Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest

The surroundings were dark and deep.

He felt as if he was falling, feeling the heat, black smoke swirling, flames burning, countless cries echoing.

He smelled the strong scent of sulfur...

The fury came roaring in!

...

"Your Highness?" Shasta softly called in his ear.

Roman abruptly opened his eyes and asked, "What time is it now?"

"It's late morning, are you feeling unwell?" Shasta asked somewhat worriedly.

The Conquest Knights were immune to ordinary diseases, likely the Ghost Dream has entangled him again.

Roman said, "I'm fine."

He went over the previous night's events in his mind and knew what needed to be done today.

Roman didn't dine at the castle, hurriedly taking two pieces of bread, stuffed with bacon, rode off on horseback, eating as he traveled.

Hurriedly rushing along the way.

Finally arriving at the support camp, he saw the Oak soldiers ready for departure.

"Sir Enya, thank you for your selfless assistance, and please also convey my regards to Duke Ryan," Roman nodded slightly to the Son of Oak.

Enya's eyes were like emeralds, shimmering with a gentle gleam.

His smile was beautifully radiant, saying, "I will, Lord Roman."

He was going back to report, to tell his Duke father everything that had happened here.

But the matters with Princess Tashina were not easy to report... Enya thought, a hint of distress appearing on his handsome face.

"I'll see you off," Roman made an inviting gesture.

Tashina aided him not without gain, she obtained the Lion Territory as her base...

Though it was a transaction.

The Son of Oak truly assisted selflessly.

Dozens of Oak soldiers were to fight and die here—they could have enjoyed life in the Oak Territory.

Enya's name meant emerald in Elvish, Roman thought of him as exceptionally good-natured, gentle, and brave after interacting for over a year.

Roman had nothing to repay with.

He noticed these Oaks liked to eat rice; the southern climate was warm, so he judged the Oak Territory suitable for rice cultivation. Thus, he sent some genetically superior rice seeds and planting methods.

However, without Gwivelle, the superior traits of the rice seeds might quickly fade.

"Lord Roman, where is your army headed?" they conversed as they walked.

Roman spoke lightly, "Once I've dealt with the Church Court and Pirates, we'll see, they're the first batch of enemies."

If someone else said this, Enya would think them arrogant, but coming from Roman it seemed fitting, a fierce beast was already unleashed.

He even felt that, even without reinforcements, Roman could guard his territory, and no one could step beyond the line.

"Will you go south?" Enya asked unreservedly.

"The Oak Territory is peaceful now, I want to go to the war-torn land."

Enya sighed, "I fear most will not welcome you."

Roman pondered, "If one desires peace, one must prepare for war. Whoever prepares for war, I will give them war."

Enya was quite shocked. He said bitterly, "I don't know whether to welcome you."

Roman's face lost its smile, his voice was gentle yet firm, "Little gemstone, the grand trend cannot be reversed, you must know, Heavenly Destiny is upon us."

...

He stopped walking, watching the Oak soldiers depart.

"Is the aid from the Lion Territory ready?"

"Ready, Your Highness," Shasta nodded.

"Set off to the Lion Territory then."

He had woken up late, today's schedule would be busy, he held the reins, returning to Fertile Castle, but saw an old man with a white beard standing at the castle gate.

Roman frowned, "Galin, it's rare to see you."

This person was a defector from the Church Court, long secluded in the mountains, having a similar experience to Jet and others.

Ever since Galin helped Gwivelle with Spell initiation, he had quietly disappeared from Roman's sights, fearing to attract his attention. Later, with the arrival of the Witches, Roman further sidestepped him, as Galin never truly served him.

Now, seeking him out voluntarily, it must be important.

"Speak."

Galin looked solemn, "I am an Astrologer!"

Roman nodded and said, "You have said so, what's more?"

"Astrologers gaze at the stars, observe celestial paths, receive insights through the Star Realm... and yesterday, I saw a star go awry, a crimson comet cross the night sky, do you know what this means?"

Roman fixed his gaze on the dirty old man—his beard fluffy and dense, skin wrinkled, but only his eyes were bright and clear, extremely spirited.

"I am busy, I urge you to speak directly."

"The celestial bodies have returned to position! This is a mighty omen! The land will face violent change!"

Roman said coldly, "It has already changed! Now the ground is filled with war everywhere, and the greatest war stands before you! Old man, you are blind!"

Galin spoke heavily, "I speak of calamity! Darkness will sweep back! The Dragon Clan is one, but not all. Now the time has come, the stars have aligned, they will reappear, emerging from ancient history, from folklore, from lost ages!"

"Why are you telling me this?"

