War had never been the goal, so Ryan had always kept his attention on the road behind him and that city.
The changes in Oren City had been deliberately controlled by him. The village-and-town system across this land was gradually taking shape and needed a central location. Oren City was the only choice.
He believed in the idea of win-win cooperation, and he also believed that someone had to be strong enough to guide the attitude behind that win-win cooperation.
Grand Duke Oren was indispensable, and his own authoritative rule over this land could not be absent either.
Within three to five years, this barren land would regain vitality after the disaster of the Abyss invasion. When that time came, the world's origin would favor this land, giving birth to lush grasslands and fertile soil. To Ryan, this would be a granary capable of sustaining countless people. "As for the empire, I'm afraid it'll be very hard for them to send any new military support. Of the thirty thousand men this time, ten thousand were pulled from Blazing Snow Province." "In order to preserve Floyd's prestige, the Council of Elders will support him with all they have. Count William said as much too. Besides, the army I need cannot be a servant army."
"For military support on the battlefield from now on, there's no way to rely on the empire. The Elves and the Wansu Kingdom, however, will keep raising their stakes." "I still have to hurry up and train troops."
Ryan's confidence lay in the other world beyond the Planar Gate. The legion formed by the Bull-men and the thousands of soldiers under the Barbary Lion banner were all living forces he would use against the Elves next.
And now, all he had to do was wait for the