Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 388 - 74: Preparations for Battle (Part 2)
Juliano expressed regret: "The money to buy this fort cannon was originally intended to be used for road construction. Leonos always complains to me that New Basilicata doesn’t have a road leading to the port, leaving many crops to rot in the warehouse each year."
"But now... if we lose, there won’t be any roads to build."
Jeanne pondered, "Mr. Juliano really does care about the people’s livelihood."
Juliano smiled: "Perhaps you find it ironic—look, those wolf cubs who only know destruction are actually considering whether the grapes in the field can be transported to the winery before they rot, just like farmers.
But that’s the reality. This is the home we’ve built together with the common people, and both we and they love this land passionately."
"I don’t find it laughable."
Jeanne slightly shook her head.
"But thinking about those chaotic warlords, it is indeed a bit ironic."
The Wolf Race’s views on good and evil are vastly different from humans, but as they deepen their understanding of each other and become interdependent, mutual influence and integration of ideas between the two parties would naturally occur.
"Actually, there’s nothing to be ironic about; everyone acts for themselves. The Wolf Race protects civilians, in exchange for tax money from them, which is then used to build our own territory and welcome more wolves—it’s a virtuous cycle."
"The more wolves there are, the more civilians we can shelter; the more civilians there are, the more wolves they can support."
Juliano’s voice was earnest, completely different from the ambitious figure Jeanne had imagined.
Indeed.
A true ambitious character is not the villainous figure from movies—the kind who is dark-looking and likes to hide in the shadows pondering one scheme after another.
A true ambitious character, on the contrary, needs to possess outstanding personal charisma.
Jeanne shifted the conversation and suddenly asked, "What about Chelina? What role does she play in your ambition? Is she a hostage, or do you have other considerations?"
Juliano’s expression slightly changed. Though he had been trying hard not to dwell on it these days, it was clear: since the Wolf Lord had decided to target him, there was no way Chelina would be spared.
Even if the Clan Leader of the Saluzzo Family had a good personal relationship with him.
If he were the Clan Leader in Saluzzo’s position, he wouldn’t defy the Wolf Lord for a friend’s daughter.
The tradition of the Wolf Race emphasizes family.
For the continuation of the family, even if it’s their own people, there’s no psychological burden in sacrificing them, let alone just an outsider.
There’s no telling if Chelina can escape unscathed.
He had confidence in his daughter’s talent, but was unsure of how far Chelina’s power had progressed.
However, the most he could imagine her reaching was the rank of Centurion; succeeding in escaping while being hunted by enemies would be harder than climbing the sky.
"I just didn’t expect the Wolf Lord’s reaction to be so severe."
Juliano’s tone was full of desolation.
Not just him, many wolves in Two Sicilies hadn’t realized why the Wolf Lord suddenly wanted to target the Basilicata Family; this civil war happened so abruptly that it surprised most people.
"Don’t worry, Chelina wasn’t captured by them."
Jeanne’s tone was playful: "You know how we became friends?"
Juliano was slightly taken aback and revealed a hint of surprise in his voice: "Did the three of you save Chelina?"
Jeanne shook her head: "Not really—have you heard of the giant ship that roams the river of time?"
A slight incredulity flashed in Juliano’s eyes, and he opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Jeanne.
"That’s right; it’s that one, no need to say it out loud. We actually come from the future. In that timeline, without our help, you lost miserably. Chelina fought her way out from the siege of the Yakxi Family alone. Her potential is stronger than you think."
Juliano was silent for a moment.
From Jeanne’s understated tone, he seemed to have already seen the scene of Texas littered with corpses.
"Chelina never understood you and even resented you for instigating this war for your own greed, which led to the destruction of all Basilicata’s clansmen."
Juliano froze for a moment.
Jeanne’s tone, rare in severity, said: "It’s not her fault. You let her receive the most traditional Wolf Race education and never told her your ideas. Her lack of understanding is completely normal."
"Indeed, it is my fault; I wasn’t a good father."
Juliano’s expression was somewhat complex: "Moreover, she’s right; I am indeed not a very honorable ambitious person."
Jeanne said with some regret: "Chelina’s talents are outstanding and highly valued by our leader. If she had remained in Texas to help you, she would certainly be a great asset."
"Which leader?"
"That’s right, the captain of Yesterday’s Giant Ship."
Jeanne’s lips slightly curled up; recalling her leader always made one feel relaxed and cheerful.
"He... the one willing to help us change history?"
Jeanne replied solemnly: "This isn’t about changing history."
Combat records are merely segments of the river of time, and whatever changes happen upstream won’t affect the true historical river.
"You can understand it as: the moment we arrived in this world, a brand-new tributary split off from the historical river, and no matter how this river flows, it won’t affect the original historical trajectory."
Jeanne saw Juliano breathe a sigh of relief, but quickly dampened his spirits: "But don’t be too happy too early, my leader has descended only in a weak incarnation, the real battle must rely on us."
Juliano couldn’t quite imagine how the captain of the giant ship that roams Yesterday’s river of time could be associated with the words "weak."
However, having such a strong ally was already an unexpected delight.
Jeanne pointed to the wolves that were gathering from the foot of the mountain, transporting various resources and supplies to the castle, and asked: "Come to think of it, have you given up entirely on the idea of ambushing the port?"
"That’s right, if the Expedition Army comes, they will surely take the Yakexi—it’s an ironclad ship with extremely fierce firepower; the Wolf Race Federation’s coastal strongholds can’t withstand even a single shot."
The Wolf Race Federation is the New Continent wolves’ new self-designation and represents abandoning the old family concept.
Right now, the wolves dispersed in various strongholds in Texas are heading toward Wolf Castle, and Juliano is already planning to have a great decisive battle with the enemy here.
Juliano added: "Before abandoning those strongholds, the Wolf Race Mounted Police will organize a large-scale eradication of the wilderness demons, although its effect shouldn’t last long; it’s a desperate measure."
Jeanne nodded: "I understand, your power is limited; five fingers must be clenched into a fist."
Juliano could easily abandon the hard-earned Texas, letting the old wolves burn it to the ground; after all, the New Continent is vast, and they could relocate to a secluded new place.
However, doing so would deal a massive blow to the morale of the Wolf Race Federation.
Wandering wolves would still resemble sewer rats, inconspicuous, driven away like rats by the loftier high-class wolves, abandoning the land they’ve cultivated for decades without even daring to fight.
Once at the new location, will any wolves be willing to work with the same determination and zeal as they did when Texas was first built?
They might think: after all, this is just a temporary shelter, and when the old wolf army approaches, they will escape like homeless dogs—such days would be no different from their own wandering.
Can the so-called "Wolf Race Federation" truly guard its own people?
