Don't Mess with That Dragon-Chapter 722 - 108: Commendation (Third Update, Seeking Subscription)

After the war had settled, the southern part of Central Earth experienced a period of calm.

Having annexed the Frandi Duchy and other Three Great Dukedoms, the Blue Dragon Kingdom's territory and area expanded more than threefold, requiring immense efforts for absorption and assimilation.

Due to the vast area and population of the newly occupied territories,

According to the calculations by the official high ranks, even by utilizing the entire power of the Blue Dragon Kingdom, it would take over a year to initially absorb these new territories into the Kingdom's system.

This initial absorption refers to gaining control over vast rural areas within the Blue Dragon Kingdom, ensuring the people's allegiance to the kingdom, and extracting sufficient manpower and soldiers,

as well as completely annihilating the remnants of certain old aristocratic factions hiding deep in the mountains, who had stirred up wars.

One year,

is not considered long.

After all, purely in terms of manpower and territorial area, the Blue Dragon Kingdom's conquest of the Three Kingdoms was an achievement akin to a serpent swallowing an elephant.

Digesting multiple times its own manpower and territorial resources cannot be accomplished without some time.

As for the thorough reform and development of the newly occupied regions, including introducing industrialization, advancing the economy, and other ambitious plans to make these areas the heartland of the Blue Dragon Kingdom, these would require even more time.

Because of this,

during this period, the Blue Dragon Kingdom focused primarily on internal affairs.

Officials embodying Austin's will diligently issued various decisions, managed various governmental affairs, and adjusted the civilian economy—urgent matters indeed.

As for the military of the Dragon's Nest,

A glorious war concluded, wherein steel giant beasts deploying fantastical mechanical might as primary mobile forces in the lightning battles astonished the world in their first appearance, establishing exceptionally powerful achievements.

With the end of the war, post-war rewards also commenced.

Among these rewards, the material resources go without saying, but most importantly, an award ceremony was broadcast across the entire kingdom inside the Blue Dragon Kingdom Main City.

The then Minister of Internal Affairs and military generals of the Blue Dragon Kingdom were all present in the highest Dragon's Nest of the kingdom to commend the soldiers who achieved meritorious service.

This commendation ceremony, transmitted via newspapers, radio, and television, sparked huge responses throughout the Blue Dragon Kingdom.

Whether it was the beastmen living in the kingdom for quite some time,

or the refugees who had settled in the Kawa Great Forest, or those who incidentally received news from the newly occupied regions, most people felt an exhilarating surge of emotion.

This collective commendation and national promotion,

was unprecedented among the multiple countries in this world.

Even the countries heavily emphasizing military merit only conducted commendations under the witnesses of nobles, by the King himself.

As for the Blue Dragon Kingdom,

using public opinion to create momentum and announcing it nationwide is simply unheard of.

And after this commendation ceremony, the subsequent military parade in the Blue Dragon Kingdom Main City showcased rows of thunderous and menacing steel giant beasts rolling down the streets, with lines of soldiers marching uniformly—as solid and invincible as fortress walls—a phenomenon that shook heaven alongside the Blue Dragon flags waving high, declaring the myth of this army's invincibility.

This post-war commendation ceremony and military parade stirred a massive frenzy throughout the Blue Dragon Kingdom.

Reportedly, those who had made great contributions received an audience with His Highness Austin, who occasionally awoke from slumber deep in the Dragon's Nest.

After years of public propaganda,

Austin is regarded by the subjects of the Blue Dragon Kingdom as a divine figure akin to a kingly father, filled with sincere faith and admiration.

The treatment received by those who made great contributions,

the focus and honors, made many aspiring youths emotionally stirred, eager to don the military uniform, step onto the battlefield, and prove themselves.

This commendation ceremony not only lauded the valor of the Blue Dragon Kingdom's army but also gave the Dragon's Nest military a chance to appear before the citizens of the entire country.

Nationwide, the public opinion was overwhelmingly laudatory.

Certain new professional writers, who relied on newspapers for a living, penned flowery articles praising the efforts and achievements of the military soldiers.

Following this commendation ceremony,

The desire among the populace to join the military became incredibly enthusiastic. Many former adventurers or mercenaries flocked to recruitment sites, hoping to enter the military and make a name for themselves.

The military had not anticipated this.

...

Time,

slowly passed as the Blue Dragon Kingdom handled various internal matters, while neighboring countries watched anxiously.

Despite the Blue Dragon Kingdom's lack of intention to deploy its forces, focusing intensely on internal affairs, the governing classes of surrounding countries experienced no reduction in anxiety and fear. Instead, as the Blue Dragon Kingdom's forces settled rebels in newly occupied regions and moved on to absorb and digest the original Frandi Duchy and other Three Great Dukedoms' territories and areas, their worries increased.

Because,

once the Blue Dragon Kingdom finishes absorbing and digesting those regions, it may mean the next round of military actions is highly likely to be initiated.

At that time, with their military strength, who can withstand it?

Despite the remaining Five Great Duchies of the South having reluctantly set aside past grudges and interests, forming a defensive alliance under the immense pressure from the Blue Dragon Kingdom,

Subsequently,

The major duchies, disregarding domestic grievances boiling over, aggressively seized wealth and military supplies to expand their armies, widely recruited soldiers, and established strong defensive lines at the borders. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

However,

Even the newly constructed border defenses, nearly impenetrable walls to other feudal aristocracy-led countries, seem feeble against the Dragon's Nest military that defeated three duchies in half a month.

Against that tactic called blitzkrieg, featuring overwhelming alchemy weapons and several legendary powerhouses in their midst.

How can they withstand such a military force?

It's feared that once the adversary sorts out its affairs and absorbs the territories and population of the original Three Countries of Frandy, even if the Five Countries alliance turns its guns, it would be nothing but a joke!

The more information gathered, the more known, and thus the more despair ensues.

This is a gap of absolute power,

Not something that can be countered through mere effort or minor tactics.