High Above

As time went by, the entire continent of Terra became aware of the fact that Feiyan Land dispatched the Demon Legion, and after achieving certain results in the Western Region, they finally ran into a wall in the South Ridge, and were taken away by the Dragon King to take away the Dragon of the Abyss.

When many people received this news, their first thought was not to laugh at Feiyandi's failure, or to be wary of the empire's trump card, but to look at the sky with cautious eyes.

Dragon Island.

From the Lost Era to the present, and even in the more distant pre-epochal civilization, the figure of Dragon Island has always existed, hidden behind the history of civilization.

The ancient true dragon kings have always overlooked all things in the world. The wars, massacres and ugliness in the world cannot move them. Only a very small number of sins and natural disasters that can destroy all things can make them punish and pacify.

And this time, did Feiyandi violate the bottom line that no one knew about?

No. It seems not.

The keen countries noticed that the Dragon Kings only took away the Dragon of the Abyss this time. They did not punish Feiyandi, nor did they rebuke Feiyandi's demonic technology - just like in the past, as long as it is a technology developed by humans, No matter how inhuman it is, the dragon will not care.

Just like humans create poisons that are enough to poison themselves on this land, they will not care. In the eyes of the Dragon King, demonic technology may be the same as those extremely polluting industrial production facilities.

But... if you use some method to create a real dragon for your own use... or if you use those magical fires, you will be attacked by the Dragon King.

That is the real bottom line of Long Island.

Then things get interesting.

Everyone has seen the destructive power of the demon army. Feiyandi was indeed shot as the first bird, but the fact that the empire's western border defense line was torn apart in an instant and the entire province turned into a hell on earth is a fact - this is something that the conventional army cannot do in several years, demon The Legion did it in just one month when it was still immature.

The flaws and loopholes exposed by the Demon Legion on the battlefield, as well as the advantages and strength displayed, will become food for all countries, allowing them to improve their technology more intensively.

But that's all for later.

Now, everyone, whether they are imperial people or foreigners, the people in the Western Region who are suffering, or the residents of Nanling and the Central Plains who have been frightened for a long time... everyone wants to see one thing.

That was The Empire Strikes Back.

——What will the empire do at this critical turning point?

Ian was curious about this too.

July 24, Terra 775.

Nine days after the great victory in the Battle of Nanling.

During these nine days, the production activities in Nanling have returned to their original state. Although most of the settlements in the Golden Plains have been completely destroyed and the ecology has suffered serious damage, with the development of the Nanling area in recent days, the western hilly area and northwest Many new towns have appeared in the mountainous areas of the country.

The refugees from the Golden Plains are now resettled there, being absorbed by the urban circles around Silver Peak Territory and Nauman City. Although there is not a lot of waste after the war, there are indeed many jobs that need people to do.

At the same time, they don't need to worry about not having a bite to eat, because this is a good opportunity for Earl Yinfeng to win people's hearts.

Cheap canned food and relief porridge distributed in the name of the Chongling Sect, as well as the armed clergy of the Chongling Sect, ensured the order of the refugee camps and the stability of food distribution. During the inspection, even if someone was starving to death, they would never dare to snatch food from others.

Ian didn't feed the refugees quickly. He repeatedly stated that food reserves were insufficient and that Yinfeng leaders needed to mobilize food from various chambers of commerce. Taking this opportunity, he successfully allowed all chambers of commerce in Nanling to be temporarily unified under the banner of the 'Nanling Wartime Material Distribution Center' and managed and regulated food. Price and Distribution.

After ensuring that the refugees were hungry for several days, he began to selectively distribute food to women, children and the elderly who needed it most.

No reason. This is because refugees will appreciate food only if they have been hungry - otherwise, they may be picky and think it is not delicious and stale.

Ian won't really use stale food to fool these refugees who will be absorbed into the Silver Peak Territory in the future, but he definitely doesn't want to absorb some uncles who can't "thank you".

After the war, control of the military factory in Nanling... was not returned as a matter of course.

To be honest, everyone thought that Ian would not return the military factory after taking it, so they resisted in every possible way, delaying the mechanization replacement time of the 19th Army, resulting in at least two to three thousand more casualties, so now Yi En already has control of the factory, how could he give it back.

This is called conforming to imagination.

