Chapter 508: Three Major Cities

Though Misthaven was occupied by the allied noble forces, Bruno had not appointed anyone to govern it, so for a time the city fell into chaos.

Great nobles carved out their own territories, most engaging in trafficking serfs, plundering wealth, and seizing supplies.

While such actions struck Rowan as distasteful, within the context of the current social order, they were entirely understandable.

To these nobles, war meant both glory and riches—refrain from taking, and you would be taken from.

Rowan himself held territory in Misthaven: several large, affluent districts, apportioned through prior agreement among the nobility.

Yet he imposed strict discipline upon his men—not only forbidding them from kicking down doors and looting like brigands, but also dispatching agents to calm unrest and maintain order.

This conduct, though unconventional and somewhat isolating, mattered little given Rowan’s present strength.

What did it matter if he stood apart? He hadn’t condemned the others’ actions, after all.

As for rewarding the troops after victory, Radal and Maken had long prepared a detailed plan; rewards were distributed accordingly—gold coins, armor, weapons, land, houses. Rowan possessed abundant resources.

But one duty he could not avoid was purging enemy infiltrators among the populace and detaining merchant guilds or families closely tied to the opposing kingdom for special handling.

Deep into the night, Rowan reviewed the campaign, searching for ways to improve. Foremost among them was intelligence.

Had he known beforehand how many foreign agents lurked within Misthaven, he could have made adequate preparations.

Thus, Rowan resolved to have Sophia contact Hamon, instructing him not only to gather major intelligence but also to establish a network across several southern cities near Misthaven, ensuring internal information flow before the next siege.

Beyond this shortfall in intelligence, Rowan gained new appreciation for Carlos’s role.

Dragons had advantages—leading assaults, breathing fire to turn battlements into infernos. Without formidable defenses, armies could breach the walls almost unimpeded.

Yet dragons also bore vulnerabilities—their massive forms made them easy targets when surrounded.

Rowan had asked Carlos whether he could shrink his size to gain agility.

Alas, such ability would only come once Carlos ascended to legendary status—by then, he might even speak human tongue.

But given the immense energy essences required for Carlos’s evolution, achieving legendhood would take years, not months.

During the administration of Misthaven, Viscount Willis’s funeral was held at Blackjade Bay, and Rowan was invited to attend.

The family, rich with blackjade ore, remained powerful despite Willis’s passing—his son, a Gold Knight, proved capable enough.

Moreover, Willis’s son-in-law, Edmund the Meteor Knight, stood guard, deterring outside threats.

Still, things were not as secure as during the days of Willis and Nicra.

Thus, during the mourning rites, the new patriarch, William Blackjade, approached Rowan, hinting at a marriage alliance between their houses.

It now seemed clear that before the assault on Misthaven, Willis’s attempt to introduce his granddaughter to Brandon had not been impromptu, but prearranged with his son—otherwise William would not entertain such hopes.

In truth, it was perfectly understandable.

Rulans needed no introduction—a famed Thunder Marquess who had regained his strength, ensuring the Wushan family’s ascent onto the grand stage.

More crucially, there was Rowan himself—the kingdom’s newly minted Marquess, a Blazing Sun Knight, master of a dragon, bearing titles beyond count.

With both men rising, the Wushan house was destined to become a colossus.

An alliance with such a lineage fulfilled every noble ambition.

Indeed, many noble families had already knocked upon Wushan Fortress’s gates—but Willis had been the first to seek Rowan directly.

So Rowan agreed to meet William’s daughter, Lilia.

The sixteen-year-old girl was quiet, yet showed remarkable aptitude in magic—likely on par with Eileen, nearing breakthrough into high magehood.

Curiously, Brandon too was sixteen, now an advanced knight of exceptional talent.

In truth, Lilia and Brandon seemed well-matched.

And when William proposed offering partial rights to the blackjade mines as dowry, the terms became exceedingly favorable—there was real chance this union might succeed.

Yet such matters were better left to Rulans, Vincents, and Diane to decide.

Rowan might voice his opinion, but to make the final choice himself would be inappropriate.

Thus, William decided that once affairs in Misthaven settled, he would bring Lilia to visit Wushan Fortress.

Time passed swiftly—before long, it was mid-September.

An envoy from the Kingdom of Trelisia arrived in Misthaven, bringing wagonloads of gold, treasures, and supernatural artifacts, requesting a truce.

This aligned with Bruno’s intentions, so General Gushan accepted the offerings and granted a three-month ceasefire.

However, he flatly rejected the request to ransom back powerful knights such as Earl Ular and Viscount Prasido.

The war had just begun; a truce served mutual interests, but releasing these men could invite future calamities.

Better not trade a few coins for Ular’s freedom, only to see a noble fall on the battlefield later—such a loss would far outweigh any gain.

Even during truce, vigilance must not waver.

Many nobles returned to their domains but left their troops stationed in Misthaven.

Rowan did the same—Misthaven was now the forward stronghold. He left Radal behind, tasked with monitoring Watchtower Keep.

Carlos soared through the high skies, carrying Rowan back to Moonlight Valley.

Absence sweetens reunion. Rowan had been gone over half a month; each day, Brandy missed him deeply, sometimes longing to mount a griffin and fly to the front lines.

Yet Moonlight Valley demanded her attention. After consideration, she abandoned the idea—better spend that time visiting Northwud instead.

As Marchioness, inspecting her husband’s lands was her right—and Rowan had permitted it.

Now that Rowan had returned, the two naturally indulged in passionate reunion.

After waves of love-making subsided, Rowan lay holding Brandy, listening as she recounted the trivial yet endless affairs of the domain, his heart filled with unprecedented peace.

“Rowan, Jenny sent a letter—Uncle Simon has made progress with the steam train and steamship. Also, construction of Northwud Port is ahead of schedule—trial runs may begin by year’s end, full completion by late spring or early summer next year.”

Brandy nestled closer, smiling. “Oh, and Northwud City is taking shape—over a hundred thousand now live and work there. Just as you predicted, Purple Thunder City, Moonlight City, and Northwud City have all reached the hundred-thousand mark.”

“That’s wonderful news!”

Rowan looked surprised. “But I don’t recall much immigration to Northwud—how did the population grow by over twenty thousand?”

“The entire Northwud Territory now exceeds two hundred thousand. With two good harvests, the population has surged—natural growth alone added over thirty thousand.”

Brandy explained, “There are two major labor hubs: the coal mines in Marsh Town require vast manpower, and Northwud City’s construction demands constant workers.”

“Where there is work, people will come. So Northwud isn’t as isolated as you think.”

Rowan gazed at her, astonished. “Impressive—how do you know all this?”

“I’ve been busy!”

Brandy stuck out her tongue playfully. “Besides practicing magic, I often visit Northwud—to learn more about your past, and to study how you manage your lands, so I can apply it here in Moonlight Valley.”

“Well done—you truly are my chief steward!”

Rowan grinned, leaning down once more, embarking on a fresh exploration. “To reward your diligence, I shall be diligent tonight too!”

“Ahh~ no, please! Tonight has already been… more than enough!”

“As if such things could ever be enough?”

For a time, the chamber shimmered with warmth and motion. (End of Chapter)