Throne of the North.

Chapter 679 The Emperor of the Empire (Part 3)
“He is no longer the Archduke of Freming, how dare he question the Emperor’s orders?”

Columbus III, standing in his palace, coldly gazed at the sky outside and issued another order to the Grand Duke of Fleming's family.

One hundred thousand soldiers did not walk barefoot to Twilight Province, a province that has yet to rebuild its fortress.

They now have to push a large number of oxen and horses in wagons, transporting countless supplies and materials to Twilight Province to form a military logistics and supplies system, which includes... all the resources that humans need for food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

Livestock scattered like chickens and dogs, burlap was piled up like mountains, and bread, stiff as stones, rolled on the roadside unpicked. Stones and wood weighed down cart tracks and made it hard for cattle and horses to breathe.

People were shocked by... the wealth of the Freming family, all of which came from the Grand Duke Freming family. Faced with this order, the Grand Duke Freming, far away in the south, only had one sentence to say.

"Follow your will."

Grand Duke Freming could only afford to expend such terrible resources to defend against the orcs of the North.

Similarly, a large group of nobles who were once part of Grand Duke Freming's faction, including Earl Clayton, a great noble who had already subtly parted ways with Freming.

Resources worth over five million gold coins from Calais Province began to be transported to the North. However, Earl Clayton played a trick: some of them followed the Grand Duke of Fleming's party to Twilight Province, while the majority of the rest simply changed course in Volga Province to Danube Province, and finally entered Northwind Province.

Since they're all going to be used to support the Northern Frontier in resisting the Orcs anyway, might as well send them to his son, Baron Ryan.

In short, the entire empire became lively during this period, with quite a few nobles following the Grand Duke Freming's family faction, after all, this Grand Duke was the victor of the previous era.

It was precisely because of this massive outpouring of wealth and resources that this faction of nobles completely severed ties with Grand Duke Freming.

Nobles are driven by self-interest. This incident revealed a breakdown in the relationship between the Emperor and Grand Duke Freming, who had lost his former influence and was no longer able to protect the interests of the nobles within the empire.

So the nobles naturally left.

"That's the price."

Grand Duke Fleming, now even older, was in his castle. He knew all too well the consequences of opposing His Majesty the Emperor, but Columbus III was too ruthless, forcing Grand Duke Fleming's faction to relinquish such a vast amount of wealth and resources.

But this is the price to pay for helping His Highness the Elector of Viking Columbus, the price he has to pay for touching the trajectory of destiny.

"Hopefully, it's the right thing for Ferredias to go south."

This was the only reaction he could make as he followed the trajectory of fate. Mortals are not qualified to touch the power of great beings. Even the old Grand Duke Freming, who possessed some special power, could only make a tiny change in his own direction as he followed the trajectory of fate.

For three consecutive days, Columbus III, the emperor of the empire, watched as the nobles submitted to him, daring not to disobey his orders in the slightest.

He finally smiled.

In his palace, Columbus III laughed heartily. The servants inside and outside the palace bowed their heads, listening to the emperor's laughter with pride. When they walked out of the palace, they raised their heads even more arrogantly. The servants, who would normally kneel before minor nobles, walked even more lightly because of the emperor's authority.

"This empire will eventually reach its glorious peak because of me."

Columbus III’s eyes gleamed with ambition. He wanted to elevate the Flor Empire to a new level under his rule, to make the past empire a thing of the past, to make the new empire great because of him, and to make the future subjects of the empire, the future emperors and their descendants, kneel before his portrait and be awestruck by his wisdom.

It is impossible for something like the old Grand Duke Freming questioning the emperor to happen again.

North Wind Province.

Ryan was also amazed by the profound knowledge and resources of the imperial nobles.

With this order from Emperor Flor, the defenses of the six northern provinces became at least twice as strong.

Those orc tribes that were initially a slight threat were slaughtered by the Empire's forces for a week straight.

"The power of the empire is increasingly concentrating in the hands of the emperor. I wonder if Columbus III... will be able to seize this opportunity."

