Mage Lord: The Tech Tree is Skewed by Me

For Antolia, winter is just one of the four seasons of the year.

Although the cold wind is howling and the snow is falling, under the management of Leon Jimena, Marquis of Antolia, winter is only a relatively cold season after all.

The grain and grass harvested in autumn are piled in the granaries of Antolia, and the warm stone mineral deposits mined from the southwestern highlands warm the houses of the residents.

Every citizen of Antolia deeply believes that under the rule of the Jimena family, when this cold winter passes, they will usher in a new year.

only……

Compared with the comfort of the Antolian people, this winter is obviously not easy for the Jimena-Naplin family, a branch of the Jimena family rooted in the Principality of Duolon.

The Duchy of Duolun is located in the southeast of the Kingdom of Andal, and its territory is only one-sixth of the Kingdom of Andal.

Theoretically speaking, the fewer vassals under the lord, it means that there will be fewer disputes among the nobles and the more stable they will be.

But the Principality of Duolun is obviously not like this.

The Eastern Kingdoms have never been a stable land.

As early as the existence of the Holy Brun Empire, there was no shortage of disputes in the lands of the eastern kingdoms.

Because the eastern countries not only guard the junction of the Northern Continent and the Southern Continent, but also possess rich mineral deposits and resources.

There is a hot land for mercenaries.

It is also one of the areas on the mainland where the changes in noble power occur most frequently.

Even the Duchy of Duolun itself was a newly independent principality that was born out of a noble rebellion twenty years ago.

Naplin City is located in the southwest of the Duchy of Duolun.

The Jimena-Naplin family, a branch of the Jimena family, got its name from this.

Not putting eggs in the same basket is the consensus reached by the vast majority of nobles in this era through the passage of time and the lessons of blood.

so……

Thirty years ago, faced with the chaotic situation and complicated territorial situation in Antolia, a branch of the Jimena family developed eastward with the strong support of the Jimena family.

And this is exactly how the Jimena-Naplin family was established.

Strictly speaking, Viscount Naplin, Charles Ximena, can be regarded as Leon's cousin.

It is precisely because of the relatively close blood relationship that the interactions between Antolia and Naplin have always been quite close.

In the past days, when Antolia faced the dilemma of lack of food and clothing, the caravans from the Duchy of Duolun would bring food from the family branches to Antolia.

Whenever Viscount Naplin faced a threat, Antolia's mercenaries were also willing to help.

if not……

Philippe Jimena, from the Jimena-Naplin family, will also receive the title of Viscount of Twin Lakes Town under Leon's care.

At this moment, the cold winter wind was howling in the suburbs of Naplin City, and it was also howling in the heart of Viscount Naplin.

Although there are no obvious signs at the moment, Charles Ximena, Viscount Naplin, still feels a threat from the surrounding area.

the reason is simple.

A silver mine was discovered within the territory of Naplin City!

Although the eastern countries are rich in resources, strategic resources such as silver mines are still coveted by the nobles.

after all……

Silver mines can be used to mint coins!

In addition to the need to pay seigniorage to the superior nobles and the necessary labor expenses, this is almost a profitable business!

No noble can refuse silver mines, just like no one can refuse black silk.

Taking into account the comprehensive strength ranking of the Naplin family among the many nobles in the Duchy of Duolun, as well as the various forces that are ready to move in the Duchy of Duolun, Viscount Naplin's worries are naturally not without reason.

What's more, just a few days ago, Count Tino, whose territory is located north of Naplin City, actually signed a non-aggression agreement with Viscount Cassim, who is located south of Naplin City.

Non-aggression agreement!

Two nobles whose fiefdoms are not connected actually signed a non-aggression agreement!

The signing of this agreement almost made Viscount Naplin smell a hint of conspiracy as soon as he heard the news.

You know, the reason why the eastern countries are considered to be the most chaotic area in the northern continent is not without reason.

Because the rulers of the eastern countries have not accumulated enough power to implement the law that vassals are not allowed to fight privately!

so……

This means that the rule of the Jimena-Naplin family in this territory is likely to be attacked from both sides, from the south and the north!

Big trouble!

Almost subconsciously, Viscount Naplin came to the exact conclusion.

Obviously, it was difficult for Viscount Naplin to withstand the two-sided attack from an earl and a viscount based solely on his own strength.

He was just a viscount after all.

We might be able to win steadily against Viscount Cassim, but if we add Count Tino from the north...

He needed help.

And since I thought of asking for help...

Antolia's name naturally appeared in the mind of the viscount for the first time.

In today's era, compared to trusting others, the interest relationship formed by blood relationship is obviously the strongest.

not to mention……

His nephew, Leon Jimena, Marquis of Antolia, obviously possesses considerable military strength.

Not only did that young man become a member of the great nobles of the Kingdom of Andal in just two or three years, he even gave his son, Philippe Jimena, the title of Viscount of Shuanghu Town!

But Viscount Naplin hesitated after all.

Because he knew very well that Antolia's army had just participated in a large-scale war to carve up the Principality of Norton.

According to the stereotype of noble private armies in this era, and Viscount Naplin's understanding of the current situation of the Kingdom of Andal, having just experienced a war often means that one is at the weakest time.

Otherwise, the nobles on the north and south sides of Viscount Naplin would not dare to take this opportunity to pursue the silver mines in Naplin City.

Viscount Naplin could even guess what Count Tino was thinking.

That is to take advantage of Antoria, which has just experienced a war, and is in what they consider to be a weak period to control Naplin City as quickly as possible and destroy the resistance of the Jimena-Naplin family.

As long as the destruction of the Jimena-Naplin family can be made an established fact before Antolia intervenes, then if Antolia wants to send troops again, it will mean a war against the Duchy of Doron!

