Chapter 21-Anarchic Lands
On the ninth floor of the Radiant Temple on the Sacred Isle.
The Holy Emperor Heidens was flipping with the treasured scripture. Suddenly, two knocking sounds could be clearly heard at the door.
"Come in."
Cardinal Guillermo went in, he stands in front of Holy Emperor Heidens and said seriously. "Your Holiness, a report has come about Ernst battle against the Saints of the O'Brien Empire."
Holy Emperor Heidens accepted a piece of paper from Cardinal Guillermo and flipped it. As he did, his previous calm expression turns to anger. He slams the table with his palm.
"Bang!"
"Your Holiness?" Cardinal Guillermo quietly said in a low voice.
Holy Emperor Heidens sigh to calm his anger. "Ernst now turn to be a powerful Saint-level combatant. He had defeated all the Saints of the O'Brien Empire present on Channe River. Even the first disciple of War God O'Brien, Fain, who trains for five thousand years, was also defeated by him at Mt. Tujiao. The cause of my anger is because of Stehle, was also killed. Among so many Saint challengers, only Stehle dies. I shouldn't send Stehle to challenge Ernst, now, I'm sure Ernst certainly had an enmity with us. The death of Stehle is a considerable loss to us. Nurturing a peak stage Saint was very time consuming, and needs plenty resources. It was a big loss to our Radiant Church."
"Your Holiness, what shall we do?"
Holy Emperor Heidens looks seriously at Cardinal Guillermo. "Presently,, there's nothing we can do. Even we send our forces, we will suffer heavy casualties. If that happens, other forces will be tempted to attack us. Ernst was now one of the most powerful Saints in the continent, just below the Deities. I have regretted that I sent people to abduct him in the past. We have created a powerful enemy for the Radiant Church."
"Guillermo, warn all our people not to provoke Ernst and his family. Let's find a way to solve our enmity with him. At least, Ernst now was not our life and death enemy." Holy Emperor Heidens ordered Guillermo.
"Yes, your Holiness."
Four months after the battle of Mt. Tujiao, there are many changes happening in the continent. One is, the Dawson Conglomerate becomes the undisputed number trading union in the Yulan continent. They began to devour the other two trading unions; the Snow Island Syndicate and the Gere Group.
On the O'Brien Empire, Emperor Johann paid Dawson family one hundred million golds coins for his nephew Marquis Jeff for trying to kill Ernst and his sister Anna. The citizens of the empire capital laughs at Marquis Jeff misfortune. Marquis Jeff becomes the biggest laughingstock in the empire.
The battle between Saints in the O'Brien Empire have increased. Every week, it is normal to see and watch a fight between Saints. Thus becoming the citizen's major entertainment.
Yulan calendar, 10002. January 15.
Ernst and his family were staying at the hotel in Blackdirt City in the Anarchic Lands. Ernst knows from the original story, Blackdirt City was the easiest city to conquer. The population and soldiers of Blackdirt City was tiny. The strongest combatant in this small city was only a 7th rank warrior. Besides, the ruler of the city was very cruel towards its citizens.
Inside the meeting room of the hotel, Ernst and his family were on a meeting.
"Tomorrow, we will conquer this city. First, Roger you will ask the city governor to surrender, if he resists, kill him. Douglas, you bring our family guards to surround the governor mansion. Don't bring your magical beast. It will be our secret weapon. When they saw that you are a 9th rank warrior, they will be scared and thus surrenders easily. For the rest, follow what we discuss before." James briefs Douglas and Roger about their action.
"Yes Milord." Roger and Douglas replied respectfully, while continue the other specifics of their plan.
Ernst just watch and observed as James, Douglas, and Roger finalize their plan. He said a few encouragements to them. "Blackdirt City is just the first city that we will conquer. Since this city will be our first territory, we will rename it as Dawson City in the future, when we established our Duchy. After reorganizing the soldiers and citizens, we will attack other cities to be added in our territory. I know you guys can conquer Blackdirt City easily, and I believe, tomorrow night, we will be staying at the governor's mansion."