Up to now, under the rule of the Heart of Terra, the industrial production of the entire South Ridge, including the military industry, has been coordinated to an almost perfect level - from mining in the mountain mining area, to refining, to manufacturing finished products and Sales, this series of production chains have been mastered and optimized by Ian.

In the past, it was impossible for the nobles of Nanling to do such a thing, because everyone was based on their own convenience. However, under the pressure of Flying Flame Land and Ian's violent coordination, they had to change their production model. The entire territory serves the production of the entire Nanling Province.

To put it simply, in the past, Nanling was a loose alliance composed of a group of small and medium-sized nobles. Although they were all members of the empire in name, they were actually managed as a mess.

And Ian used war to temper them, taking back many of the rights of the local small and medium-sized nobles, and even forcibly taking away their right to freedom of production - they must produce whatever Nanling needs them to produce, this is the so-called Nanling Planned economy.

Although it sounds very unfree, this is a more advanced production model. You can't have a pre-industrial primitive market economy in the world of Terra, right? This is somewhat...

In this regard, the Marquis of Barton, the eldest brother of the Nanling nobles, received many crying letters from the nobles.

Many Nanling nobles burst into tears, crying about Ian's abominable appearance - he is a dictator who took advantage of the imperial war to gather all power in his own hands. Sir, you must not be deceived by this devil with a gorgeous shell!

"Ian, what do you think we should do?"

In response, Marquis Barton, who was being pinched by Ian, put the envelope aside casually: "They want to jointly sue you to the Hall of Nobles for your ultra vires behavior, saying that you have violated the autonomy of the imperial nobles."

"I will set off to the Western Region this afternoon to meet with Count Sparling, the director of the Imperial Nobles' Department. He will definitely understand me."

While rubbing the Marquis's shoulders, Ian didn't care about the cries of these little nobles: "They should thank me for helping them make money - with their production model, in a hundred years they will still be small handicraft workshops in the Imperial Market. There can’t be any competition.”

"But in my hands, whether it is military rations or drinks, military drones or various new artillery... they will all show their glory in the current all-out war."

"They should be grateful if they can collect the profits instead of being killed by me."

"You have lost your ferocity."

The Marquis of Barton commented: "I thought you would kill a group of people just like before the war started - these people will feel itchy if you don't kill a few, you just have to kill more."

"You're a little too extreme."

Ian shook his head: "It was a last resort before the war started. The Nanling Defense Battle has ended, and the battle line has been pushed back to the west. These nobles are left to do whatever they want... The people will feel comfortable being under my control. It’s better to be controlled by those little nobles.”

Without bad, there is naturally no good. Without these short-sighted and willful little nobles, how could Ian improve his reputation in front of the residents of Nanling?

The most important thing in struggle is to find the enemy - whenever there are enemies and comparison, it is the best way to maintain authority.

Not to mention, with Ian's current reputation, it would be a bit of a loss to deal with those minor nobles personally.

In these nine days of publicity and accumulation, Ian's reputation in Nanling can basically be said to be a true god in the world.

When Ian went to a certain place to express his condolences, basically everyone who could move would come to greet him in person. Those who could not move would be carried by others. Everyone was proud to touch Ian. Ian smiled and shook hands with someone. , they can go a week without washing their hands and show off to others.

Ian gave a speech and they cheered. Ian appealed, and they agreed. Ian said how Nanling should be developed, and everyone implemented it unswervingly.

No one disobeys - a hero who can summon heavenly fire and defeat the fourth-level demon in live battles, a well-deserved iron-fisted ruler of Nanling, the founder of a new type of warfare... What, you are not convinced?

Everyone was so convinced that sometimes they felt like they had given up thinking. Some people even asked Ian some development questions based on rationality. Ian himself thought it was nothing. He thought about it and prepared to answer it seriously. The result was that he was enthusiastic. The people almost beat up the person who asked the question.

What! How dare you question Lord Ian's decision-making? I think you look a bit like Feiyan's spy!

"That's almost it."

Ian felt that these people were obviously a bit extreme, but there was nothing he could do about it. Human beings were just like this. In the final analysis, it was his personality charm, astonishing wisdom, and record that made his fault. He didn't blame these people.

Ian's prestige now is so terrifying. It can even be said that when Ian came to Nauman City to chat with the Marquis of Barton, he actually couldn't stand the consequences of too much prestige and charm.

Let’s let the people of Nanling calm down first.

