Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords.

Chapter 146 Unexpected News (4000)

The night falls quickly in winter. The clock in the lord's hall has just passed five o'clock, and the whole wilderness seems to be shrouded in darkness. Bonfires are lit, emitting warm yellow light, making Highcliff Castle a bright light in the wilderness, like a beacon guiding lost travelers.

In the lord's hall, Zat squatted in front of the fireplace and kept adding firewood to make the whole room gradually warmer.

The lord sat at the head seat and tapped the table. It was a meeting he had arranged on the spur of the moment.

All the leaders, big and small, of Highcliff Castle were present, except Orlak who was going to White Flow City.

"Zat, you will lead the guards to patrol High Cliff Castle during this period. Unless you get my order, don't let any outsiders in, except the Duchess."

"And our fields are already full of crops. This is of utmost importance. Hogg, you lead the cavalry squad to patrol the surrounding area. If anyone dares to destroy our land, kill them without mercy!"

Levi gave instructions one by one.

The arrival of a legion has a huge impact. Although on the surface the soldiers of this legion are still disciplined, there is naturally a reason why they are called military ruffians.

These soldiers often have a lot of energy and nowhere to vent it, and sometimes they do some unimaginable stupid things.

It is even possible that some soldiers would sneak into High Cliff Castle to look for women.

These are things Levi cannot tolerate.

The best way to avoid conflict is to isolate the two from each other from the beginning.

"There is also a blacksmith shop. Mutu, you should lead people to set up a cordon and patrol every day."

"Yes, boss."

Mutuo nodded. He was wearing a thick cotton coat and an ugly woolen hat on his head. It was said that it was knitted for him by his old lover.

I love it so much that I wear it on my head every day.

"Tina will notify the people tomorrow and ask them not to leave High Cliff Castle during this period of time until this war is over."

As things were implemented one by one, Levi thought about it and felt that there was nothing that needed special attention for a while, so the meeting came to an end.

Just check for any missing items and fill in the gaps later.

Just when everyone was enjoying the warmth of the lord's hall, suddenly the door opened and a gust of cold wind blew in. Zat, who had already adapted to the warmth, couldn't help shivering. He was about to curse, but in the end he endured it, kept silent, and continued to sit in front of the fireplace, adding firewood.

"Why are you here?" Levi was a little surprised.

"Why, you don't welcome me?" A red light flashed, and the snow on Florina's body instantly melted and evaporated. She smiled and said, "It didn't matter if I lived in the camp, but now that I have a more comfortable place like yours, I will definitely come to live with you."

Sam, who was sitting at the back, tactfully trotted over and closed the door.

"By the way, am I coming here at a bad time?" Florina looked around the lord's hall filled with people with a smile.

This scene clearly shows that the Lord of Highcliff Castle is in a meeting.

"No, I just thought you would share the hardships with the soldiers." Levi replied first, and then continued, "Nothing, just some instructions for details before the war."

"Sharing the joys and sorrows? Can you win the war by sharing the joys and sorrows with the soldiers? If the war cannot be won, even if you share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers every day, you are still an incompetent person."

"Besides, did all those commanders who have made great achievements in history achieve their success by sharing hardships and joys?"

Florina shook her head, criticized this behavior bluntly, and sat down next to the lord.

"Your Excellency the Duke has very insightful views!" Levi gave a thumbs up.

In some ways the Duchess was like him.

It is undeniable that sharing weal and woe plays a role, but in fact, as a leader, winning a battle does not rely solely on sharing weal and woe.

"It's not a profound insight. This is what everyone does in this era of advocating fame. But the soldiers know better than anyone that it's better to lead them to more victories and more rewards than to share the hardships with them. As long as the rewards and punishments are clear, it will be fine."

Florina used herself as an example, "Like me, I never do this, but the soldiers still respect me. I just rely on not reducing military spending and rewarding those who have made contributions."

"Among them, few people in the whole of Derby can do the point of not reducing military spending." Levi said sincerely.

