Chapter 143

That night, the Leidun Fortress on the rear mountain was lit up brightly.

Because Marshal Mi Xiusi was stationed here, messengers constantly arrived from side mountain paths to the fortress or departed from it at all times.

"Make way! Victory report from the left wing army! Make way! Victory report from the left wing army!"

A cavalry unit of thirty men galloped down the mountain path, shouting as they rode.

The griffon banners planted behind them clearly identified their identity, and they were not stopped along the way.

The cavalry unit passed through the outer gate into the front courtyard, then pulled their reins and dismounted one by one.

The waiting garrison soldiers quickly moved forward to take the horses away.

The cavalry captain then pulled out a silver token.

"I am a cavalryman under Commander Brike of the left wing army. I bring a vital victory report and must see Marshal Mi Xiusi immediately!"

"My lord, Marshal Mi Xiusi has been awake for days due to the war and just now fell into a brief rest. I cannot disturb him. I can take you to the fortress's war council hall, where one of his military advisors is on duty."

"No, Commander Brike said this victory report is critical and must be delivered to Marshal Mi Xiusi at once. Besides, the marshal will surely be delighted upon hearing it!" the cavalry captain insisted.

The reception official frowned. "My lord, tell me what the victory report is. If it's just two or three hundred barbarians, wait until tomorrow—today we've received many such reports already!"

The knight replied solemnly: "Though it is only two hundred kills, these are the heads of two hundred warriors of the Black Tiger Tribe—and we've brought back the head of Baron Livin!"

"What? Two hundred warriors of the Black Tiger Tribe? And Baron Livin's head? Are you certain?" The official froze, his expression turning grave.

The Black Tiger Tribe had murdered several nobles, accumulating countless crimes; worse still, they displayed noble skulls as trophies on their bone flags.

Even the King had heard of this, and the entire nobility was deeply alarmed.

If they truly recovered a noble's head, this would be a genuine major victory.

Especially since it was the first noble head recovered!

"My lord, I am certain!"

"Come with me! I'll take you to see the marshal at once!"

More than ten minutes later, Marshal Mi Xiusi, who had just fallen asleep, was awakened.

"Marshal, I apologize for disturbing your rest, but the left wing army has delivered a vital victory report."

"What victory report?" Though weary, Marshal Mi Xiusi showed no anger at being woken.

"Baron Livin's head has been recovered, along with two hundred heads of Black Tiger warriors and a Black Tiger bone flag!"

"Oh?"

The subordinate presented the scroll report from Brike to Marshal Mi Xiusi.

Marshal Mi Xiusi instantly perked up, confirmed the wax seal was intact, then immediately unrolled and read the report.

After finishing the report, Mi Xiusi's face broke into a smile. "Good. Where are Baron Livin's head and those tribal skulls?"

"My lord, they are waiting in the front courtyard for your inspection before being stored and recorded for merit."

"Come, take me there!"

Soon, Marshal Mi Xiusi arrived at the front courtyard.

After personally confirming Baron Livin's head and the two hundred tribal skulls, he held up the captured Black Tiger bone flag. "Excellent. On the third day of campaign, we've recovered our first noble head."

"This victory came on the very first day of contact. Truly impressive!"

"Send this good news to the capital at once by fast horse. Also inform the main force and right wing army—they must strive to restore our kingdom's honor!"

"Also, return Baron Livin's head to his widow and bury him properly."

"Yes, Marshal!"

"By the way, this Baron Gervas—who is he from? How did he single-handedly slay two hundred Black Tiger warriors?"

At the question, the subordinate's expression turned strange.

"What? Is there a problem?"

"Marshal, Gervas is not from a great noble family—he appears to be from a mere baronial house, and his domain is in Stormhold!"

Worried the marshal might not know Stormhold, the subordinate added: "That southern territory on the edge of the Death Mountains, where three noble lords have died within ten years!"

"Oh? That place the nobility calls the Land of Death? And he's not even from a great family? Then how did he accomplish this?"

Upon seeing the battle report, Marshal Mi Xiusi had assumed Gervas came from a prestigious family.

The reason was simple: only someone with such strength could, as a baron, slay two hundred Black Tiger warriors.

Moreover, this merit had not been stolen by anyone—without some status, that would be impossible.

Yet the report he received was this.

"Marshal, we have only this much information on Baron Gervas. I learned it all from the registration records. Further details require deeper investigation."

"No need to investigate—he earned merit, not guilt. Just keep an eye on this lad for me."

"Also, record his merit. It's extremely rare for a minor noble to achieve such a feat!"

"Yes, Marshal!"

…

They did not linger at Baron Livin's castle, only leaving over a hundred serfs to guard it.

To secure more merit faster, the left wing force pressed onward.

Time passed, and three days later arrived.

Today, the left wing army finally reached their second target: Baron Clas's domain.

As the army advanced through Clas's domain, they soon discovered the barbarians there had also fled.

"What are these barbarians up to?" Commander Brike frowned in confusion.

"Commander Brike, who cares what they're up to? Better if they keep retreating all the way to Poka City—then we won't need to fight at all and can claim all the merit!" Fario didn't care at all.

Securing two noble domains already granted him ample merit.

If they continued reclaiming the planned territories, his elevation to viscount and grant of a domain were assured.

Commander Brike silently cursed Fario the count for his ignorance of military affairs.

These western barbarians had expended great effort to seize these noble domains.

Could they truly abandon them so easily?

It was unthinkable.

"Report!"

At that moment, five fast horses arrived at Clas's castle—it was one of the scouting cavalry units.

"What is it?"

"Commander, while scouting ahead, we found the retreating western barbarians three li ahead—three hundred strong, fleeing southwest!"