Although Lance wanted to chop down a certain shameless city defense officer, he gave up the idea in the end because of Nina Bonn's innocent eyes (the law of true fragrance?)
"Your Highness, good afternoon!" Apophis Breo and Marcus smiled at Roland.
"Uh, I really want to know Lance's expression right now..." Roland sighed, holding his forehead.
"What's going on? I'm here to inspect the defenses. Yun Feng said the peaceful days won't last much longer." Roland sighed.
"I think so too, alas..." Marcus sighed.
"The orcs won't be at peace for long. We will certainly face frequent attacks from them in the days ahead. It's a pity that we haven't broken through Dol Guldur! Our depth is still not wide enough. We can only pray that the Lulong Fortress can withstand these damn beasts!" Roland nodded and reluctantly agreed with their words. After all, the population of humans, elves, and dwarves in Middle-earth combined is not as large as that of orcs, and the orcs' reproductive capacity is even greater than that of elves, dwarves, and humans.
"The era belonging to mankind has not yet arrived..." Roland sighed. The War of the Ring has not yet begun, and humans are still not the protagonists of Middle-earth.
"Let's wait and see. We have no ability to change this. We can only protect our people from harm." Roland said helplessly.
"I will be leaving for an expedition to the Moria Mines soon. After I leave, the defense of the entire River Rapids will be handed over to you! City Defense Officer!" Roland patted Marcus on the shoulder and encouraged him.
"Thank you for your affirmation! I will definitely live up to your trust!" Marcus said, pounding his chest.
"What about me? Your Highness..." Apophis Breo said anxiously. He was eager to gain merit in the war so that he could live up to the honor of his family.
"Hahaha! How could I leave the men of the Lion's House aside? Just come with me this time! There are enough orcs there for you to swing your sword with!" Roland smiled.
"By the way, have you married and had children?" Roland suddenly asked curiously. Although Apophis Breo was young, he thought that as an ancient noble, inheritance should be their priority. After all, the King's Lion family has never been very prosperous.
"Um... Your Highness, I don't have one yet. If you have a suitable lady to introduce to me, I wouldn't mind. But it seems that there isn't one in Rapid City..." Apophis Breo was immediately embarrassed. He didn't expect his king to be so gossipy.
"Okay, then you stay this time. After all, you're the only child of the Junlin family. If something happens to me, I won't be able to face the Dukes of Junlin after I die." Roland thought about it and decided not to bring the only child of the Junlin family with him. There weren't many nobles in his family to begin with. In this world, nobles weren't just vampires of the people, but masters of knowledge and wisdom. Most nobles were technically gifted. Compared to commoners who had little experience in their lives, nobles were definitely the cornerstone of a country. Roland wasn't crazy enough to promote equality for all in this medieval world. That wouldn't be progress, that would be madness! Think about those common people who only knew how to farm and brew wine. How could they govern the country?
"Why? This is not fair! I am a noble! And a knight! I need to prove myself on the battlefield!" Apophis Breo said excitedly.
"You've proven yourself! You've proven your heart! Now all you need to do is keep our civilization going! I don't want my few remaining great lords to lie dead on battlefields that don't belong to us!" Roland said coldly. He could go to the battlefield because he was the king! And more importantly, because he possessed a divine weapon! He had the full protection of everyone, but Apophis Breo, who charged into battle, might not be so lucky.
"Instead of going into battle to kill the enemy, you might as well cultivate more reserve nobles for me! Our land is vast and needs a constant supply of blood to replenish it, and you are the most suitable person!" Roland explained.
"Remember, we don't lack soldiers to fight in battle, what we lack are nobles to manage the land! Look behind you! How many nobles from that vast empire are still standing before us now?" Roland shouted.
“…” Everyone fell silent after these words were spoken.
Yes! All the nobles in Lagrange are gone!
Roland silently said sorry in his heart. Perhaps in the future the system would summon new nobles to assist him, but now his management talents were stretched to the limit. He couldn't even send a deputy to Renault who was stationed in Lulong Fortress. Even so, Renault still rushed back and forth between the two places all day long. He not only had to train the soldiers of Jiliu City but also had to inspect the defense of Lulong Fortress. It can be said that if Roland had another city at this moment, there would be no need for the orcs to attack. The personnel management alone would make Roland autistic.
"You're right... then what should I do?" Apophis Breo asked after a pause. After all, the experience of countless Grand Dukes of King's Landing made him the most experienced noble in management in all of Rapid City. Cultivating those emerging reserve nobles would be a piece of cake for him! All he needed was a direction from Roland.
"As for the personnel, we can look for them among the soldiers. Those with outstanding military achievements will be awarded the title of lord, and you need to identify who among them is qualified to receive this honor. Oh, I only need two people, and you just need to let them learn basic management and so on. You should be able to do this, right?" Roland stated his requirements.
"Of course, Your Highness. Wherever your thoughts point, my sword will go! I will prepare it now!" The decisive Apophis Breo immediately turned around and left.
"Wait a minute, remember to find Renault. He will help you identify them. As for the members of the Holy Glory Knights, forget about them. I cannot accept my only knight order being disbanded. I will compensate them separately!" Roland specifically ordered.
"Yes, my king!" Apophis Breo nodded and trotted down the city wall.
"Marcus, do you think I did the right thing?" Roland suddenly asked Marcus beside him while holding the hilt of the Dragon Slaying Sword.
"Isn't it too cruel to deprive him of the right to go to the battlefield? After all, he is also a glorious knight... Alas, but I really can't bear the consequences of sacrificing a high-ranking noble. We don't have so many talents for me to squander..." Roland slowly handed it to Marcus, but it seemed more like he was trying to convince himself.
"Your decisions have always been wise and correct, and this time is no exception. You are doing this for the revival of the empire and the prosperity of the Junlin family. He will be grateful to you! After all, we will have no shortage of wars in the future." Marcus comforted him, but his eyes were full of anxiety as he looked to the south.
"Yes! We have no shortage of wars! This damn war!" Roland sighed as his eyes swept across several wandering orcs killed by the patrol not far away.
"Your Highness! The dwarves are coming!" Suddenly a soldier came running to report.
"Where?"
"They are in the north of the city! The man calls himself Balin and says he has an appointment with you. He hopes you can keep your promise." The guard relayed the message honestly.
"Look, the war is coming!" Roland shrugged helplessly at Marcus.
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