Chapter 53: Expedition
"Yam, what was it like during the last battle?"
"Giggs, I’ve never fought in a battle," Yam replied somewhat helplessly.
Although the White Mountain Territory had enjoyed over a year of rest and recovery, it was impossible for the territory’s development to fully recover in just one year.
The soldiers who had died in previous battles weren’t vegetables in a garden that could be replanted and harvested again after a year.
So this time, the White Mountain Territory, in response to the summons of Marquis Visen, had only dispatched just over eighty troops.
Among them, more than thirty came from the militia corps of Fisher Village, and the other fifty were veteran soldiers under Baron Ster’s command.
These veterans had participated in at least two major battles, the most recent being the defense of the Red River Territory, where they followed Baron Ster into action.
From reinforcement to being besieged, and then to rescuing the besieged forces, these veterans had fought through the entire campaign and survived.
For any lord, they were extremely valuable assets. That Baron Ster allocated the majority of these survivors to Giggs showed just how much he valued him.
"Huh?" Giggs was startled. "Didn’t you go with Akar to rescue my father?"
"Giggs, I don’t think that counts as a battle," Yam shook his head. "Akar and I didn’t even really appear on the battlefield."
"Really?" Giggs looked doubtful. "But I still think that counts as a battle."
"Giggs, Lily told me I must take good care of you, so when the time comes, don’t rush in too far ahead."
Looking at the excited face of Giggs, Yam couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
He also understood Baron Ster’s intentions very well.
A month ago, along the eastern border adjacent to the Fertile Plains, a unit appeared.
This unit belonged to the private army of the Baron of Eastmount Territory.
According to the leading Bloodline Knight, they were pursuing a raiding group. This raiding group had multiple Bloodline Users, clearly not an ordinary band of raiders.
They had already looted three villages in Eastmount Territory, one of which was nearly massacred in retaliation for resisting.
The methods used were extremely bloody and cruel. After chasing them to the border, they lost their trail and suspected the culprits had fled into the White Mountain Territory.
Baron Ster, of course, expressed strong indignation and stated that he could not possibly have committed such acts.
But verbal arguments were clearly meaningless. The relations between the two territories became tense almost instantly, with troops stationed and ready at the border.
The only reason they hadn’t officially gone to war yet was because neither side had received explicit orders from their respective lords.
Baron Ster had long known that after aligning with Marquis Visen, Count Shuvaric would not let him go easily.
He just hadn’t expected the counterattack to come so quickly.
He immediately wrote a letter to Marquis Visen requesting support, he knew clearly that if he went to war with the Baron of Eastmount, then Westwind Territory and Springwind Territory would inevitably send troops as well. He wouldn’t be able to hold out at all.
This was because the entire northern part of the White Mountain Territory bordered the Fertile Plains, which in reality were divided into the three baronies of Westwind Territory, Springwind Territory, and Eastmount Territory.
This was similar to how the Shattered Diamond Mountains referred collectively to the baronies of White Mountain and Gem Territory.
Thus, this long border couldn’t possibly be held by a single baron.
But before Baron Ster’s plea for aid was even sent, he had already received a summons from Marquis Visen.
At that moment, he understood everything.
Count Shuvaric had clearly received secret intelligence that Marquis Visen intended to seize Red Soil Territory quickly.
That was why he instructed the three lords of the Fertile Plains to pressure the White Mountain Territory at this time.
If White Mountain couldn’t withstand the pressure, it would drag down Marquis Visen. If they could even drag Gem Territory into the fray, then the three lords of the Fertile Plains would even have an excuse to march on Gem Territory.
Thus, with no better choice, Baron Ster could only first send Giggs and Yam with a unit to Red River Territory to rendezvous with the forces of the Kasein Family. He also wrote a secret letter for Yam to deliver to Marquis Visen.
Therefore, on the surface, the commander of this force was Giggs Bole, but the one actually responsible for command was him.
Yam Soderbell.
...
Baron Hess rode on horseback, with his eldest son, Andre Billy, beside him.
Behind them, the soldiers had already formed a spear phalanx.
Each soldier was clad in bright, tidy iron armor.
Although it wasn’t heavy full-body armor, the cost of such equipment was still considerable. It would take at least a dozen gold coins to afford one.
Yet now, behind Baron Hess, a full two hundred soldiers in formation were all equipped with such armor.
Baron Hess had always given outsiders the impression of being excessively greedy, even cruel.
He wouldn’t allow any defiance and often employed massacres to maintain order in his territory.
Some commoners had tried to flee to other territories, but checkpoints and stationed troops at key routes in Gem Territory ensured that anyone caught faced terrifying torture, with entire villages punished by association.
Thus, after realizing that resistance was futile and many villagers had died from collective punishment, the people of Gem Territory had already resigned themselves.
But despite his near-extreme exploitation of his people, Baron Hess spared no expense on his private army and Household Knights.
Every soldier in the private force behind him had received equipment worth twenty gold coins.