Ernst now had fully digested his insights during his battle with the Saints of the O'Brien Empire. He had harvested plenty of attribute bubbles after the battle. Adding the attribute bubbles from fighting the Saint-level magical beasts for six months on the Mountain range of Magical Beast, his strength now has been upgraded.
His 'Throbbing Pulse of the World-Fused 32 Layered Waves' was now promoted to 4 layered waves. His destruction type attack now, was also improved, he can immediately release fifteen sword beams which was has terrifying destructiveness in group battles.
The elemental essence affinities that he had picked up after the battle, really helps him understand the Laws deeper and fused his insights in the same elemental Laws. Currently, he only focuses on the Law of the Earth and destruction type attacks. When he becomes a Deity and having a clone, becoming a Deity in other elements will be fairly easy.
Afternoon of the next day.
The sun was hanging high in the sky as it emits radiation that was harmful to human skin. The garrison soldiers of the Blackdirt City were idle and nonchalantly strolling within the city walls, while some few soldiers were sweating under the sun while standing on the city walls.
"This damn weather. It is extremely hot during the day and freezing at night." An old soldier wearing a tattered armor curses softly. He and nine of his companions by his side were one of the squads belonging to the city guards. The reputation of the city guards are terrible. They are called 'Lapdogs' silently by the citizens as they obey every evil order of the city governor such as executing and torturing civilians. So, when common people saw them, they will run away immediately from them.
In Blackdirt City, the reputation of the city governor was not good either. He was very cruel and merciless towards his citizens. He charges a very high tax towards on every citizen. If the citizens can't pay their taxes on time, they will be tortured by the city guards or sometimes get killed. For the citizens, the city governor was a demon.
At this time, a running soldier came to them. "Brothers. Good news!"
"Brothers, quick, go to the governor's mansion and pay respect to our new city governor. The merciless demon was already dead."
Hearing the good news, the soldiers standing in the city walls cheered. "Hahaha. Quick, let's go to the governor's mansion."
In the Anarchic Lands, the common people had no sense of belonging. They are already used to the changes in the leadership in the city. Who ruled the city was not necessary to them. What they care for was, if the ruler can provide them enough food to feed themselves and their families.
The city governor mansion is large enough to house thousands of people. In the training ground, James, Douglas, and Roger stood in the center. They are releasing their aura that makes the soldiers felt massive pressure from them.
The gathered soldiers all stood in attention, keeping quiet out of fear.
"Brothers. A powerful man with a huge build speaks loudly. That demon has been chop in two by one of the three lords. These three lords are all 9th rank warriors."
"9th rank warriors? Why would 9th rank warriors come into our little city?" Whispers could be heard around the crowd.
Knowing what the soldiers were thinking, Douglas steps forward, he releases his powerful aura causing the nearby soldiers to take a step back. "All of you, listen up. From today onwards, Blackdirt City belong to us. Lord James will be our new city governor."
Douglas draws his sword from the sheath, staring at the surrounding soldiers, he coldly said. "If any of you have any objection towards Lord James being the city governor, you are welcome to fight with me."
The gathered soldiers, hearing Douglas words, gulps. Who would want to fight a 9th rank warrior like you? They are not looking for death.
Seeing no response from the soldiers, Douglas said loudly. "Great! From today onwards, you are now the soldiers of our Lord James. There are benefits for working for our Lord. Starting today, your military pay will be double of your current military pay."
Double military pay?
The thousand of soldiers stared in shock, suddenly they all burst into cheers.
"Long live Lord James"
"Long live Lord James"
What more they could ask for? The three 9th rank warriors are powerful and gives a very generous pay, naturally, they love leaders like this.
The Blackdirt City now had a new city governor. It was Lord James Dawson, a powerful 9th rank warrior. Having such a strong leader, which something all the citizens of their small city celebrated over.
The most exciting was the new city governor declared as long as they were obedient and faithful, the citizens of Blackdirt City will be free from tax, for ten years. After ten years, their tax will forever be ten percent.
