Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 265 Speed ​​Jazz

After defeating the fortified troops, Su Mu temporarily returned to rest and gather raw stone materials.

100 raw stones seems like a lot, but there were several stone mines around Longlet Castle before, and the output was decent. It's just that the last time I converted the Vampire Prince, it cost a lot, and I haven't used them much since.

After occupying two stone mines in the hinterland, Su Mu began to make preparations in a planned manner, and all the materials were gathered in just over a week.

As for the demand for crystals, the quantity of 50 was still within the range of availability. He first exchanged a batch with Maya, and then collected more than 10 more through market transactions.

To Su Mu's surprise, after he casually mentioned the recent shortage of crystal resources, the Swift Jazz Murak personally brought 15 sets of resources and delivered them to Kuraki.

This was the first time Sumu had met Murak after hearing so much about him.

Compared to the legendary handsome and mighty Star of Humanity, Su Mu only felt that the other party was optimistic, generous, and very compassionate when they met.

Murak brought a lot of food and money, which he distributed to the refugees who had suffered disasters, informing them that war was imminent and urging them to leave the heartland and go to peaceful areas.

Many people asked Sir Elton if he had a chance to defeat the Isidore Empire, and he always answered with a smile that he could, saying that he was carrying it out steadfastly.

Leaving one's homeland is only a temporary setback; the human race's heritage will not be broken—this is the shared belief of all heroes.

He also pulled Sumu aside to tell stories to the villagers, introducing the powerful Lord Kuraki.

"This is the invincible Lord Kuraki, who has repeatedly repelled the fortified army in the plains, protecting the kingdom. If anyone needs refuge, you can go to Langlit Castle or Kuraki City; he will take good care of you!"

The disaster victims looked at Sumu expectantly, and Sumu naturally made a promise: "I dare not say that Cangmu will always be a peaceful place, but at least for now, it will not be attacked."

The plains' current strategy is to keep the enemy at bay. If they want to set foot on the plains, they'll have to step over our dead bodies first!

"Wow! Earl Su Mu is mighty!"

“Great! I’ve wanted to leave this war-torn land for a long time, but I didn’t know where to go. Entering the plains through Graystone City is a good option.”

“We are not cowards either. I have three sons who have joined the army. I am good at tool making, and I will definitely use my skills in Kuraki to continue to support the battle on the front lines.”

“I am eager to train to become a spearman, but the trading city only accepts elite individuals. I hope to get a chance in Kuraki and make a name for myself.”

Overall, the hinterland has a considerable population, but due to historical and geographical reasons, it is not allowed to station too many troops here; even if there are troops, they are scattered in various towns. Although the outbreak of war has significantly increased the intensity of troop production, it cannot be accomplished overnight.

If you go to Kuraki, you'll have more opportunities to be a free person and you can also escape the war, so it's definitely a good place.

In the world of heroes, the civilizations and customs of different factions vary. Take castles, for example; it's not accurate to say that the people of a kingdom are particularly patriotic. Most nobles treat their subjects as tools for amassing wealth and don't care about their lives, so naturally, the people below them don't care about the kingdom either.

Religion and race were means of uniting people, but more importantly, they were pathways to nobility. This is why people were willing to join the army and undergo rigorous training.

The desire to achieve great things and become a superior person is a tradition rooted in human blood and has existed since ancient times.

Some people want to climb the social ladder, while others want a stable life, provided they have a stable environment. Kuraki's growing reputation has given him an attractive asset.

After the inspection, the two returned to their tent together. Su Mu thanked them, saying, "Thank you so much for helping Cang Mu promote his business and for bringing this batch of crystal resources!"

Murak waved his hand: "I have long heard of your name. That Forest Child Ivo once won the championship in the continental magic and martial arts competition. The fact that you were able to kill him on the battlefield shows that you are highly skilled."

"Besides, Marshal Raven was my first military mentor. I should be grateful to you for rescuing him and safely returning him to the capital!"

I never imagined that Murak and Raven had this connection. No wonder he offered his goodwill as soon as he arrived in the plains.

