novelraw Chapter 235 - 10: The Duke of the Northern Territory’s Decision (Part 2)
Chapter 235 - 10: The Duke of the Northern Territory’s Decision (Part 2)
But it was mostly for Fenrir’s sake.
Oh.
That’s not right.
It should be said that it was because of her ability to communicate with the Ancient Forest Ancestral Heroic Spirits.
Thus, Qin Feng’s rule over the Minotaur Kingdom was not yet stable. Many Minotaur opposition factions within its borders still harbored dissenting views. Fenrir, trusted by the majority of the Minotaurs, would have to use strong-arm tactics to subjugate and purge them.
As for Amilia.
Although this princess of the Gulad Empire seemed like a naive "Peace Warrior," her "philosophy of peace" was actually rooted in the harsh reality of survival of the fittest.
Therefore, she was not only familiar with the process of such political purges, but she also felt no aversion to them. One could even say she was extremely proficient at it.
And so, with these two high-ranking individuals of noble birth joining forces, both of whom were top-tier Extraordinary Heroes, completely subjugating the Minotaur Kingdom was ultimately just a matter of time.
As for the soldiers the Minotaur Kingdom had sent to assist Qin Feng.
They were all brutes who only understood fighting and killing, and deep down, they possessed the power-worshipping nature common to all Forest Sub-humans.
Therefore, just by personally experiencing the night battle at the Gulad Frontline Camp, they were already mostly convinced of Qin Feng’s might. Now, the majority had chosen to convert into his Divine Chosen Soldiers.
And after seeing their fellow Minotaurs who had chosen to fully devote themselves to His Majesty the Emperor receive an incredibly savage power boost,
it was only a matter of time before the remaining Minotaur Warriors swore their allegiance.
...
Before long, Kuge returned swiftly from the direction of the Great Wall, landing steadily in front of Qin Feng.
He had just finished negotiating with the three heroes hiding on the wall. The news he brought back was both good and bad.
"Your Majesty."
"According to the three heroes on the wall,"
"the Duke of the Northern Territory has always disagreed with Flame Emperor Galukasa’s decision to go to war."
"He has always been worried that a new Evil God disaster might make a comeback, or that the previously suppressed one would be rekindled. That’s why he has secretly been stockpiling a large number of Extraordinary Soldiers and Imperial Army troops in hidden locations throughout the Northern Territory,"
"in order to guard against a possible future Evil God disaster..."
He paused for a moment before continuing:
"So,"
"if we don’t make a move today,"
"the Duke of the Northern Territory will most likely lead all the people of the Northern Territory to surrender to us."
"However, the people on the Great Wall do not have the authority to make that decision. They must first report the news to the Duke of the Northern Territory and let him decide personally."
After a pause, Kuge’s expression grew a little heavier:
"But I have a concern."
"The Duke of the Northern Territory might be trying to use this war to establish his own independence."
"If we just wait here for him to receive the news, I’m afraid he will secretly gather the Northern Territory troops and Extraordinary Soldiers hidden elsewhere and rush to the Great Wall to reinforce its defenses."
"At that time,"
"the main forces of the Northern Territory will be gathered here."
"If we want to launch a Strong Attack on the Great Wall then, we will have to pay a much greater price."
Hearing this, Qin Feng furrowed his brow and fell into deep thought.
’Kuge’s analysis is indeed reasonable.’
’The Duke of the Northern Territory has secretly hidden so many Extraordinary Soldiers and troops from the Northern Territory.’
’His ambition is likely for more than just self-preservation.’
’He’s probably plotting to launch a surprise attack on Gulad’s capital, the Royal City, while the Gulad Empire and Ventecenia Kingdom are busy destroying each other. Then he could usurp Flame Emperor Galukasa’s position and ascend to the throne of Emperor Gulad.’
’If that’s truly the case, how could this dissident Duke be willing to surrender? Why would he give up the imperial throne, which is within his grasp, to a Divine Chosen Player who controls the Forest Tribes of the Northern Forest?’
’But what if the Duke of the Northern Territory’s original intention really is just self-preservation, and he genuinely intends to surrender to the Holy Empire?’
’In that case, launching a rash attack now would undoubtedly force him into becoming my enemy.’
Tsk!
’This really is a tough choice!’
While thinking, Qin Feng looked up at Kuge and asked:
"During your negotiations just now, did you manage to subtly probe for the specific locations where the Duke of the Northern Territory is hiding his troops?"
