"I didn't expect Winston to be more desolate and desolate than the North. It seems like the two of you have been very diligent in your plundering," Laurist said to Baron Philim and Baron Shahin as he rode on his horse.
Baron Phelim shook his head. "We didn't do it. Ever since you took us back from King's City, we haven't done anything to Winston. You may not believe me, but the truth is that more than half of the people in our territories came here on their own. The nobles of Winston Province are fighting among themselves, and it's a mess. We can't be bothered to intervene. In order to survive, more than half of the commoners of Winston Province have fled to the North to seek refuge. There's no need for us to abduct anyone. "
Baron Shahin nodded, indicating that Baron Filim was telling the truth.
On the way to the Iberian Kingdom's capital of Wenderbri to participate in the Knights' Tournament, Loriste looked around and remembered a poem from his previous life: White bones are exposed in the wilderness, and no rooster crows for a thousand miles.
More than a decade ago, before the empire's civil war broke out, Winston was the fourth large province of the former Crisen Empire with a population of more than 600,000. Its area was only one-seventh of the north, but its commercial development was famous in the empire. It used to be the largest livestock trading market in the former empire. Merchants from the north, Eastern Barren, Muye, Southern, and the seven central provinces gathered here. They brought in all kinds of daily necessities and goods, and brought back countless cattle and sheep, creating the prosperous city of Wenderbri.
There was a saying at the time that being a baron in Winston was much wealthier than being the Grand Duke of the north. This was a pride for the people of Winston, but it was also a mockery for the people of the north. After all, the north was the largest province of the former empire, and also the most desolate and impoverished province.
The wheel of fortune had turned. In just a decade, Winston had become even more desolate than the north. This was due to the efforts of the second prince to plunder wealth and military supplies, and to Loriste's deliberate depletion of the vitality of Winston so that it could not pose a threat to the north. The queen, who was in charge of the capital of Wenderbri, did not have the prestige and ability to mediate the conflicts between the nobles, which led to the constant war in Winston.
However, in the past two months, Winston Province had become very peaceful. There were no more territorial battles between the nobles. The reason was that Grand Duke Fisabulon had returned to the Royal City of Wintebry with two field ranger regiments. With this illustrious former God of War of the Empire here, any arrogant aristocrats would have to consider whether their family's strength could withstand a thunderous strike from Grand Duke Fisabulon. All the aristocrats had learned how to play the role of a well-behaved person.
In any case, the purpose of Grand Duke Fisabulon's visit to the Imperial City was very simple. It was to organize a grand Knight Tournament and select an outstanding knight as a husband for the twenty-five-year-old Princess Sylvia. As long as everyone endured through these few months and allowed Grand Duke Fisabulon to successfully end this Knight Tournament, then once he left, Winston Province would once again become a battleground for territorial nobles. Besides, everyone had fought for so long, so they could take this opportunity to rest and prepare for the next attack. Of course, there were also many confident noble knights who believed in their bravery and were ready to show off their skills in this meeting.
A long line of cavalry marched along the tattered national highway. This time, Laurist had brought a guard camp of three thousand people. Aire, who had been promoted to a Gold Knight, had returned to his position as the commander of the guard camp. Padt, who had been seriously injured on Shirovas Island, had spent more than a year in the imperial guard corps after recovering. He had been called back by Laurist to serve as the deputy commander and captain of the guard camp. Speaking of which, Padt's injury was a blessing in disguise. While he was recuperating, he successfully brought home a beauty. After recovering, he married Marsha, the beauty of the White Bird Restaurant. However, at that time, Laurist was still in the Haneabada Archipelago. After returning, he sent a generous gift to celebrate the marriage of his childhood rival and playmate, Padt.
Earl Kenneth had brought a thousand guards, while Baron Filim and Baron Shahin each brought five hundred men and horses. Because of Laurist's request, the three allies had brought only cavalry troops. This was for safety and to prevent any accidents from happening. A day's journey away from them, there was also the Flying Tiger Army, led by Roth the Ferocious Tiger, an armored cavalry regiment and two chariot and crossbow battalions. Once there was a critical situation, more than twenty thousand men and horses would rush over to provide support.
"This is too desolate. We've been walking for three days, and there's not even a decent castle along the way. Where are all those lords?" Josk, who had once again left his position and insisted on following Laurist to attend the Knight's Conference, said in confusion.
Baron Shahin burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at? Henned … "Josk was a little angry. He and Baron Shahin were old rivals. Back then, the Grand Duke of the North sent the Golden Knight Chevani and Henned, who was not yet Baron Shahin, to attack the Norton Family's territory. Although the two had never fought, they got to know each other after Henned was captured by Laurist. They had a good relationship and usually did not stand on ceremony.
