Throne of the North.

Chapter 762 Diligent Military Affairs, Dialogue with the Royal Family

Ryan stayed at his residence in the capital city of Andara; don't forget that he holds the status of a count in this kingdom.

The reason for being here is that it is necessary to receive military information from all directions and then dispatch appropriate troops to suppress the wild orcs. For several days in a row, the nobles here have witnessed Ryan's diligence in handling military affairs.

“It’s been five days, and Baron Ryan hasn’t left the manor even once. Almost every hour, a soldier brings news from afar. Doesn’t he get tired?”

The nobles were surprised, impressed, and puzzled.

"Baron Ryan is a legend, a legend in his twenties! In the history of my family, I have never heard of such a young legend. The bloodline of the Imperial Dragon Knight family is really too powerful. I heard that his father and brother are also legends."

The nobles were filled with envy, as they were well aware of the advantages of the Clayton family's bloodline in the Empire.

Military reports kept arriving from afar, and Ryan, the military councilor of the North, continued to issue military orders. What surprised the nobles the most was that, under these orders, no bad news came from any battlefield. In the past two days, the Gerald noble territory had even relaxed its restrictions to the point that some Gerald members had come to the Kingdom of Andara.

The war became less tense, and the nobles indeed lost their previous vigilance. They hid in their castles and began to frequently appear outside. They also needed to communicate, and their conversations to build relationships could bring more benefits to their territories.

These noble lords, though they obtained their power through hereditary authority and looked like parasites, had grown up after experiencing the war that nearly wiped them out in recent years. Now, the nobles all looked much more capable.

Ryan's tireless efforts in handling military affairs these past few days have given the nobles of this land a better understanding of Baron Ryan and earned them greater respect for him.

Simply put, it reflects the sentiments of the nobles.

Of course, the nobles still had their grievances.

Many nobles came to the royal city of Andara, but were refused a visit by Ryan.

Ryan declined their visit, citing the urgency of military affairs, while the nobles sought wealth.

It's not about asking Ryan for money, but rather that they need a way to sell the resources they've grown on their land this year.

This includes the extraordinary crops that Ryan asked them to help plant during the Kingdom War, as well as the supplies that the Northern Merchant Guild later provided on their land through a lease agreement, with money and seeds provided.

The war was over, but the huge deficits left the nobles in dire straits. They desperately needed to convert their supplies into money and then use that money to buy what they needed.

Ryan told them to wait, but the nobles were impatient.

"The empire has granted trade permits, and a large number of merchant guilds have been merged. The kingdom's resources can only be traded with those merchant guilds, but because they are the only ones that can do so, they are actually trying to drive down prices!"

The nobles were filled with resentment, but Ryan, busy with military affairs in his own mansion, was completely unaware of it.

He is currently dealing with military affairs from the Kingdom of Sera.

"The number of magical beasts in the Griffin Mountains is enormous. There is no place for magical beasts to live in the Northwind Province to the west and the kingdom to the east, so they are all concentrated in the Griffin Mountains. Of course, the vast majority of them are mobile food reserves to feed the griffins."

"However, after our army invaded on a large scale, it triggered a riot of monsters, their territory was threatened, and the chaos disrupted the ecology of the Griffin Mountains."

"Prince Sera is furious and has demanded that we reduce the number of troops entering the Griffin Mountains. In addition, no more Griffin Riders will be sent to the Griffin Mountains to block the orcs, as their large-scale appearance will bring even greater changes to the Monster Mountains."

Upon seeing this news, Ryan paused for a long time. He needed to think of a way to balance the war and survival.

His fingers tapped lightly on the solid wood table, making a sound. After a long while, Ryan spoke and gave orders to the troops at the front.

"I will have the frontline troops withdraw from the Griffin Mountains, and at the same time invite the legendary dragons to drive most of the orcs away, forcing them to retreat further north."

"After you return, have His Highness Otto select a suitable location in the Griffin Mountains to establish an outpost to receive adventurers entering the Griffin Mountains. This will allow the adventurers to gradually clear out the orcs inside the Griffin Mountains, and it can also be used to hunt magical beasts inside the Griffin Mountains."

