Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

Chapter 420: Alliance

At that time, the situation was turbulent. Isaac and his newly founded Ashen Alliance could barely protect themselves, let alone travel around to investigate. Besides, these mutations, clearly related to the supernatural, would inevitably attract the Church. Isaac could only hide as best he could.

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Later, after the Empress was assassinated, the Empire fell into chaos, and those rumors became even harder to trace.

“Looks like I can only investigate in person.” Isaac sighed.

“Are you going to Castel?” The young girl’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, something must have happened in Castel. Things there aren’t normal right now.”

Nora had left too early to know what became of Castel later. Isaac had also been gone a long time, but back then the Lord had already developed many things—the Steam Engine and Nitroglycerin both held great potential.

With those, dealing with pirates should not have been a problem. For no reinforcements to be sent was truly abnormal.

It must be that some great trouble had tied down the Lord. Could it be that Castel had gone to all-out war with the pirates?

It was very possible. With the pirates’ power, they could indeed blockade an entire island.

“As you can see, our situation here is also difficult. We may not be able to help you much. What kind of aid do you need?”

Isaac froze for a moment, then let out a helpless laugh. Seeing him come alone and speaking of going to Castel, the other side had assumed he was here to seek help.

“You misunderstand me. I came here this time to form an alliance—the Ashen Alliance has now gained a foothold in the Empire, and we can spare strength for here.”

The young girl raised her brow and tested, “You would provide us with aid?”

“Yes.” Isaac nodded solemnly. “In fact, I didn’t come alone. Some of my people are stationed outside the forest for now. We are well armed and equipped. Perhaps we can help you break free.”

Break free?

Seeing Isaac so confident, the young girl hesitated.

The Three Grand Dukes of the North had all issued warrants for their arrest. As long as they stepped onto their lands, they would be hunted.

And Earl Bazel, the local lord, had dispatched cavalry several times to sweep through these Resistance forces. Those cavalry were not only numerous but also well equipped. Even Lady Nora had been defeated.

The Priests of the Silent Sanctum specialized in breaking through enemy lines. To fight Nora, fully armored, and rout her forces was already telling. Crushing these Resistance fighters was no challenge at all.

If Lady Nora had not chosen to cover their retreat, perhaps these Resistance forces would have long since been wiped out.

“This time, I’ve also brought news—bad news.”

Isaac sighed. “The Winter Wolves are coming for you.”

“Winter Wolves?”

“They’re Earl Bazel’s knightly order—the Wolves of Winter. The cavalry from the previous sweeps were them. They’ve fought in many battles across the Northlands and are infamous.”

Bazel was a Frontier Count, and one who had managed to hold his ground. Every such count had powerful troops under him.

The Wolves of Winter were his core veterans, who had followed him as he carved out territory. They had even survived encirclement from the Three Grand Dukes, eventually even allying with them—all thanks to their prowess.

Although the Four Northern Territories had been easily suppressed by the Royal Army, their soldiers’ combat strength was not weak. Against the White Raven Principality, they were more than enough.

Later, when the White Calamity struck and the Principality of White Raven was destroyed, Earl Bazel rose amidst the chaos, raiding everywhere with the Winter Wolves, until he stood as an equal to the Three Grand Dukes.

After hearing this brief account, the young girl’s expression darkened.

She knew the cavalry were strong, but not this strong. No wonder they had annihilated Lady Nora’s army in open battle.

Her expression grew cold as she spoke: “No matter how strong the Winter Wolves are, they are cavalry. In this forest, we will avenge Lady Nora!”

Most Northlanders were skilled hunters. These Resistance fighters were largely refugees from White Raven and further north, many of them trappers. They knew forest fighting well.

Cavalry had trouble maneuvering among trees. Horsemen were easily snagged by branches.

Hunters excelled at traps and archery. With proper ambushes, cavalry were not hard to deal with.

This was why mere refugees could hold their ground against a regular army—the forest gave them a great advantage.

But Isaac shook his head. “Those soldiers have stockpiled large amounts of fire oil, and it’s been clear skies for days.”

The harsh northern snows had passed, and now came the Wind Season.

Though the snow was thick, once the sun came out most of it would melt in a day. And these forests were filled with pines, heavy with resin, easy to ignite. With added fire oil—

“They’re insane!? This is the forest under the Canary Mountains! If they set it ablaze, half the Northlands would become a sea of fire!”

“Cutting down trees to clear a firebreak could stop the flames from spreading.”

The young girl frowned in thought. “Impossible. The Wind Season is here. With such winds, a single spark could spread beyond control!”

A flicker of admiration flashed in Isaac’s eyes, but his voice grew grave. “These forests lie against the Canary Mountains. When the snow melts at the foot, it does not at the heights. That is a natural firewall.”

It was common knowledge that every 1,000 meters of elevation meant a 6°C drop in temperature. But that was only average air temperature. On sunlit slopes, the ground absorbed more radiation, heating the lower air. Thus, the temperature difference between mountain base and summit was even greater.

These were lessons the Lord had taught Isaac.

Though the young girl did not know the principles, she had seen enough with her own eyes.

The Northlands were mountainous. In the Wind Season, the valleys could swelter while the peaks remained snowbound.

Her eyes widened as she thought it through, and cold sweat began to fall.

“Then we’ll climb the Canary Mountains and leave.”

“Can you cross them?”

The young girl fell silent.

Crossing snowbound peaks in the Wind Season was near impossible.

A few hardy warriors might survive, but most would freeze to death.

Their only choice was to break out.

“How many Winter Wolves are coming?”

“Several towns nearby have garrisons—at least a few hundred.”

A few hundred! Fully armed knights—such a force could dominate the Northlands. And all of them were coming against these Resistance fighters?

The young girl swallowed hard.

“How many people do you have?”

“Twenty.” Isaac smiled. “But you must have noticed—I am an Extraordinary, and my abilities are well suited for forest combat.”

The young girl stood without hesitation and extended her hand. “Thank you for your aid. The people of White Raven always repay their debts!”

Their hands clasped.

“By the way, I don’t yet know your name.”

The girl’s face was stern, and standing, she was nearly as tall as Isaac.

“Gwen.”