238: Fortress Commander

By the end of December, the Fel Orcs had been assaulting Iron Wall Fortress for nearly a month.

Raine led the fortress garrison to repel dozens of attacks from the Fel Orcs, firmly blocking the main enemy force outside the fortress.

"Truly worthy of the Iron Wall Fortress. Even an army led by a Legendary Expert cannot breach it. Who knows how many resources the Grand Duke spent building this fortress back in the day?"

The strength of Iron Wall Fortress relies on layers of magical inscriptions and numerous extraordinary defensive structures. A colossal Magic Array covers the entire fortress, protecting it.

Raine felt his scalp tingle just looking at a Magic Array of this scale. With his current financial means, attempting to build such a fortress would surely bankrupt him.

"My lord, the Magic Array beneath this fortress is a legacy from the ancient Tamriel Empire. Thousands of years ago, the Empire built a large fortress right here."

Alman began telling Raine about the little-known history of Iron Wall Fortress.

"Later, the Empire collapsed, and the fortress was destroyed and rebuilt several times. However, no matter what, this region has always remained firmly in the hands of our human race. Eventually, the tribe that once occupied here pledged allegiance to His Highness Karl, and the Raging Bear Family took control."

"But back then, Iron Wall Fortress was far from its current scale. It was only after years of reconstruction by His Highness Karl that the fortress reached its present state. During the reconstruction, a Legendary Mage from the Golden Royal Family even participated. He repaired and reactivated the ancient Magic Array buried beneath the fortress."

"That Legendary Mage even studied the structure of the ancient Magic Array here back then, hoping to learn its ancient knowledge."

"A Magic Array from the Tamriel Empire era? I've never heard of that before?"

Raine was quite curious about the ancient Magic Array.

"Those Magic Arrays are underground, my lord. If you're interested, I can take you to see them. However, you might be somewhat disappointed. Those ancient arrays aren't particularly miraculous. Compared to modern Magic Arrays, the knowledge they contain is quite similar; they're just larger in scale."

"The Legendary Mage who studied the Magic Array here once said that the most core and valuable part of this array should be a Mage Tower. That Empire-era Mage Tower was the core of the entire array."

"Unfortunately, that Mage Tower vanished into the river of history long ago when the Empire collapsed, leaving no trace behind."

"What a great pity!"

"Lord, the Communication Array is connected. His Highness the Grand Duke wishes to speak with you."

Raine's attendant interrupted their conversation. Raine took one last look at the Fel Orcs camp, which hadn't caused much commotion today, then turned and walked towards the Communication Room.

"It's been almost a month since the Magic Stone War ended before the communication was connected. The efficiency at Rage Bear Fortress is a bit too slow."

Muttering to himself, Raine entered the Communication Room and saw Belmont, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Your Highness?"

"Your Highness, what happened to you?"

Looking at Belmont, whose clothes were disheveled, hair messy, and eyes somewhat unfocused, Raine was startled. The current Belmont was a world apart from the high-spirited man who took over Rage Bear Territory and assumed the title of Grand Duke.

"What about me? Raine."

Belmont retorted, then began talking to himself.

"I failed, Raine. I failed."

"I never thought I would fail to grasp the essence of Thunder, to not obtain Lord Volrigard's true power. I've let down my father's expectations."

As he spoke, Belmont picked up a wine glass beside him and took a large gulp.

"Do you know, Raine?"

"That old fool Horn put on a righteous act, saying he'd cover my retreat. And then what?"

"The Golden Royal Family's magitech battleship appeared inexplicably, and the timing was just perfect. Hahahaha!"

"I've become the sinner who brought shame upon the raging bear, while that Horn became the hero who saved everyone. A despicable traitor, a coward who only hides behind women. He's forgotten the blood of the Northerners that flows in his veins."

Belmont rambled on with disjointed words. Raine, having already learned all the details of the recent war from the Shadow Guards, naturally understood what Belmont was talking about.

This defeat had utterly disgraced Belmont, while Horn reaped the greatest benefits. His perfectly timed "sacrifice" and "covering the retreat" earned him the gratitude and admiration of the grizzly bear fief nobles.

Due to his close ties with the Golden Royal Family, the nobles of Rage Bear Territory held two extreme views of Horn: one side wanted to get closer to him to curry favor with the Golden Royal Family, while the other side deeply despised him and wanted nothing to do with the Golden Royal Family.

This also involved the historical grudges between the former indigenous tribes of the North and the Golden Royal Family.

When Grand Duke Karl was alive, he could suppress the conflicts among the various factions within the territory. Now, Belmont could no longer do so, especially after this defeat. The number of nobles turning to Horn had increased significantly, and the prestige of the Raging Bear Family had hit its lowest point.

"Your Highness, you are the Grand Duke of raging bear, the sovereign lord of all nobles in Rage Bear Territory. One failure doesn't define anything. You must pull yourself together!"

Raine certainly didn't want Belmont to fall now; he still needed this Grand Duke of raging bear to exist!

Belmont gave a self-deprecating smile. Ignoring Raine's words, he began talking about an appointment concerning Raine.

"Raine, Count Sena is severely injured and cannot return for now. Furthermore, after he recovers, he will remain at Rage Bear Fortress to help me manage the territory. You will be in charge of defending Iron Wall Fortress."

"From now on, you are the commander of Iron Wall Fortress and also the commander of the Northern Border Defense Army. You are responsible for guarding the entire northern border of the territory."

"It is my honor to serve Your Highness. However, Your Highness, the attacks from the Fel Orcs are extremely fierce. Iron Wall Fortress needs your support."

"Since Count Sena is injured and cannot return North, could the ten thousand elite Border Defense Army troops be sent back first to defend the fortress?"

Belmont did not agree to Raine's request.

"The ten thousand elite Border Defense Army troops Count Sena brought have also suffered significant losses this time. The remaining troops will not return North either; they will stay to guard Rage Bear City."

"I will provide you with some material support. Additionally, from now on, the areas under Iron Wall Fortress's jurisdiction and the territories under your command will no longer need to pay taxes to Rage Bear Fortress. Those tax revenues will be used as military funds for the Border Defense Army."

"Raine, my father thought very highly of you back then, believing you had the capability to follow in his footsteps. The fact that you developed Red River Territory to its current scale in just a few years proves my father wasn't wrong about you. I believe you have the ability to defend Iron Wall Fortress well, and under your leadership, the Border Defense Army can also defeat those Fel Orcs."

"That's all for now!"

With that, Belmont cut the connection before Raine could respond, and the magical image vanished.

"Believe in me?"

"Red River Territory's tax exemption period hasn't even ended yet? Using future taxes to pay for your military expenses, you really have some nerve thinking of that!"

Raine hadn't expected Belmont to do this. Being appointed commander of Iron Wall Fortress and the Border Defense Army was exactly what Raine wanted; it was part of his original plan.

But Belmont offering almost nothing and expecting him to figure out how to resist the Fel Orcs on his own—that, Raine had issues with.

Raine felt that Belmont, seeing Red River Territory's good development, wanted to suck its blood.

What good things does the northern border have? Nothing but various enemies like the alien races and other troublesome foes. Now it's all thrown to Raine. Belmont has relieved himself of a huge burden. The core elite of the Border Defense Army has also been siphoned away. The remaining army, though sizable in number, is of much lower quality.

"You really do trust me, aren't you afraid I can't hold and let the Fel Orcs march south?"

Raine cursed under his breath a few times.