Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 745: Fortuna Border Convoy I

CH745 Fortuna Border Convoy I

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Alex and his forces travelled for another fortnight before finally arriving at the region neighbouring the staging area for their next campaign.

The closer one ventured towards the extreme north of the Celahan Empire, the more untamed and dangerous the land became.

Eventually, the aristocracy of the Celahan Empire had abandoned more than five thousand square kilometres of territory bordering the encroaching Great Berserk Beast Forest.

This region had then been intentionally populated with society’s undesirables—the extremely poor, minor races, criminals, and others whom the powers-that-be knew had nowhere else to go.

Over time, these people had somehow managed to eke out a living in the harsh frontier and survive, causing their once-paltry numbers to grow many times over.

Many believed their survival was a defiant insult to the aristocrats who had sent them here to die.

In reality, however, their growing population only strengthened their value as the buffer zone the aristocrats had always intended them to be.

‘What unlucky people,’ Alex thought as he poked at the campfire, a habit he had recently realised he developed whenever he was deep in thought.

Seated around him were his wives— Eleanore, Udara, and Zora.

A short distance away, Fen was helping prepare food for the encamped forces alongside Tivela and several barbarians.

Nearby, Senu watched over the camp from an elevated perch, while Dread remained at the centre of the horse herd—his own little kingdom.

Alex had recently noticed that, after leaving Oxborn, the Nightmare Horse had begun spreading his seed amongst the few mares travelling with their group.

However, Alex was hardly about to cockblock his own mount, so he kept his thoughts to himself.

Then again, whether the local horse breeds could successfully carry a foal with a Nightmare bloodline to term was an entirely different matter.

Turning his attention back to the camp, it was obvious that the group had grown far larger than the eight-hundred-strong Fortuna-BattleBane force he was familiar with.

As it turned out, Zora had taken the liberty of absorbing additional slaves and their families into their ranks.

These new additions included not only combatants but artisans and craftsmen as well.

She had reasoned that a territory could not be built without skilled artisans—carpenters, masons, metalworkers, and so on.

While it would have been preferable to recruit such individuals on-site, they could not be certain what they would encounter upon reaching their staging area. As such, Zora had deemed it prudent to acquire these people beforehand.

That way, they would not be forced to owe nearby nobles unnecessary favours simply to obtain the craftsmen they needed.

Thanks to that decision, the convoy Alex was bringing with him now easily numbered over two thousand people.

“What’s on your mind?” Zora asked, noticing Alex poking at the campfire. “Still thinking about the edict and what it means for our future?”

“Hmm?”

Alex’s attention was pulled back by the sudden question.

“The edict? Oh, no. I’m not thinking about that anymore.”

He poked the fire again.

“I’m thinking about the people living in the border settlements. I don’t think they’ll be particularly receptive to a noble simply showing up and ordering them around,” he said.

“That’s true,” Eleanore agreed with a nod. “Based on what we’ve heard, nobles only seem to come here as punishment, or they send their worst people here, making an already difficult life even harder.”

“Convincing them to become your subjects won’t be easy,” she added solemnly.

Zora suddenly stood and moved behind Alex before wrapping her arms around his head.

“Don’t worry. If anyone can win them over, it’ll be our very own Silver Tongue. I have no doubt they’ll be bowing and begging to become his subordinates by the time he’s finished with them,” she joked, winking at Udara and Eleanore while ruffling Alex’s hair.

Alex immediately reached up and pinched her meaty thigh.

“Ah!”

Zora gasped and released him.

She rolled her eyes at him while Udara and Eleanore chuckled.

“Do you have a plan yet, Master?” Udara asked.

“No, not yet. I’ll probably need to see the situation on the ground before deciding what needs to be done,” Alex replied.

“That said, there are some ways to mitigate the intensity of their reaction,” he added.

Just as Alex was about to speak, Saul Redwald approached him and his wives.

“Leader, there’s something I need to inform you about,” the older man said.

“Just in time. I was about to get your opinion on something as well,” Alex replied.

He waved a hand, signalling for Saul to speak first.

Saul nodded before unfolding a map of the northern region of the Celahan Empire, one he had presumably received from Duke Cyrindale.

Pointing towards the far northern edge of the map, he began his explanation.

“Leader, there are at least two nobles we need to be concerned about between our current position and the border region where our assigned staging area is located.

“The first is Viscount Dunhill. He controls the Frontier Stronghold, the Empire’s closest major military fortress to the new border with the Great Berserk Beast Forest. It houses the border guards and serves as the Empire’s first proper line of defence against the berserk beasts emerging from the forest.

“Further inland lies the territory of Marquis Bramford. The Marquis controls the primary bridge crossing the Rotbark River.”

Alex studied the map before raising an eyebrow.

“There are other fiefdoms in the area. Why are these two of particular concern?” he asked.

“As commander of the Frontier Stronghold, Viscount Dunhill unofficially exercises authority not only over the fortress and its surrounding lands, but also over much of the neighbouring border region. Our arrival will effectively mean taking control of that region from him.

“Over the years, the Viscount has profited considerably by trading food and supplies in exchange for ores and other resources gathered by the border settlers. The arrangement has generated substantial wealth for him,” Saul explained.

“So we’ll not only be reducing his authority, but also taking food straight from his mouth,” Alex commented.

“So to speak,” Saul confirmed with a nod.

“What about the Marquis?” Alex asked.

“A number of reasons,” Saul replied. “First, although Viscount Dunhill is technically a servant of the Crown, he is widely regarded as Marquis Bramford’s loyal vassal. As the saying goes, the Crown is far away in the central plains.

“A reduction in the Viscount’s profits would naturally mean a reduction in the tribute and benefits that ultimately flow to the Marquis.”

“Second, Marquis Bramford is a known tyrant who uses his control of the Rotbark River to exploit anyone who crosses it, whether commoner, merchant, or noble.

“Since the bridge was constructed using his own funds, he controls the tolls imposed upon it, and even nobles are not exempt from paying.

“As a result, Marquis Bramford is infamous for demanding exorbitant fees from those who use the bridge, particularly merchants and nobles who refuse to submit to or are not under his influence.”

***

AUTHOR’S NOTE

I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during the week without releases.

I was down with illness for about a week, but fortunately, I’ve recovered and am slowly finding my way back into my writing rhythm.

One of my biggest concerns during the unplanned break was that many readers would naturally move on to other novels. While that would have been completely understandable, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many readers returning almost immediately once chapters started going up again.

More than anything, it reminded me that we’ve built a stronger community around this story than I sometimes realise. Seeing that support has been both encouraging and humbling, and I want you all to know that I do not take it for granted.

For now, my priority is getting back into a consistent writing schedule and ensuring that releases continue smoothly going forward. I’m looking forward to diving back into the story and continuing the journey with all of you.

Once again, thank you for your patience, support, and for sticking with the rune-tech tales.

It is genuinely appreciated.

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