Chapter 547: Occupation

Moore City.

Maiken drove Sangboen's Knight Order, coordinating with the forces of Miwu City, to capture this large enemy city near the border at the cost of almost zero casualties.

At this moment, they had already breached the lord's castle and stood on the highest tower, overlooking the entire outline of the city below the mountain.

This city was situated on the main road from Dragon City to the border's Miwu City.

Whether in wartime or peacetime, there was never a shortage of merchant caravans passing through here to reach Miwu City, which in turn boosted Moore City's economy and made this Baron's city wealthy.

To say nothing else, the urban population of over one hundred thousand proved everything.

"Although I heard Moore City's economy isn't bad, this castle is still lacking; compared to Miwu Castle, it's more than a grade lower."

Ruidar smiled and nodded; as the one holding the line, he hadn't exerted much effort in this war, giving Maiken the opportunity.

"Miwu City is, after all, the focal point of contention between the two countries; it was a major city even in the Imperial era, and since Wulaer is a Border Count, his castle is naturally more ornate than this one."

Sangboen, as the defector who was more familiar with the enemy situation, explained the reason for this.

It turned out that the Baron of Moore City had long been exploited by Count Wulaer.

Although the city's economy was good, the agreements signed during its early development were very unfriendly to the Baron of Moore, which resulted in much of the wealth falling into Count Wulaer's pockets.

After the group chatted for a while about the situation in Moore City, Ruidar began to make the next arrangements.

"Pulaxiduo, tomorrow you take your men to occupy the surrounding villages. I see that Moore City's agricultural economy is good and there are many farmlands outside the city; these must all be taken over intact.

This is your first time acting alone; remember to instruct your soldiers not to harm the populace, nor to destroy their houses or plunder their property. These are things the Lord pays attention to, so don't be foolish!"

"I understand, Commander!"

Pulaxiduo said in a deep voice.

Ever since joining under Luoning's command, Pulaxiduo had been somewhat surprised at how Luoning's army managed not to loot at will.

One must know that in past wars, when noble armies conquered a place, it basically brought a period of chaos.

Plundering property, seizing women, and wanton killing were all things that happened frequently.

This was his first time seeing an army as disciplined as Luoning's; not only would they not destroy things at will, but they would even reach out to help if some commoners were injured.

At first, Pulaxiduo didn't understand: were they here to fight a war, or to do charity?

However, as he came to understand Luoning's administrative policies in the territory, he roughly figured it out.

It turned out the Duke viewed the places he conquered as his own territory, and the people living there as his subjects.

In order for the territory to restore order and production as soon as possible, one should do as little as possible of that "drinking poison to quench thirst" behavior.

After all, how much wealth could ordinary tenant farmers or even commoners have? It wasn't worth as much as the rewards Luoning gave after the war.

"Maiken, take some men to interrogate that group of surrendered nobles. Keep the useful ones and demote the others to prisoners. Additionally, arrange for people to conduct a census of Moore City's population and maintain order here."

Maiken grinned, "Alright, leave it to me!"

However, as luck would have it, Tangmu's Griffin appeared outside the castle, and upon seeing Ruidar and the others, he immediately landed.

"Commander, your speed is truly fast. I didn't expect that only ten-plus days have passed, and Moore City has already been taken!"

As Luoning's personal guard, although Tangmu's strength was not high, his status was not low.

Ruidar smiled: "Moore City has no defensive strength; it didn't take much effort to take it down. You came here suddenly this time—does the Duke have something to convey?"

"Yes!"

He took out from his bosom the letter Carolina had sent to the Wubei Territory, "Commander, the Duke has ordered Maiken to return to Zilei Territory to coordinate with Peiteluo and Meilongnika of Wushan Territory to launch an attack on the Vila Principality."

Maiken, who was just about to carry out his mission, had his eyes light up, and he said with some surprise: "We are going to war with the Vila Principality?"

Tangmu nodded, "Yes, that Duke Andreya betrayed the Kingdom and joined forces with Jialete to plot against the Duke, the Duchess, and Aierlong, and was ultimately killed by the Duke."

Ruidar raised an eyebrow, "The Lord dares to kill even a Duke; this shows that something incredible has happened at Wangdu. Tangmu, what other news do you have? Tell us all about it."

Pulaxiduo was somewhat shocked; in his view, Luoning was truly super brave to kill a Duke just like that.

However, what Tangmu said next left him completely dumbfounded.

Not to mention Pulaxiduo, even Ruidar and Maiken were shocked. In just over ten days, so many earth-shattering events had actually occurred at Wangdu.

"Duke Luoning is actually a Legendary!"

Only at this moment did Pulaxiduo learn this information, and he felt somewhat excited in his heart.

He had actually become a follower of a Legendary powerhouse; surrendering back then was truly too wise!

"Lord Tangmu, is the Duke now the King of the Auduin Kingdom?" Pulaxiduo asked hurriedly.

"That is not the case."

Tangmu said with admiration: "The Lord has always kept his promises. Even though His Majesty Bruno is already dead, the Lord still fulfills his duties as the Conqueror Duke. He will, as agreed with His Majesty, establish his own country after taking Dragon City!"

When Tangmu spoke, his eyes were full of admiration.

This was the throne; as long as the Duke wanted it, he could certainly sit on it.

Yet he chose to give it up—what kind of mettle was this?

He resolved to also be a person who keeps his promises; no, he would also use the Duke's deeds to teach his children, so that his descendants would also become such people.

"The Duke's mettle makes me submit!" Pulaxiduo also praised.

Ruidar and Maiken nodded in unison.

"Since the Lord insists on keeping his promise, we as followers must also work hard and strive to take Dragon City as soon as possible!"

Ruidar's words lifted everyone's spirits.

"Maiken, haven't you always said you had strength with nowhere to use it? Now that the Lord has transferred you back to Zilei Territory, you will likely be responsible for that eastern front from now on. Don't let the Lord down!"

Maiken nodded solemnly, "Rest assured, Commander, I will not fail the Lord's trust!"

He said, rubbing his hands together, "I've long been looking forward to going to war with the Vila Principality; I can finally show what I'm capable of!"

Ruidar also laughed, "I will steadily advance southward on my side. We shall see then whether I take Dragon City first, or you take Duke Andreya's castle first."

Saying this, Maiken's drive increased by another thirty percent.

To take a city, and not lose a city.

The time spent attacking a city is far less than the time required to handle the series of affairs that follow after the city has been taken; after all, this involves the soldiers' rest, the selection of administrative personnel for the city, the arrangement of government affairs, the expansion of the army, public security management, and so on.

Ruidar captured Moore City today, and if he wants to continue his march to the south, the earliest it could happen is in one or two months. (End of chapter)