The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 781 Where are the Dongyi people?

"Did Roland say how it's arranged?" Nyx put down the letter and turned to ask.

“No, that’s all there is!” Yunfeng pointed to the letter in Nyx’s hand.

"Phew~ Lord Yunfeng, could you please contact Roland and see how he plans to handle the Swift Hand?" Nyx nodded to Yunfeng. Anyone who wasn't a fool or an idiot could see the impact the return of the Swift Hand would have on the national political arena. If things weren't handled properly, it could very well cause turmoil in the kingdom. After all, the Vladivostok family was also an original shareholder of the empire. You can't ignore them just because they aren't an electoral family.

“Alright!” Yun Feng also looked serious. He was aware of the reputation of the “Imperial Twin Fists.” The reason why a powerful empire could walk on two legs was simply because it was supported by its two fists. If one leg was broken, the empire would be in trouble. For the current kingdom, the return of the Swift Hand could be a good thing or a disaster…

……

"So the Eastern Yi chariot people haven't made a move yet?" After Caslo finished his reconnaissance and reported to Roland, Roland was somewhat stunned and rubbed his chin as he fell into deep thought.

"Well, it's good that they haven't made a move. It's best if they wait until we gradually take control of the entire Lagrange Plain before they come!" Adolf Heinrich chuckled to himself from the side.

"Dream on!" Roland rolled his eyes. The Ringwraiths weren't idiots, and the Eastern Barbarians weren't morons either. Would they let Roland be stuck in their midst like a nail? They were just plotting something.

"No problem, we have ample troops and sufficient supplies; they won't have a chance!" Duke Joelsteria, who was present as the kingdom's regent (equivalent to the role of prime minister), shook his head.
"Should we consider taking the initiative?" Dragon Knight Commander Fenglin Youlan, who had been huddled and silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up quietly.

"..." Everyone exchanged glances, all seeing the shock in each other's eyes. Oh no! I've become a conservative!
Roland looked at Maple Forest Orchid with a strange expression, but then he thought about how this guy's title was the Last Dragon Speaker and the Last Dragon Knight Commander of the Empire, so it wasn't surprising. After all, he was a reckless young man who dared to charge into the orc air cavalry army alone.

“There’s really no need for that…” Adolf Heinrich wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. They just felt that the kingdom had stood up, but they didn’t think they were getting cocky. It wasn’t that they couldn’t take the initiative to attack the Eastern Barbarians, but losing would mean national ruin and winning would mean a loss. It was really not worth it to go and give up for nothing.

"We can actually calm down!" Mogus said awkwardly. After understanding their current situation, Mogus said that the kingdom didn't seem to have the strength to fight the Dongyi Chariot People's army in open battle. Although the kingdom's high-end combat power was strong, it didn't mean that the Dongyi Chariot People's high-end combat power was lacking! Who knows how many Tier 6 warriors they have?
"That's true." Roland nodded quickly. Roland wasn't ready to do something so shocking yet. Why would he abandon the city to fight a cavalry battle in the open field?

"Alright." Maple Forest Orchid sat down listlessly. Since Roland wasn't planning on open field battles, he had no better suggestions. Defending a city was a waste for a dragon knight. Although he wasn't a fully-fledged dragon knight yet, throwing him onto the battlefield to hold off tens of thousands of enemy troops was a piece of cake! As a holy hero, he could withstand their attacks and fight them for a whole day! The powerful regenerative abilities granted by his holy attributes were enough for each holy hero to form an army on their own!

"Duke Joelsteria, I need you to take stock of our resources and allocate war supplies properly! Lagrange City is about to face its first war since its founding!" Roland turned to Duke Joelsteria, who was watching the show from the sidelines.

"Yes, Your Majesty! The Vladivostok family will not disappoint you!" Duke Giorstja said, patting his chest in salute.

"Lord Maple Forest Orchid and Lord Mogus, you two will follow Lord Caslo. He will arrange your defenses!" Roland handed over command to Caslo, placing all high-level combat forces under his command. This was both Roland's affirmation of Caslo's abilities and recognition of his loyalty.

"Army defenses will be under the command of His Excellency Adolf Heinrich!" Roland announced the soldiers' command assignment, as Adolf Heinrich's powerful mental abilities allowed him to perceive the situation on the battlefield and make the most appropriate commands. (Most commanders in the Empire's major wars were spellcasters, who possessed a natural advantage in mental power!) "Does everyone have any objections?" Roland asked, looking around. He was quite reasonable; if there were any objections, they could be raised, and a comparison of abilities would reveal who was superior.

"No!" Everyone slowly shook their heads.

“I would like to recommend His Excellency Vladivostok as our quartermaster!” Duke Giorstja raised his hand.

“Your people?” Roland raised his eyelids.

“Yes, a direct descendant of the Swift Hand family! He is also a key member of the family’s training program!” Duke Joelster nodded. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to avoid suspicion, but Roland simply didn’t have anyone else under him, so he had to bring up all the members of his own family to make up the numbers.

“Since he is a direct descendant of the Swifthand family, I trust your judgment!” Roland nodded in agreement with Joelsteria’s words. After all, Joelsteria himself acknowledged him as a direct descendant! If even direct descendants couldn’t be used, it could only mean that the Swifthand family was doomed! It was rotten to the core! So Duke Joelsteria’s statement about direct descendants was a guarantee to Roland.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Your Majesty!" The young man standing to the side immediately patted his chest and gave a knightly salute.

"Do a good job, this is Duke Joelster's trust!" Roland nodded to him, he didn't want to end up like the prime minister, telling the quartermaster, "I'll take care of your wife!"
……

"I won't be at ease until these Eastern Yi chariot warriors move an inch!" Roland and Adolf Heinrich murmured, gazing at the swiftly flowing river under the night sky. They would feel much more at ease if a troop of Eastern Yi chariot warriors appeared before them and surrounded Lagrange City! The real fear comes from the dangers lurking in the unknown!

“This is indeed unusual. Their vanguard has been annihilated, but the main army is still nowhere to be seen…” Adolf Heinrich’s voice also became serious. After all, they were truly helpless against the Ringwraiths’ schemes and tricks. The kingdom had no reach here at all, and the only way to receive information from the outside world was to send two dragon riders to patrol the air.

"It's snowing!" Roland reached out and touched the air; a few glistening snowflakes landed in his palm and melted into water.

"Yes! The weather has gotten even colder. Where are those Eastern Barbarians?" Adolf Heinrich squinted. Winter marching is a major taboo! But those Eastern Barbarian soldiers must have set off, so there must be an Eastern Barbarian force heading towards Lagrange!

……

At this moment, the Eastern Yi chariot army that Roland and Adolf Heinrich had been longing for was swimming across the Red River a hundred miles upstream. Uvasa, dressed in black, quietly watched the army crossing the river.

"My lord, I don't understand..." the commander of the Dongyi chariot people said, puzzled.

“Marching at night is a last resort! You don’t want to face the dragon’s breath!” Uvasa’s voice was very cold. Beside him, Seventh Ring Adannafi and Eighth Ring Akhorn also watched the army crossing the river in silence.