Chapter 360

Thus, Gervas ordered his subordinates to quickly pack up their equipment and tents.

The assembly point was a checkpoint five li north of Black Dragon City.

A unit under the Northern Frontier Legion was already waiting there.

Arriving late would mean punishment under military law.

So time was still tight.

While Gervas was packing his camp, Mil and others gradually arrived at his camp.

"Damn Willard—he's a bastard. Sending us to the Northern Frontier to fight was already despicable, and now he won't even let us go!"

"Exactly! Gervas, what do we do now? The vanguard camp is far more dangerous than following the main force!"

Clearly, Mil and the others had also escaped Willard's schemes.

"Gentlemen, Willard doing this isn't surprising!"

"Because from the moment he framed us, it meant we were locked in a fight to the death!"

"So he certainly doesn't want us alive to appeal—he just needs us dead here in the Northern Frontier. Then even if someone discovers the truth, he won't be troubled over a few dead minor nobles!"

Gervas knew the minor nobles still clung to Jiaoxing.

"This… Lord Gervas, Willard wouldn't dare, would he?"

"No, you probably don't know—since that fool Farion died, he's likely gone mad!"

"Otherwise, you never actively harmed Farion, yet Willard still targeted you all—every single one of you!"

"So I advise you all to prepare mentally."

The minor nobles' faces flushed pale then red.

Finally, Mil gritted his teeth, "Damn bastard—if he wants us dead, we won't make it easy for him!"

"Exactly! Whoever wants us dead, we'll make them die!"

"Lord Gervas, you knew about this in advance—do you have a plan?"

Gervas smiled and nodded, "Simple: stand united. Just follow my orders, and I guarantee you'll return alive—then go seek revenge on him!"

"Good! Lord Gervas! You've always been our Border Alliance's chairman—we follow you!"

"Right! Lord Gervas, if you can get us all back safely, we follow you!"

Gervas's past victories had earned everyone's trust—like his dealings with the Western Barbarians and Lord Parker.

So in this moment of crisis, they made their choice clear.

"Good. Gentlemen, hurry up—we head straight for the vanguard assembly point. Survival is the only rule…"

…

"Did they go?"

"Your Excellency, they did. I watched from afar as the seven noble detachments headed north toward the vanguard camp."

"Good!" Willard's lips curled into a smile.

After his subordinate withdrew, his expression turned savage, and he picked up a gemstone ring.

"Farion, my beloved heir—I'll make sure those who killed you join you in death!"

It was the gemstone ring he had once given Farion.

A symbol of power.

Because he intended to establish a hereditary family.

The plan was about to succeed.

He had already secured enough connections—Farion merely needed to accompany the expedition force through the Western Frontier, then drive the barbarians out of the kingdom's border.

In that process, whether Farion contributed or not, a viscount's domain was guaranteed.

But now, not only was his dream of a hereditary lineage shattered.

His heir Farion had been hanged.

That Willard would never allow.

So he risked everything to scheme against several minor nobles, bringing them to the Northern Frontier.

Of course, to ensure those bastards died for certain,

He spent a fortune to obtain the position of Southern Frontier Inspector.

Now, the show finally begins.

…

"I am Captain Ryan of the vanguard. From the moment you were reassigned here, you must obey my orders!"

"I don't care if you were barons or viscounts before—none of that matters here. Everything follows military law!"

"Enough. Prepare yourselves—we depart immediately!"

"Solit, arrange the marching order for these nobles!"

"Yes, Captain!"

One hour later, the vanguard camp.

When Gervas and the others arrived on time, Captain Ryan gave the nobles a stern lecture.

Naturally, this angered the nobles.

"Who the hell is this guy? Talking so rudely!"

"Exactly! We're nobles—he says it doesn't matter?!"

"Hmph! These bastards never had such nerve when facing the beast tribes!"

"Yeah! Yeah!"

After Captain Ryan left, whispers broke out among the minor nobles—even Mil and the others couldn't help cursing.

"Enough. I'm Solit, deputy commander of the vanguard. Now I'll assign the marching order."

Hearing this, they fell silent and turned to the deputy commander named Solit.

"Lord Gervas, Baron Mil, Baron Ian… your Southern Frontier detachment leads the vanguard."

"Lord Carter, Baron Poda… your Eastern Frontier detachment takes the middle position."

"Wait, Lord Solit!" Mil and the others immediately interrupted.

"What's the matter, gentlemen?"

"Lord Solit, if we recall correctly, the vanguard order has always been decided by lottery. Why is it now changed to put our Southern Frontier detachment first?"

"Gentlemen, past rules are past. Now that Captain Ryan assigned me to arrange this, I decide."

"Besides, if you look closely, your Southern Frontier detachment includes a cavalry unit—putting you up front ensures better protection for the others!"

"Surely, at a time like this, defending against the beast tribes, your Southern Frontier won't still be counting gains and losses?"

"You—" Mil was instantly furious.

Leading the vanguard meant bearing the heaviest losses if attacked or ambushed.

In the past, to ensure fairness, the front ranks were always decided by lottery—no one could object.

But now Solit ignored the rules—clearly biased.

Of course, if Mil shouted insults, it would do no good.

Gervas stopped him. "Lord Solit, if I may ask—what was your previous position?"

"Hmm? You're Lord Gervas, right?"

"Correct. I'm Gervas."

Solit smiled faintly. "I'm from the Cracked Rock Duke family. Previously, I served as Southern City Thousand-Captain of the Capital Garrison."

"Cracked Rock Duke family? Formerly in the Capital Garrison?" Gervas pondered, then quickly grasped the key point.

"So you're from the Cracked Rock Duke family? I heard the Second Prince's mother—the current Queen—is from that family?!"

"You know it well!" Solit didn't deny it; his smile widened.

Gervas smiled just as brightly. "Lord Solit, I disagree with what you just said."

"It's not about gains and losses, as Baron Mil asked—it's about fairness. We were all conscripted; no one owes more than another."

"But then again, your Southern Frontier detachment does have the strongest force here—so let your detachment lead the front."

"After all, my two hundred cavalry truly have considerable combat power—this will better protect your Eastern and Western Frontier comrades!"

Gervas smiled at the minor nobles from the Eastern and Western Frontiers.