Alien world

Chapter 1836, Page 469: Put in the effort and ask for money.

"That's no problem." Annan breathed a sigh of relief, no longer worrying about whether or not to officially join the war.

For him, problems that can be solved with money are not problems. Is 100 million enough? If not, add another 100 million. Just now, his sugar daddy gave him 1000 million gold.

If the State Religion were willing, he could donate another 100 million gold nars to the State Religion Army in his private capacity, provided they would issue a note acknowledging that the Empire had received his war donation of 2000 million...

"Is Liberty City the only one?" Annan asked curiously.

Gandhi revealed that he was one of only two, and the Kingdom of Dimon also sent a war envoy, but it's unlikely they would refuse.

The Kingdom of Dimon already harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Chaos forces to the north. With the Empire's help, aid, and rewards, they would never let go of such a golden opportunity for revenge. As for the minor skirmishes between the two nations in the past, they are insignificant in the face of humanity's greatest enemy—"

“Wait a minute…” Annan suddenly interrupted Gandhi, “You just mentioned a reward, right?”

"Ah."

Many of the empire’s traditions have been preserved, such as collecting enemy skulls to make mounds of skulls, barbaric practices, and rewarding soldiers according to their merits after each battle.

"Which kind of reward: a nominal one, or a real reward from the Allied Forces?"

After a moment's thought, Gandhi replied, "I can't answer you. The military hasn't finalized the details yet, but I don't think it will be any less than the reward offered by the Allied Forces."

“I was just joking with you. As the King of the North, I have a blood feud with the Skaven. How could I possibly side with those filthy and cunning Skaven?!” Annan’s eyes blazed with the light of revenge. “Tell the Empire that I am ready to lead the Free City into a decisive battle against the Skaven!”

"I, Annan Reeves, am sworn enemies with the forces of Chaos!"

What a mess! If you had told me earlier that there would be a reward for fighting against the chaotic forces, Annam would have been a brick in the empire!

Gandhi hesitated, feeling that Annan was not so superficial, but what else could have made him suddenly change his mind?

"you sure?"

Annan's tone was icy: "We were born in the North, the land where our fathers lived. The ratmen came and destroyed our homes... The people of Free City dream of driving out every single one of the ratmen!"

Gandhi was, after all, just a priest. Faced with Annan Reeves, who could fool Russ and bring back the six-armed serpent demon, he was completely powerless and easily believed his words.

The young Gandhi reassured Annan: "I understand. Don't worry, the Empire has decided to completely eliminate the chaotic forces in the north."

"Great!"

After escorting Gandhi back to the embassy, ​​Annan rushed back to the city lord's mansion, muttering something all the way.

"Ratman ears... Ratman ears... Ratman ears..."

"Lord Annan, what did you say?"

“Ratman ears… Ratman ears…” Annan ignored Losi and hurriedly walked through the corridor to the second floor.

On the way, he had already come up with several ways to obtain large quantities of rat ears: besides asking Philosopher's siblings for help, he could also commission the Confederate States of America to collect them. The rats in the South were rampant, so it wouldn't take much effort at all.

In addition, the commercial district can buy rat ears; as long as there's a profit, there's no loss...

Annan stepped back from Olmedo's office door, about to speak, when he suddenly hesitated.

"What is it?" Olmedo asked without looking up.

“…It’s alright.” Annan gritted his teeth and gave up on making this ill-gotten gain.

He set a bottom line for himself: he could live a life of ease and comfort, cling to his ancestors, and flirt with demons and ratmen, but he absolutely could not hold them back.

"I just came to ask what you think about joining forces with the Empire to fight against Chaos."

Olmedo paused, pen in hand, thinking, "This is a good thing. Our foundation is too weak, and the Empire is willing to take us along and give us the opportunity to enter the inner sanctum. Compared to the gains, the sacrifices are insignificant."

Olmedo is a warmonger, or rather, a politician—they judge whether something is feasible based on whether the costs and benefits are proportional.

If a Hellfire soldier is trapped in the rat's nest, Fermi, out of a sense of responsibility to each soldier, decides to rescue him by any means necessary. Now it's Olmedo's turn to make the decision: weigh the consequences of refusing versus the publicity that comes with agreeing—which would be more beneficial to Free City.

In the world of politics, there is no right or wrong.

"I think so too."

Annan then told her about the rewards the empire had given him and his earlier plans.

“You were right not to do that.” Olmedo put down his pen and said seriously, “The Empire only chose us and the Kingdom of Dimon, without even taking any vassals. This shows that it is determined to completely eradicate the Chaos forces in the north and will not tolerate any behavior that hinders it.”

"However, given your relationship with the Empire, I think they will turn a blind eye as long as you don't go too far."

“Wouldn’t that be exchanging reputation for profit? How would that be any different from those unscrupulous nobles?” Annan shook his head repeatedly, his fighting spirit ignited in his heart.

The forces of Chaos and the Empire have set up a stage in the north. Want honor and rewards? Go north and hunt down Chaos!
Just then, a messenger brought news from the northern pass of the Kingdom of Dimon that Grand Marshal Galkin had led his troops back and asked if Annam needed rat ears.

"I want it, as much as you want!"

Annan, who had just been filled with ambition, immediately changed his tune.

He didn't find it shameful at all; these rat ears were obtained from hunting rats on the front lines, and there was no room for fraud. He was simply exchanging the rat ears for rewards on behalf of the Dimon Kingdom; what was wrong with that?

……

In the evening, the war envoy returned to the embassy.

Gandhi and he exchanged their experiences.

The Warbringer followed Peterson on a tour of the Seven Legions' encampments and even saw his Blackwatch colleagues... They recognized the Warbringer's attire, their expressions complex, and none of them bothered each other.

Gandhi said, “Annan Reeves is not steadfast in his fight against the forces of Chaos; he is somewhat weak. But I believe this is because the enemy is too powerful. There is no need to worry about his stance; he is the King in the North, and most of his people are from the North, who have a deep-seated hatred for the forces of Chaos.”

The only question is whether Liberty City can shoulder the responsibility of being an ally of the Empire, just like the Kingdom of Dimon?

Their hesitation vanished the next day when they saw the Hellfire Legion return to Free City.

Soldiers dressed in full sets of fine plate armor marched in neat rows in four lines down the street.

The rat heads and blood graffiti on their armor chests accentuated their fierce spirit and fighting will. Regardless of their strength, their sheer will alone made them absolute elites, capable of fighting to the last man to complete their mission.

The war envoy's judgment stemmed from the empathy of a fellow soldier, while Gandhi judged from visual observation that it was a well-trained army.

Strength is important, but not that important. Willpower is the soul of a legion, and he saw that in the Hellfire Legion.

(End of this chapter)