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“The eastern borders of the Empire?”

Colin’s eyebrows knitted closer together.

He was perplexed, why would marrying Vera off to a Half-Elf Prince somehow enable them to plot against the eastern borders of the Empire.

As a small kingdom wedged between the North and East Territories of the Empire, the Half-Elf Kingdom had always been playing both sides, trying to please both. However, in Colin’s view, this small kingdom doesn’t seem to be key in the dispute between the two territories.

Seeming to realize Colin’s confusion, Prince Okamoto chuckled and asked, “Viscount, you are likely unfamiliar with naval warfare, am I right?”

Colin was thrown a bit off his rocker with that comment.

However, he had to admit, he had little experience in naval warfare from his previous life’s memories.

In fact, the entire North Territory hardly had a navy.

Since time immemorial, the primary enemy of the North Territory was the Troll Empire on the Ice Plains.

And the cavalry was the most effective force against the Trolls.

Thus, the North Territory’s cavalry remained preeminent across the entirety of the Bright Empire.

But when it comes to their navy, it is dreadfully lacking.

Only when Colin heard the troll mention that Duke was drawing up designs against the East Territory did he remember. The North and East territories were separated by a formidable natural barrier.

This natural barrier was called Angry River.

In reality, the military strength of the Bright Empire’s four territories, the north, south, east, and west, were not balanced.

At least, the North Territory was far stronger than the East Territory.

The reason was straightforward: the North Territory had been in relentless battles with the Troll Empire for years. As for the East Territory, their old adversary, the Elves, had already disappeared into the Bright Moon Forest.

It remains unclear whether they hid away or were entirely exterminated.

But regardless, the East Territory is different from the North Territory, they don’t have the pressure from other races.

Only Yevir, on the outskirts of the Bright Moon Forest, where the mages there might be somewhat of a nuisance.

But it’s just that, a nuisance. The mages were unable to organize a large army, so they didn’t pose much of a threat to the East Territory.

As long as the East Territory didn’t provoke them into throwing Forbidden Spells, the two sides could remain relatively peaceful.

Therefore, a large-scale war hadn’t emerged in the East Territory for centuries. Without the baptism of blood and fire, it’s impossible to forge a true fearsome army.

As a result, the East Territory, which had long been in peace, was essentially the weakest in terms of military strength in the Bright Empire.

Luckily, the North Territory had to always cope with the threat of the Trolls, and the bulk of its military forces were mostly located on the northern defensive line. It naturally didn’t put too much pressure on the East Territory.

Even the Angry River has been controlled by the East Territory all this time.

However, now if Duke St. Hilde, as Prince Okamoto said, did try to infiltrate the East Territory, then the natural barrier of the Angry River would become the biggest obstacle for the North Territory’s army.

“Yes, you’re right, I don’t know about naval warfare,” admitted Colin, nodding. “So, tell me, what does the Half-Elf Kingdom have to do with naval warfare? As far as I can remember, the upstream area of the Angry River is not within the territory of the Half-Elf Kingdom.”

“You’re correct, the Angry River is not within the Half-Elf Kingdom territory.

But Viscount, do you know what the first element of naval warfare is?”

Touching his chin, Colin searched all the memories related to naval warfare, and after a moment’s hesitation, he said with uncertainty, “Ships?”

“Correct! However, ordinary skiffs clearly cannot handle the task of ferrying a large army across the river. So, to put it more precisely, what Duke St. Hilde needs is a formidable naval force.

Colin pondered, “Could it be that there is a powerful navy within the Half-Elf Kingdom?”

With a knowing smile, Prince Okamoto replied with a hint of scorn, “The Half-Elf Kingdom does have a navy, but such a navy would likely be obliterated by the East Territory’s navy in an instant.”

Now Colin was even more puzzled, “Then why did you say the Half-Elf

Kingdom would be key in the invasion of the East Territory?”

Picking up a stick, Prince Okamoto drew a rough map on the ground while explaining,

“This is the Angry River, spanning over seven thousand kilometers. It appears that the North Territory’s army could cross the river at any point. However, in reality, it is impossible.

The reason is what we just touched upon – ships!

The North Territory army needs to build ships to cross the river. But the East Territory’s navy wouldn’t just sit and watch the North Territory build ships on the west bank of the Angry River.

Presently the Angry River is controlled by the East Territory, so it’s impossible for the North Territory to directly build ships within the Angry River.”

Thus, the only choice for Duke St. Hilde was in the North Terrace, to find a river and establish a navy.

However, not just any river would do.

After all, it was not possible to have soldiers carrying boats from land to the Angry River.

Hence, this river must connect to the Angry River!

If you look closely at the map of the North Terrace, you will find such rivers do exist, but they are all too shallow and narrow for large ships to pass through.

However, upstream of the Angry River, there is such a river that meets the requirements – the Crystal River.

And this Crystal River

Prince Okamoto drew a circle on the ground with a branch, and then heavily pointed at it, and said solemnly: “It’s in the territory of the Half-Elf Kingdom!” Upon hearing this, Colin had a sudden realization.

This is just like the operational crossing of the Yangtze River in ancient China by the northern regimes.

Colin was puzzled when he read history books: the Yangtze River is so long that they could cross anywhere, right?

Why did the northern regime always clash at the same few points?

Like when the Mongolian cavalry went south, why did they have to attack Xiangyang?

If you look at the map of China, Xiangyang is not even located by the Yangtze River.

But, there is another river next to it – the Han River.

So, once Xiangyang was occupied, they would also control the Han River.

The Mongols could then build ships in the Han River, and then sail down into the Yangtze River.

This is the reason why the northern regimes could not avoid this place every time they went south.

There are similar rivers and lakes downstream of the Yangtze River – Chaohu.

Next to Chaohu is Hefei.

So, when Zhang Liao was stationed in Hefei, Sun Quan could not sleep in peace, repeatedly sent troops to attack, and eventually created the mighty reputation of “Sun’s Ten Thousand”…

In short, Colin finally understood the true intentions of Duke St. Hilde at this point.

He married Vera off to the Half-Elf Kingdom in order to take this opportunity to control the Crystal River, to build a navy, then sail down into the Angry

River, and invade the East.

But, why is Duke St. Hilde so eager to fork out the East?

Especially when there are such huge internal threats in the North Terrace.

Could it be that the Duke is so sure that his younger brother won’t betray him?

Colin could only hold these doubts for the time being.

Then he began to wonder, why would Okamoto bother to explain all this to him?

Was it just to show off his knowledge?

Although during their time together, Colin found that the troll prince liked to show off, but he always felt that the other party had other intentions this time.

“Why are you explaining all this to me?” Colin asked directly.

Prince Okamato chuckled: “Because I hope you know, the Duke didn’t marry Vera to me, not because I’m inferior to that little half-elf pretty boy, but because the Half-Elf Kingdom is the next strategic target for the North

Terrace.”

Colin teared with laughter.

Of course, he didn’t believe that bullcrap.

How could Okamoto, the political creature, care about his face that much to explain such small matter to Colin?

Before Colin could keep mocking, Prince Okamoto took out a badge and handed it to Colin:

“If you need any help in Silver Moon City, you can take this to a merchant named Cis in the West Slave Market of the city.

Maybe he could make your journey to the Half-Elf Kingdom smoother!”

Colin took the badge, and was certain in his heart— This troll prince indeed had a hidden agenda!