Can't I develop my own character?

"Oh?" Ryan was puzzled. "Who is it?"

"He said his name was Jonathan."

Ryan was stunned, fuck Old Joe!

...

Jonathan stood in the open space outside the camp, took out a cigarette, lit it and took two puffs, then turned to look at the Iron Blood Army's temporary camp.

He was wearing a gray windbreaker, his hair was a little messy, and his beard was untidy. He looked like a decadent forty-year-old uncle.

It wasn't until Ryan appeared from the camp that a glimmer of light finally appeared in his listless eyes.

"Old Captain!"

Ryan strode out of the camp, "You're not dead!"

"Cough cough cough!" Jonathan choked. "What bullshit are you talking about? Do I look like a dead person?"

"Well, I heard from Lin Qi that you were injured and disappeared for so many days. I thought something happened."

"Go! I'm fine!" Jonathan waved his hand, exhaled a puff of cigarette to catch his breath, and looked Ryan up and down with the cigarette in his mouth: "But you, kid, are really good at hiding it. You fooled me."

"Uh, Captain, I have no choice." Ryan spread his hands. "Whether you believe it or not, I really consider you a friend, Old Joe. It's just that there are some things that force me to do so."

Since Old Joe came to find him, Ryan knew that the other party at least didn't intend to kill him. Since there was room for conversation, he didn't hide it. He had no excuse, so he just took sides. There was nothing he could do.

Jonathan was more open-minded, mainly because the old emperor was dead and he no longer had someone to be loyal to.

"I didn't come to you to listen to you say these things." Jonathan interrupted Ryan. "There is no right or wrong position. You are really concerned about the people of the Empire. I can see that. I came to you this time to ask you to do me a favor."

"Oh? What are you busy with?"

"Fire-Chasing Covenant, Barron City has been searching for the Fire Chaser lately. If this continues, the Fire Chaser will be extinguished. After all, you are a member of the Fire Chaser Covenant. Please help me find a solution."

Ryan raised his eyebrows: "Old Joe, what level are you?"

"Let me put it this way." Jonathan threw the cigarette in his mouth to the ground and stomped it out. "I founded Zhuhuo, but later due to some reasons, I left the imperial capital, and since then, Zhuhuo has been directly controlled by His Majesty."

really!

Ryan knew that Old Joe must have big eyes.

"So, even though the Fire-Seeking Covenant has become a mess, I still don't want to see it perish. In my heart, Fire-Seeking should be a sharp sword protecting the empire. Your Majesty ultimately went down the wrong path, otherwise it wouldn't have ended like this."

"Then why don't you go find Vene? The Fire Chaser is spread throughout the empire. She should be happy to take over this power."

"Her?" Jonathan scoffed. "Honestly, I don't trust her. I even went to Silver Edge City to ask her about you, but she actually said she didn't know. That woman's acting is incredible. I didn't realize she planned all this!"

"Of course, if she hadn't gotten involved with that Saint, I wouldn't be so worried. But now Saint Janus has joined the High Lords' Council. Listen to what that means. If I hand the Fire-Chasing Covenant to her, I'm afraid she'll sell it for a fortune the next second."

Jonathan had no hostility towards the Janus Gate, but to put it simply, they were not on the same page. The great Augustus Empire would not be so destitute as to require the intervention of the Janus Gate, right?

Anyway, he was unhappy.

"In order to avoid repeating the same mistakes, the Fire Chaser force can no longer be handed over to the Emperor's personal control. However, I can't think of any other solution, so I can only ask you for help. You are now the Grand Duke's favorite and a high lord of the Empire. You can't forget your brothers."

Although Jonathan said it in a joking tone, Ryan knew that he was really concerned about the whereabouts of the Fire Covenant.

The empire needs a sharp sword, this fire cannot be extinguished.

Ryan understood and asked, "So what do you mean?"

"I was considering handing the Fire-Seeking Covenant over to Princess Casradi, but I don't want to see the empire in chaos again. Once ambitious people gain power, war is bound to break out. Augustus's strength should be used externally, not wasted on something like civil war."

"In that case, why don't you go directly to the Inquisition and merge the Fire-Seeking Covenant with the Inquisition?" Ryan said. "Her Highness Venetian seemed to have this idea at the previous meeting. If the Chief Inquisitor can be appointed a High Lord, the Fire-Seeking Covenant will have someone to rely on."

"The Inquisition? Those guys who only know how to wag their tails to the nobles? I don't trust them."

"That's why they need change, and I think that's great."

Jonathan stroked his chin. "That would be nice if it were truly possible... but it would strengthen the Empire, which might not be very friendly to Maganna."

Ryan chuckled: "The Grand Duke's personality is actually not that suitable for Emperor D. Being an emperor is harmful to her."

