Chapter 682: To Unite the Desolate Region
"To tell you the truth, I have reliable information about what lies beyond that monster-infested forest." Alaric dropped the bomb that he had kept hidden.
Excluding Bellator, Caecus, and a few others, everyone’s eyes widened at his words.
The Enchanted Woodlands was known for being an extremely dangerous place. Many Mythical Knights and 4-Ringed Beast Soul Grandmasters who tried to navigate through this seemingly endless forest had gone missing. Because of this, few dared to venture deeply into the Enchanted Woodlands.
As for what lies beyond the forest, not one information was ever recorded or written in history books. Everyone believed that it was impossible to even step into that unknown land.
The old Transcendent Knight, William, asked. "Your Majesty, has the information been verified?"
He was among those who had chosen to stay.
It wasn’t because he wasn’t interested or afraid. He just felt that he was already too old for a grand adventure. He had exhausted his potential.
Although he had chosen to remain, he didn’t want Alaric to go on an expedition using knowledge from unreliable sources.
Everyone glanced at Alaric, looking at him with doubt and concern.
Alaric gave them a reassuring smile. "Of course."
He sent Bellator a subtle look as he added. "It’s from someone I absolutely trust."
A few people noticed him looking at Bellator. The puzzle seemed to click in their minds, but no one dared to ask or say anything.
Among Alaric’s followers, Bellator was the most mysterious. Aside from his monstrous strength, no one had information about him. It almost seemed like he had appeared out of thin air.
While everyone was immersed in their own imaginations, Alaric’s voice echoed in the room. "Beyond the Enchanted Woodlands is a vast continent that is much bigger than this desolate region..."
He pointed at the map of the surrounding nations when he said those words.
Everyone pictured a vast land filled with wondrous mountains and rivers. A place with infinite possibilities.
A look of yearning flashed in their faces.
"According to what I heard, that place is called the Cangnan continent."
"Cangnan continent..." They all repeated the name as if to save it in their memory.
Alaric continued. "Cangnan has numerous kingdoms and empires bigger and stronger than the nations of the desolate region. With a much denser mana, this land has produced a huge number of powerful experts."
With an exaggerated expression, he added. "In that place, Mythical Knights like myself are commonplace. Even 4-Ringed Beast Soul Grandmasters are not rare at all."
"What?!"
"No way!"
They all gasped in surprise. It was too good to be true. No. Everyone felt their worldview being turned upside down.
"Is there really such a place?" Yvanna, the elven princess, exclaimed.
Alaric invited her to the meeting since they would have to pass by the elven kingdom. The expedition team would need the help of the elves for them to succeed.
"That’s right. Cangnan is real, and that is the goal of the expedition. I plan to expand House Silversword there." He revealed his ambition.
Everyone gulped hard, their anticipation building up.
If they were to successfully expand to that place, House Silversword would become an enormous entity that could take control of the entire desolate region.
"We can gather the manpower here and bring them over to Cangnan. The only problem we have is to find a route. We need to build a safe road that leads somewhere in Cangnan, a route that only belongs to us."
Everyone’s breathing quickened.
"Your Majesty, may I say something?" William raised his hand, looking somewhat serious.
"Please speak, Sir William." Alaric nodded, gesturing at him to continue.
William furrowed his eyebrows and voiced his concern. "If Cangnan is truly as you say, what if the people from that place were to discover the desolate region? If Mythical Knights and 4-Ringed Beast Soul Grandmasters are common there, the people in the desolate region would be in danger if they decided to invade our land."
Everyone frowned upon hearing this. The old warrior’s words could happen.
Creating a route leading to Cangnan would leave the desolate region exposed.
Alaric solemnly nodded, fully agreeing with the old man’s statement. "That’s true. That is why I am collaborating with the Astanian Emperor to create an organization that will focus on uniting the nations of the desolate region. In fact, the plan is already in motion."
Alaric looked at Mathilda, who was standing by the door near the exit, and nodded to her.
Understanding his meaning, Mathilda walked towards him and handed the folder she was holding.
Alaric took the folder from her and placed it on the long table. "If the desolate region is united, we can prevent information from leaking to the people in Cangnan."
He opened the folder, revealing a stack of documents.
"In the past few months, I have exchanged letters with the leaders of the surrounding nations. With the help of the Astanian Emperor, we managed to reach out to thirty-seven countries."
He passed the documents to the person seated next to him and motioned for him to give everyone a copy each.
"Written in that document is the list of countries that signed up to join the organization. They all voluntarily agreed to send troops and craftsmen to help us establish the organization in Cangnan."
Alaric wasn’t just teaching the Heaven Sword Knight Order in the past few months. He was preparing for his trip to Cangnan.
Everyone took the documents and solemnly read the contents. Their faces changed multiple times as they read everything.
"Out of the thirty-seven countries we invited, thirty-one agreed to join us. We are still communicating with the six countries that rejected our proposal. Our allies also sent envoys to the other countries who didn’t receive the offer..."
"The organization is gradually forming, and it might take years to make everyone in the desolate region cooperate with us. Some of them might even use force and fiercely retaliate against our ideals." He chuckled with a cold look.
Not everyone would welcome the idea of a united desolate region. There were bound to be some people who would stubbornly cling to their beliefs and oppose drastic changes.
Alaric glanced at the people inside the room and said. "I want those who would stay here to make sure that the organization can achieve what I have envisioned!"