Chapter 20: Withdrawal
The increase in crop yield has its limits.
It's not the limit of crop genetics, but the limit of the external environment.
Wheat, cotton, sugarcane, vegetables, and other crops may have the potential for improvement.
But rice, after many rounds of breeding blessings, has already reached its potential for improvement.
Currently, Origin City's rice can yield high crops solely by relying on excellent crops.
However, pests, fertilizers, soil, and climate are all external factors that reduce yields and have nothing to do with crop varieties.
The closer you get to the limit, the weaker Gwivelle's casting effects become.
There are ways to break through the limit.
Developing pesticides, synthesizing fertilizers, scientific dense planting, and hybrid breeding can break through the current limits and continue to improve agricultural yields.
Roman doesn't have these conditions, so continuing to increase yields is a luxury. He can only rely on Gwivelle to ensure that the good traits selected do not degrade.
...
The two walked side by side onto the stone arch bridge, passing through the checkpoint guarded by the guards.
At that moment, they heard a clatter of iron hooves behind them.
Laisa was the first to notice. She looked back, frowned, and saw a squad of Silver-armored Knights riding towards them.
The Silver Moon Knights are far superior to ordinary Conquest Knights, costly, and are Roman's strongest armed force. They don't easily move out, let alone appear in a squad.
"Lady Laisa!" The leading knight reined in his horse and saluted her. "Gwivelle!" The knight then looked at Gwivelle.
"Brother Green!" Gwivelle was a bit surprised. Unlike the carefree Green in her memory, at this moment, he was wearing silver armor, noble and upright.
Laisa asked, "Lord Green, where are you going?"
"I am responsible for taking them to Your Highness," Green replied, "After that, I don't know."
Laisa was pensive.
...
They arrived at Fertile Castle, with Roman waiting for them in the castle hall.
A group of Silver Moon Knights remained outside, while Green and Deputy Captain Herman stepped into the hall, accompanied by Gwivelle and Laisa.
Just as they entered, they saw Roman sitting at the main seat, propping his cheek with one hand, quietly pondering.
The other witches had all returned from the military camp and were now sitting on both sides.
At that moment, the atmosphere was stilled, as if the air had solidified.
Gwivelle saw Sanna sitting in an inconspicuous spot and winked at her.
Gwivelle couldn't help but smile, quietly leaving the group and approaching Sanna.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?" Laisa bowed and said.
Roman returned to his senses, looked at Laisa, and suddenly sighed.
"Honestly, I don't want you to go to Winter Land."
Valia has been sleeping in the Northern regions for years, and the Prophet hopes to awaken her. This depends on the Silver Moon Gem.
At the moment he learned of this, Roman even felt that the Prophet's help in planning for the Silver Moon Gem was ultimately to awaken Valia.
The Frost Witch with giant bloodline flowing in her veins.
Roman had long heard of Valia's deeds.
Seven years ago, Shasta rode a giant eagle, traveling alone to Winter Land in search of a miracle, eventually bringing Valia back to Witch Forest.
Later, Valia played a significant role in a battle in the Holy City. At the last moment, she broke out of the Holy City with her companions, near death herself, and had to fall into a deep sleep, forever sealed in an ice coffin.
Even without casting spells, Valia's physical qualities could rival those of a High Rank Knight.
This was a very good thing.
After all, Roman never hesitated to invest to seek greater returns in the future.
But the Prophet predicted in a letter that this situation was fraught with danger, with high risks. Malicious forces lurking in the Extreme North Icefield would reveal their claws, secretly working, likely yielding unfavorable results.
The current situation is no longer like it was seven years ago, where one could accomplish things alone in Cangyue.
The land is in upheaval, and Winter Land's turmoil began years ago. Roman's early slaves included Winter Land people; there are too many unforeseen factors.
This is a complete journey to a foreign land, not something that can be returned from in ten days or half a month.
"I will follow your arrangements." Laisa agreed readily.
"I've agreed to send Silver Moon Knights and your sisters to accompany you."
The Prophet valued Valia greatly and hoped Roman would attempt it despite the risks.
Laisa asked in confusion, "But isn't the road to the outside world blocked?"
A full contingent of Silver Moon Knights couldn't possibly breakthrough encirclement. Even if they did, they would die from subsequent pursuits.
Roman's face eased instantly, and he tapped the war report on the table with his finger.
"Makor has started withdrawing his troops."
After half a year of confrontation, after fighting two large-scale battles and countless skirmishes.
But after the harsh winter passed, Black Iron couldn't hold on any longer.
More accurately, the Black Iron Nobles couldn't hold on any longer.
Signs showed the coalition was falling apart. One noble after another, taking their armed forces, left the Lion Territory without looking back.
The combined power of the Black Iron King and the Pope was immense, but this might was wearing thin. Repeated failures left many nobles unable to obey the Black Castle any longer.
They had fought for so long, spending money and grain with no benefit. I'm done playing with you!
A large number of nobles retreat, leaving Stone Castle and the Lion Territory's forces unable to hold on alone, and Makor wouldn't stay long either.
This news was also why Roman agreed to take a gamble.
Green asked, "Do I need to go too?"
"No, you have more important things to do."
Green is Roman's right-hand man, and with this mission potentially lasting three to five months, he can't leave Green for that long.
"Herman, take twenty Silver Moon Knights… and Witches Gwen, Monica, Zelda, Saya, Ilse…" Roman looked at each, slowly naming them.
"Clang!"
Roman turned to look, his expression darkened a bit.
He was discussing serious matters on stage, while Sanna and Gwivelle were playing a game of musical chairs below. Bumping into each other, the chair fell, and they both ended up in a heap, hurriedly getting up and standing properly.
"It's all your fault…" Sanna whispered.
Gwivelle widened her eyes, "You pushed too hard."
Hearing them still blaming each other, Roman's brow twitched.
"Out!" he said.
"Your Highness, you haven't finished. Am I going too?" Sanna anxiously asked.
Oh no, trouble caused, lucky Kao isn't here, or we'd be scolded again.
"Out!" Roman looked at her coldly.
Sanna was originally on the list; her talent could help the expeditionary force avoid many troubles, being the best path scout and scout, with decent combat strength.
But now, it seems, she's still too young.
"Yes…" Sanna said bitterly, having no choice but to withdraw from the hall.
"Then I'm leaving too." Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Gwivelle said softly, hurriedly fleeing the scene.
After they left, Roman continued, "Kela and Fulina should go too."
One could fly, the other has large-scale sonic attacks, they should be useful.
The special squad leader, with twenty Silver Moon Knights, plus seven middle-rank Battle Witches, and Laisa, who possesses the Silver Moon Gem, this level of force is strong enough to assault a middle-rank noble's castle.