Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 1013: Chapter 143: Governance of Blue Mirror Territory and the Dwarven Tribes’ Support (Part 3)

Under the influence of the two church members, the villagers quickly realized that life was genuinely different. The rule of the Hesse Territory was not merely a change in the name of taxation. It brought powerful protectors and, more importantly, leaders who genuinely cared about their well-being. Although taxes might still exist in the future, they came with possibilities of order, safety, and tangible improvements in life.

The forgotten ”Edge Land” seemed to be included in some sort of ”system” for the first time, no longer left completely to self-destruction. This sense of belonging and potential hope was something the villagers had never experienced before in recent years.

When Sister Aila, with the acquiescence (and even some degree of protection) from Knight Veikem, steadily hung the White Dove Holy Emblem, symbolizing abundance and peace of Goddess Reya, on the lintel originally belonging to the Monastery of Manan, the faith transformation in this border village completed in an almost peaceful yet irreversible way. There were no fierce conflicts, no bloody suppression, only the indisputable order and iron rules brought by the Blazing Sun Knight, and the seeds of hope planted by Reya’s nun.

The villagers looked at the pure white dove emblem, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. The fear remained (the reverence for knight’s power), the whispers of Manan might occasionally echo in the deep night, the obsession for revenge would not disappear instantly, but the visible herb fields, children’s rosy cheeks, and the diminishing traces of beastmen at the forest edges all silently told: A new era, along with the iron hooves of the Hesse Territory and the benevolence of Goddess Reya, has descended upon this forgotten border pasture. The emblem of Manan’s Trident, once symbolizing blood and fire, could only curl up in dark corners, slowly being covered by dust.

This scene was unfolding within the whole Blue Mirror Territory, all villages were experiencing similar situations.

From the northern Kingdom Knight’s Territory to the southern Green Shore Plain, from border pastures to villages in the Sand Shadow Forest, every human stronghold was experiencing, either subtly or dramatically, cultural and faith changes.

However, for Su Li, he had no time to pay attention to all of this. All his energy was occupied by the two visiting dwarf lords!

The lord Dorok Redbeard from the Redbeard Clan and the lord Gesen Greyrock from the Gray Rock Clan were almost harassing him every day now!

In the highest room of the Rapids Fortress, Su Li sat on a wide round wooden sofa, rubbing his swollen temples, feeling his energy being slowly worn away by the loud voices and tough beards of the two dwarf lords. The lord Dorok Redbeard from the Redbeard Clan was as fiery and flamboyant as his beard, while Gesen Greyrock from the Gray Rock Clan was as steady and stubborn as the rocks of his territory, yet they were surprisingly united in their goal—the Frost Fang Mountain Range!

”Su Li! My old mate! The damned, fog-covered, monster-infested Frost Fang Mountain Range, it’s time to bring it back under order!” Dorok Redbeard waved his stout arms, causing the glasses on the table to buzz, pointing at the map spread out in front of Su Li depicting the treacherous limestone peaks and deep gorges, ”Look! Look at these lines! They are clearly the mining paths dug by our ancestors! The outlines of our ancestral forts! It’s the bloodline of the Gray Mountain Dwarves!”

Gesen Greyrock stroked his granite-like gray-white beard, his voice deep yet firm: ”My big friend, your army has cleared the threats from the northern Blue Mirror Territory, proving your strength and determination by cleaning up the scum entrenched around the Frost Fang Mountain Range, but this is only the beginning. Deeper into the mountains, in those intricate caves, lies even darker threats—the hideouts of bandits, desecrated beastmen altars, the forgotten Chaos Eggs writhing, and the stench of the undead never fades away. They are like bone spikes stuck in the throat of the Gray Mountain Range, threatening all neighboring lives, including your newly conquered lands, and also including our homeland in the Gray Mountain Range!”

Su Li certainly knew the value and danger of the Frost Fang Mountain Range. This mountain range spanning the north of the Blue Mirror Territory was a natural barrier, also an important hub for connecting with the Gray Mountain Range. If he could open this area with the Gray Mountain Range, it would greatly strengthen the dwarves’ power, providing an excellent defense line for the northern part of the Hesse Territory.

So as soon as Hilude led the army to push down to the foothills of the Frost Fang Mountain Range, reclaiming the plains at the mountain’s feet, these dwarf clan leaders ran over impatiently.

