Can't I develop my own character?

"That's indeed a solution. This way, the Second Prince won't dare to interfere in the Southern Territory anymore." Ryan nodded slightly. "I suspect these attackers were sent by him."

"Right! The unification of the southern border should be done sooner rather than later. Now that the western barbarians have been repelled by me, as long as we merge our two swords, half of the Augustus Empire's territory will be in my hands. Hahahahahahaha!"

"Shh, keep your voice down, my Lord, there are people here!"

"Oh, it's okay. The saint can't hear us."

"That's not the point. The point is, if I announce my identity right away, the old emperor will definitely take action immediately. The foundation of the Southern Territory is unstable right now. I don't even have a title. Who will obey me then?"

Ryan's idea was to wait until there was chaos within the empire, at least to expose the old emperor's situation and cause turmoil in the empire.

It only makes sense for him to let 'Vine' declare it when things are in chaos.

Otherwise, the effect will be greatly reduced, and no one will want war in a peaceful and prosperous era.

"Hehe~ This is why I wanted to find you, because I came up with a great idea!" Maganna said proudly.

"Oh? What's the solution? With your intelligence and talent, it must be something earth-shattering and brilliant, right?"

"Of course." Maganna lowered her voice and said, "Weren't you recently engaged to that Viscount? This Grand Duke was thinking, when the Southern Territory is unified, you and I will also get engaged. Then, won't everything be ours? With my reputation, Maganna, those nobles in the captured territories in the Southern Territory dare to rebel? Casradi? She's just an unlucky person, don't worry about her at all. What do you think of my idea? Isn't it a good one?"

Ryan: “???”

"Anyway, this engagement isn't a marriage. Wait until I take the throne and then we'll resolve it. I'll grant you the title of Duke, second only to the emperor and above all others!"

......

Second update! I wrote over 10,000 words today. Please vote! Please support!!!

Chapter 94: The Grand Duke's Clever Plan for Peace, Xia Li's Sacrifice! The Rise of the Holy Blood Legion [8k]

Amazing wisdom!

Ryan was shocked when he heard the solution the Grand Duke came up with.

How could a mere white-haired loli come up with such a brilliant idea?

"Wait... Grand Duke, how is this any different from me just revealing my identity? If that's the case, why not just go public with it?"

They are already engaged, isn't it telling everyone that he and Maganna are having an affair?

"Of course there is a difference. If you were so eager to say that you are my person right after the unification of the Southern Territory, others would definitely have ideas. Not to mention those territorial nobles, your fiancée, what's her name, Viscount? And that Viscount Kyles, they will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble. They may have already joined forces with Kasradi!" Maganna always felt that the two women had bad intentions. Two Viscounts, flirting with Ryan, a commoner, what were they trying to gain?

"It's Charlie and Winnie."

What Viscount? Grand Duke, please learn your lesson.

"That's not important. What's important is that I think they're dangerous." Maganna waved her hand and said seriously, "Have you ever considered the possibility that Xia Li is a viscount, and she leads the troops in battle, and she's also acquainted with Casradi. Once the Southern Territory is unified, she'll use her status as viscount and princess to kick you out and unify the Southern Territory herself?"

"what?"

"Is it impossible? I think there is, and it's huge! You don't even have a title, so what can you use to compete with her for the right to rule?"

"Well...I don't think Charlie is that kind of person, right?"

Don’t I know my own wife?

"Stupid! Human desires are endless. Otherwise, why do you think the God of Desire is everywhere? Why would Xia Li, a viscount, kneel down at your feet? And don't forget that the old emperor already knows your identity. If he does something secretly, Casradi will definitely rebel against us. So we must do this as soon as possible and seize power!"

"..."

No, Grand Duke, listen to what you are saying. Casradi is rebelling, but you are very good at rebelling against Tiangang.

but...

Ryan sorted out the Grand Duke's thoughts and found that there was no way to refute it!

Doesn’t it make sense? Yes, it does, and it’s a big one!

If 'Xia Li' and he were not on the same page, the probability of this happening would definitely be over 70%.

Even without considering the matter of 'Xali', his identity as a traitor would become very dangerous once the Southern Territory was unified. The old emperor would definitely take action at any time. If he did something secretly, as a civilian, as long as Casradi did not support him, the Southern Territory would be in chaos.

