This young master truly has the ambition of a hero.

Fortunately, these two overly beautiful nuns were impeccable in their demeanor, exuding a sense of holiness in every gesture, and looked more respectable than some of the nuns at the main church.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the group marched up the slope. Dick dismounted, holding the ice staff in both hands, and walked up the newly repaired steps to the top of the hill. Two nuns clasped their hands together in a gesture of devout prayer and accompanied Dick to the top, while the rest of the group waited at the foot of the mountain.

Looking at the ice staff in Dick's hand, Naus felt a pang of jealousy. He had worked diligently for the gods and the church for so many years, and the only reward he received was some holy artifacts made by the church itself. But what Dick held was a genuine divine artifact, and there had never been any record of it before, indicating that it was specially made for him, the chosen one, by the god of winter.

He never dared to dream of such a blessing before!

Watching the three ascend the mountain, Dick, who had calculated the time in advance, stepped onto the top of the hill the instant his legs touched the summit. The rising sun from the east shone over the hilltop onto the people below. In this dazzling sunlight on the sacred steps, Dick planted his ice staff into the pre-leveled ground. Divine power gushing from the top of the staff condensed into ice crystals, forming walls and a roof, eventually transforming into a cathedral entirely made of ice, refracting brilliant colors under the sunlight.

"God! A miracle! This is a miracle!!!"

Amidst the gasps and exclamations of the crowd, someone shouted "Miracle!" and then the crowd, like wheat fields swaying in the wind, prostrated themselves in droves, leaving the church members who had come to witness the ceremony dumbfounded.

At the top of the mountain, Dick was in the main hall of the Ice Church, but he found that the temperature here did not feel very cold. When he reached out and touched the wall, it felt more like smooth glass, and it did not melt because of his body heat.

Clearly! A temple sculpted with divine power, even if it's made of ice, is divine ice.

Dick believed that the Winter Cathedral would become a landmark building, a true "spectacle," and one that could significantly increase faith value.

Although Dick harbored a resistant attitude towards religion, he also knew that faith was a double-edged sword. With the backing of a true God, he was confident that he could drive those cults out of his territory.

"This church is really beautiful, Commander."

"It's not cold at all, that's great."

Resentment and Qi Gante were also marveling at the wonder of the church when they heard Resentment refer to herself as Commander again, so they quickly reminded her to be mindful of the occasion.

The name currently used by Yuanchou is a transliteration of the English word "Implacable," while Qigante still uses his original name.

However, Dick knew that Qigante was actually her alias after she transformed. She had a real name, but unfortunately she was reluctant to say it, so everyone just called her "Qigant".

Soon, the crowd surged up from the hillside. The private soldiers who had been deployed in advance worked hard to maintain order so that everyone could come up to worship and pray in an orderly manner.

Resentment and Qi Gante quickly entered "business mode" and looked quite professional.

Before long, news of the establishment of the Winter God Cult in Lagug spread, and allies of the Northern Alliance and surrounding lords sent envoys to inquire about the situation.

Upon learning that the Winter God Cult was an orthodox religion recognized by the Holy Domain Church, he immediately expressed his willingness to follow and believe in it.

Thanks to the "broad faith concept" that the Holy Domain Church has been promoting since its establishment, at least among humans and some demi-humans who have integrated into human society, people have long been accustomed to worshiping multiple gods at the same time. The Holy Domain Church would love for you to believe in all the gods they worship, so it will not deliberately create divisions among believers in terms of doctrine.

This is the optimal solution reached after negotiations among the various leaders. As long as no one is impulsive enough to overturn the table, everyone can have food without having to fight to the death.

After the religious issue was resolved, the security situation in Laguge stabilized almost immediately. In the face of true miracles, the deceptive tricks of the underground church were no match for them. Some cults that truly worshipped evil spirits were also suppressed by divine power due to the establishment of the Winter God faith.

Because the true form of the Winter God lies dormant beneath Lagug, the Ice and Snow Church acts like an antenna extending from Him, forming a signal shielding zone that covers the entire Lagug region, preventing cultists from using the power they received from the evil god within this area.

And Dick also kept his promise to the god of winter, Ajax, by doing good deeds through the religion of the god of winter.

The Eight Honors and Eight Shames, which were used as the foundation of the doctrine, were originally moral norms that inspired people to be positive and motivated. Dick took advantage of the guiding power of religion to successfully promote compulsory education, which had previously been difficult to implement. Moreover, because it was done in the name of God, he also took the opportunity to get local gentry to donate money.

The money was later split 30/70, with 30% allocated to healthcare and 70% to education.

Dick felt like he was living paycheck to paycheck, quickly investing every penny and every batch of supplies he received into developing his territory. Seeing his land rapidly developing gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.

