Chapter 545: Occupation

Moor City.

McKen led Sanborn’s knightly order, joining forces with the troops from Mist City, capturing this large enemy city near the border with nearly zero casualties.

Now they had seized the lord’s castle and stood atop its highest tower, gazing down upon the full silhouette of the city nestled below.

This city lay along the vital route between Dragon City and the border fortress of Mist City.

Whether in war or peace, merchant caravans bound for Mist City never ceased passing through here, fueling Moor City’s economy and enriching this baronial stronghold.

Nothing else needed to be said—over a hundred thousand urban inhabitants spoke volumes.

“Though I’d heard Moor City wasn’t poor, this castle still feels underwhelming. It pales in comparison to Mist Castle—not even close.”

Rudal chuckled, nodding. As the senior commander holding back, he had barely lifted a finger in this campaign, leaving room for McKen to shine.

“Mist City has always been the focal point of contention between two nations. Even during the Imperial Age, it was a major city. And Urar is a border count—his castle would naturally be more splendid than this one.”

Sanborn, once an enemy officer who had defected, now explained the reasons behind it all.

It turned out that the Baron of Moor City had long suffered exploitation at the hands of Count Urar.

Despite decent economic prosperity, the early development agreements signed in haste were deeply unfavorable to the Moorish baron, funneling much of the wealth into Urar’s coffers.

After discussing Moor City’s condition for a while, Rudal began issuing orders for the next phase.

“Placido, tomorrow take your men and secure the surrounding villages. I’ve seen that Moor City’s agriculture thrives—plenty of farmland outside the walls. We must preserve everything intact.

This will be your first independent mission. Remind your soldiers: no harming civilians, no destroying homes, no looting property. These are matters the lord cares deeply about—don’t do anything foolish!”

“I understand, Commander!” Placido replied solemnly.

Ever since joining Lord Luoning’s ranks, Placido had been astonished by how strictly his army refrained from pillaging.

In past wars, when noble armies captured a region, chaos inevitably followed.

Looting treasures, seizing women, wanton slaughter—such horrors were commonplace.

He had never before witnessed an army like Luoning’s—disciplined, restrained, even tending to injured commoners.

At first, Placido wondered: Were they waging war or performing charity?

But as he came to understand Lord Luoning’s governance strategy, clarity dawned.

The duke regarded every conquered land as his own territory, its people his subjects.

To restore order and productivity swiftly, short-term gains at long-term cost were best avoided.

After all, what wealth could ordinary tenant farmers or common folk possess? Nowhere near the rewards Luoning bestowed after battle.

“McKen, take your men and interrogate the surrendered nobles. Keep the useful ones; demote the rest to prisoners. Also, assign personnel to census the population of Moor City and maintain public order.”

McKen grinned. “Got it! Leave it to me!”

Just then, Tom’s griffin appeared outside the castle walls. Spotting Rudal and the others, he descended immediately.

“Commander, you move fast! Never thought Moor City would fall so soon—barely over ten days!”

Though Tom’s combat prowess wasn’t exceptional, as Lord Luoning’s personal guard, his status was high.

Rudal smiled. “Moor City had little defense. Conquering it took little effort. But why have you come so suddenly? Does His Grace have new orders?”

“Yes.”

Tom drew from his coat a letter Carolyne had sent to the northern Ur lands. “Commander, His Grace commands McKen to return to Purple Thunder Domain, join forces with Petro and Meilongnica of Wushan, and launch an offensive against the Duchy of Vela.”

McKen, already preparing to depart, eyes lit up—surprised, yet eager. “We’re going to war with the Duchy of Vela?”

Tom nodded. “Indeed. Duke Andrei betrayed the kingdom, conspired with Garrett to assassinate the Duke, his lady, and Elron—and was slain by His Grace in return.”

Rudal raised an eyebrow. “The Duke dared kill another Duke? That means something momentous must have happened in the capital. Tom, tell us everything you know.”

Placido was stunned. In his eyes, Luoning was truly fearless—killing a duke without hesitation.

But what Tom said next left him utterly speechless.

Not only Placido—even Rudal and McKen stood frozen in shock. In just over ten days, the capital had witnessed upheavals beyond imagination.

“Lord Luoning… is a Legend!”

Only now did Placido learn this truth, his heart pounding with excitement.

He had become a follower of a Legendary being—how wise his surrender had been!

“Lord Tom, does this mean His Grace has now become King of Auduin Kingdom?” Placido asked urgently.

“No, not at all.”

Tom’s voice brimmed with reverence. “His Grace has always honored his word. Even though Emperor Bruno is dead, he still fulfills his duty as the Warden Duke. As agreed with the late Emperor, he will establish his own nation only after conquering Dragon City!”

As Tom spoke, admiration gleamed in his eyes.

This was the throne—a crown within reach if he desired it.

Yet he chose to refuse. What extraordinary resolve!

Tom vowed to become a man of integrity too—or rather, to raise his children by Luoning’s example, so that his descendants might walk the same path.

“The Duke’s magnanimity commands my loyalty!” Placido declared.

Rudal and McKen nodded in unison.

“If His Grace remains steadfast in honoring his promise, then we, his followers, must strive harder—to seize Dragon City as soon as possible!”

Rudal’s words stirred their spirits.

“McKen, you’ve always complained about having strength with nowhere to use it. Now His Grace recalls you to Purple Thunder Domain—you’ll likely command the eastern front henceforth. Don’t let him down!”

McKen nodded gravely. “Rest assured, Commander. I won’t betray His Grace’s trust!”

He clenched his fists, fired with anticipation. “I’ve long awaited war with Vela. Finally, I can unleash my full power!”

Rudal laughed. “I’ll advance steadily southward. Let’s see who reaches Dragon City first—me, or you reaching Duke Andrei’s castle.”

Hearing this, McKen’s determination surged by another third.

Capturing a city meant not abandoning it.

The time spent besieging paled beside the laborious tasks afterward—soldiers needing rest, selecting civil administrators, organizing governance, expanding the army, maintaining security.

Though Rudal had taken Moor City today, the earliest he could resume southward march would be in one or two months. (End of Chapter)