Chapter 352: The Conquest of the Northlands
The main forces of the allied army had been annihilated, and most of the Northland nations' remaining military strength had been exhausted. What remained was merely a cleanup operation.
The noble lords of various cities resisted with their dwindling private armies, but in the face of the kingdom's relentless offensive, their efforts were inconsequential—barely stirring a ripple.
Across the vast territories of the United Kingdom of the Northlands, two large mixed corps led by Count Ark and Count Gold-Fang rampaged freely, launching blitz offensives to the east and west.
In less than two months, with cannon fire roaring, the capitals of eight duchies, including the Duchies of Carter, Fano, Otto, and Sweeney, fell one after another. Military strongholds were swiftly taken by the kingdom.
Using these cities as bases, the kingdom's forces launched further offensives across the region.
However, the vast and sparsely populated Anzeta Wasteland, with its many castles and estates owned by knights and noble lords, could not be entirely cleared even by the kingdom's armies in a short time.
As a result, Marshal Dolo unleashed the vast army of "Starfallers," allowing tens of thousands to roam the Anzeta Wasteland, rooting out the remaining forces of the Northland nobles.
[Main Quest: Conquer the Northlands]
Quest Description: The Ember Kingdom has crushed most of the Northlands' forces, but remnants of the Northland nobility still lurk across this vast wasteland.
They continue to oppress the poor people of Anzeta, perpetuating their centuries-long corrupt rule. Thus, loyal warriors of the Ember Kingdom—eliminate them completely!
Note: Do not harm civilians!
Quest Rewards: A large sum of gold, faction contribution points, and reputation points.
Special Title: [Conqueror of the Northlands]
Contribution points and gold aside, [Reputation Points] were tied to the newly launched [Nobility] system.
The unprecedented and impressive title allowed one's nickname to appear in purple, a perfect credential for flaunting experience to novice players. Who could resist such allure?
With rewards this generous, the mission was already quite lucrative.
Moreover, the opportunity to loot noble treasuries made it a golden chance to amass wealth.
The quest description explicitly prohibited harming civilians, but it said nothing about robbing nobles!
And so, the players' enthusiasm ignited.
Shouting all sorts of peculiar slogans, they surged into the Northlands like a swarm of locusts, embarking on a grand campaign.
"For glory and power!"
"Plunder time!"
"Siege the cities! Siege the cities!"
Otto Duchy, Vichy City.
This city, one of the duchy's largest, was famed for producing exquisite textiles, earning the nickname "Textile Capital of the Northlands." Its fabrics were once the envy of the region.
However, after suffering from the Ember Kingdom's product dumping, the city's artisans went bankrupt, plunging Vichy into decline.
Now, news of the allied forces' collapse and the Ember Kingdom's advance had spread throughout the city, leaving the populace in a state of panic.
"Oh heavens... I heard Oksa City has already fallen."
"Not just that, our duke has been captured!"
"Do those dragon minions eat people?"
"Gods above, is this the end of days?"
Such conversations were now commonplace in the dimly lit taverns.
Many citizens had already succumbed to despair, believing the Northlands' fate was sealed. Some hoped surrender might ensure better treatment, sparing them from the monsters' wrath.
Old White, an artisan, took a swig of his drink and drunkenly said, "I say, open the gates!"
"A merchant friend told me... the Ember Kingdom's army doesn't harm civilians; they only target the noble lords."
"Is... is that true?"
Someone asked nervously.
Old White leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "Absolutely true."
Then, slumping back in his chair like a sack of potatoes, he sighed, "It's a pity those noble lords won't surrender. Now we're stuck living in fear."
"W-What are you doing?"
Suddenly, Old White's voice turned panicked.
Soldiers burst into the tavern, roughly seizing Old White and dragging him outside.
"Come with us; you're suspected of colluding with the enemy!"
The tavern fell silent.
After a long pause, the owner chuckled bitterly and poured another glass of crystal-clear liquor.
"Folks, best not to discuss such things."
"Enjoy the drinks."
"While we're still alive."
Someone raised their glass and echoed the sentiment.
It was clear that the city's ruler, Count Okot Sul, had no intention of surrendering. If he ever did, that possibility was now thoroughly dashed.
News of the bloody "public trials" had spread across the Northlands, leaving many nobles trembling with anxiety and fear.
The count's manor was brightly lit.
In the drawing room, Count Okot paced back and forth, his expression grim.
"Any news from the scouts?"
"Where is the Ember Kingdom's army? How far are they from Vichy City?"
He urgently rattled off a string of questions.
The captain of the guard, clad in plate armor, knelt before him, nervously reporting:
"N-No news yet, but it's said that several cities have fallen, including your brother Count Denzel's domain, Burghold."
"My lord, the allied forces have been utterly destroyed. The Northlands are lost. Perhaps we should..."
"Smack!"
Count Okot strode forward and slapped the guard captain hard, spitting furious words:
"You think I don't know? Do you need to remind me?"
"It's that cursed dragon giving us no way out! Do you know how many nobles they executed in Stravsburg? One hundred and twenty-one! Including Grand Duke Leo's eldest son!"
"They even created a so-called 'public trial,' letting those peasants decide our fates. It's the ultimate insult!"
Gritting his teeth, Count Okot snarled, "They're trying to completely uproot the Northland nobility!"
"Damn it! I've never seen such an evil dragon!"
"Other dragons at most pillage and kill a few hundred people, but this one... he incites peasants to kill nobles! It's unheard of! Even Abyssal demons aren't this wicked!"
"Then... then, my lord, what should we do?"
The guard captain, clutching his reddened cheek, trembled as he spoke.
"Hold Vichy City. Its defenses are decent. They won't breach it anytime soon. If the enemy does attack..."
"We abandon the city and retreat."
Count Okot squinted, clasping his hands behind his back as he spat out the words through gritted teeth.
"Alyosha, prepare my treasures."