While Ragug was entering a period of rapid growth, on the other side, Ramon, who had just leisurely returned to the orc capital with his army and spoils, was immediately questioned by the council of elders. Those loyal to Ramon and those who opposed him were arguing fiercely in the council tent.

The crux of the dispute is who should bear the responsibility for the burning of the Orc capital.

The elders blamed Ramon, believing that he had taken away all the orcs' elite forces and misjudged the strength of the human counterattack, which led to the human taking advantage of the orcs' capital to invade.

Meanwhile, Ramon questioned the elders, saying that they were the ones guarding the rear. Ramon had indeed taken away the elite troops, but the Orcish capital hadn't claimed to be entirely composed of the old, weak, sick, and disabled, and there were even three Saint-level experts. It was the elders' incompetence that led them to arbitrarily shift the blame to others.

Amidst the debate, the most agitated was an orc leaning on a cane beside Ramon. He was the Saint-ranked druid who could transform into a Nightmare Dragon. He was also the only Saint-ranked expert on the front lines to be severely wounded, which made him feel extremely ashamed. He felt that His Majesty the Beast King had failed to stop the human cavalry because he was trying to save him.

When he was carried back to the orc capital, he was shocked to hear more bad news: his teacher had been killed.

His teacher was one of the three Saint-level experts who perished in the Orcish Capital that day, the giant stag-headed demon that Behemoth defeated in three moves.

That old orc was a grandmaster of the orc druid lineage. In his youth, he was seriously injured in a battle with a human saint-level expert, which unfortunately left him disabled. Now that he is old, although he is still a saint-level expert, his strength is far from what it used to be. He has turned his attention to teaching his disciples and has also trained another saint-level expert.

This highly respected elder, whom almost every orc druid would call "Grandmaster," was forced to fight against a human saint-level expert with his crippled body in order to protect those useless elders, ultimately suffering a tragic defeat and death.

It's worth mentioning that the human expert who crippled the old orc back then was Behemoth, so the two recognized each other immediately upon meeting. Behemoth was surprised that he hadn't been able to kill him back then, so he promptly delivered the "finishing blow" that came half a century late.

In short, the druid vowed revenge because of his master's tragic death.

Just as the two sides were arguing, several people wearing black velvet cloaks entered the tent, reached out and took off the hoods of their cloaks, revealing several exceptionally handsome elven faces.

The leading elf glanced arrogantly at the two factions of orcs, then sneered at Ramon.

"While you orcs are wasting your time arguing, the humans are already preparing for their revenge! Your Majesty, I have some information that might interest you. Would you like to know who exactly set fire to your capital?"

Chapter 167: "Going Along with the Culprits"

The sudden arrival of the elves silenced the orcs who had been arguing, and they all turned to glare angrily at the elves.

If Ramon hadn't raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down, some hot-tempered guys probably wouldn't have been able to hold back and would have grabbed knives and chopped these "little bean sprouts" into pieces.

There is a long-standing feud between orcs and elves. Or more accurately, at their peak, the elves discriminated against and oppressed all other advanced intelligent races. Orcs were no exception. In fact, many elven elders who survived the Holy Kingdom era never acknowledged that orcs were an intelligent race with their own civilization, but instead contemptuously referred to them as "beasts that just happen to be able to talk."

But times have changed, and now the world is dominated by humans. Neither the elves nor the orcs are a match for them.

Therefore, facing a common and formidable enemy, Ramon had already made contact with the Elves long ago, because his advisors suggested that the enemy of my enemy could become an ally. But to say that the two sides could completely put aside their grudges from the past thousands of years and form a close alliance is absolutely impossible.

With Ramon's intelligence, he naturally knew that these elves were there to stir up trouble. Moreover, Ramon was no longer like he was a few years ago when he first started cooperating with the elves and had to rely entirely on them to obtain intelligence on the humans. He now had his own intelligence network, so he knew that the Black Forest Empire of the humans had conducted a massive manhunt against the Dead Tree Party last year, which lasted for several months and caused the Dead Tree Party heavy losses.

Ramon then sneered at the arrogant elf in a mocking tone.

"I heard your people suffered a major setback on the human side. Even Hanmuladi, who was known as the First Saint, was killed. What? Are you trying to use us orcs to take revenge?"

"Hmph! You went to great lengths, but didn't you also suffer heavy losses at the hands of the human race? I heard that you lost a quarter of your sons in this battle. We're even."

"Ha! Who the hell is on par with you? I have hundreds of wives, over a thousand kids in twenty years, and I can still go on for another fifty years. Can you do that, you little rascal!"

"you……"

As the saying goes, "to hit someone is to hit them in the face." Ramon knew that the birth rate was the elves' eternal pain, which was also the fundamental reason why they were eventually replaced by humans. Although the orcs had lower average intelligence and their magical talent was far inferior to that of the elves, their birth rate was something that even humans would be ashamed of.