Debe claims to have a military budget of one million every year, but in reality the military funds that fall into the hands of the soldiers are all exploited, which is at least 70% different from what was agreed.

The duke was able to ensure that the soldiers received almost the same amount of money as agreed, which was better than 80% to 90% of people.

The previous topic is just a brief introduction. After Li Wei waved his hand to send everyone away, he asked, "How are you going to fight this war?
"Let me be frank, Levi. I want you to be independent of the Thorn Legion as a non-staff team. You will have a lot of autonomy." Florina stared at Levi seriously. "As a condition for this battle, I will grant you the title of 'Lion Hunter Knight', which is an honor that is difficult to obtain under normal circumstances."

"You just need to fight a war that you can win."

"This is an opportunity that will make many people jealous for a lifetime!"

Levi didn't expect the Duchess to be so decisive. Compared to the castle, she was obviously more aristocratic, but now she couldn't help but reveal some military habits. It was estimated that she had been in the army before.

He didn't rush to agree, but stroked his newly sprouted stubble and thought for a while before turning to ask with a smile, "My Lord Duke, I'm afraid this title is a preparation for going south?"

The meaning of this title is a bit too obvious. One of the titles of Daemon in the Southern Territory is called "Golden Lion of the Plateau".

It's hard not to think in this direction when you call him "Lion Hunter".

No wonder the Duchess came all the way here in person and asked him to join the legion to participate in the war against the Minotaur. It turned out that this was all to gild his title for the convenience of publicity.

"That's right. You and Leah are the parties involved in this battle to seize the title in the south. In this upcoming war, I need someone to boost the morale of the people!"

"It would be best if this person is related to the cause of this war and has considerable strength and prestige. Obviously, Levi, you are the most suitable candidate."

Florina nodded honestly, not hiding her thoughts at all.

"To be honest, Madam Florina, we have only a few guards in High Cliff Castle. We can't even make a splash in the war with hundreds of thousands of people in the south," he cursed in his heart. On the surface, Levi didn't care and complained. "If you really trust me, I can do the hard work of guarding the logistics. As for the title, forget it."

The benefit of this title is obvious, that is, his name as the Lord of High Cliff Castle will resound throughout Derby, but he will also face the most fierce attack from the "Golden Lion of the Plateau". In other words, this title is used to attract hatred.

It is undeniable that with his current strength, it is difficult to stop him with some ordinary soldiers, but his subordinates are not supermen like him.

The consequence of attracting the attention of the entire enemy army is that he will become a commander without troops.

"I do have a candidate for this." Levi smiled, "Knight Sikai has made great contributions. Whose reputation and fame is not better than mine? He is fully qualified to bear this title. As for the cause of the war? It shouldn't be difficult to find another name from the people who rescued Miss Leah from Colum."

"After all, civilians and soldiers only need a little guidance and they will easily believe it."

Florina, who had long known the baron's temper, was not surprised. She did not comment, took a sip of warm water slowly, and then asked: "Levi, I heard that you practiced the "Glorious Words Treasure Book?"

"Your Excellency the Duke is well-informed." Levi smiled slightly, with an attitude of "I will remain unmoved no matter how hard the wind blows or the rain falls."

"If I'm not mistaken, you only have the first stage of cultivation, and you don't even have the Holy Light spell."

"It is indeed true." The lord nodded. There was nothing he could not admit.

Besides, the fact that Florina said this means that she basically knows everything about my situation.

"Generally speaking, the Holy Light Church does not manage the first stage of Paladin training too strictly, because the first stage of training will automatically select Paladins with good talents. If these knights want to practice the next stage, they can only join the Holy Light Church, which saves them a lot of manpower and time."

"So in the future, the Holy Light Church will strictly control the Holy Light Arts, and they will hardly be circulated outside." Speaking of this, Florina smiled slightly, as if she was speaking very simply and easily, "I happen to have a good personal relationship with the Pope of the Holy Light Church. I think I should be able to get some Holy Light Arts by relying on his face."

Okay, okay, each of them either has a good relationship with the Saint or has a good relationship with the Pope.

