Chapter 578 (1/2)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Junero’s departure didn’t have much of an effect on Sui Xiong.

Though this “scholar emperor” hadn’t been emperor of the Orcs for very long, he’d accumulated a great amount of power. On top of that, rather than dying, he’d done the equivalent of ascending to the heavens in broad daylight. Such a feat meant that not only did he not lose relevance after leaving the Mortal Plane, but he actually became more famous than before.

In a situation like this, there was great meaning in the succeeding Orc Emperor—”Iron Teeth” Ilo—strictly adhering to Junero’s policies. As for those ambitious folks hidden throughout the Orc Empire, they behaved for now. None of them wanted to stand out among the crowd.

Everyone knew this state of affairs wouldn’t last long. Emperor Ilo had his own understanding of how to rule a country and would have his own plans in the future. But whatever anyone said, there wasn’t anything wrong with maintaining the status quo for now. Even if you wanted to stir up trouble, it was best to wait and see first, spending a few days in getting a feel for this new emperor’s approach to things.

The surrounding countries virtually all had the same reaction, and they calmed down for the time being.

Everyone knew that the Orcs were a warlike race and that the ascension of a new emperor would necessitate war and victory to establish his strength. The current Orc Empire was like a steel plate covered in sharp thorns; only someone with rocks for brains would foolishly run headlong into that!

Although this world had never lacked in either geniuses or fools, someone who could become ruler of a country most certainly couldn’t be a fool. Even Woods Igor, who Leon had once ridiculed, was at least considered smart enough not to make such a weak-minded mistake as this—and he was a man with mediocre ability. He’d seized the throne with the help of the Church of the God of Aristocracy only to be abandoned by that same church. To his dying day, Wood could never clear up the mystery behind why they’d helped him or why they’d left.

But the borders of the Orc Empire calming down did not necessarily mean that all the countries across the continent of the Main Plane were completely peaceful.

Barely a few days later, the Kingdom of Thousands of Springs began summoning its army. They decreed that they were once more expanding their borders into the Mountain of Broken Cloud to take the fertile, mineral-rich land from the hands of the barbarous dwarves.

This world’s level of civilization was slightly lacking compared to that of Earth. For example, when each country issued decrees, it generally wasn’t as erudite or cunning as when done on Earth. This decree from the Kingdom of Thousands of Springs clearly and plainly said that they would be plundering the dwarves of their silver, gold, and other valuable mineral resources; there wasn’t even the slightest pretense of concealing their intentions.

“Developing our borders is the basis upon which our Kingdom of Thousands of Springs was founded, our fundamental national policy. In the past, we have diligently marched onwards into the forests and mountains, capturing rich and fertile wealth for ourselves, thus allowing our country to ceaselessly expand, and allowing our people to live rich and peaceful lives. Now it is once more the time to march toward the mountains! These next few days, we will be recruiting any and all brave fighters willing to join the expeditionary force and fight to take the Mountain of Broken Cloud; all who join will be given preferential pay!”

Sui Xiong slowly finished reading this announcement, then laughed coldly as he said, “This is much too straightforward; is the Kingdom of Thousands of Springs really that tyrannical?”

“As a powerful and constantly invading country, the Kingdom of Thousands of Springs has always been this way.” Easter sighed. “Regardless of whether it’s the Kingdom of Eagle to the north, with its recently-added Duchy of Griffon, the Kingdom of the Blue Moon to the east, or the elves of the Ancient Forest to the southwest—all are targets for them to invade. The Kingdom of Dwarfs in the Mountain of Broken Cloud is comparatively the weakest of these, so of course, they would choose the Kingdom of Dwarfs to attack.

“You might not believe this, but the Kingdom of Thousands of Springs once even considered using large-scale Transportation portals as a springboard with which to attack the Mifata Federation. This wasn’t just a plan, either—they really did begin deploying them. If the Mifata Federation’s spies hadn’t found out about it and sent the information back home, I’m afraid they really would have gone through those portals and invaded the Federation…”

The high-level members of the Republic of Northwest were all dumbstruck at this, unable to believe what they’d just heard.

“Why don’t I have the slightest recollection of this?” Leon asked curiously. “When did it happen?”