Chapter 77

Just as he was preparing to turn and leave to return to his temporary residence, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"Roko, wait a moment."

Roko turned back and saw his uncle-in-law, Earl Leonard Colvin, walking slowly toward him.

The smile on the face of this seemingly refined and easygoing Earl now carried a hint of unusual solemnity.

"Uncle-in-law."

Roko bowed slightly in greeting.

Earl Leonard waved his hand, signaling that he need not be so formal.

"This is not the place to talk."

Earl Leonard's eyes gestured to the surroundings; although there were not many people on the city wall, there were still guards patrolling.

"Follow me."

Roko nodded and followed behind Earl Leonard.

The two walked one after the other and soon arrived at a relatively secluded and empty corner tower on the inside of the city wall.

The light inside the corner tower was somewhat dim, with only a narrow arrow slit letting in a few rays of the dying sunset.

"Roko."

Earl Leonard turned around, his voice very low but carrying a solemnity that could not be ignored.

"With the Iron Lion Knights gone, the defense of the Xin Feng Province will immediately fall into its most vulnerable state."

His gaze was fixed on Roko, as if trying to see something on the face of this young nephew.

"Even if the Royal Capital immediately mobilizes ace legions from other regions to reinforce us, it will take at least a month to arrive at the fastest."

"A month..."

Roko repeated this time softly, already understanding what his uncle-in-law was about to say.

"That's right, a full month."

Earl Leonard's tone became increasingly heavy.

"And for those Northland Orcs who have long coveted our human lands, this month is simply a god-given opportunity."

"If they take this opportunity to launch a massive offensive against the Xin Feng Province,"

Earl Leonard paused, as if weighing his words, but ultimately chose the most cruel reality.

"By then, the entire Xin Feng Province will be turned into scorched earth."

"The number of deaths will be in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions!"

The air inside the corner tower seemed to have frozen because of these words.

Cold and desperate.

Earl Leonard looked at Roko, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes.

There was worry, concern, and also a hint of subtle probing.

"Roko, you are still young, and the road ahead is long."

"Although Vanguard Valley is your territory, compared to your life, you should understand which is lighter and which is heavier."

"Take a piece of advice from your uncle-in-law: leave the Xin Feng Province now, and it's still not too late."

"I can help you arrange it so you can safely return to the Raymond Family's territory."

Roko was silent for a moment.

He could feel the genuine concern in his uncle-in-law's words.

He also knew clearly that what his uncle-in-law described was not alarmist talk, but a cruel future that was highly likely to happen.

Leave?

This thought did indeed flash through his mind.

But it was only a flash.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the stone walls of the corner tower, looking toward the distant Vanguard Valley.

There was the territory into which he had poured his heart and soul, subordinates loyal to him, and thousands of subjects who viewed him as their only reliance.

If he, the Lord, chose to flee, then what about them?

What would their fate be?

Roko slowly raised his head to meet Earl Leonard's gaze.

His eyes were calm and firm, without the slightest wavering.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle-in-law."

Roko's voice was clear and steady.

"However, I cannot leave."

Earl Leonard's brow furrowed slightly.

"Why?"

"Vanguard Valley is my territory, and even more so, my home in the Xin Feng Province."

Roko said word by word.

"My knights, my soldiers, my subjects—they are all still there, waiting for me."

"If I, the Lord, choose to abandon them in a time of crisis, then what qualification do I have to receive their loyalty and following?"

"The glory of the Raymond Family also does not allow me to do so."

Earl Leonard listened quietly.

The expression on his face gradually shifted from initial surprise to a hint of relief, finally turning into a touch of undisguisable approval.

"Uncle-in-law, I understand the danger you speak of."

Roko continued.

"This is indeed an unprecedented crisis."

"But within a crisis, there is often opportunity."

"If we can hold out in this catastrophe in the Xin Feng Province, and even achieve final victory,"

"then my foundation in the Xin Feng Province will become incomparably solid."

"This merit and this prestige are far beyond what can be compared to the small skirmishes of ordinary times."

Earl Leonard looked at the nephew before him who was speaking so eloquently, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Once upon a time, this was a young man who needed the family's protection.

Now, he had already shown maturity and responsibility far beyond his peers, and even a startling ambition.

"Have you really thought it through?"

Earl Leonard's tone carried a final confirmation.

"Yes, Uncle-in-law."

Roko's answer was resolute.

Earl Leonard sighed long and hard, but a gratified smile appeared on his face.

