Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest

This place used to be a pasture, now it is the gathering point for the entire army.

First, Edmund joined the rest of the squadron, and then, under the leadership of Strategist Philip and the Guard Battalion Leader, they gathered on this field.

They marched for dozens of miles, relying only on their legs, traversing rugged roads, and upon reaching the final point, they were utterly exhausted. Only their tenacious spirit kept them from collapsing into a puddle of mud.

From a distance, Philip saw that towering platform and the tall, unyielding figure standing on it, with the large banner behind flapping in the wind.

"Your Highness is up there," Philip remarked.

Many soldiers also lifted their gazes, seeing that stern figure, their eyes filled with reverence, and their exhausted bodies seemed to surge with new vitality.

Because this was the figure they all believed in and admired, merely standing there was enough to invigorate their spirits.

Just then, a young man approached them from a distance, his gaze as sharp as a blade, piercing painfully.

Philip and the Battalion Leader saluted in unison, "Commander Kao! The entire Seventh Guard Battalion is present!"

Kao's expression seemed frozen.

He raised his right fist over his head in response, "You've done well this time; you've given me peace of mind, unlike the Fifth Battalion that got into a fight with the clerks. It's disgraceful. The clerks from that village submitted a report, wanting Green to personally mediate... what a disgrace."

His tone was extremely displeased, and Edmund knew their Commander was never pleased.

The Fifth Battalion is certainly unlucky, Edmund thought. Their Commander is as strict with himself as he is with others.

Indeed, as they marched towards the Guard Battalion's station, they saw members of the Fifth Battalion chopping wood and making fires, sweating profusely.

Edmund knew what they were thinking: every time they were punished, members of the Guard Battalion would wonder, why was it Kao who led them and not Aaron or Green?

Why was the Guard Battalion the largest among all the professional battalions, and why was their Commander also the strictest?

Edmund inadvertently glanced again at the figure on the high platform.

They said Aaron and Green were true knight offspring, humble and gentle, while Kao was personally elevated from the commoners by the Lord, cold and fierce.

Someone from the bottom rose through efforts and talent to become a major figure in the army alongside those born of knightly heritage.

Every officer had received such favor—though few were as valued by Lord Roman as Kao was.

Edmund recalled those past experiences. He, too, was of poor farmer stock, yet Lord Roman personally stood before him to confer honors, praised his bravery and wisdom, and promoted him to Captain, later elevating him to Squadron Leader.

After staying in Wormwood Village for a month, today Strategist Philip said he wanted to recommend him to His Highness again, to take on the role of Battalion Leader, organizing a new Guard Battalion.

He was not the only one to receive such an honor.

In fact, everyone high up in the River Valley Army knew that in the upcoming expedition, there would be a second expansion, and some officers who had previously performed well would have the opportunity for promotion.

Edmund once could not understand why just doing what he should have done, his rank kept rising, his pay kept increasing, and the letters he wrote to his wife grew thicker.

And now, gazing at the figure on the high platform, he suddenly understood something at a certain moment.

He understood what His Highness was thinking, and why he stared towards the North.

Because the North held the enemy!

His Highness cultivated and promoted him to overthrow those enemies.

To give people of poor family backgrounds like him a chance, a chance to rise upward.

...

Evening.

The last professional battalion completed its assembly in the glow of the setting sun, being the Thirteenth Regular Battalion.

Edmund saw the majestic figure on the high platform finally disappear.

He appeared on the ground, gentle unlike a ruler.

Jet and Dick, along with commanders Aaron, Green, Nathan, and Kao, followed behind him, drawing many respectful salutes from the soldiers.

From a distance, Roman nodded to those soldiers, "It seems all our warriors have returned."

Green laughed and said, "I hope this period of grunt work hasn't diminished their combat abilities."

Roman glanced sideways at him, "You didn't have to work the land; have you gotten very strong?"

Green pointed at himself, declaring confidently, "But I'm more exhausted than doing fieldwork."

Managing a new territory not only required comprehensive coordination but also strong organizational and coordination abilities, responding promptly to every situation and handling departmental conflicts.

Roman turned away, no longer looking at Green.

Green pouted behind, secretly making a funny face. Aaron was of a silent, taciturn character. Kao wore a nearly sharp expression and said nothing. Dick and Jet were quietly discussing personal matters...

Roman personally greeted the last returning battalion.

"Ed, you've done very well, the administration department speaks highly of you, better than many professional battalions."

"Your Highness, this is just routine; the people in the village are good people, they cooperate with our work and never slack off," Ed answered meticulously.

"Doing routine things well is not easy," Roman smiled.

They had just come to this land not long ago, and merely living and working together was difficult, let alone working together.

Roman highly appreciated Ed and remembered him well. Growing from a One Star operative to this level was rare.

"Your Highness, those good people lack food at home, water in the fields, and I've had to take them to dig wells. From the start of spring till now, there has only been one small rain, I'm very worried about the drought..." Ed told Roman.

Roman pressed his lips together, his red eyes extremely focused. "I'll take care of matters here, don't worry too much. You're tired; settle down first. There will be food soon."

Ed could feel Roman's earnestness, realizing his Highness perhaps already noticed.

Ed saluted Roman and then left with his subordinates.

During the evening banquet, Roman personally visited each tired officer and soldier by the bonfire, shaking hands with them warmly and cordially.

By the next day.

Roman, with a changed demeanor, stood on the high platform, like the statue of gods, heavy and dignified.

Or perhaps, when a person is untemptable, unoffendable, and unshakeable, they possess qualities one could call divine.

He spoke in a deep and resonant voice.

"Everyone, has their mission. And my mission is heavenly destiny, which is to lead humanity to a better, more just future."

"As for you, you have only one mission: to end the centuries-long ages of strife on this earth!"

"I want you to launch an unprecedented great expedition!"

"I want you to dedicate, to give, to sacrifice, offering your souls to me, and you will, in the course of the expedition, gain eternal, immortal life!"

Roman, beginning in a low tone, raised his pitch, culminating in a roar.

Before the eyes of the masses, he raised his arm and shouted, the enormous flag embroidered with the Thorny Iron Ring flapped in the wind behind him, as if crowning him.

"For His Highness! I am willing to die! For His Highness!!" Instantly, it was as if a wave surged over this place.

Everyone was fervently responding.

Roman gazed forward, his expression solemn, unwavering.