The witch thought I am a Demon God
Chapter 677 - 365: Control of Earl Yisen Hanjian’s Territory _ 2

Chapter 677: Chapter 365: Control of Earl Yisen Hanjian’s Territory _ 2

Tartax raised an eyebrow. "Like the Ancient Empire? But the late stage of the Ancient Empire was quite corrupt..."

"The current situation is even more decayed, the scattered nobles have essentially created thousands of central institutions within a society. This has imposed a tremendous burden on the common people, leaving them barely able to survive. During the era of the Ancient Civilization, the rulers would have seen the present situation as the epitome of decay." Ivita said, "This is why the nations couldn’t stand against the centralized Rome Sear Empire sixty years ago."

Ivita continued, "But the situation now has decayed to the point where it can’t get any worse. That’s why it seems relatively healthy."

"In my view, the Frankish country in the Magic Black Forest, and the kingdoms of Potzstan, and the United Kingdom are all becoming increasingly centralized, to varying degrees."

Tartax neither agreed nor disagreed. "I’ve never heard this perspective before, but it’s quite novel."

"Worth considering," Ivita said.

"Well, my lord, I must remind you - your recent military actions in the neighboring earldoms have drawn the attention of the whole of Cross Island. Even Governor Rolof, who has had some association with you, has sent envoys several times to test how far you’ll push your forces before reining them in."

"My lord, if this continues, you will become the target of everyone’s arrows."

Ivita raised an eyebrow. "Then find a way to lower their suspicions. Let them believe that my army’s attack on Earl Yisen Hanjian’s territory is because that earl sent his army here first."

"Keep going, Tartax. I trust your diplomatic skills, as my diplomat."

Tartax chuckled bitterly, marveling at the unpredictable course of life. He never thought that one day, he would be aiding Ivita in these matters, on the Black Sea. "Easier said than done. Persuading those pirate lords to believe my words will be difficult."

"If I am unsuccessful and most of the lords oppose you militarily, don’t blame my incompetence."

Ivita said, "My idea is to first occupy the Earldom, then find our friends and target our enemies. After most of our enemies have been dealt with, we will march on Central Harbour!"

Tartax’s spirit was invigorated.

The lord who occupies the Central Harbour would become a Great Governor, the automatic controller of the Seven Seas Law Code.

Tartax gave Ivita a roster he had prepared. "First, you should look closely at this list I created for you, and find out who among these lords could potentially become your allies. There are only seventeen other earls on Cross Island without you. You would be wise to discern those neutral towards you, those who potentially conflict with your interests, and those who could potentially be allies."

"Most of these earls have close ties with pirates and maintain several pirate fleets."

Ivita shrugged, "I don’t stand a chance in naval warfare, but that’s not necessarily the case for ground forces. I’m aware of that, thank you for your efforts, Tartax. Prepare seventeen gifts of insignificant value but with special meanings for these seventeen earls. After all, we still can’t say who among them is a friend or a foe."

Tartax looked at Ivita, who was immersed in studying the roster and information, and couldn’t help but feel he was witnessing the growth of a hegemon.

Having already become an Earl, Ivita finally had the right to study the power structure of the entire island. He began contemplating matters that concerned the earldom, formulating strategies from a higher perspective, rather than lingering over the parochial matters of a Viscount’s territory.

Ivita observed the power structure of Cross Island and realized his luck; it was because the Great Governor was dead and no one was currently controlling his rapid territorial expansion on Cross Island.

Otherwise, a superior lord would have come after him long ago.

As it stood, every major earl and the grand pirates on Cross Island lacked any hierarchy, each one independent of the others.

And the one overseer, the Great Governor, was already dead.

"Now there are two armies attacking the Upper City in Central Harbour." Ivita began contemplating. "Earl Rozlof, who is also the notorious Captain of the Nightmare, is attacking Upper City along with his two Earl allies; but another Earl, Earl Hilker, who is Rozlof’s brother-in-law and who also wants to be Great Governor. He is the Captain of the Black Light."

"Earl Hilker and his allied earl, while attacking the Upper City, are simultaneously hindering his brother-in-law Earl Rozlof."

"But, all in all, the Earls contending for the Great Governor position were only five. Most of the Earls stay silent, apart from Earl Yisen Hanjian, who was killed by me."

Ivita speculated, "The captains of The Nightmare and the Black Light are both pinnacle Fourth Stage professionals."

"Their subordinates include over a dozen Fourth Stage professionals. Such a large number! The number of their armies runs into the thousands, and the professional forces number in the hundreds."

Ivita drummed his fingers on the table, "They’re two tough buts to crack, Tartax. I want to eliminate both of these big pirate contenders for the position of Great Governor."

"Let them stop their power struggle. It’s a human tragedy when members of a family fight amongst themselves. I don’t want such things to happen."