Chapter 362

Arriving at the ravine, Gervas looked around and found it a good spot.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with steep slopes dropping thirty to forty meters, it was nearly impossible for enemies to attack from behind.

Thus, as long as defenses were set up at the front, they would be invincible.

"Gervas, is this really necessary? This is the Verdant River Valley—those beasts only appear near Redstone City!"

"And Redstone City is still at least five or six days away; even if those beasts grew wings, they couldn't reach here!"

"Exactly! Gervas, we're only staying one night before moving on—why waste energy building a camp? Let the men conserve their strength!"

"Gentlemen, do you still recognize me as the leader of the Border Tongmeng Society?"

Mil and Ian fell silent at once, their expressions resigned. "Gervas, we of the Border Tongmeng Society signed a contract—you are our recognized leader."

"So we certainly recognize that—but…"

"That's all I need to hear! Gentlemen, have your men get to work! No need for many—just send one hundred and fifty men each!"

The nobles nodded reluctantly and ordered their subordinates to notify the sergeant to deploy serfs for labor.

Only then did Gervas continue, "Gentlemen, do you know how I escaped the encirclement of thousands of tribal troops last time?"

"It's because your subordinates are strong, your command is sound, and of course, the Blessing of the God of Glory!" Mil and the others replied at once.

"Gentlemen, you probably don't even believe your own flattery."

"First, while my men are formidable, against such overwhelming numbers, strength alone means nothing."

"Second, my command? Even the best strategy fails if the enemy completely surrounds you."

"As for the Blessing of the God of Glory—yes, that played a part, but the real reason was my caution."

"Even when it seemed the tribal forces had fled in panic and posed no further threat…"

"I still ordered my men to maintain the highest level of vigilance."

"So when the tribal savages launched their ambush, my men spotted them immediately, allowing me to react and escape calmly."

"Since then, I've come to understand deeply: no matter when or where, once on the battlefield, as long as the war hasn't ended with absolute certainty, you must take it seriously."

"Because the enemy's greatest hope is that you grow careless—then they strike the fatal blow."

Upon hearing this, Mil and the others slowly flushed with shame.

They had all experienced that trap laid by the tribal army.

Though the heavy losses afterward stemmed from Farion's unauthorized retreat from camp…

The initial cause was their underestimation of the enemy and lax night defenses.

Yet only months later, they'd already forgotten the pain.

Had Gervas not reminded them, they might never have gained such awareness.

"Gervas, we were negligent! We failed to understand your intentions!"

"That's right, Gervas—we'll take this seriously from now on!"

The men immediately apologized to Gervas.

Gervas smiled faintly—he'd made it all up, and they'd believed him.

Without system intelligence, his own fate might not have been much better than theirs.

"Gentlemen, no need to apologize. In truth, this fence will likely be a waste of effort."

"But since it concerns the safety of the army and our own lives, we'd rather be cautious."

Gervas's humility, devoid of arrogance, naturally made Mil and the others view him as a man of superior character.

And they grew even more convinced of him.

At that moment, the sound of hooves interrupted their conversation.

A small patrol unit was approaching the ravine entrance.

"Lord Gervas!"

"Captain Lide!"

The man was none other than the cavalry captain.

"Lord Gervas, my men happened to hunt a few beasts while scouting—I thought since we couldn't finish them all, I'd bring one for you."

As he drew near, Captain Lide explained, then gestured for a subordinate to unload a moose from his horse—weighing at least a hundred jin.

And clearly…

"Couldn't finish them all" was just an excuse.

Even if the officers didn't care for the meat, they could give it to their men.

Their unit wasn't the Storm Legion, where dried meat was plentiful.

So this was clearly Captain Lide's return gift.

He knew how to handle people—reciprocity builds lasting ties!

"Then thank you, Captain Lide!"

Gervas accepted the gift without hesitation.

"No need for formalities, Lord Gervas! By the way, I heard Solit intends to target you?"

"Heh, nothing of the sort—Deputy Commander Solit is surely acting out of caution."

Captain Lide immediately regarded Gervas with greater respect. "Lord Gervas, this place is indeed much safer! The Northern Frontier is full of danger—surviving and returning home is the only thing that matters!"

"Seeing your mindset, I'm reassured—you'll return victorious, Lord Gervas!"

"Hah! Thank you for your kind words, Captain Lide!"

Gervas knew this was Lide's way of offering quiet comfort—and suddenly added, "By the way, Captain Lide, I have a suggestion: be extra cautious during your night watch tonight."

"Though beasts likely won't appear in this interior region, I've felt uneasy all day."

"In the past, whenever I felt this way, it was always before a beast attack—once, this very unease warned me, and I escaped a beast ambush."

"Understood, Lord Gervas—I'll pay close attention."

Captain Lide nodded in agreement.

But Gervas could tell the man likely didn't take it seriously.

Captain Lide didn't linger—he'd come only to deliver the moose and offer quiet reassurance about the targeting.

Watching the cavalry ride off, Gervas could only silently wish them well.

After all, this was the limit of what he could do.

"Gentlemen, come—let's eat roasted meat!"

Gervas led Mil and the others into the camp.

…

That night, exhausted from the day's march, most soldiers fell asleep after eating their fill.

Even the nobles, usually restless at night, quieted down, drinking only a few cups.

After all, they knew they were the vanguard.

"Captain Lide, won't you have another cup?"

"No, Commander Lain, Deputy Commander Solit—our vanguard mission is critical, and my cavalry's duty is paramount."

"So we'll stop here. Let's drink properly once we've reached Redstone City."

Commander Lain nodded, finding this reasonable.

Deputy Commander Solit's eyes, however, clearly showed displeasure and disdain.

"Then let's all retire," Commander Lain rose.

The others, seeing this, said nothing further.

Soon, Captain Lide returned to his cavalry camp.

Since cavalry units must patrol at night, their camp stood at the very front of all encampments.

Now, many cavalrymen were still coming and going.

"How's the situation?"

"Sir, all is normal."

"Are the watch rotations set?"

"Sir, as per standard procedure: eight ten-man squads for tonight's watch."

"Hmm." Lide nodded, turning to return to his tent.

After all, this was how watch had always been arranged.

But after taking a few steps, he suddenly halted.

For he suddenly remembered Gervas's warning.