Chapter 725: Bet and Promise
The effect of the artillery exercise was much better than Roland had anticipated.
Indeed, great power produces miracles. The final round of blasts used 70% of the total reserves of black powder in one go to detonate underground, creating a spectacle no less impressive than roadside bombs from later generations. When burying the packages, he had a sudden idea to mix some aluminum powder into the gunpowder, and as a result, the fireball was even brighter, even having a hint of sunrise at the moment it burst out of the ground.
This explosion also basically announced the transition of the First Army's weapons from black powder to chemical propellants. As for the distance to the Third Solar Era, he could only imagine it in his head. Although uranium is not scarce in the earth's crust, even more abundant than silver and gold, it wouldn't be difficult to collect uranium by having Lucia slowly decompose granite, but the deadly radioactivity remained a tricky problem, and lead plates couldn't guarantee complete safety.
Most importantly, he didn't know if Nana Wawa could cure radiation sickness, which was also a distortion of the biological matrix caused by particle ionization.
So, unless it was a matter of life and death, Roland didn't plan to start the epic mission of "Brilliant Radiation," which was no less than stealing divine fire.
After all, that thing was too dangerous.
After finalizing the meeting with the Taquila witches, he invited Tilly into his office.
It was time to talk about the bet.
Pouring her a glass of Chaos Drink, Roland cleared his throat and began, "About the previous hunting competition..."
"Although Agatha is indeed a member of the Witch Union, it wasn't the Winter City team that won," Tilly said, seemingly having guessed Roland's thoughts, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Brother, this bet can only be considered a draw. If you want to include Leaf xiaojie in the Winter City team, I won't acknowledge it."
"Of course, this bet is indeed a draw, but I still want you to stay." Roland admitted frankly.
Such a straightforward statement caused Tilly to pause slightly, "Uh..."
"So let's call it a win-win, how about that?" It was the first time he had seen the Fifth Princess with such an expression, not knowing how to respond, and he had to say, it had a particularly endearing quality. "I'll take 30% of the revenue from the Chaos Drink to set up a fund to reward those who contribute to Winter City—whether they are witches or ordinary people, they are all within the scope of the reward. And you settle down in Winter City, whether you live in the Witch Building, or with the Sleeping Island migrants."
Talking about serious matters, Tilly quickly recovered from her daze. She coughed twice, pretending to be nonchalant, "Only 30%? We initially agreed on 50%."
"Because I estimated that even 30% would reach an astonishing figure, enough to enjoy a lifetime as a bonus." Roland explained, "The remaining money will be used for the construction of Winter City, including witch residences and necessary facilities, as well as salary payments. In general, they will all be spent where they are most needed. If you need it, you can also withdraw it directly."
"Even if all the gold dragons earned are used up?"
"Of course, hoarding them in the warehouse is just a waste of space," he said nonchalantly. Later on, when precious metal currencies can no longer meet the needs of productivity growth, credit currencies will appear. At that time, money will become a simple number for the government, and they can print it directly. Hoarding money has no meaning for him.
Tilly pursed her lips, "Sounds like a good exchange."
"That's why it's called a win-win," Roland asked softly, "What do you think?"
She sighed, "Since you've said so much, brother, I can only agree." Although it seemed like a helpless answer, the unconcealed smile in her eyes revealed her mood.
Roland couldn't help but smile. From suspicion a year ago to the relaxed and carefree smile now, Tilly probably finally believed that he could bring a comfortable and stable life to the witches.
"By the way," after chatting for a while, he turned the topic to the Southernmost Region reclamation plan, "I plan to bring the Sand Nation territory under the rule of Graycastle this winter. Their customs and inheritance methods are completely different from the Four Kingdoms. To take it down completely, I need your help."
Then Roland recounted the Sand Nation's laws and the Sacred Duel ceremony.
"Letting Ashes participate in the duel, that's not a problem," Tilly pondered for a moment, "But why would you want to annex the desert land? Since the establishment of Graycastle, no ancestor has been interested in that barren domain."
"It only looks desolate there, the ground fire that has been burning for decades without extinguishing, and the salt crystals that dye the ground white, these are all proof of buried treasures." Roland spread his hands. "If I'm not mistaken, the Southernmost Region will be the key to Winter City's next stage of development."
"In that case, I will explain it to Ashes." Tilly didn't ask any further questions, but nodded directly in response.
Now the trust between the two had been built up little by little, and in the foreseeable future, the Witch Union will be closely linked to the Sleeping Island witches.
Thinking of this, Roland felt very gratified.
……
After seeing his sister leave the office, he immediately called Echo over.
The Sacred Duel could only win him the right to speak, and could not solve the problem once and for all. He didn't need a clan quota to live in Iron Sand City, but many Sand Nation people who could obey orders. To this end, he must become the legendary Great Chieftain.
Roland didn't have time to personally lead the army, so it was necessary to select a spokesperson.
As the princess of the Aosha clan, Echo was undoubtedly the key to subduing the Mojin Sand Nation.
"I don't know if Iron Axe has talked to you about returning to the Southernmost Region," he said straight to the point, "This winter, the First Army will enter Iron Sand City, and I hope you can go there on my behalf."
"No... he didn't mention it to me," Echo seemed a little surprised, then bit her lip, her expression sad, "Your Majesty, do you not want me anymore?"
Roland was quite satisfied with the first half of her answer, it seemed that Iron Axe also understood that military affairs were a kingdom secret and did not easily reveal it to his clansmen, but the second half of the sentence almost made him choke on his saliva. Although he knew that she didn't mean it that way, it still sounded ambiguous. At the same time, he felt a cold, eerie aura behind him, and one of Nightingale's hands had already tightly pinched his shoulder. "Of course not, this is only temporary—after I become the Great Chieftain of the Sand Nation, you can return to Winter City with Iron Axe. Also, if you don't want to, I won't force you."
After hearing his statement, Echo relaxed. "I understand, but if you want all the Sand Nation people to submit, I'm afraid the Sacred Duel can't do it."
"Of course, I have other methods," Roland smiled and slowly revealed his plan.
"This..." Echo was stunned, a complex look in her eyes, "Like this... is that really possible?"
"Of course, I am the King of Graycastle, and if I say it's possible, then it naturally is." He said, word by word.
"With the Three Gods present, the Sand Nation will never forget your grace," she no longer hesitated, knelt on one knee, and solemnly bowed her head to him, "Echo is willing to complete this mission for you."
"Very good," Roland got up and helped up this Mojin woman who had gone through hardships, "Then I'll leave it to you."
In this way, the preparations for conquering the Southernmost Region were all completed.