Their purpose was also very clear—to persuade Su Li to form an alliance army with the dwarves and continue to push forward, claiming the entire Frost Fang Mountain Range!

In this world, the climate and environment of different races are clearly defined—humans prefer warm plains, dwarves are suited to rugged peaks.

They, the Gray Rock Clan and Redbeard Clan, have set their sights on the Frost Fang Mountain Range, this abandoned dwarf ancient colony. This Frost Fang Mountain Range spans the north of the Blue Mirror Territory, composed of treacherous limestone peaks, deep valleys, and a complex network of caves, shrouded in mist all year round. In ancient times, it was a dwarf colony, hiding ancient dwarf mining paths and abandoned forts, but now the mountain dwarves have retreated back to the Gray Mountain, and this place has been abandoned, mostly falling prey to monster nests. During the Blue Mirror Territory’s reign here, it was the main source of threat to their land—it was filled with bandits, beastmen, and Chaos Eggs, and even undead frequently appeared. Now, after the Hesse Territory’s army reclaimed it, it is natural for the dwarves to hope to continue being neighbors with humans, sending some from the Gray Mountain north of the Hesse Territory to this once-abandoned dwarf land, re-glorify its past.

But indeed, as Gesen said, reclaiming it is not easy. It’s a breeding ground for monsters. The army led by Hilude only recaptured the northern plains of the Blue Mirror Territory, whilst clearing out some threats and gaining some footholds at the outskirts of the Frost Fang Mountain Range, but penetrating to sweep through the entire mountain range? Such a task would require immense resources, time, and sacrifices, clearly not aligning with Su Li’s current interests.

Su Li’s primary focus is still on the total annihilation of the Blue Mirror Territory, for which he could tolerate the existence of the Frost Fang Mountain Range in the north, with some low-key monsters hidden within.

Therefore, Su Li sighed, trying to make his tone sound sincere yet helpless, ”Dorok, Gesen, my old friends, I understand your yearning for your homeland, and I am aware of the lurking threat deep within the Frost Fang Mountain Range. But you have seen for yourselves, my foothold has yet to be firmly established in the Blue Mirror Territory. The Green Shore Plain needs digestion, further south Oerstein is still advancing, there’s a heap of mess around Flash Spear City... Clearing out the entire Frost Fang Mountain Range? I don’t even dare imagine it now! That would require a huge, dedicated mountain corps with sustained investment for a year or even years! My gold coins and soldiers are not endless!”

”We’re not asking you to do it alone!” Dorok eagerly shouted, his eyes shining with the unique gleam of dwarves, ”We want to move back! The warriors of Redbeard and Greyrock are willing to take up axes and pickaxes, return to the land of our ancestors! We are familiar with those ancient mining tunnels, we know the structure of the forts, we are the best mountain warriors and miners! You just need to nod, allow us safe passage from the Grey Mountain in the north through your territory, into the Frost Fang Mountain Range, and the rest of the establishment, clearing, and rebuilding, we will handle ourselves!”

Gesen calmly supplemented, ”Yes, my big friend. We are not coming empty-handed. As neighbors, as a token of gratitude for allowing us to return to our homeland, we will take up the main responsibility of clearing out all threats within the Frost Fang Mountain Range. Redbeard and Greyrock’s warriors will clean out every mining path, every cave, making those monsters become history’s dust. This equates to thoroughly stabilizing your northern border, eliminating a major hidden danger.”

”Additionally, the rebuilt dwarf fortress will become your strongest northern shield. Any forces attempting to threaten the Hesse Territory from the north, whether beastmen, green skins or whatever, must first tread over dwarf corpses! We will forge an unbreakable watch alliance with you.”

”Once the mining paths are reopened, forts rebuilt, the rich mineral deposits, including iron, copper, gemstones, and perhaps even rare metals secreted by ancient dwarves, will see the light of day. Dwarf forging skills are unparalleled worldwide, we will give priority to providing you with high-quality weapons, armor, and engineering equipment, at absolutely fair prices! This will greatly enhance your army’s strength.”

”Moreover, while ensuring safety, we can consider allowing you to use some of our rebuilt secure mining paths for fast, covert troop movements or transportation under certain conditions, a privilege that other human lords dream of.”