At least send out the request for help first.

Faced with his father's hesitation, Handel Jimena, the eldest son of Viscount Naplin, took the initiative and suggested:

After all, the Marquis is the head of the Jimena family. Even if Antolia's army is unable to help for the time being, we must eventually send a letter to explain the situation we are facing.

and……

The Jimena family is one. If my father hadn't said anything, we wouldn't have been able to stop Count Tino's offensive with our own power.

Besides, the future development of the silver mine will obviously not be possible on our own. We will inevitably have to work with the main branch of the Antolia family.

Hearing this, Viscount Naplin couldn't help but look out the window.

Of course he knew what Handel said.

When the situation in Antolia was in chaos, he also provided food aid to Antolia.

only……

My cousin asked his nephew for help. No matter what, it always sounded a little weird...

…

Thornland Castle.

Philippe Jimena, Viscount of Shuanghu Town, who had just taken office for less than a month, rushed over from his fiefdom almost non-stop.

after all……

Although he has now become the Viscount of Shuanghu Town, Viscount Naplin is still his father anyway. Now that he has heard the news from the eastern countries, he must come to see if there is anything he can do to help. Busy place.

How dare Count Tino?

In fact, from the moment he received the letter asking for help from Viscount Naplin, Leon fell into deep self-doubt.

No one knows better than him whether the Jimena family is weak today.

In his opinion, Count Tino's behavior can be roughly classified as the behavior of a little mouse drinking cat milk and jumping around.

Yes, he, Leon, really wanted to hide his capabilities and bide his time.

But that was just because the development of the northern part of the Abandoned Land affected his attention, just to devote enough energy to integrate the vassals of the Jimena family, and just to sell the development bonds of the Abandoned Land.

But you, Count Tino...

What qualifications do you have to challenge the Jimena family?

And who gave you the courage to challenge the Antolian army that was powerful enough to march across the territory of the Principality of Norton?

Maybe...it's because of information asymmetry?

Finally, after sorting out his thoughts for a while, Aaron came up with his conjecture.

Although the eastern countries have also sent reinforcements, most of them are just atmosphere groups on the battlefield and do not have a complete understanding of the strength of the Antolian army.

so……

Count Tino subconsciously applied his knowledge of other nobles' private armies to the Antorians.

...

After being silent for a long time, Leon finally said: That's about it.

Lord Marquis, let me go!

Philippe Jimena, Viscount of Shuanghu Town, took the initiative.

Don't cause trouble.

Leon glanced at him helplessly.

Philip had just gone to Shuanghu Town to take up his post for a month or so. Even with the help of the Jimena family, he had not had time to integrate the people of Shuanghu Town and form a noble private army with acceptable strength.

so……

Whatever happens in the eastern countries, you have to take action yourself, and you have to do it ruthlessly!

And this is exactly why Leon held today's temporary meeting.

He needed to find a general who could take on this military task without surprising his allies.

However, looking at the Antolian generals surrounding the study, Leon couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

The generals of the Antolian army can be roughly divided into two factions.

One is conservative and the other is radical.

For example, Andrew is one of the radical generals.

He believed that the territories of Count Tino and Viscount Cassim should be directly captured, so that the Jimena-Naplin family would become the most powerful nobleman in the southwest of the Duchy of Duolon, thereby establishing Viscount Naplin's position in the Duchy of Duolon in one fell swoop.

As for the conservative generals...

Conservatives thought the radicals were a little too conservative.

They all agreed that the two main armies should be dispatched directly, with the oxen cavalry stationed in the Natira grassland as the vanguard, to push all the forces in the Duchy of Duolun from west to east, and take this opportunity to support Viscount Naplin to ascend to power, and then Form a garrison on the spot and establish a new Duchy of Doron in the southwest of the Kingdom of Andal, directly controlled by the Jimena family, thereby opening a breakthrough for the Antolians to march into the east.

Well……

How should I put it, Leon feels that these guys are a little crazy.

Although based on Antolia's current military strength, coupled with the bull cavalry in the abandoned land and the magic element cannon recently produced by the Antolia arsenal, the conservative plan does have real possibilities.

But……

International viewing! International viewing, everyone!

After all, the Duchy of Duolun is an independent principality recognized by all countries in the Northern Continent.

If the conservative plan is really adopted, it will not be a question of whether it will cause surprise to allies.

But the Jimena family, the rulers of Antolia, may be surrounded by a surrounding net in an instant!

You know, Leon's idea has always been to accumulate food and slowly become king.

Before he could ensure that the power of Antolia could tear apart the siege net, and before the abandoned land was completely controlled by the Jimena family, no matter how weak the power of the nobles everywhere was, Leon would always be the messenger of love and peace. It represents mutual benefit and win-win results.

Even if the Jimena family is short of money, they only raise construction funds through the issuance of bonds, etc., and then use methods such as military service tax and defense outsourcing to strengthen the Jimena family's position in the south of the kingdom bit by bit.

so……

No matter which aspect you look at, the conservative plan is absolutely off the mark!

The only purpose of sending troops this time is to ensure that the rule of the Naplin family will not collapse due to attacks from two sides.

So... the plan you mentioned before to establish a new Duchy of Duolun that is close to the Jimena family does not seem feasible for the time being.

The current priority of the Jimena family is to develop the abandoned land. The higher the development level of the abandoned land, the stronger the power of the Jimena family will be! Moreover, I will not choose to personally create a world that targets Ximen The Na family’s siege network.”

Looking at the fiery-faced generals and knights beside him, Leon said decisively.

but……

Those nobles of the Duchy of Duolun should indeed be beaten hard.

Leon closed the page in his hand and said with extra conviction. (End of chapter)