Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest
Chapter 95 - 29: When I Grow Stronger, I Will Take You All Down

Chapter 95: Chapter 29: When I Grow Stronger, I Will Take You All Down

He was caught in a struggle.

Reason told him this issue was nothing at all.

It neither threatened his safety nor caused any irreversible damage.

It was purely his own inner weakness that made him think of giving up.

Roman was adept at self-reflection.

He understood his own character all too well.

He always felt everyone was a fool, and only he was the clear-headed one.

Roman knew very well where this mentality of being the only sober person in a world of drunken fools came from.

Because in this era, no one in heaven or earth was more outstanding than him; he was the legendary favored child of the heavens.

But if he backed down in the face of a harsh environment, would he also avoid all problems he might encounter in the future?

The farmers in Sige Town could work in this weather to burn stones and make salt. Yet, he gave up halfway — it couldn’t even be called halfway; it was merely the first step out the door.

Roman thought, if his resilience and perseverance couldn’t even surpass that of a farmer, how could he enforce his rule?

How could he command farmers to do things he himself was unwilling to do?

He was a ruler, yet he didn’t even have the will to bear this responsibility. What grounds did he have to continue displaying his superiority? How could he justify calling others fools?

He had just left the Origin Manor for half a day, and the child Gwivelle, who relied on him a lot, hoped he would return soon.

And then he indeed went and returned on the same day, empty-handed and with nothing to show for it.

How would the child view him?

What would Aaron and Green think when they found out?

Aaron might be fine, but Green would definitely harp on it, and it would become a part of his dark history!

How could he tolerate this!

He had to persist, no matter what he must endure!

Roman remembered the motto of the Riptide Family and the promise he made when he ventured to the Duke Domain.

Bramble and Thorn!

He grasped the expensive Crack Armor Great Bow hanging on the horse’s back.

This Large Bow was a replica of the weapon used by the First Generation Duke Split Armor.

The real Crack Armor Great Bow could pierce Dragon Scale.

The First Generation Duke followed the Conqueror, campaigning east and west, south and north, conquering the entire land, and eventually launched an expedition, crossing the Nether Sea, reportedly heading towards the meeting place of the Elf, Dwarf, Dragon Clan, and Demon Clan.

Later, the Conqueror never returned, and only three of the first Dukes came back. Among them, the Riptide Grand Duke died shortly after, leaving only the motto Bramble and Thorn, which was passed down through generations.

That’s how the saying goes, but the phrase only lasted for five generations.

The current Riptide Grand Duke is the fourth generation.

His grandfather died from the "Silent Valley Blood Battle" against the Church Court; his father, then still young, was also severely injured, leaving hidden illnesses, which made him pass away before reaching forty.

Thus, the fourth generation Duke Split Armor ascended to his position quite young, before the age of twenty.

At that time, he became the most brilliant favored child of the entire Duke Domain, even the entire Black Iron Kingdom.

It’s said that the last Black Iron King took a punch from him, the Fury Grand Duke once lodged in his castle for education, and the Oak Grand Duke behaved like a grandson before him.

Sige Town was conquered by him when he was in his twenties.

His authority and status were unmatched, his Talent exceptionally outstanding, becoming a Fifth Rank Conquest Knight at the age of twenty-five.

Yet, the wealth of the Duke Domain left him uninterested in this remote land.

This generation’s Riptide Grand Duke was full of martial virtue in his youth, theoretically, he should have died young.

Because his great-grandfather (First Generation) didn’t live past sixty,

his grandfather (Second Generation) didn’t live past fifty,

his father (Third Generation) didn’t live past forty.

Following this trend, the current Riptide Grand Duke’s life should have been even shorter.

Yet, he is the longest-lived Riptide Grand Duke.

From sixty years ago to now, he still maintains his rule and status in the Duke Domain.

The current Riptide Grand Duke is indulgent, chasing after pleasures, relishing in food, obsessed with power, and has numerous children...

Roman found it difficult to evaluate his biological father, only saying that he exemplified every stereotype he held of the Nobles.

He had dozens of siblings.

From birth to the present, the Riptide Grand Duke has fathered a child almost every year, single-handedly extending the branches of the entire Riptide Family.

Roman’s half-brother is now sixty years old, with grandchildren who can run.

The Riptide Grand Duke even allowed illegitimate children to bear the Riptide surname.

Everyone knew the situation of these illegitimate children.

But they received the Duke’s acknowledgment; he loved his children, stubbornly and unyieldingly.

He believed the Riptide blood flowed.

Even with whatever changes might happen in the future, no matter when the great tree falls, there will be remnants of broken branches and leaves, setting roots and sprouting again — perhaps years later, a fallen Noble would recount the family’s former glory to his descendants.

Theoretically, as long as one of the Riptide remains, regardless of whether he is illegitimate, as long as there is bloodline relation, he would be the next Duke Split Armor.

Of course, Roman and other illegitimate children had no chance to touch the ducal inheritance under normal circumstances, but they could maintain an excellent living standard.

Because of the Duke’s immense wealth and land.

It’s said that the Riptide Domain could support half of the Black Iron Kingdom, and this is more than just empty words.

So the illegitimate children, once grown, could at least become Conquest Knights, even if they ended up poorly.

As for illegitimate daughters, they could marry some low-level Noble or Conquest Knight.

Roman, a versatile and exceptionally outstanding illegitimate child, could receive a piece of well-developed land in the Duke Domain.

Outsiders would see them as being born privileged.

Roman didn’t see it that way.

It wasn’t him who was honored because of Riptide, but Riptide was honored because of him!

Riptide had no right to bestow honors upon him!

In Roman’s eyes, the Riptide Grand Duke was nothing!

Even if born a Noble, or even a slave, as long as he lived and patiently waited for a few years, he would shout out "Are generals and ministers born different?" when given a chance, then raise the banner of revolt, slaughtering all who oppressed him.

Succeed, and he will succeed!

Fail, and he will fail!

He had greater ambition!

To make the entire land strong!

To make it fiercely strong!!

He could no longer be this Noble young master for even one more day!

He would split from the family!

How could he shatter the medieval times if he stayed with this group of vermin?

...

This was Roman’s original intention in coming to Sige Town.

What could he get in the Duke Domain?

First, abundant material conditions, a developed commercial network, ready-made fiefs, at least three villages of a thousand people each, with all management already in place.

There were also manors and castles — not makeshift hovels built and occupied in a day.

Then, a good social environment.

Nobles everywhere, regular banquets, participation in martial tournaments.

The honor of the Conquest Knight exists only on the battlefield!

All Nobles and Knights believed this!

And he had decent martial skills, earning substantial rewards and ransoms from the tournaments, and even recruiting the defeated to become Conquest Knights.

Beautiful maidens, graceful Noblewomen, dashing Knights...

Lastly, the economic and political center, having a fief there not only provided geographical benefits but was crucial for upward mobility.

Yet, Roman abandoned such a life and chose to develop infrastructure in this poor and remote place.

Following your rules is really boring, because you are foolish and irrational; I’d rather die than listen to a foolish and irrational person! I will create my own set of rules and make everyone listen to me!

But in this sparsely populated place, not to mention a political center, there’s not even an economy; they can only barely scrape by on the edges of the commercial network.

Green and Aaron, these Conquest Knights, also have to burn stones and carry wood.

As the Lord, he also had to go down to the fields in person!

All of this was for the burning ambition in Roman’s heart!

You enjoy now, while I’m suffering!

Just you wait for me!

Keep living in drunken dreams!

Once I grow strong, I’ll shatter you all!