Chapter 75: Schemes

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

A hundred or so miles east of Wissen Town, there was a forested area filled with towering trees and thorny vines. There were no traces of humans. Even the hunters of the town rarely went there, much less the loggers.

But, as the sun set, many dark shadows flickered through this desolate area. They were like condors gliding over the snow-covered ground, only leaving behind a faint string of footprints, quickly covered by the accumulating snow.

Leaping over some shrubs and confirming that no one was following them, the black shadows who were dressed like warriors crawled into a small space under a piece of granite. A wave of cold air laced with snowflakes blew past, covering any evidence of their passage, from their scents to their footprints.

Behind the granite slab was a giant natural cave with many sharp stalactites. The ground was freezing, covered with a thick layer of ice.

“Lord, I was lucky. I have managed to obtain the latest information about the distribution of manpower and the patrol routes of the Banto forces!” After crawling into a dark green tent, the leading warrior knelt before a young man sitting comfortably in a large chair. He took out a thin piece of hide from within his robes and handed it over to an armed guard.

“Silom, if I remember correctly, you are currently still a baron?” The young man leaning on the chair took the thin hide and looked at the still wet ink, then paused and said, “I hear that there is still an undeveloped piece of land in the Luya Valley. You have served me for this many years; it’s about time you have a piece of land you can rule over!”

Land I can rule over?

“Thank you, Lord, for your generosity!” The warrior called Silom was elated to hear the offer.

According to the customs of the Tailun Continent, a baron held a title but no authority. They were not granted land, nor could their titles be passed on to their descendants. Only after being conferred the title of viscount were they given the authority to rule over land and the right to pass down their titles, truly stepping into the circle of nobles.

Even though the Luya Valley was at the southern tip of the empire and was called the Land of Wilderness, Silom was still incredibly excited. Advancing directly to the title of viscount was very, very rare.

“Silom, that is the reward you deserve!” Seeing the excited Silom, the opulently dressed young man let out a reserved smile. He then looked at the rest of the envious warriors and said slowly, “We came to Wissen Town in secret to execute a difficult mission. But as long as we successfully complete the mission, each and every one of you will be heavily rewarded!”

“Thank you for taking care of us, Lord!” Silom would become a true noble once he returned home. Seeing that, the rest of the warriors were also excited and filled with hope. It was rumored that the lord was a generous man. It looked like that was true indeed.

“Silom, how are the negotiations going on the rations and armor?”

“Lord, this…” Silom was a little hesitant. He paused for a moment before clenching his teeth and saying, “Lord, the other party is being too shameless. He asks for five hundred Purple Crystal Coins for a cart of barley. Even an arrow costs ten Purple Crystal Coins. These rates are ten times above the average price, so…”

Silom was covered in sweat as he looked at his leader, whose expression never showed what he was feeling. Silom had just received an unexpected conferment. If he ignited the fury of the lord because of his failure to negotiate the rations and armor, he wouldn’t just lose his conferment, he might even have to be subjected to harsh punishment. After all, in the vast Rossi Empire, this Lord’s strictness was as famous as his generosity.

It was rumored that once, the Lord took along a personal guardsman when he visited a minister. Before they went, he instructed his guard to change into formal attire. In the end, because the guard was rushing for time, he had not polished a small patch of dirt on the third button of his shirt, to the displeasure of the lord. For this offense, the unlucky guard had been sent to the army to wash the clothes of the soldiers for a whole year!

“Oh, does the other party require crystal coins?” Seeing Silom nervous and covered in sweat, the lord’s expression did not change. He had been by his father’s side for many years, and the thing that he had learned best was the technique to command his subordinates.

A hundred Purple Crystal Coins might be an astronomical sum to an average person, but to the Rossi Empire and its expanse of land and citizens, even tens of thousands of coins was a small sum. At such a critical moment, the lord did not care that he had to fork out more crystal coins. He was more worried about Yang Ling’s motive for supporting them in the first place.

