The six newly formed legions are strategically concentrated northeast of Peace Haven.

  They’re split into two groups: one led by Virgil commanding the Seventh Legion, the other by Teresa heading the Thirteenth Legion.

  In two years, these eight legions will form a vice-like grip, blocking Peace Haven’s expansion routes.

  In the st war, Virgil and Teresa performed exceptionally well, commanding elite troops.

  If it weren’t for their support, Vorska’s defenses would have crumbled long ago.

  Now, each controls four legions, a first in the Vorry Kingdom’s history.

  Never before has a non-top-tier noble held command over so many troops, along with considerable autonomy.

  And it’s all because of Henwell’s pressure.

  Henwell worries about Amir moving against him, but Amir likely feels the same.

  The ten-year peace guarantee only applies between nations; it doesn’t restrain internal conflicts.

  Both the Vorry Kingdom and Peace Haven need this precious time to recover and rebuild.

  If Henwell suddenly decides to drag the Phoenix family, the Western Regions Iron Wall Legion, and the Eastern Duke of Defense into supporting Arius’s coup,

  Vorry could be shattered overnight, and the kingdom might fracture.

  Both sides are caught in a tense standoff, each wary of the other.

  Amir’s current moves show the calcuted savvy of a seasoned politician and military strategist.

  Virgil and Teresa were originally tasked with guarding against Peace Haven.

  Having witnessed Peace Haven’s military strength firsthand, they’re constantly on edge, always seeking ways to boost their legions’ combat effectiveness.

  Both understand that if Henwell acts, their legions will face his elite forces head-on.

  From top to bottom, no one dares embezzle military supplies, and training is rigorous.

  They’re among the best-trained units in the entire Vorry military system.

  Additionally, both have secretly studied Henwell’s training methods. Though they can’t copy everything, they’ve implemented many positive military reforms.

  Having them lead the new legions is Amir’s deliberate choice.

  They know Henwell’s capabilities best and won’t sck off in training their troops.

  Amir squeezes a significant sum from the kingdom’s tight budget specifically for building these new forces.

  With funds in hand, Virgil and Teresa rush to Peace Haven and pce rge orders for military equipment.

  Amir knows this but doesn’t bme them.

  After all, Peace Haven’s weapons are high-quality and cost-effective, saving the new legions a lot of money.

  Regarding equipment procurement for the new legions, Victor and Rawkins discuss and decide it should ultimately be Henwell’s call.

  After all, these new legions are meant to counter Peace Haven.

  Selling weapons to them now is essentially funding the enemy.

  Henwell doesn’t share those concerns. His army must grow stronger and be ready to face any challenge.

  Besides, military equipment is Peace Haven’s fgship product. Not only does he confidently sell to the new legions, but Henwell even dares to export weapons to neighboring countries.

  Maintaining a massive military-industrial complex requires a steady stream of orders.

  Only then can the system advance, more skilled workers, better product improvements, and cutting-edge weapon research.

  Henwell personally signs off on the arms trade permit, reminding the military industry not to cut corners and damage their reputation.

  Within the Vorry Kingdom, besides the new legion formations, several other developments unfold.

  Fabio from the Western Regions follows Henwell’s advice and splits the Iron Wall Legion into two parts.

  Fabio stays in the Western Regions, leading the new Iron Wall Legion himself.

  The noble factions are consolidated under Duke Obiken, forming a new legion called the Glory Battle Axe.

  After restructuring, the Iron Wall Legion shrinks to just over 20,000 troops, only two legions in size.

  But Fabio gains the freedom to implement many new policies.

  Peace Haven’s three industrial zones in the Western Regions have already begun construction.

  Fabio dispatches over 500 mid- and senior-level officers to Peace Haven Military Academy for a year-long advanced course.

  From now on, the Iron Wall Legion will send officers annually to study in Peace Haven.

  The industrial projects are massive. Although Peace Haven boasts more advanced construction technology, Fabio insists on using local manpower.

  Where a single industrial zone would usually take a year with fewer than 1,000 workers, Fabio pushes for more than 3,000 local borers per zone.

  The timeline stays on track, and budgets don’t overshoot.

  Western Regions’ bor costs are far lower than Peace Haven’s. Fabio thinks previous wage estimates were too high.

  He’s neither greedy nor stingy. He understands that it’s better to have 3,000 workers living decently than 1,000 workers getting rich.

  Three industrial zones mean 10,000 workers employed for a year, enough to bring a qualitative change to their families’ lives.

  The ripple effects could improve the livelihoods of over 100,000 people.

  Seeing Fabio’s strong determination, Henwell isn’t stingy with his brother.

  He orders the Construction Supervision Department to send people to survey the roads in the Western Regions.

  Since the Western Regions want to boost domestic demand, Henwell decides to deliver major infrastructure projects.

  First, a few more roads, then some irrigation works.

  Money sitting idle in the treasury is just precious metal.

  A true leader’s task is to unleash the bor value that money represents.

  Right now, Fabio also has a handwritten letter waiting for Henwell to open.

  After a quick read, Henwell immediately understands Fabio’s request.

  It’s simple, with one core message: the Western Regions are short on funds!

  The Iron Wall Legion’s reorganization pulled many nobles away.

  The Iron Wall’s finances have taken a hit and now must borrow from Henwell.

  Fabio is straightforward: whatever the Western Regions need and Henwell approves, just ask, he’ll provide it, even accepting colteral.

  Henwell thinks it over and calls in the heads of the Smelting and Mining departments.

  He instructs them to pick a high-quality mining area in the Western Regions and find a suitable site to build a smelting pnt.

  Both the mine and smelting pnt will be fully owned by Peace Haven.

  Aside from key projects, local craftsmen will be hired at both locations.

  In return for these two industries, Henwell agrees to lend Fabio three million gold coins, interest-free, with a five-year term.

  With this funding, Fabio should be able to weather the next two years of growing pains.

  After that, revenues from the three industrial zones and the Western Regions’ own trade and production will help them sustain self-sufficiency.

  Over the remaining three years, under Fabio’s leadership, the Western Regions will steadily improve.

  As the Western Regions’ core force, the Iron Wall Legion will also be revitalized, reaching new heights in strength during these years.