Jonathan was surprised: "Aren't you afraid that she will chop you down if you think so?"

"What are you afraid of? No one else heard it. Why don't you go and try and see if she believes me or you?"

"Tsk~ I'm not going... How about this, if possible, can you help me connect with her? I want to talk to Her Highness Venetian."

Jonathan's eyes rolled, and he suddenly thought of a good idea. Since he didn't trust the emperor and was worried about the Inquisition, there was no other way. He might as well pack up and hand over Zhuhuo to Ryan.

Although he was wrong in his stance, he felt that his judgment on character was correct.

Ryan is truly caring about the people of the empire, and isn't this the core purpose of the Fire Covenant?

I just don’t know whether the new emperor will agree.

.......

First update! Considering the protagonist's need to control the nation and wield power, some side characters exist specifically for this purpose. I won't spend too much time describing these side characters. Basically, I'll only focus on characters with significant career advancement; otherwise, the characterization wouldn't be sufficient.

Keep updating! Please vote! Please support! ! !

Chapter 117 The Sixth Wife is a Soul Eater, ruling the country from the harem is also ruling the country!

Will 'Weinei' refuse?

of course not.

Ryan had long wanted to integrate the Fire Covenant, but he had never found a suitable method. Now that Jonathan was leading the charge, it would be easier.

He planned to completely change the nature of the court. The law was only a part of the trial. Many things could not be judged by the law, so they would be judged through other means.

For example, just shark.

However, this matter cannot be made public. Anyway, the Fire Covenant will continue to operate as usual. Who is the leader? It is the mysterious L.

Ryan asked Jonathan to wait for news and then make arrangements for "Weine". After all, it would be better to handle this matter in a low-key manner and not let the Grand Duke know.

When he returned to the camp, he opened the game and switched to the character interface of 'Weinei'.

The third wife is currently in the deepest part of the underground space, studying the cracks in the inner world.

This crack already existed, and the power of the sacrifice only opened a new crack. I was busy dealing with other things before, so I only had time to come and check it out today.

"This seems to be a special chaotic space, the power of the Blood God."

'Weinei's' inner monologue is displayed on the interface.

She tried to enter the inner world, but was stopped by a force. The power of the Blood God was preventing her from entering.

"Perhaps, only those who have passed the Blood God profession can enter."

"Can't get in?"

Ryan rubbed his chin.

It was surprising that there was a road leading to the chaotic space under the imperial city. The old emperor firmly believed that the Blood God could grant him eternal life. In addition to being plotted against by Creed, it might also be related to this place.

Although we can't get in, it seems to be stable at the moment and there shouldn't be any crisis.

"Let Charlie come and take a look later."

Having such a thing is like burying a bomb in the house. Ryan will definitely not feel at ease until he finds out what it is.

He then gave orders to 'Weine' to send someone to contact Jonathan at his hiding place. As for how to deal with the matter, he didn't need to get involved, believing that 'Weine' could handle it herself.

Ryan’s idea is very clear. He raises trumpets and uses them to govern the country.

These wives are so capable, what is there to worry about?

Is it not governing the country if the harem governs the country?

"When the people in power are all my wives, isn't that the safest way to govern the country?"

Ryan walked out of the tent comfortably and came to Maganna's tent.

The Grand Duke was holding a magical secret document in his hand, his delicate brows were furrowed, and he looked rather cute despite his angry expression.

"Grand Duke, what happened?"

"Hmph! It's still those damned Western Barbarians!" Maganna snorted. "Those guys are really lingering around. While the Iron Blood Army was still mobilizing, they crossed the Tartar Line and attacked a border city."

"Also, over here, those barbarians started heading towards Kells City. They probably changed their route after receiving the news that the Iron Blood Army was returning to defend."

The most troublesome thing about the Western Barbarians is the various harassments. Even if you ignore them, they will come to take advantage of you every now and then. However, the Western Barbarian army is quite powerful, especially in terms of mobility. They are mainly composed of light cavalry, and they will fight and run away, making it impossible to catch up.

Just as the Augustan civil strife had just subsided, the Western Barbarian Army started trouble again on the Tartar defense line, attacked a city, burned, killed, looted and plundered, and then withdrew immediately after receiving the return of the main force of the Iron Blood Army, without even wanting to fight.

But they did not withdraw completely. They made a circle and headed south along the border, obviously wanting to continue plundering.

"Kells City?"

Ryan thought for a moment, isn't that the birthplace of 'Vene'?

"Winter is coming, and these barbarians are going to rob supplies to survive the winter." Maganna was very angry and almost rose a centimeter in anger.

"Winter? It's still going to take another two months for the temperature to drop completely, right?"