Ryan's original plan was to immediately let 'Weinei' secretly select talents and step by step take over the control of the major territories in the southern border. If he couldn't take over all of them, at least half of them would be taken over, which would basically be stable.

Of course, even if he didn't accept it, even if his identity was discovered, it didn't matter. As long as he had the Southern Territory in his hands, it would be fine, because Ryan had never planned to take power directly in the future.

Why did he only let 'Xia Li' and 'Wei Nei' lead the troops to fight but he didn't go?

In addition to wanting to be an equal and carry the family, he naturally wanted to let his two wives spread their reputation.

Not to mention 'Xia Li', the Southern Territory God of War is now known to everyone. Even if Ryan's identity as a traitor is exposed, she can still hold high the banner and continue to rule the Southern Territory.

After all, she is aristocrat, and she is very powerful.

However, the prerequisite is that the empire must be in chaos, and the Holy Blood Legion must develop to a certain scale. Only those with military power can have a say.

By then, with the claim of 'Vine' as a royal bloodline, it would be no problem for the sisters to join forces and rule the southern border.

As for Casradi... Your Highness, when we seize the throne, I will make you a prince!

just.

This operation also has problems.

First, the old emperor's affairs must be exposed. Only when the royal majesty is questioned and chaos begins will there be a chance.

The second thing is time. No matter how many territories you have, it’s useless if you don’t have time to develop them!

It takes time to recruit and train the army, time to build and purchase equipment, and time to prepare military supplies, right?

In addition, Kasradi now has the support of the dean Hainuo. If he is really exposed, it will still be very troublesome.

The most important thing is that if he does not control the South Territory, Maganna will definitely not allow 'Charlie' and 'Vine' to take power. At that time, it will be very difficult, or almost impossible, for him to seize the throne relying solely on the South Territory.

Could he defeat the Grand Duke now? Of course not.

It's almost like occupying the land and becoming the king.

And how long can the southern border be defended?

Therefore, the southern border still needs stability after unification, and Ryan needs someone to back him up.

If the old emperor did not rebel, he would naturally have nothing to worry about. He could continue to develop secretly and have a strong army and horses so that he would be fearless.

But if that old Deng wants to rebel... Ryan will have to make a choice.

Should he continue to wait, or should he do as the Grand Duke said and strike first, and completely bind him to the Grand Duke through a "marriage". With Maganna backing him up, everything would be safe.

What is Hai Nuo? The Duke is the best in the world!

Iron-blooded heavy cavalry, charge right now!

Legion of the Dead, keep charging!

When the time comes, the southern and western regions will combine...

hiss~

You know what, Ryan Chicken is moving.

Once and for all, completely laid to rest, am I finally going back to the organization?

"Hey, hey, hey? Ryan, why do you look like you're about to cry?" Maganna frowned and said unhappily, "Is it so difficult for you to get engaged to this Grand Duke? Is it possible that this Grand Duke will eat you up? It's just a status, and we can resolve it when the time comes."

Look at this man, he is so fussy and not even happy about getting engaged. I, the Duke, don’t think it’s a big deal!

"No, I'm so happy I'm about to cry, but I just feel...isn't this bad for your reputation, Grand Duke? Getting engaged to a commoner like me."

"What's the big deal? You're my most trusted minister, and you're a commoner now, so what? You'll be the Duke in the future, so who dares to question you?" Maganna smiled and patted Ryan on the shoulder. "I want everyone to know that anyone who is loyal to me will have a bright future! Of course, Ryan, you're special. Work hard, and I'll still protect you even when I become emperor!"

Maganna actually didn't care. It was just an engagement, and it wasn't a big deal for the sake of the empire. Even if they really got married, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, she thought Ryan was pretty good... well, he was just a little too tall, which made her unhappy.

In short, Maganna is now thinking about the great task of being an emperor. To accomplish great things, one should not be bothered by trivial matters. By the way, because Ryan is a subject whom she trusts, she does not dislike him. Otherwise, she would not have proposed a marriage with someone else.

Not everyone has the right to come up to my bed, Maganna. No, not even to touch it. Get away from me, or I'll chop you with my axe!

...

After much thought, Ryan decided to eat the Grand Duke's gigolo first.

