Chapter 125: 125 Meeting the Baron

Chapter 125: Meeting the Baron

On the morning of the eighth, after leaving David, Wharton, and Dandy to guard the home, Ronin led the remaining forces out of Mountain Woods Town and headed straight north.

Since Ronin had set a plan upon his last return to open up the roads between Mountain Woods Town, Green Bamboo Village, Purple Fruit Village, and Grey Earth Village, the logging team had prioritized clearing the trees on both sides of this path during their work.

After more than a month, the trees along both sides of this small trail leading out of Mountain Woods Town had been cleared, revealing the outline of a mountain path about two meters wide.

Although this two-meter-wide road currently spanned less than three miles and was by no means a smooth surface, it was already much better compared to when they had last passed through.

Ronin believed that with the newly issued decree encouraging the fief's subjects to cut down trees, the expansion speed of this mountain path would break into a faster pace.

Since the negotiation time set by Rydal was three days away, providing ample time, Ronin was in no hurry to rush his journey.

He stopped for two hours when passing through Green Bamboo Village.

When Ronin had previously conquered the three savage tribes and returned to Mountain Woods Town, he had handed the defense of Green Bamboo Village over to the Horn couple concurrently, while agricultural matters remained under the charge of Celis, the former steward of Knight Willy.

Ronin rode his Cloud-Treading Steed through the fields of Green Bamboo Village to take a look, finding that order here was decent and the vegetable plots were not abandoned, which affirmed Celis's capability; he arranged for the man to serve as village chief and would later have Wilson bring people over to guide agricultural matters.

After a brief inspection, the group set off once again, arriving at Purple Fruit Village by evening.

Aside from intending to take Jenny to the Grey Earth tribe, Ronin also planned to rest here for the night to recuperate his energy.

During his chat with Knight Horn, Ronin learned that the man had recently prepared three or four acres of land to serve as mulberry fields, exactly as previously instructed.

According to this progress, by January or February of the coming year, the task of opening up ten acres of mulberry fields would certainly be completed.

Upon learning that Ronin intended to transfer Jenny to Grey Earth Village, Horn also entertained the idea of going along.

Ronin found it somewhat difficult to refuse; after all, such an arrangement of his left Horn's family of three separated in three different places, which was indeed a bit inappropriate.

However, he still required Horn to properly arrange the affairs of Purple Fruit Village, insisting that the ten acres of mulberry fields must be ready next year and the scale of silkworm rearing must be expanded.

At the very break of dawn the next day, the group took to the road again; since everyone was mounted on horseback, and because there was a frequently traveled path between Purple Fruit Village and Grey Earth Village, the journey was much more convenient.

A little over an hour later, the group arrived at Grey Earth Village.

"My Lord, welcome!"

Having received Tom's advance report, Rydal welcomed them outside the stockade, accompanied behind him by a line of extraordinaries including Babulin and Juwitt, as well as several guards.

"Long time no see, Rydal!"

Ronin greeted him with a smile, "You handled the provocation by the Black Collar tribe excellently. I praise your decisiveness and valor!"

"Thank you for your praise, My Lord!" Rydal responded with a smile.

After praising Rydal, Ronin gave a brief greeting to the others.

"Has the Black Collar tribe made any unusual movements these past two days?"

"None at present."

Rydal replied, "I have already arranged for two scout cavalrymen to observe the opposite side from the mountain outside the village. If there is any situation, they will report back in time."

Ronin nodded inwardly; Rydal's arrangements were indeed flawless.

"It seems they should have notified Baron Rhaesen to let him make the decision. We shall see whether he comes over this time."

He asked, "What about that Fenris you captured? I heard he is an advanced knight. How is he doing now?"

"Fenris suffered some injuries during the fight that day, and he hasn't been provided food or drink these past two days. He is now half-dead and barely has the strength to attempt an escape."

Rydal no longer paid much attention to Fenris; he cared more about how the lord intended to arrange things next.

"My Lord, if Baron Rhaesen comes in person, do we need to finish him off outside the village?"

Ronin could see that as long as he gave the order to strike at Rhaesen, Rydal would execute it without the slightest hesitation; there was ample confidence within the man's eyes.

"No, now is not the time."

Ronin shook his head, "You might not know yet, but that Rhaesen is already a Bronze Knight."

Ronin did not yet have an intuitive understanding of a Bronze Knight's specific combat capability, and the Sien Fief possessed a knight squad; their strength was not something a few savage tribes could compare to.