It is precisely because Ian's prestige has reached this level. Otherwise, how could these nobles just cry to the Noble Hall and the Marquis of Barton instead of confronting them head-on like Baron Issa?

Because none of his men dared to be enemies with Ian, no matter how hard they struggled, they were nothing more than frogs in a pot, slowly being boiled to death by warm water.

"In the new era, the nobles of Nanling need to welcome a new order."

While talking and laughing, Ian and Marquis Barton determined the future operating system of the Nanling nobles, which was also the 'trophy' after the war.

After all, in this great battle against the demon army, most of the Nanling nobles did not play any role, and could even be said to have a negative role, so their rights and interests would naturally be reduced.

And those who have made contributions, such as Elder Manya and Viscount Grant, can get more things.

Elder Manya is now a member of the Chongling Sect and the Silver Peak Leader. His harvest is Ian's harvest. The same is true for Adlbert and Xio. After becoming the third level, Viscount Grant also obtained To the amazing feat of 'joining forces to kill the fourth-level demon'.

Now Ian and the Marquis of Barton are joining forces to support him. With the Grant family's achievements in pioneering the southernmost part of the South Ridge over the years, perhaps over time, the entire redwood forest area and the islands in the South China Sea will become part of the Marquis of Grant's territory.

This is also the glory and future that Inaga II promised the Grant family decades ago...it will become a reality.

By Ian's hand.

"Next, it's time to set off."

Standing up, Marquis Barton looked twenty years younger because he had survived the attack from the Flying Fire Land. He was very satisfied with his choice of Ian. If he were to deal with the demon Deathstroke, The best result is to survive for half an hour and then be swept by the opponent.

And now? Both he and Ian have received awards from the empire. If nothing else happens, there is no problem in getting a Golden Xi Medal for each person. Taking advantage of this momentum, he himself will not be able to become the fourth level, but his son may also Grandson, as long as you continue to follow Ian, there will be no problem in becoming the fourth energy level.

And now, they have even entered the high-level decision-making level of the empire... They can go to the Western Territory and participate in the prelude to the next empire's counterattack.

The Marquis of Barton himself knew the details of the counterattack, but he could not tell Ian.

He believed that even a prophet would be surprised by this.

Soon, an airship arrived at the lift behind the Governor's Mansion, and the two of them boarded the airship heading to the Western Territory.

Looking down from the sky, the earth can only be described as a mess.

The land that the devil marches through is always a scorched earth, and at best it is barren. There were originally large yellow-green grasslands on the golden plain, but now only large areas of gray-yellow rock layers can be seen.

Further west in the Golden Plains, at the junction of the two provinces and around the Earth Hurricane Bridge, order has been restored.

The fortress that was originally bewitched by Confused Heart is nearby.

What Ian was thinking was that if the demon army retreated in disgrace after being attacked by sky fire, it would be a good place to have a 'Devil army destroyed here! ’ was a good show, but who knew that the devil’s fighting spirit was so strong that he could actually achieve a fantastic record of 100% battle damage without retreating, and General Deathstroke fought to the last moment.

Oh, this is a fantasy world, that's okay.

After seeing this airship from Nanling with the coat of arms of the Governor and the Silver Peak, the fortress on the ground also hoisted the imperial flag to pay tribute - they did not know that it was Ian who commanded Douxin to save their lives. But they knew that if the Silver Peak Leader did not lead the Nanling Allied Forces to a great victory and annihilate the Demon Legion locally, they would end up becoming the nourishment for the Demons to regain their strength.

There are many such fortresses along the way, and they all also raise flags in salute.

Regardless of whether Ian and others saw it or not, they thanked Ian from the bottom of their hearts for being the ‘Hero of Nanling’.

And such heroes have appeared on all major battlefields in the empire recently.

On the front line between Northland and Castle Peak, the eldest son of the Ellen family, Krall Ellen, performed extremely well in the defensive battle at the Steel Hammer Pass. This brother of Isengard showed amazing ability and popularity by artificially creating landslides. , led the northern noble coalition to annihilate the 7th Special Armored Brigade of Junling Castle.

In the eastern plain, Fu Shuang, the twenty-seventh generation descendant of Governor Bai Ji (the Ice Wind Butterfly grew up relatively quickly), went deep into the enemy's rear and located the preparation point for the Cangtian Royal Court's mobile fleet. He led the artillery strike and severely damaged the Cangtian Royal Court. a mobile fleet.