"The temperatures in the western prairie are dropping quickly, especially here..." Maganna pointed to a spot on the map that belonged to the northern part of the prairie. "This area is basically just barren grassland. In winter, it's filled with snow and wind, and it's extremely cold. The western barbarians rely solely on animal husbandry and lack supplies, so the winter mortality rate is very high."

"Don't they engage in industrial production?"

"No, that's why we call them barbarians. But don't underestimate these people. The Western Barbarians have racial gods, so the probability of them producing extraordinary people is very high."

"I see."

It is true that they are a primitive race. Without industrial production, they can only plunder. Only the fittest can survive in such a cruel environment. Coupled with the strengthening of the racial god, it is really difficult to break this cycle.

What the hell is barbarian spirit?

No wonder a powerful army like the Iron Blood Army can only guard the western border. Ryan's previous thoughts were a bit simple. He didn't expect that these barbarians actually had a racial god. These are two completely different concepts.

The existence of racial gods means that they have faith, and in this case it will be particularly difficult to disintegrate from within.

Moreover, the prairie is really big. It is difficult for the army to wipe out the scattered tribes if they go deep into the grassland. The long journey will make the people and horses tired and make them vulnerable to attacks. After all, the environment there is not very good.

Ryan touched his chin. He did have some ideas, but he was not sure whether it would work at the moment. After all, he knew too little about those barbarians.

"Grand Duke, do you think these barbarians have any idea of ​​establishing a nation?"

"Establishing a nation?" Magna was stunned. She took out the black book and flipped through it. "Let me see... I have it. The Western Barbarians used to be a nation, but with the fall of their racial god, they were completely disbanded. They spent almost a thousand years like this."

According to the records in the Black Book, the fall of the racial god almost led to the extinction of the entire Western Barbarians. It took so many years for them to recover little by little, and today they have grown to a size that is enough to threaten the existence of the Augustus Empire.

From the perspective of racial aspirations, they certainly want to establish a country, but they don't have the conditions.

What else is there on the prairie besides fuck?

However, it would be different if someone came along who could help them.

"Lian, what do you mean? You still want to help them build a country?" Magna's eyes widened. "Helping the enemy?"

"Didn't you say that the Western Barbarian Army was too scattered and therefore difficult to be completely eliminated? If there was a city-state that was big enough, wouldn't they gather together?" Ryan spread his hands.

"They are not fools. How could they gather together and let us fight?"

"So it all depends on how tempting it is to establish a nation. Judging from the description in the Dark Book, this plan is feasible. Once they begin building a nation, it will inevitably consume a huge amount of manpower and material resources, and the already tight budget may become even more difficult. This is the first reason. Secondly, once a city-state is established, given the characteristics of the Western Barbarian Army, defending the city is not their forte, and will only hinder their ability to fight. In addition, a nation requires a king. You saw how outrageous Augustus's fight for the throne was. Civil unrest can happen anywhere. This is the third reason."

"Of course, it depends on how it's done, and what legitimate identity is used to guide it... Well, this kind of thing is definitely suited for the Eye of Dawn and Dusk. They're really good at sneaking things up on people."

The Western Prairie must be taken, so Ryan has to think of a way. Even if he has to use force, he must first find a way to concentrate their main forces. Otherwise, even if the Holy Blood Army grows to more than 100,000 or 200,000 people, it will be impossible to destroy it.

And then again, the Holy Blood Army is also busy. Not to mention the chaos within the empire, the Kingdom of Cainte in the south is also making trouble, and the Northern Alliance in the east is about to go to war. Ryan even thinks it would be great if the blood clone of 'Charlie' can exist forever.

Therefore, it is better to let the Grand Duke handle the problems in the Western Territory. If he also goes there, it will naturally be more convenient to implement... It's a pity that there is no small account to start with in the Western Territory, otherwise the racial god thing is still quite attractive.

"What do you think, Grand Duke?" Ryan asked.

"Great!" Magna's eyes lit up. "Lian, we are going to rule the prairie!"

"Well, that's just a hypothesis, just on paper."

“I think it’s almost there!”

"..."

Well, in the past, the Iron Blood Army fought by attacking and attacking, using hard power to fight. No wonder Creed, the military advisor, was valued. Now Ryan has proposed a plan. In the eyes of the Grand Duke, it can succeed without a plan. Now that there is a plan, isn't it a sure thing?

"Um..."

Ryan lowered his eyes and looked at Maganna who was alone in an excited state, and suddenly felt a little strange.

Although the Grand Duke had said before that he liked to trust and not doubt, so he trusted him very much, but every time he saw the Grand Duke's appearance, he always wondered if the power of God's choice was not just about suppressing height. That wasn't right. At least the Grand Duke was quite smart before.