Chapter 357: Rebuild It!

The northern winds howled across the vast grasslands, and the once endless green now showed a touch of yellow.

Autumn had arrived, and winter was not far away.

Riding his horse across the broad plains, Simon looked at the lands once occupied by the reavers and felt many emotions in his heart.

It had taken nearly three years, but he finally drove the northern threats beyond the Snake Pass. From now on, the grasslands beyond Dunmere would become his land for horse-breeding and farming.

After putting down the rebellion in Preston, he returned to Brambleford. Just five or six days later, he received news of the fall of Snake Pass.

Filled with excitement, he didn’t rest but rushed overnight to see the once most formidable pass of the Eldorian Empire.

"My Lord, look, General Benjamin is coming." Said Aiden, pointing ahead.

Simon looked over and indeed saw Benjamin and the other generals approaching. After retaking Snake Pass, Simon had decided to strengthen this most important stronghold, turning it into a true fortress. So he brought the construction team from the building of Dunmere City to Snake Pass and placed Aiden in charge of it.

At the same time, their fortress advancement strategy would continue. They would build forts along the line of Snake Pass, step by step shrinking the reavers’ living space.

The battle in Preston had made Simon realize the ferocity of the Order. He had no choice but to take this enemy seriously.

The fearless charges of the reaver soldiers had left many of his generals unsettled.

Especially since this time, Fern had nearly destroyed Preston with just his Sunderland Tribe. If it weren’t for Fern being accidentally injured by a cannon shell, even if they had won, it would have been a bitter and costly victory.

If that had happened, he would have missed the opportunity to take Snake Pass and change the tide of the war.

"My Lord." Benjamin and the others soon arrived, all beaming with joy, clearly still immersed in the thrill of retaking Snake Pass.

"No need for formalities. You are all great heroes now; it’s I who should salute you." Simon said with a smile.

The weather was clear, and the wide view lifted everyone’s spirits. With this great victory, Simon felt particularly cheerful.

Hearing his words, the smiles on everyone’s faces grew even wider.

Benjamin said. "My Lord, up ahead is Snake Pass, but the main gate was blasted open during the attack and is badly damaged."

"That’s why I brought the construction team. With them, Snake Pass will be rebuilt in just a few months, even stronger than Dunmere City." Simon replied.

Liam glanced at the long convoy of artillery and was shocked. "My Lord, you brought quite a few cannons this time."

"Not that many, just two hundred cannons. The construction team will build two star forts right up against the pass. These cannons are for those forts. I want to make Snake Pass a barrier the reavers can never cross."

Simon was filled with ambition. Now that Snake Pass was in his hands, his territory was truly secure. From now on, he could focus on peaceful development without fear.

But he also understood that though the reavers had suffered a heavy defeat, they still had great strength.

That’s why he personally brought the construction team to rebuild Snake Pass. Since he had taken it back, he could never allow it to be lost again.

They entered Snake Pass through the shattered wall. Led by Benjamin, Simon and Aiden began to inspect the area.

The outer wall of the Snake Pass fortress stood tall, and behind it was a full military town.

Now, due to the war, the military town was severely damaged.

"This military town is a bit small. Since it’s already ruined, let’s just rebuild it. Expand each side of the walls to five kilometers long." Simon said after thinking for a moment, looking at Aiden.

"You’re right, My Lord. Judging from the Preston battle, the reavers are still very capable of cutting off supply lines. We should build more granaries in the expanded town, just like the government offices in other cities; the military town should store at least three years’ worth of supplies." Aiden replied.

He understood Simon’s thoughts well.

"Three years!" Lancelot laughed. "That’s a good idea. If we’re ever surrounded again, we won’t have to worry about food. In Preston, we almost ran out."

Simon and Aiden laughed together. A city with three years of food would be a nightmare for any enemy.

After discussing the food, they moved on to talk about the armory, ammunition depots, and other essential facilities in the military town.

After agreeing on everything, Benjamin said seriously. "My Lord, now that we’ve taken Snake Pass, what about the garrison troops?"

Simon understood what he meant. The Brambleford Army couldn’t stay here forever. The situation inside the Eldorian Empire was still unstable, and Brambleford’s elite army had to guard its core territory.

"The pressure along the Dunmere line is much lighter now. Let Dunmere’s troops take over for the time being. But that’s not a long-term plan; each regional army has its own duties." Simon said, frowning slightly.

Benjamin, Lancelot and Liam exchanged glances. Then Benjamin said. "My Lord, I have a suggestion, though I’m not sure if I should say it."

"Go ahead," Simon said, patting the wall of Snake Pass.

"In the battle for the pass, around 35,000 slave soldiers surrendered. Many more were captured on the Preston battlefield. These slave soldiers are all strong young men, excellent military material. Why not choose the best among them to form a new West Ham Army to guard Snake Pass?"

Benjamin and Lancelot had both fought in the old West Ham battles and were deeply attached to the region.

Lancelot added. "My Lord, just like the Squad Divincox, the people who hate the reavers the most are from West Ham. These slave soldiers only submitted to the reavers because of cruel oppression. Now that they’re free, all they feel toward the reavers is hatred. If we pick the elite and train a strong army, it will become the reavers’ worst nightmare."

"West Ham City..." Simon suddenly remembered.

These slave soldiers had been taken from West Ham City, which the reavers had turned into a ’sheep pen.’

These slaves were born on West Ham land and had suffered under reaver rule since childhood. Simon still clearly remembered the tragic stories Francis had told him.

He had rushed to Snake Pass and hadn’t visited West Ham City yet. After more than a decade of reaver rule, he wasn’t sure how the people there would see him.

"What do the slave soldiers think?" Simon asked.

"My Lord, many of them came to us asking to join the Brambleford Army to fight the reavers. That’s why we’re suggesting this." Benjamin said.

Aiden spoke up. "My Lord, I believe we should proceed cautiously. These slave soldiers come from unknown backgrounds. They must go through strict vetting. We must confirm they are truly West Ham natives and truly hate the reavers. Otherwise, if someone with evil intentions sneaks into the army, Snake Pass could be in danger."