Moreover, strictly speaking, although the orcs are not as good as the humans, their situation is far better than that of the elves. After all, the orcs have just completed the initial unification of their tribes, and the newly established nation is on the rise, while the elves have been declining for the past thousand years.

The three elven principalities in the south are like dogs with broken spines, "elven pastures" intentionally preserved by humans. They have completely lost their spirit of resistance and only know how to wag their tails and beg for mercy from humans.

The remnants of the Dead Tree Party did have a rebellious spirit, but this group of old fogies, who exuded a rotten smell from their very bones, were stubborn and still clung to the airs of the "Holy Kingdom of the Elves." Although Ramon took the initiative to contact them, his original intention was to use their underground intelligence network, which had been operating for many years, and at the same time, to exchange the rare minerals produced in the wasteland for healthy human female slaves.

Faced with Ramon's sarcasm, the elves showed anger, but this was, after all, orc territory, and there was more than one Saint-level expert present. If the messengers were to clash, they probably wouldn't last even a second. Therefore, they had no choice but to hold back.

The leading elf took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure, and Ramon didn't provoke him further, instead mimicking the arrogant expression he had when he first arrived.

"So, what information did you bring me? But don't blame me for not warning you beforehand, if I'm not interested in this information... I'll be quite unhappy!"

After Ramon finished speaking, the surrounding orcs all let out malicious laughter. A few particularly perverted individuals even deliberately pulled out knives and then stuck out their tongues to lick the back of the blades with bloodthirsty expressions.

The leading elf began to regret his initial boastful act, but he was actually just a messenger. In order to complete the mission, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and reveal the information about Lord Dick Best of Ragug and the Northern United Front he led.

Ramon listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Meanwhile, in Ragug, Dick was unaware that the elves of the Dead Tree Party had deliberately given information about him to the orcs, helping him to firmly hold their hatred.

But ignorance doesn't mean Dick isn't on guard. Lagug is a territory located on the border of the Empire, with the fjord to the north forming the border and the wasteland on the other side. Long before the orc invasion, it was a pirate stronghold, and all indications suggested that they had dealings with the orcs in the wasteland. Dick only learned after wiping out the Sea Tiger Gang's pirates that the Dry Tree Gang had acted as intermediaries.

If Dick hadn't made a concerted effort to suppress the bandits last spring, luring out and annihilating the Sea Tiger Gang, then when the orcs invaded in winter, these pirates would have acted as "traitors," leading the orcs to plunder and share in the spoils.

So after the orcs retreated, Dick decided to strengthen the defenses on the south bank of the fjord. However, before that, he made a special trip to the border fortress area in the northwest to visit the commander of the border legion.

The commander of the Border Legion was August Erwin, who held the title of Marquis but belonged to the court nobility without actual fiefdoms, that is, a member of the bureaucratic system.

It is worth mentioning that this legion commander and Dick are related. August's wife was from the Best family and was Dick's third aunt, so she was also his uncle.

Of course! Marriages between nobles are mostly unions of interests, and August had hardly ever heard of his nephew Dick before.

However, Dick's current identity is no longer that of an unknown illegitimate son in the Duke's mansion. He is now Earl Ragug and a super-powerful mage with Saint-level strength.

Although the empire was corrupt, it always respected those who were truly powerful. It can be said that from the moment Dick stepped into the Saint rank, no one dared to despise him because of his bloodline, or at least not openly.

August had heard of Dick's reputation. After all, the propaganda offensive of the Northern United Front had spread throughout the north for the past two months, and even though he was holed up in the fortress and didn't go out, he had heard about it to some extent.

It was precisely because of the Northern Alliance's outstanding performance that the incompetence of the Border Legion was highlighted, which made August very unhappy, but he couldn't show it.

August thought that Dick had come to question him, just like the other lords, but Dick's opening remarks completely surprised August.

“My dear uncle, I’ve come here today to share your burdens.”

"To...share my burdens?"

"Yes, Uncle... Alright! When discussing official business, we should address each other by our titles. Your Excellency, Commander, the orc invasion has caused heavy losses to our northern territory. Many angry lords are blaming you, which I think is unfair. After all, your legion only has 30,000 men, yet you have to defend such a long border, while the invading orcs number over 100,000. Anyone in your position would have been helpless. Rather, it is your prudent and wise choice to hold the line and not launch a rash attack that has tied down a large number of orcs, preventing them from concentrating their full strength to invade. You and the border legion have made a contribution!"

Dick's words were clearly a sophistry to justify the border legion's cowardice, but August found them quite pleasing. His gaze towards Dick became much more friendly, and he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"I didn't expect you to understand my predicament and good intentions, my dear nephew. I had no choice, but unfortunately those big shots above don't understand. Not only did those insects not send a single reinforcement to the north, but they also wanted to shift all the blame for this defeat onto me. I guess my time as the legion commander is coming to an end."

