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

Chapter 979 Developing Trade Routes (Part 1)

"Good heavens? What's the situation in Ismir? Two Ringwraiths? They won with that little force?" Roland's eyes twitched. When he first heard the news, he was prepared for the fall of Windhelm! After all, it's hard to say that two dragon riders could pose any threat to the Ringwraiths. It would most likely be a clash of high-level forces on both sides, followed by a bloody slaughter of the smaller units!

"Yes! It is said that Knight Weiss severely injured Khammur!" Yunfeng held the battle report and remained silent for a moment.

"Who?" Roland asked in surprise after a two-second silence.

"You mean Weiss was crippled by Kehamur?" Roland asked in shock.

"If he's not good enough... how did he win?" Roland almost stammered in surprise.

"I don't know... Although the result is magical, that's the truth!" Yun Feng grinned helplessly. The second-ranked Ringwraith, Khammur, was undeniably strong. It was unexpected that he was beaten into a Chihuahua by Whis, but it wasn't that hard to understand. After all, Whis wasn't a simple character either! The Dragon Knight was the greatest miracle, wasn't he?
“You and Renault need to set off as soon as possible! We need you to go back and hold the fort. Although Khammur has been severely damaged, the Ringwraiths are no pushovers. Nobody knows if they will receive reinforcements! The north and south have severed the merger of the orc armies, but the Ringwraiths will not be affected!” Roland analyzed rationally. The Ringwraiths, with their mobility, can move freely between the north and south. When they abandon the protection of the war clouds and sneak away, no force can stop them!
“I understand!” Yunfeng nodded. It was said that Weiss was also exhausted and unable to fight any longer. It took the two of them a lot of effort to clear out the scattered orcs after forcing back the Ringwraiths.

"By the way, how do you plan to reward Baron Ismir?" Yun Feng asked calmly. Those who have defended the territory and fought to the death deserve a reward, whether it's a show or a generous reward. In any case, there can't be no recognition!

“Yes… Windhelm Territory cannot be ignored. I remember Baron Ismir; he’s an ambitious and charismatic noble!” Roland nodded. He was one of only two pioneering nobles in the kingdom. To be honest, Roland had always left that territory to its own devices. He didn’t really care about it. Without strong military support, the front lines were unstable. Those border territories were often the entry points for empires in the past. This was why the old border barons of the Lagrange Empire were so terrifying—because these families could all field a fifth or sixth-tier professional as a trump card, not something that could be easily shaken by just anyone!

"How about granting him a hereditary baronial title?" Roland tentatively suggested. After all, he wasn't a legitimate heir and hadn't learned any imperial strategies. The only thing he could draw upon was the historical experience of five thousand years of farming children.

“Yes, that would be in line with his achievements. After all, that land was conquered by the Ismir family, so it doesn’t matter if it’s granted to them!” Yun Feng nodded. Imperial law is still quite humane. The pioneering nobles get what they deserve. If they hold onto it, they become hereditary nobles. If they run away, their noble titles are automatically revoked. This deal is very fair.

“That estimate isn’t enough. We also need supplies. Windhelm is completely ruined! I heard that half of the lord’s castle was even bombed down!” Roland shook his head, somewhat embarrassed. Ismir’s house is now practically leaking from all sides. If the kingdom doesn’t provide support under these circumstances, Ismir might really have to sleep in a tent!

"How is the Swift Stream Avenue, Duke Joelsteria?" Roland asked, turning his head.

"The situation is excellent! Our project is progressing smoothly, and the two sides will be connected soon!" Duke Joelster nodded. The Swift River Avenue, which he was laying, was nearing completion! All the cities along the northern bank of the Swift River would be connected, making travel much more efficient! Soldiers could also provide support much faster!

"Let Lord Radil go to Windhelm Territory and rebuild it for them!" Roland nodded to Duke Joelsteria. The kingdom's personal funding of the construction of a territory for the Ismir family was an extremely generous favor! For Ismir's small baronial territory, a city built of magic-patterned stone bricks was already of exceptionally high standard! He instantly possessed the wealth that other families needed time to accumulate!
“Alright, I will inform Lord Radil as soon as possible!” Duke Joelsteria nodded.

"Oh, right! Renovate his castle too, otherwise people from other places will think the kingdom's nobles can't afford castles!" Roland added. It was just bad luck; Ismir's castle was originally intact, but when the armored earth dragon on the first floor slaughtered the orcs fleeing inside, it tore open all four sides of the first floor, broke two load-bearing pillars, and as a result, half of the castle collapsed...

“Okay…I understand!” Duke Joelsteria nodded. This was an unlucky child, having his own armored dragon demolish the castle. If it weren’t for the king’s intervention, Baron Ismir would probably have been living in a tent for a year and a half!

"Alright, let my soldiers assemble! As planned! We need to organize an expeditionary force to open up the western route!" Roland waved his hand and began to speak seriously. Windhelm Pass was a minor matter; the important thing was to open up the eastern and western routes at Old Pass!
王国目前的成建制士兵不少，但是其中也是良莠不齐，鱼龙混杂骑士团里都有水货存在……圣耀骑士团：二阶拉格朗帝国先锋骑士150名、罗马尼安王立骑士团：100名（二阶骑士）。帝国第十四军团骑士团：130名（编制混乱，人口员复杂）、拉格朗城卫兵：4000名（二阶）、巴丹尼亚射手：6000名（二阶）、多温尼安重装剑士：1000名（二阶）、埃尔尼诺游侠：200名。（二阶）、洛丹伦游侠：300名。（二阶）、拉格朗皇家近卫：500名（三阶）、拉格朗皇家弩卫：300名（三阶）、疾流军团：疾流步兵14000名、牧师：二阶牧师团*1（50名）三阶牧师小队*1（10名）、法师：拉格朗皇家禁咒法师团小队*1（5名三阶火法，5名三阶风法。），各级法师:30名（含一～三阶法师）、十字紫荆花骑士：20名（二阶）、十字军军团：胸甲骑兵100名、十字军弩手100名、十字军重装步兵300人、林地锐士：500名（二阶战士）、狮鹫骑士：4名（二阶）、双足飞龙骑士：20名（10名二阶，10名一阶见习）、草原精灵：200名（二阶）、哥布林骑士：1000名（一阶二阶混杂）！

The sheer number of troops was enough to dazzle Roland, but many soldiers were immobilized. The Royal Army and the Crusaders were both out of the question unless Roland himself led the campaign. Furthermore, the Bauhinia Knights and the Imperial Fourteenth Legion were still being reorganized! The Holy Light Knights also needed to divide their ranks by 50 members, adding them to the remaining members of other knightly orders to form a new order!
Whether the Knights can ultimately be deployed is still uncertain; reorganization requires the removal of their leader! Who gets to split off is a problem, and balancing the relationships is a headache not only for Roland but also for Ravian, who was given a promise by Roland and is now seeing the Knights scattered like sand! However, if all else fails, Roland plans to have the private army of Grand Duke Okrian Yaso of the East take over!