The citizens of Blackdirt City cheered and celebrates.
Powerful leaders, high salaries and free taxes for ten years, given the above, the citizens quickly gained the hope and desire to forever live under this administration.
At the same time, many common people nearby Blackdirt City heard about the treatment of the citizens, they immediately migrated to Blackdirt City.
One year after the change in leadership in Backdirt City. The conditions of the citizens are much better compared to the previous city governor. Many buildings, houses, plaza, roads and other infrastructures were built and used by the citizens. Business opportunity booms as merchant flocks in the city led by Dawson Conglomerate. Many jobs were created that benefits the citizens.
Within the city governor's mansion, Ernst and Anna's former maid, Andrea, is currently giving a detailed report to James. As one of the administrators of various affairs in Blackdirt City, she knows every situation in the city like the back of her hand.
"Milord, the population of Blackdirt Town were approximately ninety thousand. If we add the total numbers of large number of surrounding village, then the total population under Blackdirt City's control is about one million. Currently, our military is expanding as well, we now have a total of four battalions with five thousand soldiers in each battalion." Andrea reports respectfully.
Everyone listened and nodded upon hearing Andrea's report.
"Alright. Andrea take your seat." James beckons to her.
Currently, the people sitting in the meeting room are the core members of the Dawson family.
"Son, what do you think about Andrea's report just now?" James voices his thoughts to Ernst, being the most powerful in their family, he had to consult him about important matters.
Ernst nodded and said. "Before I comment on the report, I want to praise Andrea and Steward Greg for doing a fantastic job as administrators of the city." Ernst smiles towards Andrea and Steward Greg.
"Thank you, young master." Andrea and Steward Greg said with gratitude.
"Now, let's get back to business, based on the report, we are now ready to conquer more cities. Blackdirt City were getting congested, we need more lands to expand our territory. Our military is more than enough to attack more cities. I hope one year from now, we can establish our duchy."
Everyone's eyes lit up, a duchy of their own.
"After we establish our duchy, we will build an academy for magus and warriors in this academy, we will train magus and warriors that will serve as backbones of our territory. If we can establish a duchy earlier, the better." Ernst added more.
Everyone was excited, especially Sarah and Anna. In the plan, Sarah will be the dean and Anna will be one of the teachers in the academy.
The core members of the city governor mansion discuss about the plans on attacking other cities while, Ernst, just listens. He would rather not interfere too much with such affair.
Yulan calendar, 10003. January 10. At Forbes City.
"Lord Governor, it's horrible. We need to escape. A 9th rank magical beast, Blackbear with the army of Blackdirt City has already broken the city gates. Our soldiers immediately surrenders upon seeing the power of the magical beast. The city governor mansion will be surrounded soon." The city governor's aid informs him.
The city governor did not think much and hurriedly ordered his men. "Quickly, gather the valuables that we can carry. I don't want to die in this forsaken place. Let's hurry to leave Forbes City."
The forces of Blackdirt City led by Douglas easily occupies Forbes City with very minimal casualty on their soldier. The morale of the soldiers of Forbes City loss after the city gates was breached by the 9th rank magical beast and killing about one hundred of their forces.
Aside from Forbes City, three other smaller cities were occupied by Blackdirt City forces on the same day using their magical beast to breach the city gates then killing some soldiers.
Before Blackdirt City attack other cities, many people have surrender secretly. Making the takeover smoothly.
Yulan Calendar, 10003. January 10. Blackdirt City was successful in their conquest.
By January 11, Ernst side already had five small cities, and the number of people they controlled, including the affiliated towns and villages, has a total of three million. In the Anarchic Lands, only an entity that is controlling a prefecture city would be considered a duchy.
After the Blackdirt City blitzkrieg attack concluded, Ernst side temporarily stopped attacking to reorganize their armies. The original four battalions of Blackdirt City were now part of the First Legion, which was the core legion. The other four legions, belonging to the four cities, all cheered after seeing their military pays increase by half of the salary of the First Legion.
The taxes of common people were lowered by half across the board.