Baron Shahin pointed at Laurist's back. "This is your lord's idea. You'll understand if you ask Baron Filim. Back then, Locke wanted our two families to attack and plunder Winston province to make the people here have no way to live. Especially this national highway leading to the capital of Windbri, we've swept it back and forth several times. Where do you think those lords have gone? They've been hanged by us a long time ago. Therefore, for the lords of other countries, territories close to the national highway symbolize wealth, but in the Iberian Kingdom, it means despair and death. "
Josk didn't say anything. Laurist's move was clearly a different kind of fortification, increasing the difficulty and trouble for the Iberian Kingdom to send troops to the north. Although the nobles of the capital of Windbri were useless, behind the Iberian Kingdom stood the Fisablon Family. It was necessary for Laurist to be so vigilant a few years ago.
Baron Shahin comforted him. "Don't worry, Josk. We'll arrive at the town of Walker tomorrow. That's the territory of Viscount Eddis, and his castle is there too. The last time we sent troops to the capital, this Viscount Eddis was very tactful. He paid a large sum of ransom and provisions so that his territory was not harmed much. Because he has a good reputation, we let him go. I heard that his territory has developed well in the past two years. He's a rare good lord in Winston province, but he doesn't have a good relationship with the queen. For this reason, he's gathered some territory nobles to protect himself. He's a bit powerful.
When we arrive at the town of Walker tomorrow, we can drink to our heart's content. It's all Locke's fault. We're not allowed to drink on the march. Not to mention you, even I can't stand it. My mouth has been so bland these past three days. I've been eating jerky and bread every day. I've been vigilant and whatnot … We're going to participate in the knights' tournament, why do we have to put on such a warlike appearance! "
Josk was unhappy when Baron Shahin complained. "What are you talking about, Henned? His Lordship is doing this for your own good. This time, the four northern families are going to participate in this knights' tournament together, so His Lordship has to be so careful to avoid any negligence. Otherwise, His Lordship could have just brought me and Ell. He arranged so many people to protect you, and you're still ungrateful … "
Baron Shahin was exasperated. "You! I just comforted you out of goodwill, and now you're blaming me. You started the topic first …"
When they arrived at the town of Walker the next day, the messenger who had gone to the capital of Windbry had also rushed back. He had even brought along a noble messenger sent by Duke Fisabulon to receive them, Earl Richard.
Earl Richard warmly expressed Duke Fisabulon's welcome to the four northern nobles for participating in the knights' tournament. He also conveyed a shocking proposal on behalf of Duke Fisabulon. Due to the lack of military strength, Duke Fisabulon was willing to entrust the southern gate of Windbry to the four northern nobles. They would be responsible for defending the southern gate during the tournament.
Only then did Laurist relax. Duke Fisabulon's proposal was obviously to make the four northern nobles lower their guard. This meant that Duke Fisabulon was truly doing this for the sake of hosting the knights' tournament, and didn't have any ulterior motives. Handing over the southern gate showed that he was open and aboveboard, as well as leaving a path of retreat for the four northern nobles.
On behalf of the four great nobles of the north, Earl Kempes expressed his gratitude for Richard's news, praising Duke Fisablon's open and aboveboard actions as well as his respect for the Fisablon family. The two stood outside the town of Walker and talked nonsense for a long time. It couldn't be helped; this was the diplomatic etiquette of nobles. No matter how impatient they were, they still had to smile to show their demeanor and politeness.
Finally, the negotiations ended with Earl Gammus accepting Fisablun's proposal. He and Richard shook hands intimately, like two brothers reunited after a long separation.
Viscount Edis, who'd been waiting at the side for a long time, walked up at the right time. He first welcomed Laurist and the others, then greeted Earl Richard and invited everyone to his castle to participate in the welcoming banquet he'd organized for the nobles who were heading to King City to participate in the knights' tournament.
The town of Walker was bustling, with an estimated population of twenty to thirty thousand. What surprised Laurist was that both sides of the street were decorated with lanterns and streamers, and there were signs and banners to attract customers everywhere.
Perhaps sensing Laurist's doubts, Viscount Edis explained that ever since the second prince established the Kingdom of Iberia and established the capital of Wenderbri, the outbreak of civil war in the empire had cut off the trade routes. Secondly, the second prince had disliked the stench of the cattle and sheep market, so the livestock market in Wenderbri had been shut down by the second prince. In those years of war, no one did any livestock business anymore. This was something that couldn't be helped.
Over the past few years, without the Second Prince's relentless torment, coupled with the stability of the situation in the region, even if the aristocrats of the territory of Winston Province fought fiercely, caravans from the four central duchies who came to purchase livestock could still be seen from time to time. However, it was no longer possible to reopen the livestock market in the Royal City of Windbridge. This was because anyone who entered or left the city would have to be extorted by the greedy queen's tax officials. No one could stand that. Viscount Edis keenly sensed that this was an opportunity, and so he opened a livestock market in his territory in Walker. As expected, his territory prospered.
