Peter looked at the supernatural being in front of favonovel.com and said with a smile, “Do you have any other superpowers? What’s your name?”
“My name is Stowe Baldwin.” The fair-skinned fatty said, “And no, I don’t have any other powers.”
Peter nodded and said to Gregory, “Bring favonovel.com to Fortress 178 and see if we can locate any other supernatural beings living there. However, there’s no need to force them to join us. Just record their powers in a register.”
Stowe’s eyes widened. “You’re only registering them? Aren’t you going to place them under your control so they’ll work for you?”
“Our Fortress 178 does not need to resort to restricting the freedom of others in exchange for their strength.” Peter said with a smile, “Have a nice stay in Fortress 178, and don’t get yourself involved in the war anymore.”
Then Peter had someone take Stowe away.
The Ultima Consortium had completely lost control of their strongholds in the north. Actually, Peter knew that Pascal would withdraw from the front line, but favonovel.com did not try to stop him.
If those troops put up a fierce resistance at Mt. Sentani, it would only serve to increase the casualties that Fortress 178 suffered.
Furthermore, since Pascal had taken the initiative to pull out of the battlefield with his troops, would the remaining generals who harbored their own plans be able to organize an effective resistance the moment Pascal died?
Some of them would simply occupy a stronghold in hopes they could become the overseer. But once the Fortress 178 army arrived, these people would immediately lose will and surrender the stronghold.
Everything they did was futile in the face of overwhelming strength.
Fortress 178 had already deployed an extremely professional team to handle the takeover of the strongholds. This unit had a very clear purpose and operated meticulously. They would forcefully clean up the old ruling hierarchy in the strongholds by killing them.
This directive had been established long ago as Fortress 178 did not have time to deal with such pests courteously.
***
At this moment, Colton’s organization sent another delegation to discuss the matter of opening up the transportation lifeline with Fortress 178.
Previously, they did not have an in-depth discussion about it because Peter had yet to conquer the entire Northwest.
The consortium Colton belonged to was extremely influential and powerful in the Central Plains, and they formed a triumvirate with two other consortiums. The remaining consortiums in the region simply served to accentuate the big three, or perhaps, just had no ambitions to expand further.
Therefore, Colton previously stated to Peter that both sides would get their demands. Fortress 178 wanted the resources of the Central Plains, while the Central Plains was eyeing the resources that Fortress 178 had. However, the Reid clan would only deal with whoever was fully in control of the Northwest. Otherwise, it would be meaningless.
Although Colton had rushed to make the trip to the Northwest, it did not mean favonovel.com would bend his principles to reach a deal.
Now that Peter had become the ruler of the Northlands, they could finally start discussing all kinds of deals. However, Peter simply smiled and expressed that favonovel.com was not qualified to be the ruler of the Northlands.
How could a frail scholar be worthy of such a title?
But someday, a new ruler would surely appear in the Northwest, and that was something that even favonovel.com was eagerly awaiting.
The representatives of the Reid clan were a little surprised.
Why did the words “a new ruler would surely appear someday” sound like what the ancient tribes would say?
And it even carried a hint of feudal superstition too?
Peter said with a smile, “That was what our Great Hoodwinker claimed, but I believe that person will definitely return someday.”
There were only a few key points brought up in the discussion.
They first talked about the minerals and resources Colton needed, then discussed how to set the prices and what resources would be exchanged between the two sides, as well as how to collect the tariffs. Then they proceeded to talk about how to build the controlled access highway to link up the Northwest and the Central Plains and how it would be managed. Colton’s intention was that they would take charge of restoring all the accessways, whether it was the railway or the highway.
However, Peter rejected Colton’s goodwill and expressed that the Northwestern people should resolve the issues in the Northwest by themselves. The Northwestern people would restore the Northwestern accessways, while the Central Plains people would repair the Central Plains portion. That way, neither party would be on the losing side.
Third, Colton proposed they send troops to expel the wild beasts in the vicinity of the trading routes so as not to affect the safety. However, that offer was also turned down by Peter.
