Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

The Canary Mountains were like a sharp long blade, thrust straight into the land of the Northlands, blocking the cold air currents of the White Raven Principality, and making the Empire’s soil warm and fertile.

The Resistance Army had returned once more to the woodlands beneath the Canary Mountains.

This time, they chose a different place, moving into an unfamiliar forest to rebuild their camp. The new site leaned against a mountain hollow, with a long valley running through both sides, making it even harder for them to be surrounded and annihilated.

There were indeed some wild beasts in the forest, but before the weapon- and armor-bearing Resistance Army, they were nothing more than prey. The previous forest had already been hunted bare during this time, while this woodland was still fresh and full of life.

Gwen was sitting on a tree trunk, propping her head with one hand, watching the people busy with construction.

“Mr. Isaac, I still don’t understand—why don’t we simply retreat south? Didn’t we hear news from the town earlier that Castel was still there?”

When the Resistance Army had gone into town earlier, it was not just for trade. They had also cleaned out the Winter Wolves’ camp and collected intelligence from the locals.

News from Blood Harbor had only just reached them here, and it was already badly delayed—they only knew that the Life Mother Church had launched its first rebellion and that Castel had only just arrived at Blood Harbor.

The later news of the Heretical God, the Compassionate Mother, and the broken treaty had yet to come through.

Isaac shook his head.

“Miss Gwen, at present that does not seem like a good option.”

“First of all, Castel has not sent anyone to us again, which very likely means they have run into some trouble and cannot spare any manpower. Even if we headed south, we would hardly get any support. In other words, we would have to rely on ourselves to reach Castel.”

“Right now we are within Earl Bazel’s territory. To the south, we would have to pass through the lands of Grand Duke Dragonfang and Grand Duke Alvarez. They will not welcome us, and Earl Bazel’s Winter Wolves Guard will hunt us relentlessly.”

“Even if we somehow broke free from the Northlands, the Principality of Tis to the south is said to be in alliance with the northern nobles. We would receive neither supplies nor aid. With so many old and young in our ranks, it is nearly impossible to make it on our own.”

Gwen sighed, then asked hesitantly: “What if we go west?”

“The west is Church territory, which means it is effectively the Empire now. The Ashes’ Alliance has some underground forces there, but to hide so many people is simply impossible. The Candlelight Emblem’s nose is far too sharp. Besides—”

He glanced at Nora’s headless corpse but did not finish the sentence.

The Silent Sanctum had abandoned them. They would not find support there either.

“Actually, I thought we might be able to take the sea route.” Isaac withdrew his gaze. “The ice should have melted by now, and ships can sail again. But as you said earlier—”

“The sea route won’t work.” Gwen shook her head. “The White Calamity has spread across the seas. The northern ports no longer have any ships going out.”

“That is truly unfortunate.”

The two of them fell silent. Though the Resistance Army had won a small victory, when they looked around, they still saw enemies on every side.

Isaac broke the silence.

“I have already sent one of my men quietly south. He will attempt to contact Castel. Perhaps he can bring us some support—but don’t get your hopes up too high.”

According to Isaac’s estimation, Castel should currently be in a difficult standoff with the Pirate King. From what he knew of Castel, they should still be able to hold on.

As for Blood Harbor? The Lord might have gone there to seek aid. It was said that the Prince held power there. If the Lord formed an alliance with the Prince, then their situation would be even more precarious.

To shelter the Resistance Army would surely displease their allies. Would the Lord really risk offending the Northlands over a group of refugees?

Isaac was uncertain.

After all, this was the Pirate King. Give Castel ten years to develop, and perhaps they could challenge him—but now it was far too soon.

Moreover, with the Empress of the Empire dead, the Lord’s plan to sell soap in Rhine was likely ruined as well.

Ah, poor Miss Beatrice. She must be suffering greatly now. It was said the Candlelight Emblem had undergone a complete purge of its upper ranks. Hopefully she survived the cleansing.

“Mr. Isaac, can we really hold on?” Gwen’s eyes revealed a trace of confusion. “Forgive me, I only dare to say such things to you—I truly cannot see any hope.”

Her voice carried a bitter edge.

“No supplies, no support. Our enemies span half the continent. Castel is so far away. I—”

She was about to continue, when the sound of footsteps came from nearby.

Gwen took a deep breath and rose to her feet. The confusion and weakness faded from her face. She turned to her subordinates. “What is it?”

Two Resistance Army sentries were bringing a boy with them. Gwen looked closely and spoke in surprise: “Grisha?”

It was indeed Grisha. He glanced nervously at Isaac before speaking: “Sister Gwen, I just went out on patrol—”

“You snuck out on patrol again?”

Grisha flushed red. “Th-that’s not important. While I was patrolling, I met someone. He… he said he wants to join the Resistance Army!”

Gwen raised her brows in astonishment, stunned for a moment before realizing what Grisha meant.

They were all refugees from the Northlands, banded together only because they had nowhere else to go, hiding in the forests to cling to life.

Before, no one would ever come to join them. They were despised even just passing through towns—nobody liked these refugees.

Why now would anyone come to seek them out?

Gwen was frozen in place, unsure how to react. She had been nothing more than a farmer’s daughter. She did not understand what this meant.

She only felt a sudden sense in her heart—perhaps they were not completely without hope.

In the following days, people came every day to join. Most were townsfolk. They did not mind the harsh life in the woods, nor the cold winds of the Northlands. Some even brought all their belongings with them.

They had only one request: to fight on the battlefield.

At first, the Resistance Army was baffled. But after questioning, they learned what had happened in the towns.

Even the Resistance Army soldiers were dumbfounded.

The Winter Wolves treated their own people harsher than they did the White Raven folk!?

“Quite normal. You Resistance fighters are actually resisting. The townsfolk, on the other hand, are just ripe for slaughter.” Isaac did not seem surprised.

“If you were better at fighting, you’d experience the Winter Wolves’ civilization and courtesy—just like the Silent Sanctum did back in the day.”

The Empire and the White Ravens had once divided the mountains, yet even when the White Ravens perished, the Empire had not struck them down. This was not due to the Empress’s mercy, but because the Priests of the Sanctum had charged forward fearlessly.

“That is why I’ve always believed the Silent Sanctum’s way of communication was the most effective—let the enemy’s brain matter explain directly to the flail.”