Chapter 365 - 257: Imperial Turmoil

Chapter 365: Chapter 257: Imperial Turmoil

The fall of the city of Odoche was like a meteor crashing to earth, kicking up a storm of dust that rippled rapidly outward.

The news spread as if it had wings, blanketing the surrounding lands overnight. The speed of the messengers was a mystery—truly unbelievable.

The Hoyland Clan had ruled this land for a time so long it was nearly incalculable; their name was almost synonymous with the history of Odoche itself.

Yet, overnight, the masters of this land had changed. The newly risen Bro Clan was like the morning sun, its brilliant rays illuminating every corner of Odoche.

In the city streets, soldiers were still bustling about, cleaning up the battlefield and maintaining order.

The civilians had gradually recovered from their initial terror. They began to emerge from their homes, asking one another for news.

The honorary nobles who had once paid homage to the Hoyland Clan could now only stare with lifeless eyes at the pitch-black walls of the dungeons, contemplating their fate.

In the city’s central square, Henry’s banner flew high—the sigil of the Bro Clan, a symbol that the new ruler had arrived.

Henry stood on a high platform in the square, gazing down at the city below.

"My Lord, the situation in the city has largely stabilized." Vasco came to Henry’s side, reporting in a low voice.

Henry nodded, his gaze sweeping over the army in the square.

’Getting the people of Odoche to accept their new rulers and the leadership of the Bro Clan is just a matter of time.’

’But time waits for no one... My enemy was never John Hoyland, but the entire Empire.’

"Issue the order: starting tomorrow, all commercial activity within the city is to be restored, and the markets are to be opened. At the same time, announce a tax reduction for the city’s populace, so they can get back to their lives as quickly as possible."

Vasco hesitated for a moment, then caught on. "My Lord, isn’t this a bit..."

Henry cut him off. "The Hoyland Clan ruled for so long that the people have grown weary of their oppression. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

We need to show them that the rule of the Bro Clan will be different."

’After all, my policy has always been to take from those who have money. How much could the commoners possibly have? The combined wealth of a thousand commoners isn’t worth as much as raiding a single manor or ranch.’

Vasco nodded and turned to relay the orders. Henry’s gaze once again drifted to the horizon. This decision was only the first step.

’I need to let everyone in the eastern grasslands know that the rise of the Bro Clan will bring a new era.’

’An unstoppable, overwhelming rise!’

The news spread like wildfire to the nearby towns and villages.

The landowners and chieftains who had once been utterly subservient to the Hoyland Clan now adopted a wait-and-see attitude. They didn’t know which way to turn and could only wait for the new ruler to provide an answer.

Just as Henry had predicted, the news that he had actually conquered Odoche and shattered the rule of the Earldom of Hoyland in a single month caused a massive uproar.

Across the entire Empire, every noble, merchant, and Legion Commander who heard the news turned their attention to the eastern grasslands.

From the Empire’s western territories and coastal regions, to the Badan Mountain Range, the snowy plains of the Northern Lands, the imperial heartland, and even parts of the desert, lesser nobles gathered in their residences, discussing the matter with fervent excitement.

They gathered under all sorts of pretexts, sitting together and trading the latest news, their faces alight with excitement.

To them, Henry’s rise seemed to breathe new life into their own ambitions. They began to fantasize that they, too, could be like him—achieving an astonishing victory and vaulting into the spotlight.

"Have you heard? Count Henry took Odoche in just one month! It’s simply incredible!"

"Yes, it’s the stuff of legends!" another noble chimed in. "Just think, if I had an opportunity like that, perhaps I could become a hero, too."

Their conversation drifted from Henry’s military genius to their own future plans, as they discussed how they might emulate him and find their own opportunities.

Meanwhile, the merchants were also bustling. They gathered in the halls of the merchant guilds in every major city, discussing the business opportunities that Henry’s rise presented.

To them, Henry’s victory wasn’t merely a military event; it was a massive market opportunity.

"Gentlemen, think about it. What does Count Henry’s rise mean?" A veteran merchant stood and rapped his knuckles on the table, drawing everyone’s attention.

"The situation in the eastern grasslands is changing, and that means new trade opportunities! Business in arms, grain, slaves, not to mention building materials and medicinal herbs—it’s all going to boom!"

The merchants all nodded, greed glittering in their eyes.

They began discussing how to adjust their business strategies to get a piece of the pie in the eastern grasslands.

"We must act quickly to get a head start. Count Henry’s army will need massive amounts of supplies. We can provide grain and arms."

"And slaves," another merchant added. "Rebuilding the city will require a great deal of manpower."

"We can organize caravans to transport slaves to Odoche."

The merchants mobilized even faster than the Imperial Legions. They began organizing caravans and preparing goods, ready to make a fortune in the eastern grasslands.

And in the Empire’s military fortresses, the Legion Commanders were also closely monitoring Henry’s actions.

They gathered their officers in meeting rooms to discuss assessments of Henry’s strength.