Throne of the North.

Chapter 724 The Second Orc War (Part 10)
The great existence of the orcs was sealed and imprisoned by the empire, and the great nobles used their extraordinary legions to frantically devour the divine essence of the gods.

This event can be said to have terrified the entire world.

Gods, great beings, the faith of mortals, are being hunted.

The nobles of the kingdoms of Norris looked north with trepidation at the vast empire that had become so terrifying.

Frozen soil collar.

When he received news that the war in Hot Springs Province had entered the stage of divine intervention and that the extraordinary legions had crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join the war, Ryan knew that the orcs could not win the second full-scale invasion of the Empire.

"The nobles of the empire will not act without self-interest; they will not willingly put their extraordinary legions in danger unless they are absolutely certain of success."

Just like the last full-scale orc invasion at Twilight Keep, it was only at the cost of heavy losses that Grand Duke Meyers' Nightmare Knights managed to stop the orcs from continuing their southward advance.

On that occasion, many noble families in the south were observing the situation because they were unsure whether their extraordinary legions could return unscathed from the northern border.

This time, the power of the divine remains threatened the orc god, and another act of god-slaying by the entire empire erupted. Naturally, the nobles were willing to share the risks with others and reap huge benefits.

However, Ryan was also shocked by the Empire's method of teleporting the Extraordinary Legion.

"The Rainbow Bridge? Is it the Rainbow Bridge that the ancient serpent spirit spoke of, the one that encircles the World Tree?"

Back in that otherworldly dimension, a great and ancient being revealed some ancient secrets to Ryan: the relationship between the World Tree and the Abyss, the shattered Rainbow Bridge…

The Pan-Dimensional Wars brought the North to the forefront, where great beings slumbered. The Empire, as a beneficiary of this great chaos, indeed reaped countless treasures.

This is the foundation of the empire. This foundation also changed the empire's ancient feudal aristocracy system, making the nobles more accepting of the empire's unity and actively gathering around the royal family and the four grand dukes, thus accelerating the further integration and development of human civilization.

During the era when the Dawn Church ruled the world, the loyalty between nobles and monarchs was less than their loyalty to the Dawn.

"I just wonder when the war between the Empire and the Orcs will end. Once the Godslayer is over, the Orcs should retreat completely, right?"

Ryan looked north. The orc army was putting considerable pressure on the Northwind Province. However, in recent days, the werewolf royal court had stopped making any moves. Were they preparing a new strategy?
……

Inside the Silver Moon Royal Court, hidden under the moonlight, the werewolf high priest Erdi has finally gained the approval of the werewolf leaders.

The reason lies in the war at Hot Springs Fortress. The Orc King made the six royal courts receive the blessing of the gods and become warriors of the divine kingdom, confronting the empire's extraordinary legions.

The orcs have six royal courts, which are essentially six orthodox and great beings that the orcs serve. When the gods launch a war of divine kingdoms, the six royal courts become the gods' warriors, fighting against the opposing divine kingdoms.

Therefore, the requirements for becoming one of the six great royal courts are very demanding. In addition to strong individual strength, a large clan is also required.

Orc tribes, like the Mammoth Men, whose individuals are ancient and powerful but whose numbers are small, could not possibly become royalty.

They were merely soldiers chosen by the gods from among a swarm of ants.

The Orc King is not the leader or chieftain of the Orcs, but more like a pope in human civilization. He is a collector of faith and a representative of a great god.

Its actions represent the will of the gods.

Therefore, when the Orc King Shattered Bones blessed the Dreadnought Orcs during the War of the Gods, allowing their army to enter the battlefield of the Gods, the werewolves had no choice but to accept a fact.

Of the six royal courts of the orcs, the Silvermoon Royal Court has been replaced by the Dreadrought Orcs.

It's not up to them to decide, but rather the glory of entering the kingdom of God and fighting for the gods that determines this fact.

In the eyes of other orcs, their Silvermoon werewolf clan was abandoned by the gods, who no longer loved them.

Is there anything more serious than this?

During this time, the werewolf clan held several priestly ceremonies and prayed, hoping for a response from the great god, but without exception, all their prayers went unanswered.