Usually, the title "Kingdom Twins" is used by busybodies to make comparisons and incite competition. Su Mu naturally knew about Jazz Speed, who was a renowned hero even in his original world. He thought that at most, the two sides would keep to themselves, but if they encountered someone with ulterior motives to stir things up, it would probably turn into another melodramatic spectacle.

Although Su Mu disliked this kind of internal strife, he would not compromise.

Who would have thought that Murak was so friendly and quite sensible? If someone didn't know the situation, they might think that Sir Swift was afraid of Count Kuraki, but that's not the case at all. Kuraki could use his aura-reading technique to see Murak, so he naturally knew his strength.

【Murak (Rider): Attack 8, Defense 6, Spell Power 7, Knowledge 7.

Characteristics: lightning speed, leadership skills, and a courageous heart.

Advanced Swift Rider: Troops commanded by the hero gain +3 speed, Logistics and Pathfinding skills are increased by 50%, and the effect of equipping speed-increasing artifacts is increased by 50%.

Advanced Battle Leadership Skill: The troops commanded by the hero gain +3 morale, and for every 1 point of morale they have in battle, their damage output increases by 8%.

Advanced Logistics, Advanced Air Element Mastery, Intermediate Water Element Mastery, Intermediate Offensive Techniques.

Comment: Don't let his usual gentle demeanor fool you; when he gets going, he's unstoppable.

Su Mu didn't investigate Murak's treasures, but analyzing the swordsmen's speed, he concluded that the Swift Knight definitely carried a speed-enhancing artifact. His troops were essentially equipped with built-in speed boosts; if he charged with his cavalry, practically no one could stop them.

Most heroes have specializations in specific troop types, boosting the strength of a particular type of soldier. However, Murak boosts the entire army. Don't underestimate these 3 speed points; they can determine victory in crucial moments.

The saying "speed is of the essence in war" perfectly describes a hero like Murak.

The kingdom still has many powerful heroes, such as Conrad and Murak, who were both brilliant figures in their original timeline. If Elton can hold them off and allow them to grow stronger, they might be able to contend with Isildur.

Now, Levin and his men are trapped in Cloudmist City, caught in a dilemma. They did not expect the resistance in the heartland to be so tenacious. Although they cannot eliminate the enemy yet, if the stalemate continues for a month or two, the situation will be completely reversed.

In Su Mu's view, the current situation is a strategic stalemate. The enemy has made a rash advance, but as long as we trap them and the human cities continue to produce troops, we can wear them down.

Murak was somewhat eager to try, but he also knew how formidable the Bastion troops were and dared not underestimate them.

I heard that the Congress was quite impatient. Initially, they wanted the Knight Commander to launch a counterattack on Winterfell, but later they wanted him to return to the heartland to jointly annihilate Leven's army.

As for Frostholdt, the Arcane Empire claimed it needed a foothold to support their southward advance, and thus chose Frostholdt. The Knight Commander was not about to concede, and a stalemate ensued.

The situation has recently eased somewhat. The Parliament appears to have reached an agreement with the Arcane Empire, settling on mutually acceptable terms: the North will remain under the control of House Salim. The Arcane Empire has sent a large army into the country to help drive out the enemies of Winterfell.

Sumu and Murak both felt this was inappropriate; wasn't this just inviting trouble?
Can Rhodes still be called a duke of the human race? At best, he's just a lackey of the Arcane Empire.

However, Congress was eager to eliminate the enemy in the heartland and made many compromises. The only good news was that, at the insistence of the Knight Commander, Frost Fortress would not be handed over for the time being, and that the Arcane Empire needed to show sincerity.

"A disgrace to the nation and a loss of sovereignty!"

Su Mu didn't want to say anything more. Even though Congress praised Kuraki's proactive actions and promised to provide another batch of boundary stones, he didn't care.

I am increasingly disillusioned with Congress and the aristocracy.

The joy of victory was somewhat dampened, and while waiting for the army to assemble, Sumu transported resources back to Cangmu.

They prepared to build the training ground for the strongest swordsman on the eve of the final battle.

(End of this chapter)