Chapter 142

In fact, Gervas had already prepared to share some of the credit with Brick.

For example, Brick had arranged for him to go to Heibei Mountain.

"Baron Gervas, don't be surprised—I, Brick, although I did not correct Count Fariao's overstepping these past days,"

"It doesn't mean I'm a man who flatters superiors and bullies subordinates, stealing others' achievements. I have my own pride!"

"Besides, I know Baron Leven well—you avenged him, so this credit is rightfully yours!"

Gervas realized he had underestimated Brick.

In a world ruled by nobility, Brick's ability to remain untainted was rare indeed.

Though he did not stop Fariao from overstepping, neither did he fawn upon him or join in the persecution.

"Damn it, bastard, why does he get such shitty luck? And Brick—he didn't even care about me!"

Gervas's credit was confirmed, and under the escort of a thirty-man cavalry unit, he set out for Lei Dun Fortress.

Meanwhile, Fariao's roars echoed across half the village.

After confirming the severed head on the bone flag belonged to Baron Leven, Brick paid no further attention to Fariao's proposal.

Thus, the damned boy's credit was not only fully his alone, but would now reach Viceroy Mixius directly.

This made Fariao feel he had lost a great reward—and been publicly humiliated by that damned boy!

"Boy, you're dead. Daring to defy me, Fariao—no one has ever escaped a bad end!"

Fariao's eyes burned with savagery.

…

"Ha ha, my lord, I just heard Count Fariao raging like a powerless fool!"

"Ha ha, that's so satisfying—look at that damned fat pig, stunned now, isn't he?"

"By the way, my lord, the other nobles' glances at us have changed! They no longer mock us—they envy us!"

In stark contrast to Fariao's furious roars, Gervas's side was filled with joy.

From top to bottom, all subordinates grinned broadly.

Mi Gen and the other knights gesticulated wildly, describing how the nobles' attitudes had shifted.

"Enough, keep it quiet—just be happy inside. Fariao is still the overseer; he'll likely target us even harder now!" Gervas felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Yet he knew Fariao would surely retaliate next.

Of course, with his intelligence network, he still had confidence.

"My lord, rest assured—we've proven ourselves now. Even if we're assigned night watch again, we won't feel humiliated!"

These fellows weren't upset because night watch was tiring.

They were upset because they felt looked down upon.

How could they possibly have the potential of the Ox-Horse Sacred Body?

…

Time turned to the next day.

The left flank continued marching; when they reached Baron Leven's fortress, readying for battle, they learned from scout reports that the western barbarians had abandoned the fortress.

After entering and inspecting the castle, they found the barbarians had fled in haste—even the fire pits on the ground still held faint warmth.

"Ha ha! These damned barbarians, upon hearing of my arrival as overseer and Brick's command, fled without a fight!"

"Scribe, record this immediately: our left-wing army is unstoppable—after slaying hundreds of western barbarians, the rest fled in terror."

"Yes, Count Fariao!"

Standing on the castle walls, Fariao's fury from last night vanished, replaced by smug satisfaction.

The barbarians' retreat meant they had gained a free victory.

Yet when he saw the Storm Force below, hundreds of meters away, carrying simple wooden ladders and waiting to assault the walls,

his eyes flickered with coldness: "You're lucky this time—but there's still plenty of time left. I'm not in a hurry."

Earlier that morning, Fariao had again overstepped his authority, demanding that the Storm Force be placed in the first assault wave against Baron Leven's fortress.

As everyone knew, in any battle, the first wave is always cannon fodder—especially in siege warfare.

But before they even reached Leven Castle, they learned the barbarians had fled.

The siege was canceled; Fariao's plan naturally collapsed.

"My lord, what incredible luck! That damned fat pig truly wanted to use us as cannon fodder—but even the God of Glory has favored us!"

Mi Gen glared bitterly at Fariao on the walls—if the barbarians hadn't fled, they would have been forced into the front line as expendable troops.

Only Gervas, upon waking, had already learned from his intelligence network that the barbarians had fled, so he showed no surprise.

In fact, Gervas knew the barbarians were now on a hill three li southwest of the fortress, watching them.

The intelligence also reported the barbarians had been spying on them—and their retreat seemed part of a larger scheme.

Further specific details were still unavailable from the system.

…

"Commander Tila Ka, why are we retreating? Kui Hu and the warriors didn't return overnight—they must be dead in the hands of those damned nobles!"

"We should stay and teach this noble army a lesson—make them pay with blood!"

On a hill three li away, a force of three thousand western barbarians stared fixedly at Leven Castle.

These were the very barbarians who had just withdrawn from the fortress and nearby village.

Leading them was Commander Tila Ka, one of the Six Commanders of the Black Tiger Tribe.

Though the figures on the castle walls looked no larger than ants at this distance, their jumping and cheering were still visible.

"Manuda, do you want to kill a few hundred noble soldiers to avenge Kui Hu—or wipe out all nine thousand and use their blood to honor Kui Hu?" asked Commander Tila Ka.

"Of course wipe them all out!" Manuda answered without hesitation.

"Then remember—our retreat is only to lure the prey deeper into the trap!"

"When they're fully inside, that's when these damned nobles and their army pay the price!"

"Besides, this plan was devised by the Shamans—we'll first annihilate both their flanks, then circle around and crush their main force from front and rear!"

Manuda suddenly understood, a hint of excitement creeping across his face.

The human army numbered tens of thousands—if they could destroy them all, it would be the greatest glory for every warrior of their tribes.

At that moment, the humans gathering around the castle began to regroup and prepare to advance again.

"Come on! Hurry into the trap, my prey!" Tila Ka's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Let's move."