Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 147: Chapter 126: Strange Lizardmen Mounts

"The Gronia Republic?"

The Royal Knight nodded. "Yes. The Gronia Republic isn’t the overseas kingdom we trade with, but rather a maritime trade hub. The island nation’s territory is smaller than the Battania region."

The Royal Knight continued, "Though the Gronia Republic is small, it controls vital sea trade routes and has thus accumulated considerable wealth.

The Gronia Republic receives goods like weapons, armor, soap, and cloth from the overseas kingdoms and sells them to the Empire. In turn, the Empire sells grain and serfs to acquire overseas goods and forging techniques.

Their trade relationship with the Empire has always been rather delicate. By funding the rebellious Counts this time, they are undoubtedly challenging the Empire’s authority."

Henry put down his wine glass and asked, "Do many people know about this?"

"Of course. This news has already become a hot topic in the western and central regions of the Empire. It’s the first time information about overseas has been made public within the Empire, and even news of a distant country is bound to attract attention."

Henry frowned. He knew what this meant.

No wonder the Emperor ordered a mediation of the dispute between him and Count John. It wasn’t just a conflict between his two sons; it was also about stabilizing security in the eastern region.

Rebellion has a chain reaction. If the wave of rebellion in the west isn’t crushed with an iron fist, would the Counts in other regions remain obedient?

The Empire had been at peace for too long. The old noble families were all hoping to advance their positions. If that failed, breaking away to form their own kingdom and becoming a king was also a very tempting option.

"What does the Commandant intend to do about this?"

The Royal Knight sighed. "The Commandant has already ordered the coastal defenses to be strengthened and has dispatched an envoy to the Gronia Republic to negotiate. At the same time, he is also mobilizing the Legions and summoning the nobles, preparing to encircle and annihilate the rebellious Counts."

Henry’s gaze deepened. He realized that a more complex web of interests might be hidden behind this rebellion.

’Someone’s trying to become independent...’

"Then, what does the Empire know about this overseas kingdom?" Henry pressed.

Henry wasn’t too concerned about the Gronia Republic; it was just a middleman, a small nation that survived on its geographical advantage.

It was the mysterious nation from across the sea that truly piqued Henry’s curiosity.

The Royal Knight shook his head, a helpless look on his face. "Our knowledge of the overseas kingdom is extremely limited. Although the Gronia Republic trades with them, they are tight-lipped about the details.

According to what little they’ve revealed, there is a highly developed nation on the other side of the sea. Their military is incredibly powerful, possessing advanced weapons and equipment, and their country is... special.

Over all these years, the most useful piece of information the Empire has obtained is that no power from the overseas kingdom can cross past the Gronia Republic.

The key is, *any* power!"

Henry’s brow furrowed. This unknown overseas kingdom was too mysterious.

Hearing the Royal Knight mention "any power," the first thing that came to Henry’s mind was the Four Gods.

"What about us? If they can’t come over, is there any way for us to contact them directly?"

The Royal Knight gave a wry smile. "Not at the moment. The Empire’s naval power is mainly concentrated on defending the southern Inner Sea and the western coastal waters. Transoceanic voyages require immense resources and preparation, and the risks are extremely high.

Besides what the Gronia Republic tells us, our knowledge of the distant seas is virtually nil, let alone making direct diplomatic contact."

Henry sighed and changed the subject to the place he was about to travel to—a vast desert, a world apart from the region where he had lived for so long.

Compared to the mysterious overseas power, he had a more pressing need to understand the land he was about to set foot on.

"What are the conditions in the desert like? I only know that its commerce is well-developed."

"Indeed. The Empire has invested vast resources in its development. Now, you can find an oasis every ten-odd kilometers, providing supplies and shelter for passing caravans and adventurers."

"However, the climate there is still harsh. Sandstorms are frequent, and the desert creatures are extremely dangerous. Apart from the nomadic Bedouin tribes, few people survive outside the settlements."

Henry tilted his head back slightly, recalling, "Ah, the Bedouins. I remember the remnants of the Aserai merged with the Bedouins and fled further south."

The Royal Knight smiled faintly. "Yes. The Empire’s influence in the desert is gradually increasing. Because of the Lizardmen, the various desert cities have established trade relations with those tribes."

After clinking glasses and taking a drink, Henry asked, "What’s the war situation in the southern desert? How is the Third Prince doing?"

The Royal Knight frowned. "Not good. The situation is dire. Currently, Iyakis and Hobia are the primary cities the Lizardmen are targeting.

Iyakis has built numerous defensive forts using the mountains as a barrier and is holding out, so the Lizardmen have now turned their full attention to the Hobia region.

Right now, four Legions—the Twenty-Third, Twenty-Fifth, Thirty-Third, and Thirty-Fifth—are stationed in the Hobia region. The Third Prince is serving as the acting Legion Commander of the Thirty-Fifth Legion."

Henry was baffled. A standing Imperial Legion consisted of twenty battalions, totaling over ten thousand professional soldiers. Including serfs and Auxiliary Soldiers, that was at least thirty to forty thousand men.