Even the monthly expenditure on the military did not fall below three hundred Tyrella Gold Coins.
And if a battle occurred, there would be bonus rewards, and the pay during wartime would be double the usual rate.
This made the entire population of Gem Territory highly militant and battle-revering, taking pride in joining the lord’s private army.
So unlike the White Mountain Territory, which still hadn’t recovered a year after the war to reinforce Red River Territory, Gem Territory had long since restored its military strength, even though the gap in population and livelihood had once again widened.
"Miss Monica has already written to me," said Baron Hess, not looking at Andre but instead staring toward the end of the road.
In truth, he felt a certain gratitude toward the Soderbell brothers.
Since losing the duel at the Marquis’s Estate, he had noticed a significant change in his son, Andre had become more steady, no longer as arrogant as before, and had grown more diligent in his bloodline training.
Although limited by his aptitude, and his future prospects seemed capped at the Third Tier, the fact that he now trained harder and more earnestly raised hopes that he might reach the Fourth Tier with an early breakthrough.
For that alone, Baron Hess believed he should thank Yam Soderbell.
"She mentioned it in advance in the letter, this time from the White Mountain Territory, Yam Soderbell will accompany Giggs on the expedition. Judging by the timing, they should be arriving in Red River City soon and will operate together with the main forces of the Kasein Family."
Andre’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly felt a faint sting in his neck. "Yam’s bloodline is definitely not the Flame Hound."
"Shut up!" Baron Hess barked sternly. "No matter what you think deep down, you’d best keep your mouth shut. Fire-elemental bloodlines, especially the Flame Hound bloodline, are practically taboo topics in Red Eagle Territory. What happened during that duel in the Flame Storm, and why the marquises didn’t investigate, don’t you get it?"
Baron Hess turned and glared at Andre with a vicious expression.
"Marquis Visen waited thirty years to finally have this chance to seize full control of Red Eagle Territory. Our Billy Family has followed the Kasein Family since your great-grandfather’s generation, weren’t we waiting for the opportunity to elevate the Billy Family?" Baron Hess spoke in a low voice.
"That opportunity will either fall into my hands or yours, so you’d better keep your mouth shut. If one careless word from you causes the marquis to lose his chance at controlling Red Eagle Territory, then not just you, our entire Billy Family will die!"
Andre touched his neck and his expression regained its calm.
Compared to a bit of shame, the ambition to strengthen the family clearly mattered far more.
"I’m not a fool."
"Miss Monica was very clear in her letter. Our family has followed the Kasein Family for nearly forty years, Marquis Visen won’t forget our loyalty. Once they fully seize control of Red Eagle Territory, they’ll send us a batch of population to help us recover and expand our territory," Baron Hess sighed.
"My reputation doesn’t matter anymore, but once those slaves are transported over, you can earn a new reputation for the Billy Family and gain the support of the people."
"I understand," Andre nodded.
"Also, Miss Monica’s letter mentioned that Anna wants to do her part for the family. So she had Akar Soderbell accompany the Kasein Family’s Knight Karen on the expedition," Baron Hess added.
"No matter what your previous relationship was, Akar Soderbell now belongs to Anna. He is her Household Knight. His allegiance naturally leans toward our side. You should let go of old grudges."
"Hah." Andre curled his lips. "My sister’s charm sure is something. But it’s fine. In the end, it’s Joshua who should be worried. Honestly, I’m starting to feel sorry for Joshua Kasein. Who knows what his child in the future will..."
"Andre Billy!" Baron Hess’s face suddenly changed, and he couldn’t help but roar.
Andre fell silent immediately.
Baron Hess didn’t say anything further either, because at the end of the road, a cloud of dust had finally appeared.
A dark-skinned young man was galloping toward them on horseback.
Though not handsome, his features were upright, and his expression, when serious, naturally carried an air of authority.
A battle bow with flame patterns hung beside his saddle. There was no quiver, but anyone who knew him understood, he didn’t need arrows to shoot.
Blazing Bow Akar Soderbell.
"Baron," Akar quickly rode up to Baron Hess. He glanced at Andre with visible displeasure, but remained respectful toward Baron Hess. "Lord Karen is already waiting ahead. He asked me to inform you that we may now depart and rendezvous."
"Good, good," Baron Hess nodded with a smile. "Let’s depart immediately."
"Miss Anna asked me to pass on a message," Akar said.
"What is it?" Baron Hess asked, confused.
Akar lowered his voice. "Miss Anna said she overheard a conversation between Knight Karen and Joshua. The lord of Red Soil Territory won’t go down without a fight. He may already be in contact with Count Shuvaric, so there might be some surprises. She told you to be cautious."
Baron Hess was stunned for a moment, then nodded gravely. "I understand. Thank you for the warning, Akar."
Akar nodded, said no more, turned his horse around, and rode off again.
But seeing Baron Hess’s expression, Akar knew his words had hit the mark.