The dejected werewolf leaders were like defeated wild dogs, hanging their heads in dejection and no longer having the confidence to face High Priest Erdi.

Because this high priest brought them a new belief in the gods.

It's not exactly new; it was once the second choice for the Werewolf Royal Court.

"The ancient werewolf tribe were all followers of the great Lord of the Moon. How come you have turned into beasts again!"

Erdy was furious, and the werewolf leaders were also confused as to whether he was an werewolf ancestor who had not completely died a thousand years ago, or a spirit favored by the gods who had taken over the memories of a thousand years ago.

But it doesn't matter anymore. Werewolves don't have a tradition of fussing over such things. What they care about most now is that werewolves are no longer royalty, so they have become the inferior beastmen they once despised.

The disparity in status is unacceptable to werewolves; they refuse to accept becoming garbage on the snowfields, serving as food for them.

"High Priest, can werewolves truly gain His favor?"

"Hmph! Have you forgotten that we werewolves have never lost His mercy?"

"Whenever the moon is full, werewolves possess even greater power, a unique bloodline power bestowed upon us by the great Lord."

Erdy glared angrily at the werewolf leaders.

“You brainless bastards have become beasts and abandoned your faith in my Lord.”

Now, with no other choice, the werewolf leaders looked at each other and finally agreed to the high priest's suggestion.

Another sacrifice was held, but this time the object of the sacrifice was the moon in the sky.

"In two days, it will be the full moon. Get ready to become a believer in my Lord."

"Then... what about humanity?"

The werewolf king, the legendary king Adun with his silver hair, inquired whether they were still at war with humans.

High Priest Erdi sneered.

"Even if you become believers in my Lord, werewolves and humans are still enemies, and the war will certainly continue. However, this time, you are fighting for my Lord."

Erdi's appearance also brought a divine oracle; the will of a great being cannot be shaken.

The werewolf leaders were finally able to leave the royal court hidden in the moonlight. Instantly, these powerful werewolves howled to the sky, their roars shaking the heavens.

On the snowy plains, thousands of werewolf cavalrymen roared in pursuit. Ever since their werewolf leader left the royal court, this werewolf cavalry had been circling around this area without leaving.

This is why Erdy needed to recruit the werewolf leader first.

The werewolf pack is united, but Erdy, as the werewolf high priest, has limited power and cannot command all the werewolves.

The sheer size of the werewolf pack, given their status as royalty, is self-evident. This was also a compromise made by High Priest Erdi; otherwise, given the arrogance of his divine followers, he would have already killed these damned werewolf leaders.

The werewolf king is still the werewolf king, but now the high priest is in charge.

Erdy then issued an order that all werewolf clans must offer blood sacrifices—not some random offerings, but the werewolves themselves.

"The great gods will bestow upon us even greater glory."

Without divine intervention or support, the Silver Moon Royal Court needed divine favor, so the werewolf leaders hesitated only briefly upon hearing the request before deciding not to refuse.

Two days is enough time for them to prepare themselves mentally.

……

Xiangshan Plain Fortress.

Ryan's scouts, whom he had sent into the North, had located the werewolf stronghold, which was closest to the Fragrant Mountain Plains. Ryan was relieved to hear this.

However, as a result, a large amount of resources from the Northern Military Council system, including the war machines that Ryan obtained from Volvo, began to be transported to the Fragrant Hills Plain.

The army supported by the nobles also increased the pressure on all aspects of the Xiangshan Plain. However, during wartime, there was no time to worry about such things. Military camps were set up on the plain south of the fortress.

The massive military force made the Xiangshan Plain Fortress impregnable. Since the orc invasion, the fortress had been repeatedly defeated, boosting the morale of the soldiers and significantly improving the overall appearance and demeanor of the army.

Once they leave the fortress, the soldiers here could probably be considered elite.

At this moment, in the Xiangshan Plain Fortress.

Viscount Landa is the supreme commander of this fortress.

"Viscount, the scouts sent by Baron Ryan have reported that a large number of werewolves are gathering in the North, and the scouts have even spotted a silver-haired werewolf among them."

There are many werewolf clans, and silver fur is undoubtedly a symbol of royalty. Upon hearing this news, Viscount Landa's expression turned solemn.