“I will dispatch the army of the Kingdom of Sera to the Kingdom of Coran. The worship of an evil god has emerged in the south of the shore. According to the covenant of the Northern Military Council, we are obliged to help them fight against the possible threat.”

"The Kingdom of Kolan will be responsible for most of the military logistics."

"Regarding the Griffin Mountains, I need them to regularly patrol our northern border every three months in the skies to prevent large-scale alien armies from threatening our security."

After Ryan finished speaking, he dismissed the scouts, but continued to issue reinforcement orders to the army in Gerald's territory.

Compared to other places, the orc army facing Gerald's territory could not form a huge force, but it was also difficult for human armies to wipe them out due to the terrain surrounded by mountains.

What Ryan needed to do was not to kill them all, but to reduce the number of orcs to a certain level so that they would not migrate south due to lack of food.

After all, this war was no longer guided by the will of the gods; the orcs decided whether to launch an attack based entirely on their stomachs.

After a long while, the glare from the setting sun outside the window made the wooden table in front of him reflect light so brightly that Ryan finally stood up and went to the window.

The royal city of Andara has been immersed in the jubilation of victory in the war these past few days. Even ordinary people have taken out their meager savings to squander. The tears and laughter of joy have made them realize how rare and wonderful a peaceful world is.

Ryan can't do that.

"We should be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace. Moreover, we live in the North, where absolute peace is impossible."

As Ryan said this, he had not forgotten the calamity the werewolf king had told him about deep in the North. That terrible disaster was sweeping south from the northernmost part of the Norris continent, and that calamity would travel through two-thirds of the northern lands of this world before appearing before the southern third.

I don't know when it will come.

"Having been tempered by this war, our army must be elite enough by now, right?"

Ryan stood by the window watching the sunset and said without turning his head, while Brand, who had been standing ramrod straight behind him, responded.

"Based on their performance in the war, they are capable of fighting two or even more against the Empire's regular army."

It certainly can't be compared to the Extraordinary Legion, but it's enough. The military strength of this land has finally become something to be proud of.

"Once the orcs are wiped out, the flag of Rhinoceros Horn Mountain will fly freely across this land."

Ryan said this with a smile, while Brand's gaze remained respectful as always.

"Your prestige will never set, my lord."

"The sun never sets? It's not that easy. Besides, the sun sets too, and the Moon Lady also manages the world."

Ryan said with a smile, turning around to look at Brand.

"How well have you mastered your legendary power?"

He was still very curious about the legendary power that Brand had acquired.

"Thank you for your grace, sir. I am now very powerful. The source of my spirituality is constantly refining my flesh and even my soul." "Every day, I am becoming stronger."

Brand truthfully stated that the most fundamental difference between his legend and other legends is that he is still moving forward, not actively, but passively, propelled by spiritual forces towards even greater heights.

"In ten years at most, I will be able to become a top legend, and after ten years..."

Brand couldn't say for sure either, because he didn't know how terrifying he would become in ten years, or whether he would naturally become a demigod.
Is that even possible?

He didn't know, but he was looking forward to it.

In addition to these, the legendary gifts he received have many other effects, and perhaps more secrets can be discovered in battle.

Ryan was also very pleased with this. Since taking office in the Frozen Territory, he finally had his first legend among his followers. Brand's promotion made him feel as if the clouds had parted and the whole world had become beautiful.

"From now on, we won't have to be so timid."

The power of legend is the foundation of everything.

“That guy, Bogeld, I heard you’re getting impatient with your promotion. Avril is about to give birth, and it’s not appropriate to leave her making a scene in Rhinoceros Horn Mountain. I’ll send her and Armored Bear to the Kingdom of Coran.”

Upon hearing this, Brand knew that Lord Ryan intended to try and get that girl, Bogeld, onto the path of advancement as well.

However, there must be other ideas besides these.

"Does Your Excellency intend to rule that land?"

