Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest

Earl Filin had already sent a messenger to contact Tashina.

The venue for this invitation was a verdant meadow dotted with Valeriana officinalis and wildflowers.

Over ten Golden Lion Knights accompanied Earl Filin.

While the White Steel Princess had arrived early.

She stood in white, in this desolate spring.

The world knows her as powerful and resilient, beautiful and cold, living up to the blood of Ioannos.

Thus, Earl Filin smiled and declared his loyalty to her, loyal to the royal bloodline within her.

He brought the banner of the Lion Territory—a majestic golden lion leaping on a black background, with a heart of loyalty burning hot.

Tashina did not respond, her posture silent as a statue, her features striking, and her hair like a red river.

The official Iron Throne flag fluttered loudly behind her.

"Your Highness, Princess?" The Earl called softly.

He thought she should be excited and joyful, examining whether he was worthy of her loyalty, even arrogantly.

Ultimately, she would agree, as it would be entirely beneficial to her.

But silence alone was not expected.

With this, the Earl's face lost its smile, gradually growing uneasy.

"My lord, please return." A group appeared suddenly, their iron hooves trampling the wild grass. Jet and Dick arrived with Silver Moon Knights.

The cold wind tore at a flag of the Thorny Iron Ring, with each iron spike bearing sharpness.

Deputy Commander Dick's face was calm: "No one will accept your loyalty."

"Your Highness, Princess, I only invited you, no one else!" The Earl's heart seemed to plunge into the abyss, suspecting betrayal.

At the moment the Silver Moon Knights appeared, the Golden Lion Knights grew intensely uneasy, steering their warhorses closer to the Earl, ready to escort him back to the castle should a great upheaval occur.

Tashina spoke up: "No one will take action during negotiations."

She made a promise, firm as iron, and the Earl felt somewhat at ease.

He maintained his composure, addressing the two commanders and the Silver Moon Knights: "You are overstepping!"

The Earl accused the River Valley side of improperly interfering with his negotiations with Iota Hina, as all Nobles would adhere to their sacred agreements.

Jet answered, "Her Highness, Princess, entrusted my lord to assist in managing the Lion Territory."

The Earl's chest heaved violently, his tone sinister as he asked, "So, will my land belong to the Princess in the future? Or to Roman? Only one can decide!"

Jet replied, "Naturally, it is the former."

The Earl's face grew increasingly grim: "Then it should be answered by our noble Her Highness, Princess, should it not?"

Jet moved his lips but was unable to refute.

He received the news, promptly leading his men to come.

He feared that Her Highness, Princess, would agree to the Earl's loyalty for immediate benefit.

This was highly possible!

And he had followed Roman for seven years, knowing Roman's deep hatred for the old forces.

His Highness deemed the old forces reactionary.

This group opposed progress and social change, acting as the cancer of humanity, and must be dealt with without mercy!

Purging the old forces is an inevitable part of Roman's conquest of the land, and the spilled blood is merely the growing pains of the era.

If Iota Hina agrees, conflicts are sure to arise!

Jet wished to prevent all this.

But does this action overstep boundaries? Constituting an affront to the Royal Princess?

None of them knew.

Tashina's gaze swept coldly around.

She had her judgment, having already made a decision before receiving the news.

But now, with the appearance of both Golden Lion Knights and Silver Moon Knights, the gold and silver confrontation truly broadened her horizons!

She self-proclaimed as the Black Iron King, yet none acknowledged it.

To date, they still refer to her as Princess.

Her wasteful brother was pushed onto the Black Iron Throne at Black Castle by Duke Fury, able to mobilize armies of tens of thousands.

Riptide's expedition, Oak's self-proclamation, Fury standing behind the Black Iron Throne, ruling everything.

But what about her?

She now must spare no effort to strengthen herself!

Among the blood heirs of the kings, a savior will be born—the prophecy still feels like a thorn in her throat.

The legend speaks of an endless long night approaching, with darkness set to engulf the Human Clan fully.

In the depths of the boiling ocean, at the icy plain's end... terrifying alien race enemies will be born...

"Tana, you have the eyes of a king." Her father's words echoed in her ears. "Wear your crown, lift your Sword of Light..."

She never prays, yet she is demanded.

Following Ioannos, the White Knights have taught her this way since childhood.

They shaped her into a qualified ruler, believing she would be reborn in adversity.

Even to this day, the White Knights silently watch all her decisions, following her through life and death.

Tashina gently closed her eyes.

Everything vanished like a mirage, leaving only the path forward at her feet...

"Earl, go back." She had given her response.

Earl Filin's face was shocked, terrified, aghast, hysterical!

"Do you know what you are saying! Whom do you think you've refused? You've refused the Filin Family's centuries-old prestige built in the Lion Territory! Even the Conqueror of the past had to rely on our strength!"

Tashina's gaze opened and closed, coldly replied: "Thus, I must not repeat the mistakes of my ancestors; I have my path to follow!"

She was bold and ambitious, her sharp words cutting like a blade.

There was a moment when a white flame flickered on her forehead, like a dazzling crown, yet vanished in an instant.

Earl Filin retreated a step in fright.

But soon, he became furious, shouting angrily, "You will regret this!"

"I am the king of the earth! You dare insult me!" Tashina's eyes took on a radiant sheen, imposing and brilliant, with an overwhelming pressure.

The White Knights responded to their king's wrath, drawing their swords in unison, holding them in hand.

This was the legendary military force, the Surging Wave Knights were no match.

Earl Filin was utterly terrified, and his warhorse went mad as if startled; he grasped the reins, fleeing in panic.

Tashina did not pursue, instead focusing her gaze on Jet and others.

"I did not choose Roman; I simply chose the right path," she said. "Don't teach me what to do, Sword Master, there won't be a second time unless Roman wishes to be my enemy!"

She turned to leave, leaving Jet in silent contemplation.

…

That day, Roman received this report.

"Ignore it, swiftly pacify the Lion Territory." He responded, rolling up the letter and placing it in a tube on the raven's leg.

Roman believed Tashina had lost trust in the noble forces.

Firstly, during the battle of the Heavenly Pegasus Plain, Black Castle suffered a fierce attack from Church Authority forces.

Back then, most Nobles were fence-sitters, aided neither the Church nor Iolion, only daring to choose sides once the dust settled, behaving like insects.

Who can guarantee it won't happen again?

Tashina fought on the front lines; who can assure that Earl Filin's sworn loyalty won't turn into betrayal at the critical moment?

Furthermore, Roman also believes Tashina chose not him, but rather higher productivity.

The River Valley system, although not advocating democracy, freedom, harmony, and equality, at least allows workers to earn their labor's due.

Yet compared to the foul feudal slave system, it's basically at a comprehensive crushing level.

Tashina should have realized this for a long time.

Or else she wouldn't have chosen to entrust Roman with helping her govern the Lion Territory.

Trusting the right people is basic wisdom for a ruler.