Chapter 839: Chapter 63: War of Nation-Building

By the banks of the Mississippi River, the Holy Knights, riding white horses and wearing robes embroidered with the Saint George’s Dragon Slaying Badge, walked through the camp. Almost all the clergy from the Southern States were summoned, sprinkling holy water on the soldiers.

The choirs sang solemn hymns, and everywhere echoed with sacred prayers.

This was an unprecedented grand mass in America, so grand that most of the British Army was witnessing it for the first time in their lives.

At the harbor, a brand new battleship, like a giant whale, sailed in, with a massive escort fleet trailing thick smoke, approaching with its back to the sunset.

On board the London.

Marshal Julian, escorted by guards, headed straight to the command room, where everything was neatly arranged, and Admiral George’s personal belongings were already packed.

"Admiral George, I will take over your position and oversee all affairs of the Expedition Army."

Admiral George was not surprised by the news: "Can I return to the homeland now?"

"I’m afraid not, you will continue as my deputy." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The middle-aged general spoke coldly: "I have no intention of criticizing your previous decisions or pursuing anyone’s mistakes. Our only goal now is to win this war."

Admiral George let out a bitter laugh, knowing the underlying message from this new marshal named Julian.

Whether it would offset merits and restore reputation or settle scores later depended on the outcome of this battle.

"Sir, I accept your orders."

Admiral George paused before continuing: "Before briefing you on the current situation, I want to ask you a question. How many reinforcements did you bring this time?"

Marshal Julian responded in a deep voice: "The Quebec Division, the New Brunswick Division, and the Virginia Garrison Division, all elite troops among the colonial garrison. Besides, a regiment of cavalry from the Saint George’s Knight Order at home, and all forces from the New Continent Branch, will be incorporated into the Expedition Army’s combat sequence."

Colonial garrisons are not the same as colonial militias. The former can be considered part of the homeland’s combat sequence, with equipment and training far exceeding those of any state militia.

Admiral George frowned: "What about the anti-aircraft weapons I emphasized?"

"No need to worry about the Giant Dragon; the Grand Master of the Saint George’s Knight Order will carry a Dragon Slaying Holy Artifact."

"What kind of Dragon Slaying Holy Artifact?"

Admiral George was puzzled since the Saint George’s Knight Order, despite its name, had never dealt with creatures like dragons before, so how could they possess a Dragon Slaying Holy Object?

"A Giant Dragon is nothing more than a slightly stronger beast. Admiral George, I don’t understand why you’re treating a beast as an enemy?"

Marshal Julian sneered but explained: "It’s a Holy Object obtained from the Ottomans, a reward from the Crimean War from the Ottomans. Reportedly, it was the Divine Artifact held by the Last Emperor of the Roman Palaeologus Dynasty, offered in a church for nearly fifty years, transformed into a Holy Artifact, effortlessly capable of slaying a Demon Dragon."

...

In recent days, Basilicata returned to a tense state of war preparation. The economic pressure of war on Texas was devastating, the financial strain and shortage of supplies leading many to resent relocating border residents.

Although Texas was a homeland combat zone, the war potential had been greatly exhausted.

However, Juliano did not regret this decision, as the population was crucial to Texas. Moreover, they were people who had long been accustomed to coexist peacefully with the Wolf Race, supporting Texas’s rule. Once lost, it would be hard to replenish.

The old Clan Leader was somewhat worried: "If the British continue to delay indefinitely, simply blockading the coastline of Texas without attacking, it would be troublesome."

"Don’t worry, even if the British are financially strong, they can’t indefinitely maintain a large-scale Expedition Army overseas."

Losa remained calm. In recent days, from time to time, he would venture out to hunt, utilizing the convenience of the "Storage Space," consecutively emptying several North American colony supply warehouses.

"I’ve visited some villages and towns in North America. The British Army intends to spread the cost of this expedition among the colonial governments, and the local areas are already full of complaints. North Americans are not like the Indians, not so docile. The British don’t dare to push them too much."

Losa actually looked forward to the independence of the North American Colonies. In this world, British North America, despite having a broader territory due to incorporating British Canada, was actually quite weak. If independence occurred, Texas would also have a chance to carve out a substantial piece of it.

Ever since hearing of that terrible future, Viviana had been somewhat gloomy.

War and death sometimes drive the progress of the age.

Without the First and Second World Wars, Europe’s colonial system wouldn’t have disintegrated.

Without the Southern Crystal Rebellion, feudal warlords and comprador bourgeoisie would still be oppressing the people.

Everyone knows there will be casualties, many casualties.

But this is the momentum of history, an unstoppable torrent.

Only those who became separated from their loved ones, whose families were destroyed by war, would probably not see this as so-called progress.

"They are coming!"

When the news arrived, Losa was training his knights in the Wolf Race’s Body Refining Technique, and the instructors from Basilicata were generously sharing their skills.

Each member of the Wolf Race had their own expertise. Basilicata often produced Warriors, unlike Saluzzo, known for assassins.

Although it had been proven that most knights couldn’t wield the world’s Holy Light, nor were they likely to master the Wolf Race’s Dark Power, even if it wasn’t Extraordinary Power, these ancient families with a heritage of hundreds of years still had their set of unique skills.

The knights studied diligently, for everyone could see the extraordinary power among the warriors participating in these "Trials." Even if they couldn’t grasp this power,

martial skills were fundamental for a knight’s survival and livelihood, learned skills could be passed down to future generations.

Baron Charlie quickly approached the instructor teaching them Basilicata Great Swordsmanship, Centurion Leon, and inquired: "Mr. Leon, I’m different from them. My physical condition and skills far exceed theirs. I believe you can teach me something new."

"Stop waving around in front of me."

Centurion Leon waved his hand dismissively: "Seeing you in that outfit makes me dizzy."

During the Trastamara Family’s rule over the Two Sicilies, the Wolf Race could only occupy Sicily as countryside landlords, biding their time, while the Santiago Knight Order launched expeditions against them; although ending in failure, it resulted in heavy losses for the Wolf Race, leading to significant reshuffling. From then on, led by the Wolf Lord, the twelve upper Wolf Races gradually rose to become leaders of their people.