Asage’s upper body was bound by a hemp rope, leaving only his two feet free for walking.
At the same time, 41 light infantrymen in chain mail walked over. Everyone put their hands on the hilt of the Germanic sword at their waists and looked at the Jackalan with an unfriendly expression. It was as if they could draw their swords to slash at it in the next second.
This made Asage lowered his head obediently as he was tied up, staying as a captive of Kant.
He only looked into the distance with a wronged expression.
This saline-alkaline land that was formed by the drying of the saltwater lake no longer belonged to him.
Asage’s heart was filled with sorrow and despair. Tears welled up in his wolf eyes because he now understood that even he, a high-level Jackalan that was ought to be treated with dignity, had become a captive. He no longer had any freedom.
There were not many opportunities left for it to grieve in its heart.
With Kant’s order, the temporarily occupied Salt Mine returned to its ownerless state.
This was because the heavy cavalry and light infantrymen of Swadia had already repacked their weapons and equipment under the leadership of Fatis and Kant. They walked in the direction where they came from.
They did not even collect the white and raw coarse salt on the saline-alkaline soil.
Even the coarse salt from Asage’s gunny sack was casually piled on the edge of the saline-alkaline soil, with no intention of taking it away.
No one would steal these things that could not be eaten directly.
Those low-level Jackalan had already been defeated. Other than Kant who would send people to mine the salt mine again and he was two days away from here, no one else would appear here basically, let alone coming here to steal salt on purpose.
Kant was very relieved.
And he was in a relatively happy mood.
This was a high-grade natural salt mine, and it had been seized and occupied by him just like that.
As long as he arranged the logging site in the Senwaya Range, an unending stream of timber would be transported to the Oasis Lookout. In addition, a large amount of unprocessed white coarse salt would be transported there. With some boiling and filtering, it would be fine white salt that could only be enjoyed on the tables of aristocrats.
Basically, it could be considered a lucrative business, second only to the spice trade.
However, Kant’s face had turned gloomy.
His mood did not become happy because of this good news.
On the contrary, in the depths of Kant’s seemingly calm eyes, a solemn and dignified expression appeared once again, and he was somewhat at a loss.
The reason was very simple.
The so-called high-level Jackalan that he had just captured had actually brought news from the north of the Nahrin Desert. Moreover, it was not that friendly to him, because the country across the desert was a kingdom formed by high-level Jackalans.
He did not care about the so-called high or low-level amongst the Jackalans.
All he needed to know was one thing.
That was a Jackalan-established kingdom, not humans.
“This is really troublesome.”
Kant’s face was gloomy as he spurred his horse forward. He felt that the space between his eyebrows was faintly swelling.
The newly appeared Kingdom of Grey Mane, as well as the Mannheim coast opposite the desert had disrupted his strategic deployment directly.
Originally, he had wanted to rely on the Nahrin desert as a rear base to slowly plot against the Dukedom of Leo. Who would have thought that the large rear he had set up would end up becoming the center of borders between the two countries.
Moreover, there was a possibility that it would become the battlefield directly.
According to the captives, the Kingdom of Gray Mane to the north of the desert was hostile to the Dukedom of Leo.
It was understandable after thinking about it.
It would be a miracle if kingdoms with different races could become friendly to each other.
“Firentis,” Kant said.
Firentis, who was behind Kant, gently knocked on the horse’s belly. He was parallel to Kant. “I’m here, Lord Kant.”
“Do you think what it said is true?” Kant asked.
Firentis pondered for a moment, but he still nodded. “Under our circumstance of lacking sufficient information, I would rather believe that it is true. After all, it has its own intelligence, which indeed set it apart from these low-level Jackalan in the desert.”
Kant also sighed softly. “That’s right.”
The two of them subconsciously turned their heads and glanced behind them.
The Jackalan who was wearing a decent linen robe was no less than them.
If one looked carefully, one could see that the Jackalan’s hair was smooth and glistening. It even had some care done. It was indeed different from those messy, dirty, and filthy Jackalan.
