Chapter 362: Captain Lide

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

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with steep slopes dropping thirty to forty meters, it was virtually 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 barbarians only appear near Shicheng!"

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

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

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

Mil and Ian and the others instantly fell silent, their expressions resigned. "Gervas, our Border Alliance signed a contract—you're 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—send one hundred fifty men each!"

The nobles nodded helplessly and ordered their subordinates to notify the sergeant to dispatch serfs for labor.

Only then did Gervas continue, "Gentlemen, do you know why I escaped unscathed last time from thousands of tribal troops chasing and blocking me?"

"It's because your subordinates are strong, Gervas, and your command is excellent—and of course, the favor 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 subordinates are indeed strong, against such overwhelming numbers, no amount of strength matters."

"Second, my command? Even the best strategy is useless if completely surrounded."

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

"Even though it looked like the tribal army 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 in time and escape calmly."

"Since then, I've come to understand deeply: no matter when or where, as long as you're on the battlefield, as long as 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."

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

They had personally experienced that carefully laid tribal trap.

Though the heavy losses afterward stemmed from Fario's unauthorized flight from camp.

But the initial cause of the disaster was their underestimation and lax night defenses.

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

If Gervas hadn't reminded them, they might never have gained such awareness.

"Gervas, we were negligent! We didn't 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 completely.

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 army's safety 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 trusting of him.

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

A small patrol unit was approaching the ravine's entrance.

"Lord Gervas!"

"Captain Lide!"

The arrival was none other than the cavalry captain.

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

As he drew near, Captain Lide explained, then one of his men dismounted and unloaded a moose—weighing at least a hundred jin.

And clearly—

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

Even if the officers disliked 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!"

With that, Gervas had no objection to accepting the gift.

"Lord Gervas, no need for formalities! By the way, my lord, 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 higher esteem. "Lord Gervas, this place is indeed much safer! The Northern Frontier is dangerous everywhere—surviving and returning home is the only thing that matters!"

"Seeing your mindset, I'm reassured—Lord Gervas will surely return victorious!"

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

Gervas knew this was Captain Lide's way of offering quiet reassurance. Thinking of it, he suddenly added: "By the way, Captain Lide, I have a suggestion—please be especially cautious during your night watch tonight!"

"Though barbarians 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 inexplicable unease warned me in time, letting me avoid the beast ambush."

"Very well! Viscount Gervas, I shall take note!"

After hearing this, Captain Lide nodded and agreed.

Of course, Gervas could see that the other party likely did not take it very seriously.

Afterwards, Captain Lide did not stay long; he had come merely to deliver the elk and to offer some comfort to Gervas regarding the targeting he had faced.

Watching the rangers' receding figures, Gervas could only silently wish them well.

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

"Everyone, let's go eat roasted meat!"

Immediately, Gervas led Mil and others into the camp.

That night, due to the day's travel, the vast majority of soldiers fell asleep after eating and drinking their fill.

Even the nobles, who were usually restless at night, quieted down considerably, merely taking a few sips of wine.

After all, they knew they were the vanguard unit.

"Captain Lide, will you not drink a few more cups?"

"No. Commander Ryan, Vice-Commander Solit, our vanguard mission is of utmost importance, and my rangers' mission is the utmost priority!"

"So, let us stop drinking for today; better to wait a few days until we successfully reach Red Stone City, and then we can drink slowly!"

Commander Ryan nodded, finding the logic sound.

Vice-Commander Solit, however, clearly showed displeasure and disdain in his eyes.

"In that case, let us all disperse!" Commander Ryan stood up.

Seeing this, the others naturally did not dare to say anything more.

Soon, Captain Lide returned to his rangers' camp.

Because the rangers needed to patrol and stand guard at night, their camp was located at the very front of all camps.

At this moment, many rangers were still constantly entering and leaving the camp.

"How is the situation?"

"My lord, everything is normal!"

"Is the guard duty arrangement settled?"

"My lord, according to normal regulations, eight squads of ten men serve as tonight's night watch!"

"Hmm!" Lide nodded and immediately prepared to return to his tent.

For past night watches had been arranged this way as well.

But just after he had walked a few steps, his footsteps suddenly halted.

Because he suddenly remembered Gervas's warning.