"So, isn't that why I'm here to help you, Uncle?"

"Oh! Can you help me?"

“The people in the central government blame you for being afraid to fight and not coming out, but you were clearly holding your ground and waiting for reinforcements.”

"But I... didn't achieve anything!"

"Yes, I do. You're my uncle-in-law, we're family, why should we be so formal?"

As Dick spoke, he led August to the window to look down, where they saw the private army that had come with Dick bringing cartloads of goods covered with tarpaulins into the fortress.

When the leader, White Gun, saw Dick looking over, he ordered someone to lift the cover. Underneath were neatly stacked orc heads, which had already been preserved with lime. The other wagons not only contained heads, but also many orc army flags and weapons, and even some living orc prisoners.

Upon seeing this, August's eyes widened, and his voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

How much did you bring?

"Fifteen hundred heads, sixty cartloads of spoils. You can report this number to your superiors."

As Dick spoke, he held up five fingers.

August nodded. With these items that could prove his military achievements, plus his family's connections and wealth, he should be able to keep his position as legion commander if he managed things well.

Feeling much more at ease, he turned to look at Dick and asked without beating around the bush.

"Nephew, how do you want your uncle to repay this generous gift?"

"I hope that the Border Legion can establish six new fortresses in the eastern fjord region and deploy no fewer than six thousand soldiers."

"You want me to send troops to help you defend your territory? I don't have that many people."

Upon hearing Dick's request, August immediately looked troubled. His border legion was nominally a legion of 30,000 men, but in reality, it only had less than 22,000 soldiers. Yet Dick asked for no less than 6,000, taking away nearly a third of his forces. This was beyond August's acceptable limit.

But Dick laughed and said that the 6,000 men did not need to be provided by the border legion; they only needed to be organized, and the troop strength and provisions could be handled by their eastern lords.

However, Dick didn't want soldiers, but rather some "special equipment" from the Border Legion. He wanted to equip the six newly built fortresses, which were still in the planning stages, with the same magical artillery and musketeers as the Western Front fortress complex. Upon hearing this, August immediately asked on alert.

What do you want to do?

"Of course we need to protect ourselves! Just look at the map. My territory is separated from the wasteland by a fjord, and that damn fjord is a whopping 400 kilometers long! Our Eastern Lords have always believed that we need to strengthen defenses in all places where orcs might land, and therefore we need powerful long-range weapons. Dear Uncle, I do have the courage to fight the orcs, but that doesn't mean I'm not afraid at all! These six fortresses are still nominally your troops, under your command. If we achieve any merit in the future, won't it all be credited to you? Our Eastern Lords only want safety, nothing else."

"..."

Under Dick's patient persuasion and with the "small token" contributed by the lords of the Northern Union, August finally agreed to Dick's suggestion, allowing the Northern Union, led by Dick, to share the burden of the border legions.

August then personally led Dick to visit the armory inside the fortress. Dick looked at the powerful weapons that hadn't fired a single shot during the orc invasion and said with a worried expression.

"Commander, your troops lost half of their heavy weapons in the previous fierce battle. Now the orc threat is getting worse. You should apply to the central government for replenishment and reinforcement of your weapons."

"...I'll try my best."

Having gotten what he wanted from August, Dick bid farewell to his good uncle and left the fortress satisfied.

After the group left through the gate, Bai Qiangdai, who was accompanying them, couldn't help but ask.

"Master, why should we cooperate with this kind of person?"

"Are you stupid? If the border legion were to be commanded by a capable and upright leader, what would be the point of us playing this game?"

Chapter 168: The Cannon Fires

When contacting the Border Legion, Dick's biggest desire was for "organization." With organization, he could more rationally expand his troops and equip this force, which was nominally under the Border Legion's control, with better weapons. The magic cannon was just a side request, and he didn't expect August to agree so readily.

The so-called powerful magic cannon is just a lump of materials piled up to make it. Anyone who knows even a little about the development process of this thing will know how outrageous the Empire's research department is!

Initially, when the project was first launched, the alchemists in charge were quite pragmatic. They understood the Empire's capabilities, so they followed the Earthlings' advice and started with the most basic things based on the existing conditions. They built a muzzle-loading cannon equivalent to the level of Earth in the 17th century, gave it to the troops to familiarize themselves with the use of firearms, and then made small but rapid progress, gradually improving the technology.

However, the matter quickly took a turn for the worse due to the involvement of nobles.

When the aristocratic lords who didn't understand technology arrived, they started interfering with the project. They felt that the initial targets set by the technical staff were too conservative and could not reflect the strength of the empire. They believed that the targets should be raised, and not just a little, but by a lot!

The initial specifications stipulated that the effective range of the cannon only needed to reach 800 to 1,000 meters, and its own weight was about 300 kilograms. With a wheeled gun mount, it could barely be used for mobile warfare.