Chapter 448: Fern Revenge Plans

A//N: Thanks for staying with me this far,I really appreciate you all. Elin is now available go see for yourself.

***

The wound on his middle finger still throbbed faintly.

Fern glanced at his left hand, his expression darkening as memories of the disastrous Battle of Preston flooded his mind.

That defeat had been one of the greatest humiliations of his life.

The Sunderlanders had lost more than half their forces, and the consequences had been devastating. His father had been so enraged by the catastrophic losses that Fern had nearly paid for his failure with his life.

If not for his mother’s intervention and the pleas of the leader of the Golden Stallion Tribe, he would have faced a far worse punishment.

Instead, he had lost three fingers on his left hand and been stripped of his military command.

Now, rather than leading armies across the battlefield, he was forced to reside among the Outsiders, officially supervising the vassal state on behalf of the Reavers.

For a man who had once dreamed of conquering the southern territories, it was a bitter humiliation.

And Prince Simon was partly responsible.

Fern had never forgotten what happened at Preston. Nor had he forgotten the other setbacks that had followed, including the loss of Blackwood City.

Every defeat had deepened his hatred.

Yet he understood that allowing his emotions to control him would only lead to another disaster.

He slowly lowered his injured hand.

"Forget it," Fern said coldly. "This isn’t entirely their fault. Prince Simon of the Eldorian Empire is no ordinary opponent."

Although he spoke calmly, his eyes remained icy.

The Outsiders’ navy had encountered Simon’s warships and suffered a humiliating defeat. Their failure to obtain the tribute was merely a symptom of a much larger problem.

The balance of power in the region was changing.

Fern possessed an instinctive understanding of warfare. He could sense when the conditions for a major conflict were beginning to gather, and everything he had heard recently suggested that another war was approaching.

The question was no longer whether the Eldorian Empire and the Reavers would clash again.

It was when.

The Outsiders’ king turned toward Admiral Lilibet and Vice Admiral Xabi.

"Lord Fern is merciful and has chosen to spare you. You should thank him for his generosity and withdraw."

Lilibet immediately knelt.

"Thank you for your mercy, Lord Fern!"

Xabi followed suit, repeatedly striking his forehead against the ground.

"Thank you, Lord Fern! Thank you!"

Neither man dared linger. They quickly withdrew, relieved that they had escaped with their lives.

The Outsiders’ king watched them leave before turning back toward Fern.

He quietly exhaled.

Although the failure of the expedition had embarrassed him, he had no desire to punish his own naval commanders too severely. They were still his subordinates, and the real problem lay elsewhere.

Prince Simon had become a threat that could no longer be ignored.

Fern, meanwhile, had turned his attention toward the southern sea.

After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "How long does it take to sail from here to Ashenford?"

The Outsiders’ king hesitated briefly before answering.

"Lord Fern, Ashenford is closer than you might imagine. Our faster ships can reach it in approximately one day."

"One day?"

Fern’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A faint, unsettling gleam appeared in them.

He had already been considering the possibility of a southern campaign. Now, the distance between the Outsiders’ coastal bases and Simon’s territory had given him another idea.

He turned toward the king.

"How many soldiers can your navy transport in a single voyage?"

The king’s expression changed.

"With sufficient preparation, we could transport ten thousand soldiers."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

Fern nodded slowly.

"Too few."

The king stared at him.

Fern continued, his voice growing colder.

"From this moment forward, you must use every available means to accelerate shipbuilding. Expand your shipyards, gather timber, recruit craftsmen, and prepare transport vessels."

He paused.

"The Reavers must prepare for a southern campaign against the Eldorian Empire."

The Outsiders’ king felt a chill run down his spine.

He had suspected that Fern would eventually propose another war, but hearing the words spoken so directly still unsettled him.

"Lord Fern..." he began cautiously. "Is the Great King truly preparing to march south?"

Fern gave a cold laugh.

"The north grows colder every year. Our cattle and sheep freeze to death in increasing numbers, and our people struggle to survive."

He looked toward the distant horizon.

"How long do you think we can continue living this way?"

The king remained silent.

Fern’s expression hardened.

"Those who speak of resting and recovering our strength are fools if they believe we can survive indefinitely by remaining where we are. If we don’t move south, our people will eventually starve."

His words carried the conviction of a man who had spent years advocating the same strategy.

For a long time, the tribal leaders had resisted his calls for a southern campaign. They had preferred to consolidate their territories, replenish their forces, and avoid another costly war.

But the situation had gradually changed.

The harsh northern climate continued to threaten their herds and livelihoods. Their existing territories could no longer guarantee the prosperity they desired.

At last, more tribal leaders had begun to recognise the necessity of expansion.

Preparations for a new southern campaign were now underway.

Unfortunately for Fern, he would not be the one leading the armies this time.

His disastrous decisions at Preston had cost him his command, and the loss of Blackwood City had only reinforced the doubts surrounding his military judgment.

Other commanders would lead the coming campaign.

Yet losing command had not extinguished his ambition.

If anything, it had made his hatred of Simon more personal.

Fern wanted revenge, but he also wanted to prove that his strategy had been correct all along.

He had not abandoned the dream of marching south.

He had merely been forced to wait for another opportunity.

Now, as he considered the growing strength of Simon’s navy and the vulnerability of Ashenford, an idea began to take shape in his mind.

A direct assault might be dangerous. But war did not always have to begin with the largest army or the strongest fortress.

Sometimes, the key to victory was choosing the right target at the right moment.

Fern’s lips slowly curled into a cold smile.

Prince Simon, enjoy your prosperity while you still can.

The next time we meet, things will be different. I will surely get you out of the picture for good.

***

Ashenford

Simon was thoroughly enjoying the seafood delicacies of the era.

After finishing another bite of abalone, he leaned back with a satisfied expression.

The natural flavour of the seafood had exceeded his expectations. It was difficult not to appreciate the richness of the local waters when the catch was so fresh and the quality so exceptional.

But the fishing expedition had never been intended solely for his enjoyment.

Simon had recognised the commercial potential of Ashenford’s marine resources from the beginning.

The famous Greenville Island abalone was only one example.

The surrounding waters contained numerous varieties of fish and other seafood that could be sold in markets throughout the Eldorian Empire. With better fishing equipment, improved transportation, and reliable maritime protection, Ashenford could become a major supplier of seafood.

The opportunity was too valuable to waste.

Brambleford’s development required money at every turn.

Its industrial workshops needed raw materials and investment. Westham’s agricultural and livestock industries required infrastructure and access to markets. Ashenford, meanwhile, possessed the sea and all the economic opportunities that came with it.

These were the three pillars Simon intended to develop.

Each region had its own strengths, and he wanted to turn those advantages into lasting prosperity.

During the following days, Simon continued sampling the local seafood while inspecting Ashenford’s defences and infrastructure.

He had not travelled all this way here merely to enjoy a holiday.

There was still plenty of work to be done.

A/N: Thanks for reading this far. Don’t forget to vote and leave a gift. Elin is now available go see for yourself.