Holy Mule and Horse Empire

Arda's increased support for the Royal Family was not merely motivated by a desire to retaliate against Giles.

When Hansel Abbott returned north by land, a fleet also sailed north from the Western Port, carrying various breeds of horses raised by the Aldo Royal Family.

The Royal Family had established several large horse ranches in its directly administered territories, and the horses they produced continuously supported the Royal Family's military strength.

The Northwest Bay was now beginning to face the threat of the orc armies directly. During the last invasion, the mobility of the Orcish Cavalry had left a deep impression on Paul.

Although the Arda Army had relied on its far superior discipline and weapons to hold the invaders firmly outside the Northwest Bay, it was still in a passive defensive position overall.

The Orcish Cavalry continued to range freely across the lands north of Aldo outside the Northwest Bay, while the Arda Army, lacking long-range projection capabilities, could only stare helplessly at the evil unfolding right before its eyes.

Thus, building up a powerful horse administration and a powerful cavalry was put on the agenda.

King Rodney XVIII strongly approved of the Northwest Bay's plan. When Hansel conveyed Paul's wishes to him, the king pondered for a moment before assigning someone to accompany Hansel to the Royal Family's horse ranches to select horses.

In fact, at first, Rhodesney XVIII had been somewhat worried—not that he feared the Northwest Bay would grow too powerful and threaten him, but because he was also building a new army and needed a large number of horses.

However, the quantity Hansel mentioned dispelled the king's concerns. The Northwest Bay's first purchase would consist of only around a thousand horses, which was nothing significant to the Royal Family.

He even began worrying about Paul.