Free Web NovelChapter 124: Southern Migration
Greta wore a fitted leather bodice that proudly displayed her busty curves.
Instead of looking panicked or rushed by the sudden migration, her composure remained neat.
’She cleans up well,’ Kane mused, appreciating the view as he walked closer.
’I called for her village to pack up, but organizing them this fast takes real leadership.’
"Kane. We received your summons. My people are packed, fed, and ready for whatever you need."
"Glad you made it quickly," Kane said.
Stepping up to shake her hand, his eyes lingered on her figure for a split second.
"I figure you had to herd a lot of stubborn farmers to get here."
"Farmers learn to move when winter comes knocking," Greta laughed, crossing her arms in a way that further accentuated her cleavage.
"Besides, you promised us better land. I intend to collect on that promise."
"Come inside," Kane invited, gesturing toward the open iron gates.
"We have a lot of ground to cover before nightfall, and I need my commanders in one room."
Walking into the main hall of the manor, Kane found his entire inner circle waiting. The room buzzed with chaotic energy.
Thora sat on the edge of a long wooden dining table, sharpening her twin axes with a whetstone.
Sira and Firlia leaned against the far wall.
Grieselda stood near the hearth, pouring wine into silver cups, while Misha sat quietly in a high-backed chair, her eyes tracking every movement.
"Look who finally decided to come home," Thora smirked, tossing the whetstone into the air and catching it flawlessly.
"Did you finish playing politics with the Queen?"
"For now," Kane replied.
"Greta!" Thora shouted.
"Thora and Sira. Nice to see you again."
Pulling out a chair for Greta, he leaned casually against the head of the table.
"I told the queen what she wanted to hear. Now we get to do what we actually want."
Greta offered a polite nod to the assembled women, smoothing her skirt.
"Evening, ladies. I hope we aren’t interrupting."
"We were just placing bets on how long Kane would take to start his next war."
Kane clapped his hands once, instantly commanding the room’s attention.
’Time to rip the bandage off,’ Kane thought, looking around at his fierce companions.
"Pack your gear," Kane ordered smoothly.
"We leave for Menual today."
Silence stretched across the dining hall.
Sira blinked, her bow halfway unstrung.
"Today? Chief, we just got back. Half the men are still washing swamp water out of their boots."
"They can wash their boots in the southern fountains," Kane countered, a savage grin touching his lips.
"The Menual capital is ours. Sarah is currently tallying the treasury, but an empire needs more than just gold. It requires a spine."
"We are relocating the entire vanguard?" Firlia asked, pushing off the wall with sudden interest.
"What about the Elven borders?"
"Queen thinks we are acting as her southern shield," Kane explained, picking up a stray apple from a bowl and taking a bite.
"Let her believe that. We are taking all the Bloodfang warriors and a few of your best Elven scouts. We will march right into the empire and mold those soft southern humans into our own people."
Misha tilted her head, her white hair shifting gently over her shoulder.
"You intend to integrate the mercenary forces directly into their noble houses."
"Exactly," Kane pointed a finger at his oracle.
"Those aristocrats need a reality check. We mix our veterans with their ranks. We train them. We break their old habits and build an army that knows how to fight."
Thora hopped off the table, her hazel eyes gleaming with excitement.
"So we get to yell at fancy lords and make them run laps in the rain?"
"As many laps as you want," Kane laughed.
"I figure they need some northern discipline. Greta, your villagers will take over the farmlands surrounding the capital. You get prime real estate, and I get a food supply line I can actually trust."
Greta’s eyes widened slightly, her red lips parting in pleasant surprise.
"You are giving us the imperial farmlands? Kane, that is worth a fortune."
"You earned it by answering the call," Kane said simply, holding her gaze.
’Mercenaries win battles, but farmers and merchants hold the territory together.’
As he finalized the logistics in his head, a bright blue notification flashed across his vision.
[System Notification: Sovereign Migration Initiated] freewebnovel.cσ๓
[Condition Met: Mobilizing a faction across territorial borders.]
[Hidden Milestone Achieved: The Conqueror’s Exodus]
[Reward: Unique Skill Acquired — ’Warlord’s Assimilation’]
[Skill Effect: Allied forces train 300% faster. Loyal citizens gain minor stat boosts based on your current level. Hostile subversion attempts within your territory are automatically highlighted in your interface.]
Kane paused, reading the text twice to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks.
’A three hundred percent training boost?’ Kane processed, his blood running hot with tactical possibilities.
’I can turn those soft Menual palace guards into elite shock troops in a matter of weeks. The stat boost makes my farmers hit like soldiers. This System really wants me to build an unstoppable meat grinder.’
"Chief?" Thora asked, noticing his silence.
"You have that scary look on your face again."
"Just doing some math," Kane rumbled, swiping the notification away.
"Sira, sound the horns. Tell Brak to get the wagons hitched. I want the entire column moving south before the moon hits its peak."
"It will be a nightmare to move thousands of people in a few hours," Sira warned, though she was already tying her hair back to start the work.
"Nightmares build character," Kane replied smoothly.
"Lyssel, Firlia, grab your scouts. You are running the vanguard. Make sure the roads are clear."
"Consider it done."
Misha stood up from her chair, walking over to his side.
"The path south is open, husband. But changing the culture of an entire empire will require more than just shouting."
"I know," Kane smiled.
"That is why I have you do the smart thinking. I just do the shouting."
Greta stepped forward, adjusting her leather bodice one more time.
"My people are already packed. Just point us in the right direction."
"Follow the banners," Kane instructed, walking toward the doors to look out over his assembled forces.
"We are going to build something this continent has never seen before."