"Good, good lad!"

He reached out and patted Roko's shoulder heavily.

"Worthy of being Marquis Livis's son, you have guts!"

"Since you have already made your decision, your uncle-in-law will not try to persuade you further."

"However, be careful in everything."

"This war will never be as easy as clearing out those ragtag Orc tribes before."

"If you truly encounter trouble you cannot solve, or need help, you can send someone to find me."

"Although my ability is limited, I will do my best."

"Thank you, Uncle-in-law."

Roko said sincerely.

Earl Leonard nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave the corner tower.

Roko watched his uncle-in-law's back disappear from his field of vision before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

The news of the Iron Lion Knights' full withdrawal quickly swept through the entire Xin Feng Province.

Panic and unease spread throughout the provincial capital of the Xin Feng Province.

At this moment of public anxiety, the actual controller of the Xin Feng Province, Duke Auston Ai Fu Sen,

convened an emergency meeting in the provincial capital, Pu La Da City, which all nobles of the Xin Feng Province were required to attend.

The meeting was held in the council hall of the Duke's Mansion, which symbolized power and majesty.

When Roko followed the messenger into the hall, more than three hundred nobles had already gathered inside.

The atmosphere in the hall was suffocatingly oppressive.

Every noble's face carried more or less worry and solemnity.

Duke Auston sat upright in the main seat symbolizing supreme power.

This newly promoted Duke was wearing a simple black combat outfit today, with no extra expression on his face.

His deep eyes showed not a single ripple.

But Roko could feel a pressure like substance from him.

That was the powerful aura belonging to an Awakened Rank Knight.

"Gentlemen."

Duke Auston spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

His gaze was incomparably sharp, slowly sweeping over all the nobles in the hall.

"I believe everyone already knows the news of the Iron Lion Knights' withdrawal."

No one spoke.

In the hall, one could hear a pin drop.

"I know that many people are now filled with panic and unease."

Duke Auston's tone remained flat.

"Some, in fact, have already made their choices."

He paused, his gaze seeming to linger for an instant on those empty seats.

"They chose to escape, chose to abandon their territories, abandon their subjects, and like cowards, tucked their tails and left the Xin Feng Province."

"Regarding these people, I do not wish to make too much comment."

"History will give them the most just verdict."

The Duke's words carried a hint of undisguisable coldness and contempt.

It made many nobles present subconsciously straighten their backs.

"However, today, all of you standing here,"

Duke Auston's tone rose slightly.

"you have chosen to stay."

"You have chosen to live and die with your territories, and chosen to weather the difficulties with the Xin Feng Province."

"I, Auston Ai Fu Sen, in the name of the Duke of the Xin Feng Province, pay my highest respects to you all!"

Having said this, he actually stood up from the main seat and bowed slightly to the nobles below.

This sudden action made all the nobles present feel somewhat caught off guard.

Even a few older nobles had a look of being moved flash in their eyes.

"Your Grace, you are too kind!"

"Protecting the territory is the duty of us nobles!"

A few voices of agreement rang out in the crowd.

Duke Auston straightened up and sat back in the main seat.

"Very good."

A faint smile finally appeared on his face, though it was fleeting.

"Since you have all chosen to stay, then what we must discuss now is how to deal with the upcoming crisis."

+

"The departure of the Iron Lion Knights has indeed caused us to lose our strongest barrier."

"However, this does not mean that we can only sit and wait for death, allowing those bloodthirsty Orcs to run rampant in our homeland!"

The Duke's voice rose sharply, carrying an unquestionable determination.

"The Xin Feng Province is land watered by the blood and sweat of our Bulake Kingdom's pioneers!"

"It absolutely will not allow any alien race to trample upon it!"

"I announce!"

Duke Auston slammed the long table in front of him, emitting a dull, loud sound.

The entire hall shook.

"From this moment on, the Xin Feng Province enters the highest state of war alert!"

"All nobles, after the meeting ends, return to your respective territories immediately!"

"Mobilize all the power you can mobilize!"

"Whether it is your knights, soldiers, or those able-bodied subjects who can fight once they pick up weapons!"

"Open your granaries and take inventory of your armories!"

"Within three days!"

Duke Auston held up three fingers, his tone resonant and powerful.

"All noble lords must lead your entire force, along with supplies and baggage capable of supporting at least one month of combat, to assemble at the Luoxing Pingyuan!"

