Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest-Chapter 397 - 1: The Tripartite Balance of Power

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Roman arrived on this land in the sixth year.

Without the protection of the Conqueror Order, the newly established River Valley regime was immediately exposed to a cold environment.

Once the declaration of war from the Lord of Black Castle was issued, the Earth Lords responded one after another, pushing River Valley to the edge of a storm.

This meant Roman had to challenge the entire land on his own.

The situation was urgent, but first, let’s eat.

Roman called Princess Tashina, Marshal Enya, and the upper echelons of the River Valley Army to meet with him in the manor hall.

When dealing with major affairs, hold smaller meetings.

Upon hearing the news, everyone was moved.

It had only been three or four months since the last event, and now it was time for war again.

And this time, it’s a full-scale war between River Valley and Black Iron!

The outdated system and productivity of the Black Iron Kingdom meant they couldn’t develop a more powerful army.

Yet, the magnitude of Black Iron stood there.

On paper, Black Iron Land had over ten million people! How many did River Valley have? Only a little over two hundred thousand!

What’s more frightening is that River Valley faced the full brunt of the Black Iron Kingdom without any discount.

It needs to be clarified that the war’s outcome is not just determined by the size gap between the two sides.

With a magnitude of 20, Roman could muster 7 to 10 of the magnitude for the war - not just the professional army, but also militia and logistics staff.

Despite Black Iron having experienced the Northern Fall, the War of Kings, and other upheavals, they still retained a magnitude of at least 1000. Normally, mobilizing 50 would already be their limit.

Yet now, Black Iron had mobilized at least 100 in fighting Roman - not just the Conscript Army, but also the logistics convoys and supply teams.

It’s safe to say, the Church and Black Castle had spared no effort.

This wasn’t just a crackdown! Nor was it suppression!

It was a thorough extermination action!

All to prevent the Conqueror Order from returning.

Exterminate the Conqueror Lord, River Valley King Roman, to prevent him from colluding with the White Steel Princess, like a snake and rat in a nest!

Besides, the growth rate of River Valley was too fast, to the point where other forces felt fear.

How many years have passed now?

Except for the first year without fighting, the Blasphemers’ River Valley Army had to engage in a large-scale battle each year!

Then, the Noble Coalition was defeated, the Rebellion Army was defeated, and the Holy War Army was defeated.

Truly the ultimate war fanatic!

And they have won time and time again!

To break the siege of Black Castle, Roman spared no expense in deploying a five-figure troop to participate in the War of Kings!

In the end, the failure wasn’t due to losing the battle, but because the Black Iron King died.

Just the forces exposed on the surface were comparable to the Black Iron Duke-level armed forces!

Damn it, not a moment more to waste!

Against such blasphemers, a heavy blow must be struck!

While Roman is the blasphemer right now, if left unchecked, wouldn’t he become a blasphemer like Iaos later on?!

The Lord of Black Castle was responsible for declaring war, and the Church Court provided its lubricating effect.

The result was, right now, the Black Iron power was highly concentrated...

That’s right, the Black Iron Kingdom had centralized power!

Before, it was unmoved when allied forces were in trouble.

Now, it’s truly aiding in all directions.

Nobles from all over must send troops, even unwilling must fight; mobilize millions, all involved in this grand punitive operation.

...

Manor Hall.

Tashina spoke first: "It seems this is the will of the Pope." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Marshal Enya, with a handsome yet slightly worried face, said, "The Pope drives them to their deaths, and they come?"

This was not a good thing.

In theory, those Black Iron Nobles, after victory, had the right to plunder the wealth of River Valley,

But the problem was, victory came at a price.

Tashina said: "Their fear of the Pope was no less than that of the River Valley King."

The believers scattered throughout Black Iron Land were not easy targets. Anyone who dared not to put forth their best effort, or anyone who dared to make underhanded moves, would be calculating by the Church Court.

Yet, Tashina felt gratified by the result.

A bunch of shortsighted fools, you deserve to be in such a position!

In the battle on the Heavenly Pegasus Plain, not to mention all, but if at least half of the noble forces supported Iolion, she would not have been reduced to a fugitive princess.

Tashina glanced around and found no one at the long table feared the war, silently praising the army she chose; even in the face of such a situation, they still had the will to fight.

Even though in absolute numerical disadvantage, it wasn’t without chances of victory - the River Valley Army had been winning battles with fewer forces since its inception.

Of course, this had something to do with her as well.

The White Steel Princess came a long way to help the River Valley Army fight, maintaining composure without preparing to withdraw. If they caused a panic, it would indeed be a disgrace.

"Your Highness," Jet said, "You mentioned earlier that the Church Court increases its strength rapidly, will they appear?"

Tashina said, "I think it’s impossible; they may have attendant priests, but the number definitely won’t be too many; the main force won’t show up, for it will increase a significant army burden, and they have to guard against the Dragon Clan."

Dick exclaimed in surprise, "The Dragon Clan?"

"Indeed, Sir Dick, I received news that Grand Duke Riptide took his army to the Eastern Plateau, and now the North is empty."

Jet immediately asked, "Why wouldn’t Lord Gael guard the North?"

"Perhaps because Eagle City stands at their doorstep, the eldest son of Grand Duke Riptide is in the city. Perhaps the Dragon Castle bloodline makes them reluctant to face the Dragon Clan; I’ve heard there’s an agreement between the Riptide Family and the Dragon Clan."

Dick glanced at Roman, seeing him silent, then added, "The Riptide Family must have secret techniques to deal with the Dragon Clan."

"There are no secret techniques; any Shattered Archer has the capability to shoot down flying creatures, even the Dragon Clan... But no one knows what he’s thinking, and even if he wanted to deal with them, there’s no chance since Alex and Cassandra led the dragons to Ice Island."

Roman then said, "Is that so?"

Tashina said, "That’s what my secret messenger told me; Alex’s intentions are very clear. He wants to acquire Ice Island, seize the entire North Ice Sea to resist the Church Court."

The belief in the Dragon Clan and the belief in All Gods were like fire and water; either you perish, or I stay.

The legendary Dragon Clan roamed in the North; as long as the Holy Seat was not blind, they couldn’t entirely target the River Valley King.

Roman, having been absorbed in farming for a long time, had severely delayed information.

The War Fog is two-way; the outside world doesn’t know how far River Valley had developed, nor does River Valley know the external situation.

Tashina’s strategic judgment was accurate; with Iaos’ magic spell dissipated, Alex couldn’t withstand the Church Court’s pressure solely with the Northern Front, especially with the pirates ruling the north briefly and their methods being brutal, with low social stability.

But as long as the pirates took Ice Island, they’d have an enormous nanny constantly supplying the pirates.

It’s just unknown how Alex plans to persuade the Ice Island forces. Is it through military conquest? Or political cooperation?

Presently, the situation on Black Iron Land was chaotic, now divided into three major powers.

The Church Court and Black Iron dominated the center, the strongest force.

The Dragon Clan and pirates occupied the north, biding their time.

The territory of the River Valley King was the smallest, and in an awkward position.

In theory, the second and third should join forces against the first to avoid being broken down one by one.

But the bad news was, that after the pirates got the Dragon Clan, they seemingly didn’t care about the life and death of River Valley, leaving Roman with only the White Steel Princess as his aid.

Fertile City was indefensible, enemies could push straight in if they came, surrounded by enemies from all sides, caught in a very passive stance.

But so what if it’s an adversity?

Just watch me reverse the situation!

Roman gestured with his hands and said, "We have some time; the Black Iron Nobles will take a long time to prepare. Even if they come, they can only divide their forces."

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