He paused, then added:
"Even a general direction would be fine."
Kuge couldn’t help but shake his head:
"I asked."
"But they refused to say anything."
’Fine.’
’Looks like I can’t just send Ashes to monitor the enemy army directly.’
’In that case, I’ll just have to make Ashes go to a bit more trouble. He’ll have to use the High-speed Movement ability granted to the Owl Spirit Body to conduct Reconnaissance back and forth between the towns in the Northern Territory where troops might be hidden.’
’At the same time, I’ll have to create another Owl Spirit Body Clone to personally keep a close eye on the Duke of the Northern Territory.’
With that thought, Qin Feng immediately gave the order for the entire Divine Chosen Army to make camp outside the Great Wall, rest on the spot, and await the Duke of the Northern Territory’s specific reply.
As for Ashes, he instructed him to first send two Owl Spirit Bodies to rendezvous, then have them bypass the towering Great Wall and silently infiltrate the various cities of the Northern Territory for Investigation.
Qin Feng now possessed the two Talents, "Village Guard Team" and "Village Management," and could also use the "Gate of War" Talent to achieve Teleportation at any time.
His Divine Chosen Army also had the entire Northern Forest under its control.
This way, no matter what situation arose in the rear, he could now handle it with ease; it wasn’t much of a problem.
Naturally, Ashes’s two Owl Spirit Bodies no longer needed to stay behind to guard the rear and patrol the territory for potential dangers.
Subsequently, two days passed quietly in a silent standoff.
And after receiving the news of the siege from the Messenger from the Great Wall, the Duke of the Northern Territory finally made a move.
"Father!"
In the ducal manor in the capital of the Northern Territory, one of the Duke’s sons knelt on one knee, his voice filled with unconcealable panic:
"They were able to crush over three hundred Imperial Royal Dragon Cavalry in a frontal assault!"
"And they even subjugated many of them!"
"This force clearly cannot be underestimated!"
"If we were to go to war with them head-on... I’m afraid we would suffer heavy losses, wouldn’t we?"
Hearing this, the Duke of the Northern Territory, sitting on his throne, slowly picked up the silver cup beside him. The amber liquid swirled gently inside.
He took a small sip, savoring the rich aroma of the wine, before speaking unhurriedly:
"Then we’ll surrender."
As he spoke, the Duke of the Northern Territory set down his cup and tapped his fingertip lightly against the rim, making a soft tapping sound:
"In any case,"
"once word of us secretly hoarding troops reaches Flame Emperor Galukasa’s ears,"
"the charge of treason will be set in stone."
"With that young Flame Emperor’s fiery temper, he certainly won’t let it go afterwards. He’ll definitely lead the Dragon Rider army himself to flatten us traitors of the Northern Territory."
The Duke’s Son frowned deeply and looked up at his father:
"But... Father, didn’t you secretly stockpile troops to contend for the throne of Emperor Gulad?"
Hearing this, the Duke of the Northern Territory smiled, stroking his graying beard. He placed the cup gently on the low table, the base making a soft clink against the wood, before he finally spoke slowly:
"Since you already know, why are you asking?"
The Duke’s Son took a deep breath, a hint of hesitation in his voice:
"I’m just worried."
"If we fight a real battle against those barbaric Sub-humans from the north,"
"I’m afraid we’ll lack the stamina to continue."
"And we’ll no longer be in a position to vie for control of the Central Imperial Capital."
A faint smile played on the Duke of the Northern Territory’s lips, but a calculating glint flashed in his eyes. His deep voice held a sharpness that belied his age of over sixty:
"That’s all the more reason to surrender!"
"When the time comes, we’ll let them act as the vanguard and push south, while we follow behind and reap the rewards!"
He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest:
"When that fellow named Tingfeng is about to take the Imperial Capital, we’ll hit him hard from behind, wipe out his barbarian army cleanly, and then seize control of the Central Imperial Capital in one fell swoop..."
As he spoke, the Duke of the Northern Territory leaned forward slightly, his voice now tinged with excitement:
"At that time!"
"With the protection of that Powerful Magic Array in the Imperial Capital!"
"Even if Flame Emperor Galukasa’s Dragon Cavalry are valiant, they won’t be able to easily snatch the Imperial Capital back and become the Emperor of the Gulad Empire again!"
"Not to mention!"
"We also have a reliable ’good’ friend in the Imperial Capital!"
"He will lend us a helping hand as well!"