Chapter 313

Chapter 313

Compared to the other powers on the continent, the Kingdom of Aldo has a unique geographical advantage. Stretching across the northern part of the Kingdom is the thousands of kilometers of the Rocky Mountains, a huge mountain range that runs east-west and blocks the large-scale southward movement of orc forces on the steppe, and in the eastern part of the Kingdom, there is a Sunset Mountain Range (the name came from the other side, and for those on the other side of the mountain range, the Sunset Mountain is located in the west) that blocks the the eastern forces from coveting the Kingdom’s territory.
The Sunset Mountain Range runs in a roughly north-south direction, and the trend of the mountain range turns a corner in the north, intersecting with the Rocky Mountain Range further north, and at the meeting point of the two mountain ranges, a huge valley is formed – the Great Valley of Nerodan – a valley that connects the northeastern territories of the Kingdom of Aldo with the hinterland of the continent, which is why it’s preferred to be called the [Nerodan Corridor] or [Northeast Corridor].

If the orcs in the northern prairie or the Gabora Empire in the east wanted to invade the northeastern territory of the kingdom, the Nerodan Valley would be the way to go. If we are talking about a large-scale invasion, only the Nerodan Valley can provide sufficient transportation conditions for large-scale troop movements and logistic transportation. If it is a small number of people, there are still other ways to enter the Kingdom of Aldo, but those who infiltrate in this way will not be able to achieve much.

Every winter, small groups of steppe orcs would enter the northeastern territories of the Kingdom by crossing the mountains, attacking villages and towns, looting winter supplies and human slaves, and then returning to the steppe in the same way. If the conditions support it, the Kingdom’s army often enters the fringe of the steppe through Nerodan to drive out the orc tribes.

Despite the fact that both sides have been in this state of [killing each other] for many years now, border trade has been carried out intermittently, with the orcs needing iron, cloth, grain, and salt from the humans, and the humans having a huge demand for orc-tamed livestock-especially the good horses used to form cavalry.

The successive rulers of the Kingdom of Ordo have attached great importance to this place, and the Great Valley of Nerodan is under the direct jurisdiction of the Royal Government, and a powerful army is stationed here – the Watcher’s Legion, with a standing size of around 20,000 to 30,000 men, and the Commander of the Legion even has a certain amount of authority over the Lords of the Northeast.

“I have come here to confirm your opinion of our Watcher’s Legion.”

Sir Duke, Deputy Commander of the Legion, explained the purpose of his visit to Henry Ferdinand, the new Duke of the Northwest.

“Attitude?”

The three present understood Sir Duke’s meaning, the northeastern territories have been under orc attack for a long time, and the Watcher’s Legion is not limited to the neighborhood of its own garrison when collecting food supplies and recruiting soldiers, the Northwest Bay, especially the relatively affluent dukedom of Manda, which is to the east, is also an important place for the Watcher’s Legion to purchase supplies and recruit soldiers.

His Majesty the King has issued a decree to the northern lords, asking them to facilitate the Watcher’s Legion. After all, they are guarding the northeast gate of the kingdom, and under the threat of losing the kingdom, most of the lords honestly obeyed the king’s decree, and the Watchers can either buy supplies at low prices, pass through the barricades tax-free, or enjoy the right to recruit soldiers or conscripts for labor in the northern territories.

But these bargains or powers ebb and flow with the will of the local lords, so it’s especially important to have a good relationship with the lords, especially those high-powered and territorially vast lords, such as Duke Ferdinand of the Northwest.

As a member of the Ferdinand family, Henry is naturally aware of these things, the Watcher’s Legion can purchase a certain amount of supplies at half price every year with the vouchers issued by the Duke’s Office in the Ferdinand family’s territory, and pass through the barriers along the way tax-free.

“Well ……”

Henry struck a ducal pose, twirling his moustache in mock contemplation.

Then slowly said, “As you know, recently we just fought a big war here, the commercial road is cut off, the people are not living easy ah! So ……”

Sir Duke didn’t have much of a reaction, but the squire beside him had a nervous expression as well as a hint of dissatisfaction appearing on his face.

Henry’s words changed, “However, you guard the gates of the kingdom, and it is also His Majesty’s edict to support you, so …… we have to do our part even if it is difficult. That’s it then, in the future, we will still extend the strategy that was set during my brother’s reign.” Sir Duke secretly breathed a sigh of relief, many lords were like this, first saying how difficult they were, then saying that they would still provide help, as if they were giving a heavenly favor.

“Then I’ll thank Lord Duke for his righteous help on behalf of all the brothers in the legion.”

After the business was done, the people talked about the situation in and around the Nerodan Valley.

As a former member in the Watcher’s Legion, Schroeder was naturally concerned about his former comrades, “How is the pressure on the legion lately?”

Duke Duke sighed, “Honestly speaking, the pressure is still quite high, last winter the prairie was hit by a white plague, a large number of livestock died, the beasts can’t get anything to trade, they definitely want to rob. It’s most rampant when it’s cold, and although it’s settled down quite a bit in recent times, it’s still intermittent.”

Paul asked, “Can’t we hold the Nerodan corridor alone?”

Duke shook his head, “Small groups of people can come across the Rocky Mountains, especially the large forests in the north give them good cover, and some of the orcs come from tribes that are good at fishing and hunting, and they live directly in the forest. We have to organize manpower to clear them from time to time, but their movements are uncertain, so it’s also a needle in a haystack.”

Arthur, the squire at the side, said, “Still last year, the kingdom drew a group of troops southward because of the rebellion in the south, causing a steep increase in our pressure. In fact, according to my point of view, the orcs on the prairie are much more of a threat than some Greedy Wolf Archduke, and the bigwigs of Jingyao are all short-sighted people.”

The people present were embarrassed for a while, this young squire spoke too much, he was probably the son of some big family, sent to the Watcher’s Legion for training, otherwise he wouldn’t have followed the Legion’s Vice Commander.

Sir Duke drank: “Shut up Arthur, the military and state affairs are also something you can discuss.”

Squire Arthur shut his mouth, though still with a defiant face.

Duke continued, “But Arthur said a few points of truth, in recent years, the rapid rise of the White Wolf Clan, has become the number one force on the prairie, the chief of the bloody hand called a generation of male masters, since the succession of soft and hard to annex a lot of tribes.”

“Various sources show that the Blood Hand harbors the ambition to unify the prairie, if he is really allowed to realize this wish, the unified orcs will definitely become the archenemy of all mankind.”

Duke’s words made the hearts of the people present flinch, this could be much more tricky than the trouble of a lord’s rebellion or something like that.

I am very sorry for not updating in time yesterday!

(End of chapter)