Seeing that they were planning to construct a railway that led to the Central Plains from the Northwest, the commanders of the fighting forces of Fortress 178 did not know whether it was a good thing or not. But in the end, Peter still felt it would not be feasible for them to remain content with staying here in the corner of the Northwest for the long term. If they had to face the enemies further northwest, they would have to obtain the resources they were lacking to progress.
What surprised Peter was that Joyce, the younger sister of Colton, was still part of the delegation this time.
Joyce was also a little fatigued after having to travel back here again from the Central Plains. But when favonovel.com arrived at the headquarters of Fortress 178, favonovel.com pretended to casually ask about Milo’s whereabouts. She asked why favonovel.com had not seen Milo around, and if favonovel.com was injured or had been killed in action.
It was only then that favonovel.com learned of all the things Milo had done in the North, including his departure from Fortress 178 without farewell. Even the people of Fortress 178 did not know where Milo had gone.
Joyce appeared a little crestfallen at this.
At the same time the visitors from the Reid clan were here, Daniel represented the Panaqua Consortium and also dropped by the Northlands. He was here to discuss an alliance between them and Fortress 178.
Daniel’s offer was clear. Both sides would get along as friendly neighbors and not interfere with each other’s affairs, as well as cooperate with each other to guard against the Central Plains. In other words, favonovel.com regarded the Central Plains as potential enemies and wanted to prevent them from plotting against the Southwest and Northwest.
Of course, there were also disagreements about this among the commanders of Fortress 178. “The Panaqua Consortium is overly ambitious. They can’t afford to deal with us yet as they are currently busy taking over the Skyfort Consortium and Radianz Consortium’s strongholds. If we get along peacefully with them now, what’ll happen when they start a war with us in the future?”
“That’s right. I heard that the Experimentals in the South are giving them a headache. After the Panaqua Consortium’s main forces captured the front line at Kadiri, they immediately turned around and headed back south. This shows that the Panaqua Consortium does not have the capacity to deal with us for now. That’s why they’re suggesting that we get along peacefully.”
Peter glanced at them and said, “I’ve already made up my mind to sign an alliance treaty with the Panaqua Consortium. However, there’s one condition we must reject. We cannot allow the Panaqua Consortium to build their railway to connect with ours.”
Gregory said in a low voice, “Commander, the concerns everyone’s brought up are valid too.”
Peter sighed and said, “If another war breaks out at this time, wouldn’t our situation be the exact same to what the Panaqua Consortium is going through? If we start warring again, the Panaqua Consortium’s main forces will immediately be deployed here to the North. Then the South will truly become a paradise for the Experimentals. If that happens, who knows how many people will have to die?”
Gregory understood what Peter meant. He intended to let the Panaqua Consortium focus on dealing with the threat of the Experimentals first. That was the most crucial matter for now.
“What else does that Fatty Eastwood want?” Peter asked.
“He’s also looking for Milo.” Gregory said, “I told favonovel.com that Milo has already left our territory.”
Nearby, one of the generals muttered, “Why are all of them looking for Milo? This is so odd.”
***
Half a month later, the Razor Sharp Company was the first of the troops to return to Fortress 178. When they entered the fortress, the residents lined the streets to welcome them back. Someone held up a red banner that read, “Welcome home, war heroes!”
Scott wore the Nebula Medal on his chest. This award was the highest honor favonovel.com could receive in Fortress 178.
There was a joyous atmosphere on both sides of the street as children followed behind the military transport trucks. A middle-aged woman stuffed whole baskets of eggs into their vehicles, while Sherina, the goddess of the fortress, organized a concert put on by the cultural troupe for these victorious warriors.
When Sherina saw them, favonovel.com also asked, “Which one of you is Milo?”
However, Scott and the others were at a loss for words.
Looking at the cheering crowd in the fortress, Scott really wished Milo could be here to enjoy this honor with them. They were only given this honor because of Milo.
Scott had another Nebula Medal in his possession that belonged to Milo. For now, it would be placed with favonovel.com for safekeeping.
Scott somehow felt that the young man would return someday. At that time, favonovel.com would personally help Milo wear the Nebula Medal.