After the military recruitment, aside from the first legion, each legion now had fifteen thousand soldiers. The five legions began to train together and organize internally.
The surrounding cities all sensed the threat, but what can they do? They knew the forces of Blackdirt City were powerful.
After three months of training and reorganization, they are now ready to attack a prefecture city and its affiliate small cities.
Ernst's side now has eight small cities, three small cities voluntarily surrenders after the previous city governor had taken their massive wealth and fled from their city.
"It's time to attack the prefecture city of Cod. According to the young master, taking over the prefecture city of Cod was very crucial to the plan. We might encounter a retaliation from the citizens, as many of them were believers of the Radiant Church." Douglas told Roger.
"Who cares about the Radiant Church? If they attack us, young master will be happy to welcome them." Roger boasted with confidence.
"Rest early, tomorrow we will attack the prefecture city of Cod and its affiliated cities." James said to them softly.
"Yes Milord." Douglas and Roger replied respectfully.
In the morning, outside the city wall of prefecture city of Cod.
The soldiers of Blackdirt City were shouting at the forces of city of Cod standing on the city walls.
"Surrender or die"
The original frightened soldiers of city of Cod were even more terrified.
The soldiers of Blackdirt City were arranged in a neat, orderly rows. Their fighting spirit soars as they bump their swords on their shields, making a loud clanging sounds. But for the forces of the city of Cod, those sounds were like a signal before their death.
Seeing no response from city of Cod, James orders his magical beast though their mental link. "Brad, break the city gates."
"Roaaaar!"
Suddenly, a red monstrous magical beast with one hundred meters long body and eighty meters wingspan, a 9th rank magical beast Firedragon dive from the sky. It opens its huge mouth and release a large fireball towards the city gate.
"Roaaaar!"
"What is that? A huge magical beast." Cried by the soldiers in surprise.
"Run!"
"Boom!"
The soldiers were too late to escape as they were scorched to death while the city gate was instantly destroyed. Soldiers near the range of the attack were burnt by the heat wave, as they suffered different injuries.
Brad flew in the sky again for another round of attack.
The archers of the city of Cod shoot their arrows towards Brad, but sadly, there arrows cannot penetrate the magical beast tough defensive scales.
Another huge fireball heading down towards the group of soldiers
"Boom!"
Agonizing screams can be heard on a large area where the fireball landed, then it died down. The soldiers turned to ashes.
Seeing that Brad already made a devastating blow to the enemy forces, James ordered the soldiers of the Blackdirt City.
"Attack!"
"Kill!" The soldiers of Blackdirt City shouted in unison as they charge towards the city gate.
Meanwhile, in the city governor's mansion. Governor Tyron was now shaking in panic. He shouted with anger. "Where are the experts of the Radiant Church? If this continued on, our city of Cod will be conquered by Blackdirt City?"
"Lord Governor, we had already notified them, but there was no response from the church." The city administrator answered Tyron.
Tyron gritted his teeth in helplessness, then said in a loud voice. "Are they abandoning us? We've been loyal to the Radiant Church. How can they do this? Quickly, prepare a carriage, we need to escape from here."
On the city wall, stone rubble's, dead bodies of soldiers, abandon weapons and shields were everywhere on the battlefield. The ground was dyed in blood.
The soldiers realize that they cannot defend the city of Cod thrown their weapons and shields, they kneel and shouted.
"We surrender!"
"We surrender!"
Noticing the surrender of enemy soldiers, James orders the Blackdirt City army to clean the battlefield and apprehend the opposing soldiers. James brings his elite soldiers to surround the city governor's mansion. But after arriving, they were notified that the city governor had already escapes from the city.
Knowing they conquered the city of Cod, the forces of the Blackdirt City cheered. They are joyful for their victory because they suffered only a minimal casualty on their forces.
In addition, small cities affiliated to the city of Cod were also conquered, led by Douglas and Roger thanks to the sixty thousand soldiers and their magical beast.
After the great victory, the Blackdirt City reorganized their soldiers and pacifies the citizens.