Ryan knew very well how terrifying the emperor's power was once centralized, especially in the early stages. The nobles dared not have any other thoughts; such power was pure, and no one dared to outwardly comply while inwardly resisting, which led to…

This power is not something that ordinary people can skillfully wield.

Columbus III was undoubtedly a pioneer, but precisely because he was the first to try something new, he may not have known how to do it.

Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; swallowing things whole without careful consideration is not necessarily a good thing.

Ryan awaited Columbus III's next move. He could only wait. There were only fifteen days left until the Feast of Grace. In the past two days, he had been sending invitations to the lands to the east, inviting nobles to the Frozen Territory to participate in the first Northern Military Conference.

Originally, it could have been decided at will, but the problem was that the orcs in the North had been identified as a huge threat. Therefore, the military conference, which could have been delayed for several years or even more than a decade, had to begin in this year.

In fifteen days, the arrival of the Festival of Grace will mark the first meeting of the rulers of the North.

The voice of this land will be united on that day.

Ryan had no idea what changes the arrival of the Festival of Divine Grace would bring to the Empire, nor did Emperor Flore know how serious the troubles in the North were. He only knew that he could use this event, this suddenness, and the peak of his power and prestige, to accomplish something that might otherwise have taken a long time.

The emperor summoned his elector, Volvo Columbus.

"The war in the South was the one I used to test Freud. He won the war in the South beyond everyone's expectations. And you, Volvo, you have not disappointed me either."

"I'm leaving the threat from the North to you. This is my test for you, and I hope you won't let me down."

Columbus III stood before a golden brazier, the Holy Grail forged from the bones of the Silver Moon Werewolf King. The golden flames burning within were eternal and would illuminate the empire's skies as long as the God of Light existed.

Just like the sun in the sky.

Volvo's breathing quickened as he looked excitedly at the Emperor, never expecting to get such an opportunity.

“I will obey your will, Your Majesty. For the glory of Columbus, I will bring you an honor in the north that is no less than that of Freud.”

"The war in the north is different from the war in the south, Volvo."

Columbus III, the emperor of this empire, actually knew a lot of things.

"In war, the enemy is humanity, and there are many ways to end the war, just like in the southern battlefield, many noble lords withdrew from the war before they even participated."

"But to the north, the enemy is the orcs, so you must possess absolute power."

"The Empire will grant you this power, but to ensure absolute victory, you will also need to pay a price of sufficient wealth."

"It's not worth fighting orcs with human soldiers, but if you can kill ten orcs with one human soldier and ten stones, it's worth it."

Volvo nodded; of the three electors, he possessed the most outstanding political talent.

His own emperor father was telling him that the war in the north was about resources and wealth.

"I'll do it."

In this imperial capital, Columbus III would naturally receive all the news, and he also knew that Volvo had gone to Meyers immediately.

This is what he is satisfied with. Of his three electors, Viking's excellence also amazed him, but Volvo's control over power is also something he is satisfied with.

……

"Is this your wish, or His Majesty the Emperor's will?"

Grand Duke Meyers, the only grand duke to have come to the capital, looked at Prince Volvo, the elector, and asked, "This is a test His Majesty has given me. I think he doesn't want Freud to possess such a powerful honor alone."

Volvo gave a truthful account, and Archduke Meyers nodded in agreement, saying that Volvo was right.

The relationship between the emperor and the elector is that of a monarch and his successor, which naturally makes them competitors for power.

"However, if this is your wish, Meyers will not provide you with more than ten million gold coins in resources."

“If this is the Emperor’s will, then Meyers must work with Fleming to rebuild Twilight Keep.”

Volvo was puzzled, but he understood the difference between the two: the relationship of authority between himself and the emperor. Meyers was not afraid of him, the elector, but Meyers could not ignore the emperor's will.

He didn't mind, because over the years he had built up a large following and amassed considerable wealth through the Northern Heroes Guild in the south.

What he didn't understand was...

Why does Twilight Keep need so many resources?

He doesn't understand.

"Baron Ryan built a fortress in the north of his territory. It is said to be very large, but as far as I know, he did not spend much of his wealth."