Just like Steve, the lord had also become very interested in Yang Ling and how he had become the main powerhouse in the town. Even though the lord had expended a great deal of effort, he was unable to find any clues regarding Yang Ling’s background.

After the pitched battles in the town, the lord had seen that he was not Steve’s match and led his subordinates into the Terras Forest to hide. Terras Forest, being the continent’s largest primordial forest, spanned tens of thousands of miles and was covered with Magical Beasts and towering. Steve would not be able to track them within a forest this dense even if he had an army of thirty thousand, much less the three thousand he currently possessed.

Indeed, after seeking refuge in Terras Forest, the lord quickly seized the initiative, frequently setting out to ambush the patrolling Banto soldiers, inflicting heavy casualties on Steve’s forces. In his rush to arrive at Wissen Town, the lord had only brought a little over five hundred men. However, all of them were elites who could hold off ten fighters alone; in one on one fights, Steve’s Black Armor Guards were no match for them.

Even though the lord had seized the initiative the moment he started acting from the shadows, the gradually dipping temperatures had caused him more and more trouble. He did not have rations or a way to replace damaged weapons and arrows, nor did he have enough priests and medicine. In fact, the warriors did not even have winter clothing that could ward off the cold. He was losing more men to the elements than to battle.

Just as he was left with no options, Yang Ling’s tactician had visited him without an invitation. The tactician took great risks to sell him various material resources, even information. That made him elated, and both parties arrived at an agreement instantly.

“Lord, we didn’t meet Sir Yang the last time we infiltrated Wissen Town.” Sometime later, seeing that the lord did not break into a fury, Silom let out a sigh of relief. “But according to his tactician Goode, Sir Yang wishes to meet you in person!”

“Oh, meet me in person?”

The lord’s expression remained unchanged as he looked silently at his personal tactician. The latter had started to open his mouth, but he understood the lord’s glance and closed his mouth after seeing the warriors kneeling on the ground.

“You all have worked hard. Go back and rest!”

“Thank you, Lord!” After paying their respects, Silom and the rest left quickly. Silom only realized that he was covered in cold sweat after he left the opulent tent.

After ascertaining that Silom and the rest had left, the tactician hidden in the shadows said softly, “Lord, even if Yang Ling hadn’t requested this, I would still think that we need to personally meet Yang Ling!”

“Really?” The lord gently shook his head. Yang Ling had a mysterious and powerful Magical Beast army, a large group of loyal followers, and crystal coins that he seemed to be able to spend as he wished. Coupled with his mysterious background, a person like this would definitely not be bought over with just a few crates of crystal coins or a few beautiful ladies.

“Lord, everyone has their desires and weaknesses!” Seeing the lord shake his head, the tactician hidden in the shadows understood his line of thought. “Yang Ling is taking a huge risk in helping us. His family might be torn apart if he is not careful. Why exactly is he doing this?”

After a pause, seeing the lord staring off into space, the tactician continued softly, “According to Yang Ling’s tactician, he is helping us because Steve destroyed his bar and wine refinery. But that reason is surface level. The deeper reason is because Steve’s sudden appearance stole his developmental space and core benefits!”

Developmental space and core benefits?

After deliberating for a moment, the lord nodded in understanding. He knew that his tactician was right. “Maitermant, how should we bring this local powerhouse under our wing and foil the battle strategies of the Banto Empire?”

“Lord, it is actually very simple; there’s a way to not only satisfy Yang Ling’s request but also greatly benefit the Rossi Empire!” Maitermant paused for a moment, then whispered, “I think that you would definitely be happy that you have an enclave behind the Banto Empire!”

An enclave?

After his surprise, the lord was elated. If he recognized Yang Ling as the leader of Wissen Town, it would not only satisfy Yang Ling’s aspirations and requests, it could also bring about immense benefits to the lord’s empire. The significance or the move ran even deeper than just foiling the battle strategies of the Banto Empire. Of course, after all was said and done, his position in his father’s heart would solidify even further, giving him the upper hand in the struggle for the throne.

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