System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 897 - 275: Commander

All traveling merchants who arrived would fall under his dominion. Thus, to minimize or even eradicate taxes, local lords and manor lords surrounding Kakasong City had no choice but to pledge their allegiance and support to Jon Zuck, the ruler of Kakasong City, even offering military aid! Even now, with his combined forces surpassing Jon Zuck’s, he still required detailed intelligence and a carefully crafted plan before he would give the order to assault Kakasong City! Of course, this was merely his own assessment. A lord holding the title of Viscount was naturally not on par with the few manor lords he had previously subdued! Moreover, assaulting the formidable city walls of Kakasong City could result in significant troop losses. The supporters who offered their loyalty to the Viscount were sufficient reason for him to hesitate. However, Lynn reconsidered. Even if he didn't attack Kakasong City, or rather, even if Jon Zuck led his supporters and their army forward, he could still rely on the city walls and defenses! Attacking and breaching his walls and defenses would prove difficult, as numerous large-scale defensive mechanisms were in place within! Ultimately, the most fundamental and direct solution to this predicament was overwhelming military might! If he possessed tens of thousands of fully armed soldiers at this moment, he would not need to concern himself with Jon Zuck's tactics of hiring and poaching free individuals. Nor would he need to investigate Jon Zuck’s military strength. He would not need to worry about the number of supporters Jon Zuck had or their combined military forces! He could apply pressure with a formidable army, march directly into Kakasong City, and replace Jon Zuck outright! Regardless of whether he was a Viscount or held any other title, absolute military power could crush all opposition! However, he currently commanded just over four thousand soldiers in total. He could only advance slowly, step by step. The worst-case scenario involved abandoning the lands of Morgan Town and recalling all the farmer-soldiers to his own territory. But even if abandonment was necessary, he still needed to harvest as many crops as possible from Morgan Town’s fields! Only with more food could he sustain more townsfolk and recruit additional soldiers! Setting aside these thoughts for the moment, Lynn had already reached the edge of the farmland where barley was being harvested. Under the watchful eyes of a team of farmers transporting barley, he joined the harvesting crew. [Collection Experience +1] [Collection Experience +1] [Collection Experience +1] ... Experience accumulated bit by bit, increasing once more. With a thought, Lynn accessed the Heavenly Artifacts panel and took a look. [Collection: Level 3 (376/1000)] (+) Several days of continuous harvesting had significantly boosted his Collection skill experience. The distance to the next level-up was still considerable, but as long as he persisted daily, the Collection skill would eventually advance. As Lynn led the farmers in the barley harvest, time flew by. In the blink of an eye, evening arrived. After all the townsfolk concluded their work, Lynn merged with the crowd of farmers. Under the glow of the golden sunset, they returned to the small town. Perhaps due to Lynn’s presence, waves of casual conversation arose. Naturally, the farmers' discussions invariably revolved around food, children, and women. Their favorite topic of conversation was, of course, what they did with their wives after dinner and the literacy campaign sessions. Lynn paid them no mind. At present, the territory was still in a high-production development phase. The core focus remained ensuring the townsfolk had sufficient food and drink, guaranteeing their safety, and preventing any hindrance to the territory’s development. ... In contrast to the quiet development within Lynn Territory, on a mountain forest road at this very moment, soldiers clad in standard plate armor, sporting bucket helmets, with greatswords at their waists and large black iron-wooden shields strapped to their backs, marched in unison. As the marching column passed, the rhythmic thud of their footsteps and the metallic clatter of armor components blended into a single sound. Whoosh whoosh~ Clang clang~ Even though the sun had dipped below the horizon, its golden rays still painted the clouds in the sky a shade of red-orange, resembling clusters of flames igniting the heavens. Amidst this fiery sky, the elongated marching formation in plate armor, the shields on their backs, and the fluttering banners... bore the emblem of a crossed greatsword and shield! This was the family crest of the Ducas Clan! At the head of the formation, several hundred horsemen advanced on horseback. They, too, were outfitted in the specially tailored standard plate armor of the Sword and Shield Corps.

Amidst insistent shouts, a young man astride a warhorse advanced to the forefront.

Gently moderating his warhorse's momentum, Danke addressed Godfrey from beside him.

"Commander, following our inspection, the 30,000 members of the Sword and Shield Corps are all in normal marching condition!"

Upon hearing Danke's report, Godfrey's brow momentarily creased.

His gaze then shifted towards the stout man positioned to his left.

Before Godfrey could utter a word of reminder, Danke suddenly recollected something.

He swiftly spoke again: "Pray, instruct us, Lord Lawrence."

Lawrence, mounted on a pristine white pure-blood warhorse, heard Danke's words.

His eyes remained fixed ahead on the path as he remarked with nonchalance.

"Knight, I believe you have directed your query to the incorrect individual?"

"For this particular expedition, Godfrey Harvey bears the title of commander."

"My role is simply that of a battlefield advisor."

Both Godfrey and Danke knitted their brows upon hearing Lawrence's detached tone.

Nevertheless, Godfrey's frown vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

He inclined himself respectfully toward Lawrence and stated.

"Lord Lawrence, I suspect there may be a misunderstanding..."

"The Marquis has indeed appointed me as the commander, yet as a battlefield advisor, you retain direct authority over the soldiers of the Sword and Shield Corps."

"This is due to your lineage, being a descendant of Lord Donovan Ducas, much like the Marquis himself."