Farming in a Parallel World and Becoming a God
Chapter 706 - 503 Family Above All_3

Chapter 706: Chapter 503 Family Above All_3

Matthew’s words were tinged with an irrepressible surprise, "So, young master, you have such high regard for Zalanda?"

Another possibility that Conrad mentioned was the scenario where Darama, under Zalanda’s leadership, advanced so rapidly that even the Saladas Family couldn’t suppress them and had no choice but to bow down in submission. To foster relations between the two cities, someone who had once signed an alliance treaty with them must be sent to take the position of City Lord.

"If she were merely an individual, this matter would require careful consideration, yet now they stand together as two," Conrad’s eyes sparkled with wisdom as he spoke, "Tell me, how many in this world would dare to organize such a grand migration? Have you ever considered what it would mean if they were successful?"

Caught in thought, Matthew suddenly looked up after a few seconds, "Once they succeed, they will carve out a new Darama, capable of a Distant Response between two locations. They might even forge a new trade route."

"Their current framework, serving as both migrants and an army, means they can seize territory if necessary," Conrad’s analysis indicated that he had spies in Darama—quite a number—and the information he obtained was extremely accurate, "They aim for the Valley, and certainly can’t cross half of Thacel using the existing trade routes. They can only proceed upstream along the Is River, cutting directly across the entire upper course of the river. Wherever they go, their influence is sure to radiate. From their other preparations, it seems highly probable they will directly penetrate the Giant Plains, an unruly no-man’s-land. The value of a brand new trade route from Darama straight to the Giant Dragon Coast does not need to be spelled out, does it?"

"If that happens, the economic blockade imposed by the warlord nobles on Thacel will crumble, and Darama will gain an unimaginable strategic depth." Matthew couldn’t help but inhale sharply, "By then, it will be Saladas that is isolated and cut off. Expanding eastward is our only way out, and we must act fast. Only with sufficient strategic depth can we withstand the growing pressure from Darama."

"This is precisely our opportunity," Conrad continued, his thoughts now organized through the conversation, "Before those old fools completely realize what’s happening, let’s move our Sacred Blade Heavy Cavalry Legion eastward. We need to take root there, gain more lieges, capture more cities. When the pressure from Darama is intense enough, it won’t be a matter of me wanting to be the City Lord of Saladas City, they’ll be the ones begging me to take the position."

Matthew gazed at Conrad for a few seconds, his small master looked almost embarrassed under such scrutiny. Finally, he sighed deeply, "My young master has truly grown up, to be able to see so high and so far. Very well, while these old bones can still move, I am willing to be your vanguard, to expand the territory and lay the foundations for our domain."

"Good, Uncle Matthew, just wait for my good news!" Conrad laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming. He seemed to see a bright path to success and activated the Teleportation Spell without hesitation.

The next second, he appeared in the teleportation service area outside of Saladas City, took the reins of the warhorse handed to him by the attendants, and headed straight for the City Lord Mansion’s conference hall. As he expected, the long-standing elder meeting that had been ongoing for a full day and night was not yet over, and roars of debate occasionally echoed from within.

In the past, Conrad would not have the right to interfere with a meeting of this level and would be stopped at the door by the guards.

But this time, the guards did not stop him immediately. The leading Guard Commander looked at him deeply, then shouted into the chamber, "Commander Conrad has returned."

"How could this reckless fool be back so soon?"

"Punish him. Such disregard for military discipline cannot be tolerated, he must be punished severely, stripped of his position as leader of the First Legion."

"He must have made contact with that madwoman of Darama. Let him come in and speak, it won’t be too late to hear what he has to say. After all, our continued squabbling here won’t lead to any solutions."

The babble of discussion from inside the hall, even audible from outside, was clear. Conrad’s lips curled in disdain, a bunch of old, not dead yet fools. Because of you selfish old duffuses, Saladas, despite its rich resources, still reclines in a corner of the world.

Unable to seize the crown of Thacel to the west nor claim lordship over Steam Lake to the east.

He resolved not to follow their example and become another duffus. Change would start now, this very day, this very moment.

Permission to enter was granted, and as Conrad prepared to step into the City Lord’s council room, his demeanor rapidly changed—respectful and humble all at once. He could change his mindset and his ways, but with these old guys, he had to continue playing along. The slightest carelessness could make them his biggest obstacle.

After entering the council room, Conrad bowed and greeted, "I have seen the City Lord, I have seen all the elders."

A chorus of snorts rose from the hall as a response, and the highest authority present, Clan Leader of the Saladas Family, hereditary Duke of Thacel, Francis, spoke with an indifferent tone, "We will set aside the issue of you taking troops out without orders for now. Tell us what you’ve accomplished on this journey."

"Thank you, City Lord, and thank you, elders, for your benevolence." Conrad answered truthfully, "I have had a brief meeting with Lord Zalanda. They have proposed a new partnership. Under the name of the Goddess of Strategy, they wish to sign a non-aggression pact with us, using the Is River as a border. They will expand to the northeast, while we will expand eastward."

"What a bold claim, to think of swallowing the northern Is Plain in one bite—aren’t they afraid of choking?"

"No, we cannot agree to such a pact. Forget that the northern Is Plain has been paying us taxes all along, even their Darama was once our subordinate. We cannot stand by and watch her expansion. If this continues, she will directly threaten our standing in this region."