The remaining inches of land are not entirely exhausted, completely wasting time while maintaining military strength.

Now, without any losses, the Duke of Flowers has acquired Giant Stone City, increasing his troop strength by at least eight thousand.

This doesn’t even include the new recruits temporarily summoned to defend the city.

Luo De felt nothing about this, smiling as he said, "Count Blue Lake will not surrender to me, as doing so would make him lose his family’s land."

"My dear son,"

The Earl of the Red Griffin suddenly came up, wrapping his arm around Luo De’s shoulder, "Your actions in the eastern province seem to imply you’re not content with just being a duke."

Luo De shivered upon hearing this term from the Earl of the Red Griffin.

This was the first time he had heard such a term.

Generally, a father-in-law only uses that term for a son-in-law after the daughter has been married for a long time.

The Earl of the Red Griffin suddenly calling him this took Luo De by surprise.

However, Luo De could also feel the Earl of the Red Griffin’s fondness for him.

Luo De hesitated for a moment before speaking, "In the Empire’s council, there can be countless voices."

"But at the end of the Empire’s council, there can only be one voice."

"And that is the Emperor’s voice."

Luo De shook his head slightly, "In the old Broken Rock Empire, there were too many voices, so many that people couldn’t hear the Emperor’s voice."

The Earl of the Red Griffin naturally understood what Luo De meant and said, "You’re right, although I am also a noble, many lords will either neglect or even ignore the Empire’s commands."

"But the Empire is so vast,"

The Earl of the Red Griffin hesitated, "How can it be managed without the nobility?"

"Families will still exist, but their power won’t be as great."

Luo De said with a smile, "You need not worry, I will make the arrangements."

Dismantling feudal enclaves is a complex matter, especially in a world without local officials. Initially, it will certainly bring some risks and consequences.

However, with the seed of nature within Luo De, and his strength being sufficient, it becomes relatively simpler.

Should local families rebel, they would also have to consider the breath of the four dragons.

This is also one of the differences in an extraordinary world.

As long as Luo De maintains the strength of the royal family’s power, he can deter those with ill intentions.

"I believe you can do it, son!"

The Earl of the Red Griffin patted Luo De’s shoulder, full of comfort.

Seeing this, Vivian couldn’t help but turn away.

"Actually, there is something I need to tell you."

Luo De glanced at Vivian, lowering his voice, "The one by my side isn’t actually Avril..."

Luo De quickly gave a brief account of Vivian’s identity.

If they are to live together in the future, it is impossible to deceive the Earl of the Red Griffin for a lifetime.

Now that the extraordinary is not considered unusual in this world, Avril’s identity as a Witch no longer needs to be concealed.

"Sorry, we didn’t mean to deceive you."

Luo De explained helplessly, "We were just afraid of scaring you."

"So it was Vivian who accompanied you to slay Susanna?" the Earl of the Red Griffin asked in a deep voice.

Luo De nodded slightly, "Yes."

"That’s wonderful, I have two daughters!"

The Earl of the Red Griffin quickly walked over to Vivian’s side, giving her a fierce hug,

"Sorry, dear, I always saw you as your sister..."

The Earl of the Red Griffin carefully examined Vivian, "But you really do look exactly like your sister!"

Luo De was somewhat surprised.

The Earl of the Red Griffin showed no anger at being deceived but rather felt some guilt for not recognizing the two sisters.

In the eyes of the Earl of the Red Griffin, Avril and Vivian must still be twins.

Luo De thought to himself.

The Earl of the Red Griffin suddenly turned around, "So I haven’t seen Avril yet?"

"Correct."

Luo De nodded and immediately changed the subject, "But she will come soon, once the situation here stabilizes." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"It’s just that child is so delicate, sigh."

The Earl of the Red Griffin patted his forehead, his face full of longing for Avril.

Suddenly, he seemed to realize something, wrapping an arm around Luo De’s shoulders, "You child, you... have taken my two daughters!"

Luo De paused, hesitantly saying, "This issue is open to discussion."

The two barely had time to delve deeper when Gala came running over.

"Saint Master, the latest news has arrived from the front."

Gala bowed, presenting the letter to Luo De with both hands, "It’s regarding the Duke of Flowers."

"Open it and read it aloud, there are no outsiders here." Luo De instructed.

"Yes, Saint Master."

Gala ripped open the envelope roughly, took out the letter, and read it aloud.

The Duke of Flowers’ Silver Thorn Legion had gathered some property in Giant Stone City and already begun their retreat.

They abandoned Giant Stone City outright.

"So quick in action?"

Luo De was puzzled, querying, "How many captives did they take?"

"They took half."

Gala reported, "Their food supply seems to be lacking."

"It seems the Giant Dragon’s deterrence is greater than imagined."

The Earl of the Red Griffin lamented, speculating, "The Duke of Flowers likely wishes to preserve military power and ally with the Eldest Princess against you."

"Hmm, quite possible." Luo De nodded in agreement.

While the two were conversing, the figures of Lusen and Linda hurriedly approached from afar.