Galin stared at Roman: "You have to fight it, this is the responsibility of all rulers of the Human Clan, to protect your people."

Roman frowned, pursed his lips, and said nothing.

To this day, he still does not believe those horrifying legends, even though Tashina has mentioned the Dark Age many times, even though he has dreamed repeatedly...

"Time, place!"

"Uh..."

Roman turned and walked towards the castle: "You know nothing, what can I do?"

Galin persistently followed behind Roman.

He gave numerous vague answers: "Extreme north? North? No, perhaps in the south? Yes, in the south! Time, midsummer? Maybe late summer, end of midsummer, winter descends..."

"Turn right, everything you see is south." Roman mocked.

He didn't stop as he strode towards the bedroom like a whirlwind, unbuckling his belt, and taking off his coat.

Galin consistently stayed behind him.

He said, "I remind you to take this seriously, I am not exaggerating!"

The old priest was knowledgeable, proficient in Divine Arts, certainly no ordinary person.

Roman also felt he wasn't senile and glanced at him: "Then I should remind you, I'm going to change clothes now."

When Galin left, Shasta brought a cloak for Roman to wear, whispering, "Your Highness, do you really believe?"

"I don't believe anyone's idle talk..." Roman gazed at himself in the mirror.

"But it's best to be prepared!" His brown hair and red eyes were calm.

...

Stone Castle.

Hena learned of Makor's return from the expedition, went to greet him, and personally removed his cloak, her movements gentle and graceful.

Hena's brown hair and red eyes marked her noble heritage.

She was the legal wife of the Duke of Fury's eldest son and also the Lady Lord of Bright Moon Red Tree Castle, now moving to Stone Castle to become its future mistress.

She said, "Makor, Father is waiting for you."

Makor had no time for a reunion with his wife and hurried away.

He knew his father had been the Regent King in Black Castle for the past two years, which was not without tasks, he reviewed all the tomes in the Conqueror's Court, seeking traces of the Guardian of Alster, and ultimately found some clues.

The hall of the Duke of Fury was a spacious circular room, with walls made of Black Stone, four tall and narrow windows facing the four cardinal directions, with stone tables placed inside.

The location was very high up, with wind gusts like the endless tides.

The Regent King of Black Iron, the Duke of Fury, sat within, his face resembling a coastal reef, severely weathered by wind, and asked: "What do you feel?"

Makor, who had just entered, remained silent for a moment, and said: "Roman's army disciplines tightly!"

"Disciplined, nine victories in ten battles." The Duke said, "That's a newborn authority... Don't focus on the River Valley anymore."

"Why?"

"When they gather together, they are extremely strong, no one can destroy them, not the Church Court, not you, you need to make them disperse their strength... He's unbeatable in the River Valley, but that doesn't mean he's also unbeatable when facing the entire Black Iron Land, if he can't govern the vast territory of Liangtu, the more territory he conquers, the more dispersed his strength will be, the more flaws will appear, ultimately disarray will lead to collapse..."

"Father, what if Roman's authority doesn't collapse?" Makor recalled the rumors heard when withdrawing troops, hearing of the actions of the River Valley Army, suddenly feeling an unknown fear.

Roman is indulging in a covetous invasion!

Not a simple invasion of Nobles vs. Nobles, Nobles vs. King, Nobles vs. Church Court.

But a ruthless invasion of one order upon another!

In the past, no one knew what kind of order Roman established.

The world only knew the River Valley was indescribable, capable of producing armor for a legion of ten thousand soldiers, all brave and unafraid of death, Roman was an anomaly among the Nobles.

They knew the River Valley King was hiding in that desolate area, dabbling in some sort of witchcraft.

Now, the witchcraft became complete.

When they tried to stop it, it was already too late.

The River Valley beast fully exposed its ferocious claws!

Noble warfare abruptly transformed into ideological warfare!

A war of higher order overthrowing lower order!

A war of crushing, a war of obliteration!

A war of life and death!

Makor, this traditional military Noble, suddenly shivered!

She knew, once Roman was victorious, nobody would escape the fate of slaughter.

Now, Roman would inevitably expand his power greatly.

But would this really cause him to overextend?

His methods are very ruthless, willing to distribute food to the starving population!

Pine said in a hoarse voice: "The dice is cast, the wood already formed... The moment Roman chose to cross the River Valley border, he was already at odds with all of us. Let's go, Makor, to face the fate of our clan."

The Duke of Fury stood up, looking towards the north.

Stone Castle was located inland, far from the ocean.

He knew, even though the Fury Bloodline had already been lost, the ocean still called out to all the deep-sea people...