"This time, we have no way back!"

"We will fight to the death with those Orcs who dare to invade!"

"Anyone who dares to defy orders or is passive in battle will be treated as a traitor, stripped of their title, and have their territory confiscated!"

The Duke's gaze swept over every noble below like a sharp sword.

That cold murderous intent made many hearts shudder.

"Your Grace!"

A somewhat fat-looking Baron stood up tremblingly.

"My, my territory's military strength is already weak, and, and it is a long distance from the Luoxing Pingyuan; within three days, I fear..."

Duke Auston's gaze instantly locked onto him.

"Baron Wilson."

The Duke spoke slowly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Do you mean that you cannot complete my orders?"

"No, not..."

Beads of sweat the size of beans seeped out on Baron Wilson's forehead, and his speech was somewhat stuttering.

"I, I am just worried."

"Worried?"

Duke Auston sneered.

"If you are worried about not being able to arrive on time, then start traveling day and night from now on!"

"If you are worried about insufficient military strength, then arm every man in your territory who can pick up a weapon for me!"

"If you don't even have this much determination, then the Xin Feng Province doesn't need a coward like you!"

"Now, get out of this hall immediately!"

"I will send others to take over your territory!"

Baron Wilson was scared pale by the Duke's merciless words.

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to argue something.

But meeting the Duke's cold gaze, he ultimately swallowed his words.

He lowered his head dejectedly and walked out of the council hall in a daze, amidst looks of contempt and sympathy.

Killing the chicken to warn the monkey.

Roko thought to himself.

Duke Auston played this hand quite beautifully.

It both displayed his iron-fisted methods and intimidated those nobles who might have been harboring thoughts of luck.

Sure enough, after Baron Wilson was driven out, the atmosphere in the hall became even more solemn.

No one dared to raise any objections again.

"Does anyone else have any questions?"

Duke Auston's gaze swept over everyone again.

Silence.

"Very good."

Duke Auston nodded.

"Then, now, take action immediately!"

"For the glory of the Bulake Kingdom!"

"For the survival of the Xin Feng Province!"

"Gentlemen, I leave it to you!"

Having said this, he stood up first and, surrounded by a group of personal guards, left the council hall.

Leaving behind a group of nobles looking at each other, each with their own thoughts.

After the meeting ended, the oppressive atmosphere did not dissipate.

The nobles walked out of the Duke's Mansion silently, each face filled with heaviness.

Roko, taking Fula and Hart, also prepared to leave the provincial capital and return to Vanguard Valley.

Just then, his two uncles, Baron Leo and Baron Ban En, walked over quickly.

"Roko!"

Seventh Uncle Baron Leo's voice carried a hint of undisguisable exhaustion.

"Duke Auston's move is really forcing us onto a dead end."

Although Twelfth Uncle Baron Ban En did not speak, his tightly furrowed brows also showed his inner anxiety.

"Two uncles."

Roko stopped and signaled Fula and Hart to wait a moment.

"The current situation is indeed not optimistic."

"More than just not optimistic."

Baron Leo gave a bitter smile.

"It's simply a nine-out-of-ten chance of death!"

"Before, with the Iron Lion Knights here, we could follow along and shout, and still manage to scrape together some merit."

"Now, it's better; once the Iron Lion Knights leave, we pioneer nobles directly become cannon fodder at the very front!"

"Those guys in the Northland Orc Wasteland are not easy to deal with."

"Once they truly launch a massive offensive, just with us, there is no way to resist the Northland Orcs!"

Baron Ban En also spoke up for once.

"The Xin Feng Province is afraid it will be flowing with blood."

Roko understood his two uncles' worries.

In fact, the pressure in his heart was no less than theirs.

The foundation of Vanguard Valley was much thinner than that of the Whispering Hills and the Rock Territory.

"Two uncles, things have come to this, worrying won't help."

Roko said in a deep voice.

"We cannot defy Duke Auston's orders."

"The only thing we can do now is to integrate our forces as much as possible and prepare for the worst."

"That may be so..."

"..."

Baron Leo sighed.

"But in my heart, I just don't feel at ease."

"By the way, Roko, how many troops are you planning to take to the Luoxing Pingyuan this time when you return to Vanguard Valley?"

Roko thought for a moment and answered.

"The knights and soldiers that can be mobilized in Vanguard Valley currently are about five hundred."

"Plus the five hundred who were left at the Luoxing Pingyuan before, we can gather a total of one thousand."