In the Western Region, there were many imperial soldiers who stood firm under the demonic offensive - some of them were local ascendants who took the place of the fleeing local nobles and led the people to resist tenaciously, and some were local nobles who took the lead and held on to their territory.

In general, each one is a hero template, each one has extraordinary courage and courage, and they all have extraordinary results.

But even so, Ian's record is the most terrifying among all people - while others are still resisting, confronting, or annihilating a few conventional troops, Ian has already wiped out three-thirds of them. An army of demons.

Ian's view on this is simple.

These people do all have real qualities... It can even be said that they have achieved meritorious service by virtue of their own abilities.

But the empire’s current fanatical propaganda is undoubtedly a move that was planned in advance!

In the past two months, the empire suffered a full-scale offensive, and all major provinces were invaded by all parties. For a time, it was in turmoil, and the entire country seemed to have fallen into a dark moment.

And just when people hoped for a hero and longed for a hero to appear, a hero appeared.

These heroes...including Ian himself, are definitely people who can pass the review and are truly 'loyal' to the empire. At least that's what the people of the Empire thought.

If it were Ian before, he might not be able to notice it... But Ian, who became a goblin, was extremely keenly aware that the virtual realm of the entire empire was slowly changing.

Changes driven by someone's plans.

Based on Ian's research on the virtual realm, he can only see changes, but he cannot see what this change actually represents. In fact, Ian's level is already among the highest in Terra. If he wants to be higher, there are only those in the Capital of Knowledge and Fairy Dragon Island.

Speaking of this, Ian thought that Mentor Frozen Fish had not left after helping to move the goblin lair in the South China Sea to the top of the snow... and he also had conjectures about spiritual powers such as the 'End of Reincarnation' and wanted to communicate with the goblin clan. Have a good chat.

When the time comes, let’s talk about it together with the ‘changes in the virtual realm of the empire’.

"War creates change, change creates suffering. Suffering creates heroes, and heroes lead the trend of thought."

With this in mind, Ian whispered to himself: "Marquis Barton, don't you think the person who did this is simply too arrogant?"

"You have no right to speak to Your Majesty."

Marquis Barton lowered his eyes. He understood what Ian was saying, and he didn't want to hide it from him: "Although I don't know what your Majesty is going to do... but at least the people of the empire are awake now."

"Just like the people of Nanling now place their hopes so fanatically on you, and have an unforgettable hatred for the Flying Flame Land - isn't this a good thing? Many of your reforms, many changes, must be Built on such soil.”

"Ian. The late emperor said that he did not want to sacrifice anyone. He wanted to grasp the wave of the times with his own hands... and you know the result."

Ian could only sigh.

Everything that Inaga II did did pointed out the way for those who came after him. All the reforms he made can be attributed to the guidance of Inega II. In this way, there will be people like Master Gosei to help him. , recognize yourself.

However, his failure also caused Ian's current predicament.

That is, almost everyone is not optimistic about the kind of values ​​​​and choices represented by Inaga II.

Because it has failed. It has proven elusive. It proves that the people cannot help the king through difficulties except to support him.

Therefore, the kings of Terra became more and more willful and focused on the results rather than the process.

After all, this is a world different from Earth.

With such a sigh, Ian's will became stronger.

At this point, he is already on his own path. He is not Inaga II, nor is he Axel, the Keeper of the Land. The leader he wants to become and the society he wants to create are completely different from everyone on Terra. same.

Marquis Barton stared silently at the profile of the young lord in front of him, and sighed slightly.

soon.

The airboat sailed across the sky and the earth, and Ian and Marquis Barton arrived in the Western Territory.

The moment Ian arrived in the Western Region, he noticed that there was an extra city where he and others were going.

A city located on a super giant black platform, armed to the teeth with multiple riveted steam-steel turrets!

It was also at this time... While Ian was still overlooking this strange steel city that had suddenly appeared in the West for some unknown reason, a thunderous sound exploded from the core of the city. .

Immediately afterwards, driven by the blue inscription circuit flowing throughout the city, amid the rumbling thunder, and under Ian's eyes wide open with a look of disbelief on his face, it began to move...or rather, It starts to levitate!

Buzz——

Terra 775, July 24, 7:35.

As the sunset was slowly setting, a black city slowly rose above the earth.

Announcing the coming of a new era of war.