Most importantly, it had intelligence.
It knew fear and rules. Even if it was captured, it would lower its head and follow orders, instead of resisting.
After the Jackalans that Kant had captured recovered from fear, they thrashed around like angry wolves. After giving them a good beating and made them starve for a few days, they finally became docile.
Or rather, they only learned how to calm down when they became severely weakened by hunger.
“We can assume that what it said is true.”
Firentis spoke with a grave tone, “But this means that we have a new enemy.”
“That’s right.” Kant let out a helpless breath. “This is exactly what I’m frustrated about.”
Being in the middle of the gap between the Dukedom of Leo and the unknown Kingdom of Gray Mane made Kant quite uncomfortable. Whenever he thought of this, his chest felt stifled, making it impossible for him to breathe normally.
No one would be willing to be in the same room as a greedy lion and a ferocious jackal.
And Kant was in this room exactly.
He happened to be right in the middle of the two. Although no major problems had yet to erupt, if there were any abnormalities between the two in the future, it would be fatal for Kant, who was stuck in the middle.
He was in an awkward position.
If the Gray Mane Kingdom really intended to cross the desert and attack the Dukedom of Leo, then the first thing they would have to do was to occupy the Oasis Lookout as an outpost base, to obtain the most precious water source in the desert, and to obtain strategic advantage and safeguard.
In this way, whether it was to attack the Dukedom of Leo or retreat, the Gray Mane Kingdom’s troops would sufficient options to choose from.
As for the Dukedom of Leo, whether it was to defend or counterattack, they also could not leave the Oasis Lookout, which was like a bridgehead. As long as they could repel the attacking Gray Mane Kingdom, these Jackalans without secured water source would surely dig their own graves.
Therefore, whoever occupied this place was equivalent to attaining half of the victory in the war.
“To me, neither of them winning is good news.”
Kant shook his head and his brows were solemn.
He was the Baron of the Nahrin Desert, so he had the final say in this area.
It was absolutely impossible for him to give up the Oasis Lookout that he had painstakingly built and hand over Drondheim. They are Kant’s bottom line and the only thing that ensures his survival in this world.
Kant’s expression returned to calmness as he spurred his horse forward. However, his expectations were abnormally solemn. “Firentis, I think that the development of the Oasis Lookout should be accelerated after we have returned.”
“Of course, Lord Kant.” Firentis nodded and followed closely behind him.
The infantrymen and cavalry also hastened their pace.
At the very least, the current Oasis Lookout and the Nahrin Desert belonged to Kant.
If he accelerated his development and utilized the golden finger to grow his influence into a colossus, even the troops of the Gray Mane Kingdom and the noble families of the Dukedom of Leo would not dare to confront him directly. Then, Kant would become an unshakable existence.
At that time, he would not be bothered by the actions of others.
Instead, it would be up to Kant to give orders and everyone would have to be afraid according to his mood.
“There is still time.”
Kant thought in his heart. This was his only advantage at the moment.
His mind spun quickly. “it is impossible for the Kingdom of Gray Mane to send troops over in a short period of time. It is also impossible for the Dukedom of Leo to know that I have developed so quickly in the Oasis Lookout in a short period of time.”
After pondering for a moment, Kant had an idea. “Let’s continue with the original plan. However, we need to speed up.”
As long as there was salt, Kant would be able to obtain a large amount of wealth.
The Dukedom of Leo would not refuse the white salt that was much cheaper to enter the market. They would also not be stingy with the silver coins in their hands for procurement with the trade caravan that Kant intended to form.
46 Swadian heavy calvary.
41 Swadian light infantrymen.
And the following Swadian troops. As long as they had Denar, they would quickly appear in this world.
Even if the noble families of the Dukedom of Leo coveted Kant’s salt mine and experienced a few head-on battles, Kant’s army would cut off their outstretched claws and everything would be peaceful for the time being.
Most importantly, the relationship between Kant and Cameron, the Duke of Leo, had not been completely severed.
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