"One thousand?"

Baron Leo and Baron Ban En looked at each other, both seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

You must know that their Baron territories, which had been managed for decades, only had a little over a thousand private soldiers under their command.

"You lad, not bad!"

Baron Leo patted Roko's shoulder, his tone carrying a bit of approval.

"It seems that we uncles cannot fall too far behind."

"The two of us brothers together can also scrape together three thousand."

"By then, at the Luoxing Pingyuan, our Raymond Family people can also look out for each other."

"That is exactly my intention."

Roko nodded.

The three discussed briefly and then said their goodbyes, leaving the provincial capital in a hurry.

Time was tight; they had to return to their territories as soon as possible to mobilize troops.

Because most of Vanguard Valley's troops were still stationed at the Luoxing Pingyuan,

Roko only took Fula and Hart with him on this return trip.

Three people and three horses, they rode fast all the way, almost without a moment of rest.

Even Roko, who possessed the strength of an initial-stage Great Knight, felt a hint of exhaustion under such high-intensity travel.

Not to mention the warhorses under them.

When the familiar outline of Vanguard Valley appeared in his field of vision at dusk the next day,

the warhorse Roko was riding went soft in its four hooves after arriving at the castle gate and collapsed directly to the ground.

It was foaming at the mouth and could no longer stand up.

"Master! You are back!"

The guards at the castle gate shouted in surprise as soon as they saw Roko's figure.

Soon, Martina, having received the news, walked out from the castle to greet him with a hint of excitement and urgency.

This Snow Fox girl, who usually maintained a cold image, now had slightly flushed cheeks and somewhat rapid breathing.

"Roko."

Martina's voice carried a hint of undisguisable trembling.

"Why did you suddenly come back?"

"Did something happen?"

Her gaze swept over Roko's slightly exhausted face and Fula and Hart, who were also covered in dust behind him, and a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in her heart. Roko handed his warhorse to the attendant beside him.

"Let's go inside and talk."

He rubbed his somewhat throbbing temples and walked into the castle.

In the council hall, Roko drank a few mouthfuls of water.

After resting for a while, he recounted everything that happened in Pu La Da City and Duke Auston's orders to Martina in detail.

After listening to Roko's account, a flash of shock and solemnity crossed Martina's bright eyes.

"The Iron Lion Knights really withdrew completely?"

She muttered to herself, her tone filled with disbelief.

"Duke Auston is going to place the fate of the entire Xin Feng Province on the shoulders of us pioneer nobles!"

Martina instantly saw through the danger behind this.

"Yes."

Roko nodded, his face also somewhat heavy.

"So, we have no time to hesitate."

"Martina, pass my order immediately!"

"Gather all the knights and soldiers that can be mobilized in Vanguard Valley!"

"Take inventory of our grain, our weapons, and our potions!"

"Within three days, we must set off for the Luoxing Pingyuan!"

Martina took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

In her mind, she began to quickly calculate the various resources in the territory.

A moment later, she raised her head, looked at Roko, and asked.

"Roko, are we taking the Storm Colts this time?"

The Storm Colts were Vanguard Valley's strongest trump card currently and also the strategic resource Roko cherished the most.

Before this, Roko had never thought about committing them to such a large-scale frontal battlefield.

But this time...

Roko's gaze became exceptionally firm.

"Take them!"

He said without hesitation.

"Take them all!"

"This time, our Vanguard Valley will exhaust everything!"

Martina's heart trembled slightly.

She felt an unprecedented determination in Roko's tone.

She knew that a bloody battle concerning the life and death of Vanguard Valley was about to arrive.

"I understand."

Martina turned and hurried away to begin executing Roko's orders.

About an hour later.

On the open ground in front of Vanguard Valley Castle, a well-equipped team had already gathered.

One hundred and fifty knights clad in armor looked solemn.

Three hundred and fifty soldiers holding long blades and shields stood in neat ranks.

Although there was a hint of nervousness about the unknown in their eyes, there was more trust and following for their Lord, Roko.

Adding the five hundred elites already stationed at the Luoxing Pingyuan,

the total force Roko could mobilize this time had reached one thousand!

This force could be considered quite good even among all the pioneer nobles of the Xin Feng Province.

The troops were assembled.

Grain and baggage were also prepared properly.

Roko changed into a brand-new set of armor, with a knight's longsword at his waist.

The family emblem of the Flame Griffin shone brightly on his chest.

