Chapter 352: Conquest of the Northern Regions
The main force of the Northern Regions Allied Forces had already been annihilated. The majority of the Northern Kingdoms’ remaining combat strength had been utterly exhausted. What remained was little more than cleanup.
The Noble Lords of various cities fought valiantly with their dwindling personal armies—but their resistance was meaningless against the kingdom’s relentless advance. It was like trying to stir ripples in a vast ocean with a single drop of water.
Across the vast expanse of the Northern Union Kingdom, two massive mixed armies—led by Earl Ake and Earl Jinya—raced across the land like lightning storms, sweeping east and west in devastating offensives. Within less than two months, under the thunderous roar of artillery fire, the capitals of eight duchies—Duchy of Carter, Duchy of Phano, Duchy of Otto, Duchy of Sweeney, and others—fell one after another. The key strategic strongholds were seized by the kingdom, now firmly under its control.
From these captured cities as bases, the armies launched further campaigns in all directions. Yet the Anzeta Great Wasteland remained sparsely populated, scattered with Knight strongholds and Noble Lords’ castles and manors. Even the kingdom’s forces couldn’t immediately clear every last outpost.
Thus, as Marshal Dolo issued the order for Full March, he unleashed the “Stellarfallen” army—tens of thousands of troops—into the wilds of the Anzeta Great Wasteland, letting them roam freely to exterminate the remnants of Northern Noble power.
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[Main Quest: Conquest of the North]
Quest Description: The Kingdom of Ashen has already eradicated most of the Northern Regions’ strength. Yet scattered remnants of Northern Nobles still cling to this vast wasteland. They continue to oppress the suffering people of Anzeta, perpetuating their millennia-old corrupt rule. Thus, loyal warriors of the Kingdom of Ashen—wipe them out completely!
Note: Do not harm civilians!
Quest Reward: Large quantity of gold coins, Faction Contribution, Reputation Points
Special Title: Conqueror of the North
Contribution points and gold coins go without saying. But Reputation Points are now directly tied to the brand-new Noble Rank System. And that’s not all—this quest grants a brand-new, ultra-rare title, turning your nickname purple. Imagine showing off your elite status to new players, flaunting your hard-earned legacy. How could anyone resist?
That’s already a generous reward. But there’s more: the chance to Plunder Noble Treasure Vaults—a golden opportunity to amass gold beyond imagination.
The quest description doesn’t explicitly forbid looting Nobles. It only warns against harming civilians. So what’s the harm in plundering the Nobles?
The players’ excitement ignited instantly. They roared with wild chants, charging into the Northern Regions like a plague of locusts, launching a massive, thunderous campaign.
“To become masters of men!”
“Pillage time!”
“Siege warfare! Siege warfare!”
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Duchy of Otto, Vichy City
Once a major city in the duchy, Vichy was famed for its exquisite, delicate textiles—so much so that it had once been called the “Capital of Textiles in the North.” Its fabrics had once swept through the Northern Regions in waves of luxury.
But after the flood of goods from the Kingdom of Ashen, the local artisans had all gone bankrupt. The city had fallen into decline.
Now, news of the Allied Forces’ destruction and the arrival of the Kingdom of Ashen had spread through the streets. Fear gripped the people.
“Oh gods… I heard Oksa City has already fallen.”
“And not just that—our Duke was captured!”
“Do those Dragon’s Favored eat people?”
“By the Gods Above… is this really the end?”
In a dimly lit tavern, flickering under the yellow glow of oil lamps, such conversations were now commonplace.
Many citizens had lost hope. They believed the Northern Regions’ overwhelming momentum was gone. Their last hope now lay in surrender—hoping to secure better treatment, at least to prevent the monsters from unleashing their innate natures inside the city and slaughtering everyone.
An aging artisan, Old White, sipped his wine, drunk and dazed. “In my opinion,” he slurred, “we should just open the city gates.”
“From what a caravan friend told me—Kingdom of Ashen’s army doesn’t hurt civilians. They only take the Nobles.”
“Really? Is that true?” someone asked, voice trembling.
Old White leaned in, lowering his voice with theatrical secrecy. “No lie. Absolutely true.”
But then, like a sack of rotten meat, he collapsed back into his chair, sighing. “Too bad… those Nobles won’t surrender. They’re making us suffer for far too long.”
“What are you doing?!” His voice suddenly cracked with panic.
A group of soldiers burst into the tavern, shoving past the stunned patrons. They grabbed Old White roughly, dragging him out into the street.
“You’re under arrest for treason—colluding with the enemy!”
The tavern fell silent.
After a long pause, the tavern owner let out a wry chuckle, pouring another glass of crystal-clear wine into his cup.
“Gentlemen,” he said softly, “best not talk about such things.”
“Just enjoy the wine… while we still live.”
Clearly, the city’s leadership—Count Oktor Sool—had no intention of surrender. Not now. Not after the rumors of the brutal Public Trial had spread across the Northern Regions. The very thought sent shivers through every Noble’s spine.
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In the Baron’s manor, the lamps burned bright.
Baron Oktor paced back and forth in the parlor, his expression dark and thunderous.
“Any word from the scouts?”
“Where are the Kingdom of Ashen’s forces? How far are they from Vichy City?”
He fired off the questions like bullets.
The Captain of the Guard, armored in full plate, half-kneeled before him, trembling. “N-no news… but reports say many cities have already fallen. Including your brother—Count Denzor’s barony.”
“Sir… the Allied Forces have been completely annihilated. The Northern Regions’ momentum is gone. Perhaps we should—”
“SLAP!”
Baron Oktor strode forward and struck the Captain hard across the face, spittle flying.
“You think I don’t know that? Do you really need to tell me?!”
“It’s that damned, cursed Red Dragon that left us no way out! Do you know how many Nobles they slaughtered in Stravburg? One hundred and twenty-one—including Duke Leo’s eldest son!”
“They even created that ‘Public Trial’—letting common rabble decide our fates! That’s an insult beyond measure!”
Baron Oktor paused, teeth clenched. “They’re not just killing us… they’re eradicating the very roots of Northern Nobility!”
“Damned! I’ve never seen such Evil! Other evil dragons may raid and slaughter a few hundred—but this one? He incited civilians to kill Nobles! That’s unheard of—even the Deep Abyss Demons aren’t this wicked!”
“W-what should we do, Lord Baron?” The Captain, face red and stinging, trembled on his knees.
“Hold Vichy City. The defenses are strong. They won’t break through easily. If they do attack—”
Baron Oktor’s eyes narrowed. He stood motionless, hands clasped behind his back, speaking through gritted teeth.
“We abandon the city.”
“Alyosha, go prepare my treasure.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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