Free Web NovelChapter 760: Chapter 77: The Soaring Value of Manan Faith and the Crimson Pearl
The construction of Flash Spear City is indeed the top priority for the territory in the coming period, but this matter cannot be rushed. After all, such a massive city, even with the help of a large number of Dwarf Engineers and Half-Elf construction teams, cannot be completed in just a few months.
In the initial stage, it was quite an achievement for the Hesse Territory to have built the Flash Spear Tower of the Heaven’s Lance. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
As long as this spire first stands on the vast western plains of the territory, its towering light would be enough for believers and people within hundreds of miles to see this pillar of light reaching the heavens in the Holy Land.
The only problem is that Baron Grant of the Blue Mirror Territory might become increasingly wary of Hesse Territory’s strength and adopt more stringent restrictive measures.
After Su Li agreed to President Roger’s request, he continued, "Your investment in Hesse Territory is naturally welcomed by both the Bauhinia family and our territory’s people. However, this Border Prince’s Territory always has threats and hidden dangers lurking in the shadows. Did you encounter any difficulties from the Blue Mirror Territory when you came?"
An important task of this Radiant Competition Festival is to generate propaganda for the war between the territory and the Blue Mirror Territory. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Although the order in the Border Prince’s Territory is relatively weak, a war between two imperial nobles can easily provoke disputes and criticism, especially when one side intends to completely annihilate the other.
This situation is somewhat reminiscent of the Middle Ages under Papal rule. If the same sect engages in mutual attacks, it can easily incur the Pope’s displeasure, leading to an announcement of excommunication and branding them as heretics or rebels.
Of course, in the Border Prince’s Territory, the role of the Pope is played by officials of the Imperial Elector Council. The Empire places great importance on the inheritance of noble bloodlines, similar to the so-called ’establishing and destroying states, inheriting and extinguishing world.’ It’s about ensuring the continuation of noble territories and bloodlines without ending them.
There can be wars or border conflicts between two territories, but after defeating the other side, it is best to sign a treaty, making the defeated side pay ransom for captives and cede a portion of land to the victor. The victor, in turn, according to customary obligations, must guarantee the safety of the defeated side, allowing them to continue to enjoy noble treatment and return to their territory.
The Empire has always lacked the concept of unification, so it is strongly opposed to the annexation and extinction of other noble inheritances.
This leads to significant political and public opinion resistance when a territory attempts to expand.
This resistance grows exponentially larger as one ascends in noble rank. Conflicts between Pioneer Knight territories face virtually no resistance because the Empire never regards Pioneer Knights as true nobles. The destruction of a Pioneer Knight’s Territory is as insignificant as the annihilation of a War Gang or a band of marauders. Therefore, Oerstein’s Western Expedition sparked little attention, with several Pioneer Knight’s Territories’ destruction barely registering as a few simple words in a war report.
If a Kingdom Knight’s Territory were destroyed, the news would spread hundreds of miles, with nearby nobles all learning which noble launched a war that concluded ingloriously by forcibly annexing a Glory Nobility’s long-standing territory.
Since most Kingdom Knight territories are mere villages, such events become mere gossip for major nobles. They wouldn’t see it as a manifestation of territorial ambition but would rather wonder what grave offense the destroyed noble committed to provoke such a fate.
However, the situation is entirely different for a Baron! Regardless of territory or political influence, a Baron is already a bona fide mainstream noble. They can even attend an Imperial Duke’s banquet, considered noble guests since many Barons are directly enfeoffed by Dukes. Sometimes, Dukes regard these Barons as more important and loyal. If a Baron’s power and influence are substantial, even the Emperor of the Empire would receive them and entrust them with significant duties. In the Imperial Capital, many important legion commanders and ministers hold baronial positions.
In such circumstances, annexing a Baron’s Territory without proper reasons or excuses would incite widespread indignation. Forced annexation of multiple Baronial Territories would definitely earn one a notorious nickname, such as ’Fatty,’ ’Greed,’ or ’Villain.’
And when it comes to the ranks of Counts and Dukes, each annexation becomes a major event in imperial history. Even with Sulande Province in ruins, it is difficult for other Electors to opportunistically annex its lands due to the significant resistance. Sulande Province’s people greatly value honor, unwilling for their long-standing, proud, and glorious territory to be ruled by another noble.
Thus, for Su Li to annex the Blue Mirror Territory, extensive propaganda is necessary to first claim the moral high ground and public opinion advantage.
Upon hearing Su Li’s inquiry, Melly Ramsey was very attentive and replied, "The Blue Mirror Territory has already established strict checkpoints, with military and knights everywhere. The atmosphere of war is palpable for everyone. However, thus far, they’ve confined these restrictions to the eastern passes of the territory, merely intensifying inspections of passersby without any particular harassment."
President Roger laughed and said, "Isn’t that considered harassment? We’ve already spent a considerable amount of time there, and during this period, I’ve chatted with other caravans. A few days ago, Baron Grant’s attitude was much tougher than it is now. It’s only because a lot of knights were inexplicably detained there, and after they lost patience and caused a scene, the Blue Mirror Territory had to lift the restrictions. Otherwise, he would likely have been overwhelmed by the fury of those knights."