“Ryan said that if the werewolves launch a major attack on our defenses, the Fragrant Hills Plains Fortress is the closest. A few days ago, when no werewolves were found at the fortress in the Frozen Territory, he guessed that the werewolves would launch an attack here.”

"He was actually right."

Viscount Landa was surprised and addressed the surrounding nobles.

"The werewolves disappeared to launch a full-scale attack; they absolutely cannot breach the Xiangshan Plain Fortress."

"We have an army of 100,000 here."

No wonder this baron was so confident. The military strength of the Fragrant Hills Plain was now terrifyingly powerful, and this was not some slave army. The army that Ryan required all nobles to support was fully trained.

Although... they were slaves a few months ago.

The wartime supplies were terrifyingly abundant. Even though it wasn't as dire as the Wall fortresses in the North where half could be eaten and half lost, it still made the soldiers stronger.

Whenever these nobles patrolled the Xiangshan Plain fortress, they could feel the army growing stronger day by day, and they were proud to have a part of this army.

Moreover, even now, the Xiangshan Plain has not encountered any problems in its war against the orcs, or in those wars that once terrified the nobles.

The nobles are no longer worried about this war with the orcs. They can even come to the Fragrant Mountain Plain in person to see the 100,000-strong army that can make their blood boil at a glance.

Viscount Landa was not so blindly optimistic.

"Let's take this matter to the Northern Military Council first."

Viscount Landa mainly wanted to know how Ryan would judge this matter, since the headquarters of the Northern Military Council was located in Zero Crossing City.

Ryan responded quickly to this matter, instructing Xiangshan Plain to increase its investment in the war and continue to transform its wealth into war resources.

"Although we have won once, we still cannot underestimate the power of the Silvermoon Royal Court. They not only have werewolf cavalry, but also a large number of orc tribes as cannon fodder in the werewolf war."

Ryan's reply doesn't determine anything; the war hasn't truly begun yet, and we don't know exactly what it will look like. The werewolves' attack...

"This is the first time that the Northwind Province has faced the power of an entire Orcish Royal Court, although the Werewolves no longer seem to be one of the six major royal courts."

Ryan was also searching for the reason why the werewolves withdrew from the six royal courts, but he knew that even if the Silver Moon Royal Court was no longer a royal court, it had only lost its power at the divine level. The werewolves' own fighting power was still terrifying.

So after replying to Viscount Landa, Ryan got up and headed to Wing Canyon.

Volvo, now emperor, finally gave Ryan a positive answer, granting him military command over Winged Canyon, but only during the Orc Wars.

Ryan guessed that this period of time was most likely the end of the divine war at Hot Springs Fortress.

This was the first time the Emperor had exercised war authority over Wing Canyon, and it was clear that the new Emperor was eager for peace in the Northern War so that he could fully inherit the authority left by his father in his position.

This is how different electors bring about different changes to the empire.

Volvo needs a stable empire in order to steadily enhance its authority.

Freud needed constant wars to gain control over the nobility.

In any case, Ryan finally received the Emperor's greatest support for the war effort.

The Elephant Legion of Winged Canyon has gone to the Kingdom of Andara to help this empire's ally. What remains in Winged Canyon now is the Wyvern Cavalry Legion.

Without the werewolf issue, Ryan wouldn't be afraid of the orc army; his only concern now is the massive population loss in Northwind Province.

For this war against the orcs, Ryan has drawn far too many men, who represent the main productive force of this land.

"Hopefully, this Van Die Columbus will know what's good for him."

Ryan traveled to Winged Canyon with formalities, which prevented him from going too fast. The baron's magnificent magical carriage left two deep ruts on the road, connecting the Frozen Territory to Winged Canyon.

Commander Farrell is the supreme commander of Winged Canyon, but the commander of the Wyvern Legion has always been a member of the royal family.

The previous legion commander, Laurent Columbus, caused significant losses to the Wyvern Legion during the Dawn Church's northward march in the east. After the war, upon returning to the Imperial City, he was severely reprimanded by Columbus III and stripped of his power.

After Loren, the new commander of the Wyvern Legion is the unfamiliar Van Die Columbus.

One of the younger brothers of the new emperor, Volvo Columbus.

(End of this chapter)