Viscount Edis said with a bitter smile. Although the livestock market wasn't large and the volume of transactions wasn't high, the most scarce materials in the market were all kinds of furs and tendons. These were all expensive military supplies, which was why there were so many shops on the street that processed and sold these goods.
Due to Viscount Edis's foresight, Walker had become prosperous and developed, but it had also attracted greedy gazes. Because of this, he had fought a few territorial wars with a few lords, and had no choice but to form an alliance with a few lords who also benefited from Walker to protect themselves. This was also the reason why he didn't have a good relationship with the queen. The queen had sent her tax officials to ask for 70% of all business transactions as a business tax, but Viscount Edis had refused.
Laurist said in surprise, "The queen is crazy for money. She can even make such a request …"
"Yes." Viscount Edis was a little distressed. "Although the territory has been developed and the business has made me a bit rich, I have no choice but to invest all of this money into the territory's defense in order to protect myself. Basically, all this money is just for a spin in my hands. I still have to spend a lot of time and energy on training the territory's garrison, renovating my castle and Walker's walls. I'm so busy that I can't even sleep in peace. I really don't understand why I'm spending so much effort to develop my territory … "
Laurist could only sympathize with Viscount Edis's complaints. If this was a time of peace, Viscount Edis would definitely have made a name for himself. His business acumen was good, and he treated his subjects kindly. He had a good reputation among the nobles of Winston province. However, he was currently in troubled times, and the more his territory developed, the more vicious wolves it attracted. This forced him to invest all of his wealth into the territory's garrison to protect himself.
Walker used to be less than a hundred meters away from Viscount Edis's castle, but due to the rapid development in the past few years, there were too many commoners who came to settle down. Now, Walker and the castle had become one, and two walls had been built in the empty space between them. There were also four round stone towers that looked like bunkers. Regardless of whether Walker or the castle was under attack, the territory's garrison could provide support at any time.
Viscount Edis's family castle had a history of nearly a hundred years. According to the viscount, his grandfather was conferred the title of viscount due to his military exploits, and after he became a noble of Winston province, he settled down here. This castle was built by his grandfather, and portraits of his grandfather and father were still hung in the spacious hall.
Viscount Edis self-deprecatingly said that both his grandfather and father were famous Gold Knights, and his father was famous for his bravery in Winston province. Later on, he died in battle during the Crisen Empire's last expedition against the Ford Trade Union. That was more than thirty years ago, and the viscount was only sixteen when he inherited the title. However, his aptitude was mediocre, and he was only a 2-star Silver. He would never be able to advance to the Gold rank in this lifetime.
In the castle's hall, Laurist saw the portrait of his grandfather, the white-bearded old man, and the portrait of his father, who was wearing a knight's armor. At the entrance of the hall, Viscount Edis brought two sons and a daughter, as well as three nobles to welcome Laurist and the others.
Laurist and the rest greeted the Viscount Madam and presented the gifts they had brought with them. Ever since the destruction of the Haneabada Kingdom, Laurist had many precious gifts in his hands. As expected, the platinum necklace embedded with sapphires caused the nobles to gasp in admiration. Although sapphires and platinum were precious, the nobles were more knowledgeable. They were amazed at the craftsmanship of the craftsman who made the necklace. Because they did not know that in the Haneabada Kingdom, slave craftsmen without exquisite craftsmanship would not be able to survive.
After the viscountess expressed her gratitude, Viscount Eddis introduced his two sons and his seven-year-old daughter to Lollister. Of his two sons, the eldest was twenty-four years old, and was already a brave 3-star Silver Knight. The youngest was twenty-one years old, and was a 1-star Silver Knight. The viscount now placed his hopes of becoming a Gold Knight on his two sons.
The three nobles were Viscount Edis's allies, as well as his neighbors. Baron Claus's territory was a ranch, Baron Wade's was a farm, and Viscount Schindler's was a pasture farmer. They had formed an effective relationship with the livestock market in Walker Town, and became allies with the same interests.
During the welcoming banquet, Viscount Edis requested Laurist to allow the four nobles to follow him to the Royal City of Windbri to participate in the Knight Tournament. The main reason was that their relationship with the Queen was very bad. Although they hoped to bring their sons and nephews to experience the tournament, they were worried that their relationship with the Queen would make this trip dangerous, so they could not make a decision. If they could follow Laurist, at least they would not have to worry about their safety. If anything happened, they could also retreat to their family's territory through the south gate controlled by Laurist.
Laurist pondered for a moment, then agreed to Viscount Edis's request. The banquet lasted until evening before everyone was satisfied.
… …
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