"Setting that aside, I still lack the opportunity to wage war against a barony. Even if we defeat him, it wouldn't reach the point where Wushan Castle would strip him of his territory."

Ronin could not kill him.

Nobles generally possessed immunity; without an absolute reason or excuse, none would be easily killed.

If Ronin wished to mingle in this circle, under the current circumstances where his strength was not yet powerful enough, he still had to abide by the rules of the game.

To step back further, killing the opponent would not only fail to signify that the land belonged to him, but would simultaneously push Ronin to the forefront.

After all, being capable of taking down a Bronze Knight and a knight squad, would such a Baron of Mountain Woods Town be weak?

"Coming over this time, first is to see the attitude of the Sien Fief, second is to discuss a non-aggression pact with him, and third is to negotiate a price to see how many gold coins Baron Rhaesen is willing to pay to ransom his man."

Rydal understood, "Your subordinate understands!"

The group entered the house, and just as they sat down in the makeshift fortress to drink a sip of tea, before Ronin even had time to inquire about the construction progress of Grey Earth Village, the shouts of a scout cavalryman came from outside.

"Commander, people have come from the Black Collar tribe's side—a lot of people have come!"

As soon as the scout entered the fortress and saw so many people, he froze in shock on the spot. Upon spotting Ronin, he snapped awake instantly, "Greetings, Lord Marquis!"

Ronin nodded in acknowledgment, "Since their people have arrived, let us go out to receive them. Rydal, have all the guards mobilize and follow us out of the village!"

"Yes!"

Mounted on his horse, Ronin looked back at his own troop, feeling a sudden surge of emotion.

Aside from the twelve extraordinaries including himself and the twenty old guards who remained, Rydal had also trained about fifty militia members on this side.

Although some held ironwood spears in their hands and did not even possess iron swords, they maintained a slight sense of discipline, which still looked capable of bluffing people.

"If only such a troop could be expanded to over a thousand men..."

Ronin thought to himself, deeply looking forward to the arrival of such a day.

The troop marched at a moderate pace. Rounding the corner of the mountain, arriving precisely at the position where the opponent had previously prepared to construct a watchtower, Ronin spotted a vast, bustling crowd of people coming down the opposite mountain path.

The leading knight was tall and muscular, clad in thick armor that was evidently of premium quality at a glance.

By his sides, two knights to his left and right were similarly equipped with extraordinary gear.

These three should be Baron Rhaesen and his core knights.

Behind them, there were also ten knights, thirty-six cavalrymen, ten archers, and sixty infantrymen.

Ronin could not help but raise his eyebrows.

Good heavens, Baron Rhaesen had actually mobilized a standard knight squad!

Rydal's brow furrowed slightly; the opponent's strength somewhat exceeded his estimates. If a fight broke out, this would likely be a hard battle, and casualties would bound to be severe.

Behind them, the guards were exceedingly tense.

Along the way, though they had conquered three savage tribes, it had basically required no effort at all; when had they ever clashed with a true noble?

Confronted by the "pressing dark clouds of a grand army" at this moment, their throats grew somewhat dry with nervousness.

As for the militia in the rear, it was already a feat that they could maintain their formation and remain standing.

"The top-tier strength is quite decent, but compared to the Sien Fief, the gap among those below is considerable."

Taking all this in, Ronin well knew the gap between his own troop and the opponent.

He simply raised his hand, halting everyone in place, waiting for the other side to approach.

Soon, the men of Baron Sain arrived thirty meters away.

Baron Resen spoke, his voice carrying clearly, laced with aura: “Baron Ronin, I never expected we’d meet here!”

“The last time I saw you was at a banquet in April or May—I recall we were discussing the campaign against the Black Gold Brotherhood. Back then, you were still the heir to Wushan Castle.”

Ronin drew a deep breath. He did not summon aura, merely raised his voice slightly.

“Baron Resen, your memory is remarkable!”

Even as he spoke, he studied the opposing force—no man could claim he felt no pressure, but he dared not show it.

“But today, for the first time, we meet as Barons of Mountain Forest Town.”

Resen’s eyes betrayed contempt. He gave his horse a light kick, breaking from his line and drawing nearer to Ronin.

“Since we are both barons, you ought to know that provoking a more seasoned baronry comes at a price.”

A cold smirk curled his lips. “If you have the courage, come forward and speak to me yourself.”

(End of Chapter)