Chapter 170 (1/2)

The Navarre Duchy was a small territory with a population of 2 million located in the northwest of the Baroque Empire.

It was mainly founded by the immigrants from the Volga Republic who had entered the Baroque Empire.

There was a reason why the Baroque Empire, which was greedy for territorial expansion, left the Navarre state without capturing it.

Navarre, which had a poor land, was the land for nomadic herdsmen who raised sheep and goat. The specialties of the place were leather, cheese production and a small amount of copper mine in the north of the region.

The empire judged the region as something that wouldn’t be able to provide much profit even after the empire took over it.

In addition, the poor state suffered from monsters that came from the western grasslands every year.

A few times a month, Orcs or goblins flocked into the crowded living areas.

Occasionally, large monsters such as trolls or Ogres appeared.

If the empire wanted to occupy it, they would have to support the people with food and necessities, and there was a possibility for the monsters to enter the empire.

Thus, the empire decided to satisfy its hunger by making the Navarre duchy as a tributary.

Sometimes the empire assisted them.

They gave out a junk piece of Gigant just before turning it into scrap, or sometimes they gave them military money for expenditures.

The Navarre duchy used its forces to build strongholds against monsters on the western border and deployed troops including Gigants.

Marvin was one of the rangers on the 3rd fort.

One of the most elite ranger units in the Navarre was stationed to infiltrate the western grassland outside their borders and identify any monsters.

“Take a break in here.”

At the small but clear words of their captain, dozens of soldiers who were moving secretly gathered in one place.

They all filled their hunger with biscuits and water that they brought and looked around the place. It was because they never knew where a monster would appear and attack them.

“Captain, do we have to go this deep? The monsters have been silent for a few months.”

The captain shrugged at the question of Marvin and answered in a deep tone, “Further.”

“Further?” Asked Marvin.

“Yes, it is strange that the monsters are quite rather ominous and disturbing… We need to go further into the grasslands to know more.”

“If you’re nervous, the monsters will end up scouting us,” said Marvin.

There were beasts and monsters on the meadows.

No matter how elite one was, the survival of the rangers couldn’t be guaranteed once they entered deep into the grasslands.

“For now, we will be going to the Eagle Rock Valley so save as much as you can.”