Four Legions... that’s equivalent to over a hundred thousand armed personnel stationed in the southern desert. What a massive logistical burden that must be.

"Are the enemy numbers that large?"

The Royal Knight shook his head. He knew what Henry was asking.

"Their numbers aren’t large, but they are powerful. Although the Lizardmen’s main weapons are still spears, Obsidian, shields, and Javelins, this time, they’ve appeared with their mounts.

"Those strange animals are larger than horses, run extremely fast, and have sharp fangs. Our Cavalry can’t withstand their attacks at all, forcing us into a defensive posture."

Henry’s eyes darted around. "Then why was I ordered to arrive in Hobia a month from now? Isn’t the fighting intense?"

The Royal Knight shrugged. "That, I do not know."

Henry stroked his chin and said no more. ’It seems the situation in the southern desert is even more complicated than I imagined. These Lizardmen are definitely going to be harder to deal with than the Half-Beastmen.’

Henry felt he had asked all the necessary questions. He needed time to process this information.

"Come! To the peace of the Empire, to the glory of our great Emperor, and to our friendship! Cheers!"

Henry raised his glass, and the two clinked them together with a crisp sound. They then focused on the celebration, drinking and feasting heartily.

After the celebration ended, Henry arranged for the Royal Knight to stay in a guest room in the tower.

The Royal Knight nodded happily. This was a sign of Henry’s respect and trust in him.

They bid each other goodnight. The Royal Knight had other duties and had to leave early the next morning.

Henry returned to his room, where Ailia had already warmed his bed. He changed his clothes, lay down, and the day’s exhaustion quickly pulled him into sleep.

Night deepened, and the castle grew quiet both inside and out, the silence broken only by the occasional footsteps of a guard or the barking of dogs the villagers had brought with them.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtains, falling on Henry’s face.

He opened his eyes and sat up in bed, his mind already planning the day’s actions.

Henry quickly got dressed and left his room, heading to the castle’s council hall. He summoned Selas, Roland, Claude, Bain, and a few others, and issued a series of orders.

"Selas, you are in charge of moving the populations of Ximira Castle’s two subsidiary villages back to their homes."

"Yes, my lord." Selas nodded and accepted the order.

Next, Henry turned to Roland. "Roland, take the remaining four squads of Grassland Warriors and the several hundred exhausted prisoners from the dungeon, and head back to Westwood Laine immediately."

Roland saluted. "I will ensure these prisoners reach Westwood Laine to begin their work as quickly as possible, my lord."

Henry’s gaze shifted to Claude and Bain. "The original craftsmen of Ximira Castle are to repair the main gate. This is key to our defense. Although Count John’s army has left, we will surely face them again sooner or later.

Claude, you will supervise this task. Bain, you and Vasco will arrange the troops and a small number of carriages for the return to Westwood Laine."

Claude and Bain quickly left the hall to carry out Henry’s orders.

As the orders were given, Ximira Castle bustled with activity, both inside and out.

The Royal Knight’s party was ready to depart. Henry, dressed in an imperial robe, stood before the castle gate to see them off one by one.

"Farewell, Baron Henry."

Henry nodded, sending the party on its way.

The Royal Knights mounted their warhorses, their neat formation slowly passing through the castle gate and embarking on a new journey.

Henry watched them go until the party disappeared from sight.

He turned and went back into the castle. Selas had already organized the villagers for their migration. They carried essential supplies and livestock, ready to return to their villages.

Henry stood on the castle walls, watching the large procession slowly leave the castle.

Next, Roland and the Grassland Warriors began to move out.

They led strings of roped-together prisoners. Although the captives looked extremely weary, the Grassland Warriors watched them vigilantly, ensuring they wouldn’t escape or cause trouble.

With the departure of the prisoners, the atmosphere inside the castle grew quieter.

With over a thousand people leaving one after another, Ximira Castle suddenly felt much more spacious.

The castle lost its usual clamor; only the occasional chirp of a bird or gust of wind broke the silence.

People hurried about, moving supplies, while the craftsmen began to repair and rebuild the castle gate to ensure its defensive capabilities.

What kind of castle doesn’t have a gate?

Claude supervised their work, making sure it would be completed as early as possible.

Meanwhile, Bain and Vasco were in charge of organizing the remaining troops and supplies for the return to Westwood Laine.

Not all the troops needed to leave this time, nor did they need to take much grain. The army’s final route for the campaign would be along this same road anyway. No need to make things unnecessarily complicated.

Henry planned to station three squads of new imperial recruits at both Ximira Castle and Westwood Laine to maintain basic security and act as a deterrent.

Besides, his new recruits were all heavily armed and armored. ’There shouldn’t be anyone foolish enough to try and rebel against the army, right?’

As for the soldiers participating in the upcoming campaign, Henry planned to take all his elites to gain more say in the matter.

As for the main force... Henry glanced at the great-axe propped in the corner and broke into a happy smile.