"What do you mean by 'rule'? This is a friendly, mutual assistance principle among nobles. As a human being, I do not want to see them suffer from the corruption of the evil forces of the abyss."

However, Ryan hesitated.

To the south of the Kingdom of Coran lies an exceptionally vast territory comprised of chaotic noble territories where no one submits to another.

If it were to form a nation, it would surpass all kingdoms, second only to empires, and in terms of land area, it would be comparable to empires in size.

But it can never be unified.

The reason is simple: that land is full of noble territories, and everywhere there are great noble families with long-standing traditions, such as princes, marquises, and earls.

More than a hundred years ago, countless nobles from the lands covered by the North fled south. These nobles were of high status, and even after arriving in the South, they could still have a place.

A portion of them, or rather, the most distinguished portion, after arriving in the south, were still able to form the royal families of the various kingdoms of today, gathering a group of followers around them to form a country.

The remaining nobles, who were not qualified to form a nation, did not choose to submit to anyone due to various reasons such as their own honor and dignity and historical heritage.

Furthermore, neither the empire nor the newly established kingdoms at that time had enough land or capacity to accommodate more nobles.

And so, this piece of land came into being.

To be honest, they were also forced to come here.

The west coast was incredibly prosperous, so the opposite direction was naturally barren. At that time, these nobles who fled south could not defeat anyone, so they could only stay here.

In short, there are many reasons for the existence and emergence of this land. Ryan had even heard that this land once belonged to other races, including elves. However, when the northern border came under its control, the human nobles became unprecedentedly harmonious, united as one to drive out the other races.

No noble would admit to this; they would only say that their territory was land they had owned since ancient times, and there was no such thing as plunder.

But recently, as Ryan's reach has expanded further and further, especially in the Kingdom of Coran, the kingdom closest to that land.

Ryan learned that the noble lords there had a lot of friction with the Kingdom of Wansu further south, with disputes of all sizes almost every year.

Ryan certainly wanted his 'royal power' to extend to a wider area, but after learning about the various historical issues that land had left behind, he also knew that it involved a great deal of things and would consume a lot of his time and energy.

Moreover, the Abyss Faith has now emerged, and an aura of evil is spreading.

"I will not send troops into that noble land until there is a clear end to the war between the Empire and the Papacy."

Ryan made this decision, and the next day, he began to leave the mansion and make contact with nobles from all over the country.

“Mr. Schultz, I have received news that the orcs are more than 150 miles away from your territory. You can get some sleep now.”

“Mr. Alec, I have always looked forward to visiting your castle in the summer when the flowers are in full bloom. I will definitely go there when I have the chance.”

"The army has wiped out the orcs, and scouts are patrolling the edge of your territory, Mr. Asta. I believe that in a few days, not only orcs, but even wild beasts will disappear from your territory."

On the most magnificent street in Andara Royal City, Ryan could encounter three nobles who would greet him with every step. He would engage in gentle conversation with them, diverting the topic to military matters.

In the process, Ryan naturally garnered countless praises.

"I think you've already seen that the Northern Military Council is definitely a good choice."

Ryan's last conversation was with His Majesty the King of Andara. The once naive king had become much more dignified under the influence of power, but he was clearly no match for Ryan.

With a somewhat stiff smile, Ryan began to engage in closer communication with the royal family of the Kingdom of Andara.

He told Brand that he didn't need to be so cautious anymore.

Today is just the beginning.

“I believe Sir Daryl has already given you the answer, Your Majesty.”

"I can help all members of the Andara royal family break free from the curse of their bloodline."

Ryan sat in his chair, looking directly at the king and five or six of the most important members of the royal family, including Daryl.

Compared to the royal family of Nantes, the royal family of Andara should be thankful that their members did not die out and become all alone.

This wasn't the first time Ryan had told the Andara royal family this news; the royal family already knew. However, Ryan's previous answer was for those royal family members who possessed extraordinary powers but were cursed by the gods and kept away from the extraordinary.

Now, Ryan is targeting everyone.

If the Andara royal family wants to rise again, it needs fresh blood.

(End of this chapter)