Grand Duke Meyers narrowed his eyes, but his scrutiny turned to Volvo. He wasn't sure if the other was testing Meyers's intentions regarding the Northwind Province, so he could only explain:

“That’s what makes Ryan Clayton so terrifying, Your Highness.”

"He made everyone think that the fortress didn't consume many resources, but the problem is, we still don't know how much material the baron of the North transported from another dimension to fill his territory."

"Besides that, what makes Your Highness think that Ryan didn't spend too much money?"

Volvo frowned and said:

"As far as I know, Ryan's sources of wealth are limited. Even with the help of the other world, he has only occupied the Frozen Territory for a few years. He simply does not have the strength to move all the wealth out of the other world."

"Time cannot deceive my eyes. Besides, regarding Ryan's financial acumen, the Northern Warriors Guild can have my financial advisor roughly calculate the amount of wealth Ryan can acquire in these places each year."

"Even if it's pulled to the highest level, that baron wouldn't have ten million gold coins."

Even if he found a gold mine in another world.

"That's not how money is calculated, Your Highness."

Grand Duke Meyers shook his head and said:

"Baron Ryan paid at least fifty million gold coins for that fortress, but this wealth was never shown to anyone in the form of gold coins, so no one could calculate it."

Volvo's breathing quickened.

"How can this be."

Fifty million is not just a simple number; every penny of it represents enormous wealth.

"That is certainly possible."

"Furthermore, his wealth can be used more cost-effectively in his territory, where many things are cheap in the North."

The Grand Duke looked at Volvo again.

"So, Your Highness, the Elected Emperor, have you considered whose honor this truly belongs to?"

If Volvo were to approach Meyers for the money itself, Meyers would only offer ten million, which, for the Northern Territory, is... not much.

If the emperor had sent Volvo, Meyers would have suffered a huge financial loss.

Volvo gritted his teeth and, after a long pause, said:

“Even Freud only received that honor because of His Majesty’s order. I am also following His Majesty’s will.”

Grand Duke Meyers nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Before the Festival of Divine Grace, the Meyers family will inventory resources worth one hundred million gold coins and send them to the North in your name. However, the entire transportation process may take a year."

"As for the other nobles, Your Highness will need to speak to them personally."

Volvo left excitedly; the tenfold difference would give him tenfold more say in the North.

After he left, Chrysus asked Grand Duke Meyers:
“Father, a fortune worth one hundred million gold coins… that’s too much even for Meyers.”

"This isn't for Volvo, it's for the Emperor."

Archduke Meyers responded.

“Columbus III is eager to see the nobles submit to him. We have no choice but to send the Nightmare Knights if we cannot provide resources. However… we cannot allow the Nightmare Knights’ current situation to be exposed.”

After Grand Duke Meyers finished speaking, Chrysus also fell silent. Indeed, the Nightmare Knights Legion had suffered heavy losses, both when facing the Behemoth Orc Court and the Raven Court in Twilight Province and in the recent war in the north.

Most importantly, the reappearance of the Nightmare Knight Legion might reveal the hidden dangers within this extraordinary legion to others.

The empire has never lacked discerning eyes.

"The emperor's power is growing ever greater, Father."

"Yes, but we can only submit to him now. At least until he dies, it will be difficult for the Meyers family to challenge the royal family for power."

Grand Duke Meyers looked at Chrysus and said:
Do you know why?

"I……"

Chrysus shook his head. He really didn't know the essence of the matter. He only knew that recently the Meyers family had also begun to find themselves unable to say no to the emperor's authority.

“That’s the biggest difference between you and Ryan. He knows something very fatal better than you do.”

"Power... comes from followers, from the countless people under your title."

Grand Duke Meyers, quite displeased, lectured:
“We’ve been keeping an eye on things in the North, so you should know that these days, that kid Ryan has been inviting the kingdom’s nobles, and even the king.”

"And you, I don't think I've ever seen you invite those nobles who follow our Meyers family."

"Do you look down on them? But they are the foundation of your power."

"Similarly, this is also where our Majesty's wisdom lies."

“Crysus, perhaps you should take stock of how many nobles, including those wandering nobles, His Majesty the Emperor has received in his palace in the last two years.”

(End of this chapter)