Above The Sky
Chapter 718 - 718 4 Gradually Unfolding First Update 6000

718: Chapter 4 Gradually Unfolding (First Update, 6000) 718: Chapter 4 Gradually Unfolding (First Update, 6000) “Ha, this is to see how much power and manpower I have beyond official channels, isn’t it?

It’s also a chance to see how much effort the White Folks of Harrison Port are willing to put in for me.”

Ian’s mind was like a clear mirror.

He was well aware that Marquis Barton granting him a military rank and formation, apart from acknowledging him as one of their ‘own’, was also to see what forces he actually had in South Ridge, and whether he could secure his position as the upcoming Lord.

After all, he was already at the Second Energy Level, perfectly qualified to be a formal Baron Ian.

In fact, if Ian were willing to stay in the Imperial Capital a bit longer, say until after the grand meeting and the subsequent national-local meeting had ended, and the Mountain People rebellion was confirmed, he could even become a baron directly through the relationship with the second prince and return to his territory as a baron to clean up the rebellion.

But the problem was, Ian couldn’t wait.

As soon as he appeared in front of Protector Axer, there was an extremely high chance of being thrown from his horse, then dead as a doornail, so he could only return in the somewhat rushed identity of a knight.

However, the problem wasn’t big, merely a matter of sequence.

It was true that the rebellion of the Mountain People had involved all the territories of the knights, and as long as he could quell the chaos in Leyan Territory, Marquis Barton could completely apply to the Imperial Capital to formally award him the title of baron for his achievements, allowing him to become a noble and thereby control the entire Former Leyan Territory.

The premise, however, was whether he could pull it off or not.

Facing those rebellious or silent Hillsman Knights, what should Ian, now alone, do?

—Should he borrow favors from Marquis Barton and ask for men from the personal Knight Order of the marquis, or should he seek help from the Dragon Worship Cult or Harrison Port?

If he truly gathered all his subordinates under this independent formation, would they still be willing to follow him once the Empire decided to disband independent legions and distribute the teams and officers among other regions, now that they had become officers themselves?

If they were only willing to work for him, would that mean he was being disloyal to the Empire?

All these matters were troublesome and intricate.

“This old eagle, he just loves to test people!

But it also shows that the changes Magic Potion induces on the flesh are comprehensive, affecting personality too.”

Upon thinking this, Ian couldn’t help but shake his head slightly.

The original host of the Demonic Beast Materials used by Governor Bayan, the True Form, mostly came from suspicious and ruthless types of magical beasts.

Marquis Barton was fond of probing but not ruthless, and his character was rather open and upright instead of secretly vicious, which was quite good, all things considered.

Of course, there was one more thing of utmost importance.

“What about the funding?

Is there equipment?

Will it be organized according to brigade-level or battalion-level?”

Ian didn’t hesitate to strike while the iron was hot, asking for military funding, to which Marquis Barton couldn’t help but laugh, “You still want funding and equipment when you don’t even have the men?

Thinking of taking at the brigade level, do you even realize this is tantamount to embezzlement?”

Although his words were a reprimand, he was obviously quite pleased with Ian’s sharpness: “As for funding and equipment, neither the Governor’s Mansion nor the Nineteenth Legion here in South Ridge can afford to provide you with extra support.

However many men you can muster, the legion here will provide you with the corresponding military pay and equipment.”

“Personally, I will give you five hundred talles of operational funding.

On a personal note, consider it a thank you for finding the spy within the Governor’s Mansion, to save Mayowa the embarrassment,” he said.

This time, Marquis Barton spoke quite sincerely.

Setting aside the potential destruction caused by the Flesh Shapeshifter, Colonel Majorva’s reputation would undoubtedly be tainted with a dark stain, should the spy’s identity be exposed without his knowledge, hindering his chance for promotion to general.

Five hundred talles was not a lot.

At most, it could equip about a dozen men with weapons, but the most important thing was Marquis Barton’s willingness to help Ian, which was enough to get many things done in South Ridge.

Ian quickly offered his thanks.

“Right,” said Marquis Barton, as if he had just recalled something, “I remember you have Armor Suits, don’t you?

Your design for the Cyclops Giant Armor drew quite some attention a while ago.”

“Although it’s a pity it was not selected, the use of heavy Armor Suit equipped with overwhelming firepower, combined with partial flying capability, aimed at forcible annihilation of enemy key targets, is a popular approach.

The Great Princess likes it a lot.”

“Before this, most of our Sniper Armored Suits were light armor to increase maneuverability and use special ammunition to snipe enemy officers.

Now it seems, as the defensiveness of Armored Armor grows stronger, this approach might already be outdated,” he added.

Without waiting for Ian to express any modesty, Marquis Barton continued, “Mayowa, arrange for an Independent Armored Squad (three units) for Ian, with full supplies.”

“Yes,” responded Majorva.

And Barton continued to Ian, “The Former Leyan Territory is an important source of Alchemy Materials for South Ridge.

Taking it back is your first mission objective.”

“The second objective is to capture and eliminate all the Mountain People thugs and Fiery Flame Land agents in Leyan Territory, leaving no survivors.

Those who dare to rebel at the instigation of others do not deserve mercy.”

“The third objective, I want you to be a nail, hammered into the area around Solitary Flame Peak.

That location is one of the few gathering points for the rebel Mountain People troops to attack the Agate Stone Plains.

Hold until the beginning of next year; by then, the Empire will be making a significant move.”

“You will report directly to Mayowa and me, no one else has the right to command you,” he concluded.

Compared to the previous probing, this was all in Ian’s favor.

Not to mention, the Imperial Military’s Independent Armored Squad was far superior to any independent brigade-level formations of a frontier legion.