So you all think that I, Li, have no interpersonal relationships, right? I'm so angry.

The lord swore that when he had the chance, he would become sworn brothers with the Saint of the Holy Light Church and become friends with her.

"Madam Florina, what you said is not important at all, but if you insist on giving it to me, I will not refuse it." The lord waved his hand, his face full of righteousness, "Let's discuss the issue of the title of 'Lion Hunting Knight' now."

"Oh? So you've changed your mind?" Florina's lips curled up slightly, like a bad kid who had succeeded in a prank.

"What's the point of changing or not changing? This war was originally started by Leah and I. No matter what, I have no choice but to take responsibility!"

Anyone sitting here would probably blush, but the person sitting here was the Lord of High Cliff Castle, who was known for his thick skin, and he didn't even blush.

"You don't have to worry too much. This time I decided to divide the army into two parts. One part is a private army composed of my lords, and the other part is the northern army led by me personally."

"You will be assigned together with the other lords. You will have a lot of autonomy. Apart from unifying the battle sequence, you will not be subordinate to each other during this period."

As a duke, Florina explained everything to Levi personally, in even more detail than the official.

"Compared to the danger, the prestige and honor brought by this title are far greater."

Levi nodded.

To be honest, he was pulling for more benefits before, and now he naturally stopped while he was ahead.

After all, it was impossible for him to just be a logistics officer in the war southward.

"As you thought, the reason why you joined this war is to continue to add achievements to your resume. An invincible 'Lion Hunting Knight' is definitely enough to inspire people." Florina threw a crispy peanut into her mouth. "You don't have to do any effort in the subsequent publicity. You just wait quietly to reap the reputation and honor brought by the 'Lion Hunting Knight'."

"It is foreseeable that in the future, the Lion Hunter Knight will definitely become the most admired knight by noble girls." Florina smiled mischievously, "Maybe he will even have the chance to become a guest of honor for noble ladies."

"Hey, am I such a vain person?" The lord waved his hand with a gentlemanly look, and said righteously, "I don't care about girls or ladies. I only have a sincere heart to repay the feudal lord."

Levi agreed to this matter because he knew that a person's reputation is like a tree, and the benefits brought by reputation are often incomparable to money.

Gaoyabao, which is in the development stage, urgently needs a positive character to serve as the facade.

As for the entire Highcliff Castle, Beristina is a woman, Mil is obsessed with designing weapons, Zatt is illiterate and is an orc, and all the others are aliens. Only the lord has some packaging value.

Sometimes you have to do things against your will, perhaps this is just the helplessness of being a lord.

The two discussed some more details, and from Florina, Levi also learned more about her views on this battle.

The Minotaur had never been taken seriously by the Duchess. This time, she showed great importance and came in person to command the legion, but it was just to create momentum.

To put it bluntly, everything is a preparation for going south. For the Duchess, going south to capture cities and territories is her real goal.

After discussing the details, the lord arranged for Florina to stay in the room where Leah had lived.

It just so happened that Leah had just left and the room had not been cleaned up yet, so we could move in directly.

Apparently, Florina didn't have any mysophobia and she just moved in right away. Of course, maybe she knew that this was the bedding that Leah had slept on before so she didn't mind.

……

As the army set up camp, the cold wind in the wilderness seemed to bring a feeling of panic and fear, and every tree and grass seemed to be an enemy.

This group of soldiers was more elite than Levi had thought. None of them took advantage of their positions to leave the camp for fun. They stayed in the camp every day, quietly waiting for the war to come.

Two days later, Sikai, who had gone deep into the wilderness, finally returned with his men.

But his condition was not very good.

The first to discover them were the Werewolf scouts who had been patrolling outside, followed by Florina's cavalry regiment.

"Damn, we underestimated these Minotaurs!!"

The lord was the first to meet Sikai, and this knight, who was usually calm in the face of praise or criticism, rarely swore, with a look of disbelief on his face, as if he had seen a ghost.

(End of this chapter)