Although I feel a little sorry for Her Royal Highness, the Grand Duke really has a kind heart!

u1s1, judging from the current situation, it is still a long way to go before we can reach the imperial capital, and Ryan really cannot break up with the Grand Duke first.

After all, 'Xia Li' and 'Vine' are not strong enough, and his wife 'Lin Qi' is at the Gate of Janus and can't help with this kind of thing, so he still has to stay on the pirate ship Maganna.

Oh no, not a pirate ship, but going home.

Since I've been blacklisted anyway, I might as well stick to it. I'm not going to pretend anymore and I'm going to reveal my cards. Whoever wants to be the damn traitor can be the one!

However, we still have to wait until the southern border is unified and sufficient preparations are made before taking action.

It would also be best to send Hainuo and even Casradi away from Berman City first, so as to prevent Casradi from rebelling. After all, she is still a legitimate princess, and many nobles in the southern border come here for her reputation.

This matter can be left to Lin Qi. In order to build a relationship with the Janus Gate, Casradi should go there immediately, and he had planned to go before.

"Alas, I was devoted to the bright moon, but it only shines on the ditch..." No matter how I think about it, it's all the Emperor's fault. Otherwise, why would I betray Her Royal Highness? I just want to be a good person, that's all.

Ryan still felt that there was nothing good about being an emperor. He was being watched every day, and there were all kinds of assassinations and riots. It would be a death sentence for him to deal with these things every day.

I don’t want to be an emperor, absolutely not!

Or maybe it would be nice to push the Grand Duke up? Then I can become a prince naturally.

I have to say that the Grand Duke is indeed awesome, but there is no main storyline with Maganna in the game, and the latter has a very stubborn personality, so after she is conquered, it basically means the basement plot after the defeat.

However, if you really want to go the Grand Duke route, the starting advantage is indeed too great. He has the right to rule the Western Territory, and the Grand Duke is a powerful transcendent. It is really not difficult for him to lead 100,000 iron-blooded people out of the Western Territory.

Although this game is not difficult, it's just shooting, and as long as you enjoy shooting, it's fine.

"Speaking of which, I also need to go to the Janus Gate."

On the way back to Berman City, Ryan investigated some things about other gods. Unfortunately, the records about gods in this world were too superficial, and some were even just a simple sentence or two.

Those detailed information are probably kept within the major sects as core information.

Moreover, some of the information is spiritually polluting and not everyone can read it. One glance at it may lead to you being assimilated into a believer.

"Can I secretly cultivate some traitors from other sects?"

Ryan suddenly thought of a clever idea.

"However, the initial identity cannot be determined. Even if you want to join the cult, it is not that easy, and climbing to the top is even more difficult."

"Unless you're already in it at the start, you can only see if you can get it randomly in the later career prerequisites."

Wait, why do I always want to be the mole?

convex

This is a bad habit I have picked up.

"Lin Qi, do you think there are any religious messages hidden inside the Janus Gate? Please help me check it out later."

Ryan said to Lin Qi who was sitting opposite him.

Lin Qi hummed.

"Also, when we get to Berman City, just say you're looking for my help. Use the same excuse as before. Casradi won't be suspicious."

Keep going.

In fact, Lin Qi understands all of this. She is just a little cold, not stupid.

It’s better to say that ‘Lin Qi’ is quite smart, otherwise he would have made the Duke so angry that he seemed to have become three centimeters shorter with just one sentence.

The train slowly moved towards the city of Berman with a clanging sound.

the other side.

After the battle in Yinfeng City, the situation in the southern border gradually became clear.

The two sides were temporarily tied at almost 50, with the Alliance Army winning a small victory. However, after Ryan let "Charlie" take over Silver Front City, he began to focus on development, not rushing to attack, and waited for Maganna's action.

The strength of the Red Tiger Guard is still too strong. If we force our way in, we will have to take on the enemy with us.

Forget about those miscellaneous troops, the main Holy Blood Legion has more than 2,000 people at most, and they finally have some combat effectiveness. If they are all killed, what will they use to guard the territory?

So you can't fight.

It would only take two or three days for Maganna to mobilize troops and march over from the western border. Ryan could still afford to wait for this time.

"what?"

In the castle of Silver Front City.