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Chapter 457: I Become the Boss
Afternoon, May 5th.
Bay Territory officially announced its participation in the imperial conscription and its plans to support Scarlet Fortress.
Within less than half an hour, everyone in Bay Territory had heard the news.
Most adventurers showed great interest in this upcoming battle.
After all, not every adventurer had the qualification or strength to venture into the Underground World.
Now, an opportunity to join a battle together had arrived.
Bay Territory soldiers who received the news had already started intense training.
The most elite troops had been dispatched to the Underground World, and now it was everyone else's chance to shine.
Apart from individual training, Angela also organized outdoor legion combat drills for the soldiers.
Meanwhile, more adventurers received Bay Territory's mission updates and flocked to Scarlet Fortress to gather intelligence.
Countless pieces of information were sent back to Bay Territory.
Angela and Steward Ralph prepared accordingly based on the feedback.
This was Bay Territory's combat strategy: the battle had already begun even before direct confrontation.
The war machine known as Bay Territory started operating rapidly, spurred by commands and gold coins.
Over the course of two full weeks,
more than 2 million gold coins were invested in battle preparations.
Every soldier was physically and mentally prepared for combat.
A vast amount of military supplies had been swiftly stockpiled, ready to be deployed to the frontlines once the battle commenced.
Although she didn't intend to join the fight, Annie, witnessing Bay Territory's extensive war preparations, felt she had learned a great deal.
Matthew also received the life tree seeds she had escorted over and was carefully studying them.
"Life Tree Seeds, Extraordinary Plant, Depleted State."
As expected, the life tree seeds were indeed in a depleted state.
Matthew had the means to cultivate and nurture them into thriving life trees.
However, due to a severe lack of destiny power, he had no choice but to set them aside for now.
He needed to see how much this battle could bring in terms of rewards and replenishments for him and Bay Territory.
May 20th.
Bloodmoon City.
Sunny.
More and more troops began gathering from all directions.
Knight Harley observed the newly trained tens of thousands of troops, their weapons and equipment ready. Though their training period was short, the results were satisfactory.
At the very least, they were sufficient for defensive purposes.
Thinking this, Knight Harley let out a long breath.
Thanks to the armor and weapons supported by Bay Territory, they weren't in a dire situation.
Reflecting on Bay Territory, Knight Harley observed the other lords' troops.
After the previous battle against the barbarian raiders, the lords near Bloodmoon City had all invested heavily in strengthening their military forces.
The soldiers they brought this time could be considered true soldiers in the proper sense.
However, their weapons and armor seemed familiar, as if they were also produced by Bay Territory.
"Who would've thought? Bay Territory not only excels in combat but has also developed such a robust production capability…"
Knight Harley felt an inexplicable sense of awe. It seemed as though the emergence of Bay Territory had invigorated the previously stagnant lands around Bloodmoon City.
After most armies made their appearances, Bay Territory, as usual, left a stunning impression for the finale.
Their formations were just as orderly, their unified battle cries thunderous, and their enchanted armor and weapons envy-inducing.
Beyond these blood-stirring soldiers, the dozens of large carriages in their ranks piqued everyone's curiosity.
"What's in there? Ballistae?"
"Bay Territory's ballistae are indeed powerful, and they never skimp on bolts."
"Expensive, yes, but undeniably effective."
"It's probably not ballistae; there's no need to hide those."
"Then, are there spellcasters inside?"
"Bay Territory usually doesn't send spellcasters into battle, except for their lord and another mysterious arcanist."
"Why is that?"
"It's interesting—Bay Territory's most common use for recruited and trained spellcasters is controlling peculiar golems for city construction and infrastructure projects."
"Really? Would the spellcasters agree to that?"
"The pay is excellent! Why wouldn't they?"
"Bay Territory sounds fascinating. I'll have to visit if I get the chance…"
"Maybe you won't have to wait long. We could join one of the temporary teams formed by Bay Territory's adventurers and fight alongside them."
"Why not form our own team?"
"Haha, you'll see why soon enough."
"…"
The discussions weren't limited to the adventurers.
Lords secretly observing Bay Territory also marveled at its growing strength.
If they could send 3,000 elite soldiers to this conscription, there had to be more forces in their territory.
As Bay Territory's power continued to rise, the initial unease among the lords gradually turned to indifference, and then to today's fawning behavior.
They had no choice.
Knight Harley had officially granted Matthew's Special Operations Team the status to form an independent unit.
This meant Matthew could recruit them into his team, and they would have to obey his orders.
If they angered Matthew, he could assign them suicidal missions—not an impossible scenario.
While some lords were conflicted about this,
lords like Lynch and Macaron had already approached Matthew, their words brimming with compliments and flattery.
This made it clear to all the lords.
Bay Territory's influence had become unstoppable and showed no signs of waning.
The only power capable of suppressing Bay Territory's growth, Bloodmoon City, not only showed no intention of doing so but seemed inclined to support its development.
This filled the other lords with both envy and jealousy.
Surveying the faces around him, all tinged with flattery, Matthew smiled and said:
"Since you've chosen me as the commander, why don't we start with introductions to your soldiers?"
Seeing Matthew's calm and confident demeanor, Macaron, who held him in high regard, immediately declared:
"What's there to introduce? Boss, just take over my soldiers. It'll save me the trouble."
With Macaron taking the lead, other lords who had harbored similar thoughts eagerly nodded in agreement.
The reason was simple: before today, Matthew, aiming to be the "Big Brother," had already "won them over."
When the underlings are well-fed, the boss naturally earns their respect!