and town nobles are fleeing to the empire.

The impact on Free City was that with the issuance of new orders from the Skaven capital, the rat horde surged towards the Empire, and the rat population north of Free City decreased sharply.

With no immediate signs of the Empire forming a new coalition, Annam instructed Free City to prepare.

He planned to incorporate the Blackwatch Legion into the Winter Legion, as they should have a lot in common with the Forsaken. However, he learned that Military Minister Renado had already assigned them to Liberty City University and military camps as instructors.

More valuable than the individual contributions of the soldiers is the knowledge of the Blackwatch system they possess.

Annan knew this principle, but he also knew that every soldier wanted to return to the battlefield. It was more difficult to get them to stay in Free City as instructors than to get them to reveal the Blackwatch Breathing Technique.

How did Renato convince them?

"Lord Renato is saying that they are survivors of the Blackwatch, and that they can plant new seeds in Free City to inherit the will of the Blackwatch." This is similar to what Annan thought. He was still thinking about how to bind them with emotions, but Renato had already done it. It seems that having an old politician in the city lord's mansion is quite good.

After a tour, the five army groups were well-organized by the political commissar, their business empires were thriving, and Annan had no need to worry about domestic affairs.

After a long pause, Annan finally picked out a topic from some obscure corner of the sand table that made him seem busy: "How are our neighbors?"

"The Lord of Franco has already built a concrete wall in the northwest, purchased hundreds of magical muskets, and sent knights to hunt in the north with the Hellfire Legion."

The lord of Franco initially harbored some ulterior motives—as evidenced by his failure to pay any greetings after the establishment of Liberty City. However, as Liberty City grew increasingly powerful, coupled with the looming threat of the Chaos forces in the north, this neighbor wisely aligned himself with Annam, a chivalrous and loyal ally.

Grand Duke Girardi, on the other hand, was unable to shake off Annan's grip, clinging to his leg as tightly as Annan clung to the Empire's leg.

After managing the Duchy of Montabullock and reassigning officials, Claire, who had served as the interim minister, handed over power to Grand Duke Girardi and returned to Free City, showing no attachment to power whatsoever, which was completely opposite to her mad brother.

Why is she in such a hurry?

If Claire is doing a good job, why not let her continue?
Annan only needed the Duchy of Montabullock to have a leader; he didn't care who that leader was.

Olmedo said, "Claire said she was afraid of repeating the same mistake and becoming like her brother."

“Send someone to inform Girardi that the principality should prepare.”

Speaking of the devil, Annan remembered that Beludona was still in Free City, so he went to visit her.

When they arrived at the Devil's Notary Office, Beldona was floating by the window, teasing Lily from the windowsill.

"Has our busy man finally remembered his devilish friend?"

"You're already thinking of me so quickly? You should be grinning like an idiot."

After fighting side by side in the Skaven city-state, Annan and Beldona became less reserved and more harmonious.

She floated over and nudged Annan with her elbow like a mischievous friend: "How's the progress on the Six-Armed Serpent Demon?"

"I haven't gone there yet. Let her calm down first."

Annan caught Lily as she jumped into his arms, stroking her as he said, "Women are like wildcats. If you bring one home and are too enthusiastic, it will only make it uncomfortable and scare it away. You have to let it get used to your presence first, let it realize that you mean no harm, and then slowly approach and tame it..."

"Meow!"

"What does it say?"

“Lily is absolutely right, bro.”

"I believe in your talent in this area."

Berudona nodded. Annan was wondering if her words were malicious when she continued, "My uncle has already gone back. I stayed to tell you that I'm taking Claire back with me."

"What's up with her?"

Belldona showed a happy dilemma: "Your Free City signs too many contracts every day. Even if you only let a little bit slip through to the trainee demons, it would be enough for them to increase their strength and meet the requirements for advancement. However, it would be too eye-catching for several trainee demons to advance at once. I'll take Claire back to advance first."

(End of this chapter)