Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest

Tashina subdued all the opponents with thunderous methods.

Roman paid no attention to this matter.

He was intensely preparing the subsequent war plans.

Although the Lion Territory was in ruins, much like a freshly plowed dark soil, it still needed watering and patient cultivation.

But Roman had no time; even with all his efforts, he could only sort out the most basic parts of the Lion Territory.

Next, he couldn't stop; he had to keep moving forward.

Now he had a vast space to showcase his talents, the entire land was his stage, not a mere corner as in the past.

According to Roman and Tashina's agreement.

One went north, the other went west.

Tashina chose to go west, advancing toward Black Castle and Divine Mysterious.

While Roman was the northern attacker, seizing the lands of the northern Nobles and Pirates.

They would set out to conquer the land, sweeping away their respective enemies.

...

The sky was barely lit.

A country path, horses galloping swiftly, heading straight for Wormwood Village.

Edmund came upon hearing the news, his eye sockets dark, his face somber, not with the grogginess of just waking up, but as if he'd stayed up half the night.

He hesitantly asked, "Do we need to complete the assembly today?"

The messenger forcefully reined in the horse at the village entrance, the horse snorting, the saddle tilted with a small flag of the Thorny Iron Ring.

The messenger said firmly, "Your Highness has given orders, he has arrived at the Lion Territory, ordering us to assemble in the shortest time, march north, Sergeant, do you have any doubts?"

"No, none..." Edmund frowned, looking haggard, "It's just so sudden."

"This is not sudden at all, Sergeant, do not linger here too long, you must remain vigilant, focus on the road ahead!" The messenger replied.

"I understand, since Your Highness commands, we will obey resolutely!" Edmund replied firmly.

Focusing on the road ahead, does it mean what's beneath your feet shouldn't matter? He wondered, quite troubled.

At Wormwood Village, nothing had been completed, everything was only half done, now they had to leave, leaving behind such a mess. For Professional Soldiers trapped in labor, it was a kind of liberation, meaning they were freed from endless heavy farmwork, but he was a Sergeant, a River Valley officer should have higher awareness.

Edmund was somewhat discontented in his heart, but he could not voice it, otherwise it would be questioning Roman's decision.

"That's good! Sergeant, if there are difficulties, you must overcome them, today's assembly must be completed!" The messenger said and then sped off, heading to the next place.

Edmund looked back at Wormwood Village in the morning light, half-repaired rooftops, many logs still unprocessed in the clearing, the compost piled some time ago, the kitchen just laid a foundation, the village entrance road not yet leveled...

This village was simple and barren, scarred everywhere from damage, yet now, it appeared peaceful and serene, everyone was asleep, the wounds slowly healing in dreams.

Was he about to break this atmosphere with his own hands?

Edmund's eyes were reluctant, but he had no choice.

"Whew..."

The piercing assembly horn echoed through the tranquil village.

Villagers had little reaction, yet the sleeping soldiers shuddered awake in shock.

"Emergency assembly! Emergency assembly!!" The five Squadron Leaders instinctively yelled upon opening their eyes.

All the soldiers instantly turned into chaos, upon hearing the death knell-like whistle, each with their scalps tingling, hurriedly getting up.

Soldiers who were slow to wake were rummaging through boxes, dressing and tying their clothes, while the first batch of awakened soldiers were heading to the temporary armory to collect weapons.

Not long after, under the urging of each Squadron Leader, all the soldiers gathered at the clearing at the village entrance.

In addition, the clerks assigned to Wormwood Village were also drawn by the commotion, this was the first time after a month of living together that they had seen the emergency assembly of the troops.

Edmund looked at the assembled formation, succinctly saying: "Your Highness commands the full assembly of the army, we need to gather with the other squadrons, now everyone, go to the kitchen to collect rations, time is limited, we must set out immediately!"

Every brigade had been split up at the Lion Territory, stationed locally and unevenly distributed, gathering five squadrons was no simple task.

"Sergeant Edmund, you're setting off..." Once the soldiers dispersed, clerk Frit walked over with a face of surprise, knowing that this squadron wouldn't stay long in Wormwood Village, that was the consensus, but not expecting it to be so sudden.

A layer of gloom shadowed Edmund's face, he said: "Lord Roman has ordered."

"I understand, I understand," Frit nodded, saying.

The River Valley People had a profound understanding of their King's decisive style, once his orders were given, they rarely changed easily.

Another clerk, Gloer, said: "But the stones in the field haven't been picked clean yet..."

Frit sighed: "Gloer, they're going to war."

They had long heard the rumors, Lord Roman was about to march north, the Origin and Fertility cities would provide maximum logistical support for the impending expedition, no one could stay here any longer.

Gloer was fully aware of this, but couldn't accept the current situation of four-fifths of Wormwood Village's labor force leaving collectively.

This meant that what was barely operational in Wormwood Village was now on the brink of collapse, all plans needed to be overhauled.

To them, the civilian officials who would discuss until midnight whether they should build a public restroom tomorrow with Edmund, it was like descending into Hell.

"Sergeant sir..." Some villagers were also woken up, Bena the villager came walking over, twisting the corner of her clothes, nervously watching the lined-up soldiers collecting rations.

"Just call me Edmund," the Sergeant turned to her and said.

"Sergeant Edmund sir, where are you going?" she said with a heap of prefixes.

Edmund stared resolutely at the villager before him, carefully examining the trust, apprehension, plea, and wavering hope like wild grass in her eyes, and the equally heavy emotions of the villagers behind her.

"We will journey afar," Edmund finally said truthfully.

His chin beard was extremely rough, his facial angles sharp, his eye sockets dark and deep, his body strong, unremarkable in appearance, yet in the villagers' eyes, he was like a Guardian God standing tall.

Bena was first stunned, as if she understood, she nodded in confusion: "Oh, you're leaving now."

"Yes."

"That thing called a restroom... isn't finished yet."

"Mm."

"Yesterday, uncle with the limp was lazy again, complaining his leg hurt."

"Mm."

"I also saw Ross eating the stable's beans."

"Mm."

Bena spoke of unrelated and chaotic matters, mostly recent sightings, as if trying to use this way to retain something.

Until now, this squadron had established a deep bond with the village's residents.

Edmund gently promised: "I know what you're saying, one day, we will return."

All soldiers collected their rations, standing not far awaiting orders from their Squadron Leader.

Here, they had plowed like oxen, labored earnestly and genuinely, doing all the strenuous work, yet now they gathered solemnly and coldly.

Gloer sighed: "The stones in the field are not picked clean yet..."

Without these strong laborers, who knows how enormous this workload is.

"Gentlemen, ladies, this depends on you now," Edmund said to Gloer, "May it be when I return here, it has been built as beautifully as the River Valley."