He mounted his horse, his gaze sweeping over the neat military formation below, and a sense of heroism rose in his heart.

"Set off!"

He raised his arm high and issued a resonant order.

However, just as the team was about to set off,

Martina suddenly ran over quickly and blocked the front of Roko's horse.

"Wait, wait a moment!"

Her eyes were filled with determination.

"This time, I want to go to the Luoxing Pingyuan together!"

Roko was slightly stunned, looking at her with some surprise.

"Martina?"

"You want to go with me?"

"Yes, I have already arranged the various affairs of Vanguard Valley."

Martina said very seriously.

Roko looked at Martina's eyes, which were flashing with light, and felt somewhat touched in his heart.

He was silent for a moment and finally nodded.

"Good."

"Since your mind is made up, then come with me!"

Because Roko was leading a large force of five hundred people this time, mixed with quite a few carriages transporting grain,

the speed of the march naturally could not be compared to when he, Fula, and Hart were traveling light.

Even though they traveled day and night, it took a full three days before they finally arrived at the edge of the Luoxing Pingyuan.

When the familiar scene of the plain came into view again,

Roko keenly sensed that the Luoxing Pingyuan this time seemed to have become somewhat different compared to before.

On the plain, countless tents stretched out.

The number of soldiers patrolling back and forth had also clearly increased by quite a bit.

The air was filled with a more intense aura of slaughter.

Clearly, under Duke Auston's strict orders, the various noble lords of the Xin Feng Province had all successively led their troops

to arrive here.

Roko had just led his troops to arrive at the camp they had inside the Luoxing Pingyuan before.

And just then, a knight clad in iron armor suddenly rode over at high speed.

"May I ask, is this Lord Roko of Vanguard Valley?"

The knight pulled on the reins in front of Roko's horse and asked loudly.

"I am."

Roko nodded.

"My Lord, Duke Auston has an order!"

"His Grace is at the central command post, reallocating the defense zones and tasks for each unit; please report to the command post immediately!"

"Do not delay!"

Roko's brow furrowed slightly.

It seemed that this Duke Auston really would not relax for even a moment.

"Martina."

Roko turned back and instructed the Snow Fox girl beside him.

"You lead the troops first and settle them down well."

"I will be back shortly."

"Don't worry, Roko."

Martina nodded in response.

Roko nodded and then said to Fula and Hart.

"The two of you, come with me to the command post."

"Yes, Young Master."

Hart responded in a deep voice.

Fula nodded silently, her heterochromatic eyes never leaving Roko's side.

The three rode their horses, following the messenger knight, and headed toward the central area of the Luoxing Pingyuan.

The closer they got to the center, the more they could feel the tense atmosphere of a great war about to begin.

Massive tents rose from the ground like bamboo shoots after rain.

Squads of fully armed soldiers, led by officers of various levels, were conducting drills and patrols.

The air was filled with the clanging sound of weapons and armor colliding, as well as the noisy sound of warhorses neighing.

Soon, a massive tent, clearly larger and more heavily guarded than the surrounding ones, appeared in their field of vision.

At the top of the tent flew a flag depicting a two-headed dragon.

That was the family emblem of the Duke of the Xin Feng Province, Auston Ai Fu Sen.

This was the central command post of the Allied Forces.

Roko dismounted and handed the reins to the guards at the entrance of the command post.

He straightened his armor, took a deep breath, and walked into the tent that symbolized the core of the highest military power in the Xin Feng Province.

Inside the tent, the light was somewhat dim.

Dozens of burning tallow candles emitted choking smoke.

On both sides of the long conference table, quite a few noble lords were already seated.

However, compared to the scene at the Duke's Mansion council hall in Pu La Da City last time,

this time, the atmosphere inside the command post was clearly much heavier and more oppressive.

Duke Auston still sat expressionlessly at the main seat at the end of the long table.

His deep eyes made it impossible for one to see any emotional fluctuations.

Roko's gaze quickly swept around the tent.

He discovered that the number of nobles present this time was even less than it had been in Pu La Da City.

At least dozens of nobles from the Xin Feng Province had disappeared.

It seemed that in the face of the choice between life and death, there were always some who would choose to give up resistance and flee like wolves.

However, what made Roko feel slightly comforted was that

his two uncles, Baron Leo and Baron Ban En, were prominently among them.

They sat upright; although their faces were also somewhat solemn, there was not the slightest intention of retreat in their eyes.