Alien world

Chapter 1224 146. Human, you don’t want others to know that you are colluding with the rat people, right?
The intelligence machine of Liberty City was put into full operation - specifically, Annan exuded his charm and inquired for intelligence from forces such as the Taturn Empire, the Stuhn Ratmen, the Rekanel Kingdom, and the Dimon Kingdom.

There is also the need to collect responses from various forces in Middle-earth, especially the Empire.

After all, the western part of Middle-earth is the territory of the Empire, and even the most gentle country cannot withstand the annual invasions of ratmen and demons, so it is still known as the Empire of Barbarians.

The Taturn Empire has been able to endure until now, and Annan even suspects that they have some ulterior motives with the ratmen.

In addition, patrols at the border of the principality must be strengthened, and the city walls must be built as high as possible before the ratmen arrive.

After all, in addition to the impact of refugees, the Free City will have to help hold on after the Principality is on the verge of collapse.

The time at the top depends on when the Empire comes to rescue.

As for whether the Empire would come to its rescue? The answer is definitely yes. Annan was unwavering: the Principality of Montabullock was a vassal of the Empire. If the Empire did not come to its rescue, its dominant position in Middle-earth would be shaken.

To put it bluntly, if the Empire sits back and watches the Skaven move southward and threaten itself and its vassals without taking any action... that would be big trouble.

By then, even Liberty City will be able to tear off a corner of the Empire's functions and embark on a path of rise.

But Annan hopes that day will never happen - isn't it good for everyone to live together, make money and develop magic? Why do we have to fight and kill each other?
Annan first found Gale and asked the Stoon clan to provide some information, preferably to find out who was responsible for the rat's nest in the north - ratmen were like humans, and were also divided into various factions.

Annan was wondering if he could get in touch with the McKeon Rat Nest in the north, just like the Rat King of the Thrane Clan whom he met by chance in the royal court?
The Empire is much easier to deal with. Annan has acquaintances in the Montreal Golden Family. A portal is opened and Olin says he will keep an eye out for Annan.

The reply from the Kingdom of Dimon was that it would take time - because the news Annan received was sent directly from the front line, and the capital did not know any more than Annan.

As for the last Kingdom of Rekanel, while Annan was inquiring, he also sent back the students who had been studying in Liberty City for half a year.

"You didn't ask me for help. It seems that the kingdom has a good harvest this year?"

Vitalig had not arrived yet, so Annan chatted with the palace guards who were receiving him.

"Uh… sir, I don't know."

"Don't be so nervous, I also worked in the city guards."

"Don't tease him. Not everyone can chat with everyone like you do." Vitalig came over with a scepter in his hand and a floor-length cloak on his body.

It's only been half a year since we last saw each other, but this resurrected undead monarch seems to have acquired a raw but real majesty.

"Your Majesty..." The palace guards retreated, feeling relieved.

Since they were all family, Annan got straight to the point and said, "Two things. Your students are doing very well in Liberty City, and the latest news about the MacKenn ratmen."

Vitalig glanced at the young men next to Annan, nodded to them, and then said to Annan: "McKean Rat has been making frequent moves recently, but not towards us."

"The border soldiers captured the ratmen and said they were attacking the 'Warm Land' on the orders of the high priest."

"A warm place?"

"The one captured on the front line was just a forward captain, which I guess means Middle Earth."

"I understand. Is there any pressure on your end?"

"There are some, but the main force of the ratmen is not on my side."

Although the Kingdom of Rekanel suffered a war and its top fighters were either dead or disabled, there are advantages to being in such a state - the ratmen cannot pay any attention to them.

After all, the ratmen were not stupid. What was the point of grabbing another piece of northern territory? Wouldn't they still have to chew ice in the snow? But as long as they could tear off a piece of fertile soil in Middle-earth, they would be great heroes of the Saints.

Based on this inference, the Kingdom of Damon may not be the real target of the rat people.

Where is that?
The Violet Kingdom in the westernmost part of the Western Middle-earth has become history, the empire is in the easternmost part, and in the middle is me and a bunch of weaklings...

Oh no, are they coming for us? ? Even if the kingdom was not facing the main force of the ratmen, but at most a bunch of rats who wanted to take advantage of the situation and were running around aimlessly, there was still a danger of being conquered.

Vitalig looked at the students again and said, "The kingdom is not peaceful right now. I will allow you to stay in Liberty City for a while longer."

The students looked at each other, and one of them stood up and said, "Your Majesty, we cannot sit idly by and watch the kingdom suffer."

"You know, your fate upon returning is likely to be... death."

Sigma took a step forward: "That is the meaning of our study, Your Majesty, please allow us to die!"

The students said in unison: "Please allow us to die!"

Vitalig opened his mouth slightly in surprise, which then turned into relief.

"Annan, thank you."

Annan came back to his senses and waved his hand, saying, "It's too polite to say that."

Annan envied the kingdom for having a group of young people loyal to it at a time like this, but then he thought that there were more in Free City, so there was nothing to envy.

The portal began to become unstable. Annan said, "Remember to send the second batch of students here as soon as possible."

"I will."

Annan and Vitalig smiled at each other, which was a tacit understanding between the two.

It takes time to wait for news from all three directions, and Annan hopes that Gale can provide some intelligence.

The Stuen rats were indeed aware of all the actions of the McKeon rats. In response to Annan's request, the rat elders behind Gale took the initiative to propose a meeting.

"Okay, when and where?"

"The elder said... just use the portal you are best at."

Annan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he returned to his usual laziness. The rat man knew that his ability was not surprising.

Just in case, Annan came to the Mage Tower the next day and opened the portal under Aga's protection.

The Stuen ratman kept a trick up his sleeve and wore a cloak, not showing his true face to Annan.

Annan didn't mind and took the initiative to show friendliness to the mysterious ratman elder.

The background is the Ratman elders from the dark area talking about their previous collaborations... It seems that they are deepening their feelings, but all the gifts from the Ratman have already been secretly marked with a price.

"Human, you don't want others to know that you are colluding with the rat people..."

The rat man actually used Annan's rhetoric to deal with him!

Annan refused to give in and said, "Ratman, you don't want other clans to know that you are colluding with humans..."

The ratman elder seemed to have not expected that there would be such a shameless human being, and he was unable to do anything to him in a short time.

It only means that if Liberty City wants to continue cooperation, it must show real sincerity - the sweet cheese that Stuen the Ratman threw to Annan finally revealed the poison inside.

It cannot be said that the first meeting between Annan and the ratman elder ended in a bad mood, but if Annan did not offer benefits that could impress Stuen Rat, the cooperation between them would indeed fall apart.

What can Liberty City give?

(End of this chapter)