CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: ABSOLUTE OVERRUN

Half a year after the orcs began their southern invasion, the cracks within Northwind Province were finally starting to burst open.

Some nobles had lost their wealth and subjects. Others were discontent with meager territories. And still others acted purely out of scheming and political ambition.

"In Lingdu County, the conflict between Viscount Miles and Viscount Dragon has become irreconcilable."

"Miles’ second son, March Miles, has once again led troops from his father’s domain back to his own fief, where a violent dispute broke out with Enzo Dragon."

So said Baron Hatton, who—like Ryan—only knew a fraction of the full picture. If Ryan was blind to Northwind’s full turmoil, Hatton was at best half-blind, owing to the remoteness of his domain near the province’s fringe.

What he did know was mostly second-hand, courtesy of Baron Barnes.

"War may be about to break out."

Ryan’s comment sent a visible shiver through Hatton, who stared at him anxiously.

"Ryan, you must not leave, promise me."

"Don’t worry. I’ll be staying here in Shenma."

With conflict looming in Northwind Province, Ryan could no longer afford to isolate himself in the Frozen Territory.

"By the way, could you help me purchase some weapons from Barnes or other nobles? They don’t need to be of high quality. Just... don’t mention my name."

"Understood."

Hatton agreed readily. He assumed Ryan just wanted to arm his own domain—and for him, the more allies the better.

"One more thing."

Ryan eyed the older noble. The Hatton family, after all, was of southern origin and carried a long-standing lineage.

"Baron Hatton, could you find a way to gather intelligence on the Kingdom of Andara for me?"

"Andara? Why would you want to know about them? There’s no way they’d dare invade Imperial land, not even if the Empire had truly abandoned Northwind."

Hatton spoke with the typical pride of an Imperial noble.

"Back when Grand Duke Meyers seized Northwind Province, Andara’s royal court was so frightened they sent tribute in droves, begging the Empire not to march further south."

But after a sigh, he added:

"Ryan, my family once fell into decline. My father only had me, one child."

"As for news of Andara..."

He looked at Ryan, then, seeing their growing alliance, gritted his teeth and said:

"I’ll write a letter to the south. My aunt married into an earl’s family—to the heir, actually. I’ll ask her to help us keep an eye out."

"Why don’t you write to the Rimehart family?" he asked. "They’d surely know everything you want to find out."

But Ryan only shook his head.

Hatton didn’t know—but Ryan did—that the Rimehart family, for all its rising fame, lacked a long noble lineage and was deeply fractured within. When Ryan first arrived in the Frozen Territory, he had only nine attendants, and some of the misfortunes he faced were due to Rimehart family sabotage.

Ryan still carried a grudge—he had no intention of ever crawling back to that family, not even for help. Maybe it was the stubborn pride of youth, but he wanted those who underestimated him to one day regret it.

In the days that followed, Ryan remained at Baron Hatton’s castle. He also had Rosen return to the Frozen Territory and bring back another 300 men.

Over 200 of them were slave conscripts. Since he was now at Hatton’s estate and food wasn’t his responsibility, he was happy to take full advantage.

What Ryan couldn’t quite tolerate, though, was how Hatton’s maids were dressing less and less with each passing day—every glance filled with the sort of temptation that made his blood boil.

Hatton turned out to be even more carefree than Ryan had imagined. Once Ryan’s troops arrived in Shenma, Hatton’s fear vanished completely.

If not for his son, Leon Hatton, showing signs of maturity, Ryan would have doubted the family’s future entirely.

Out of a sense of goodwill, Ryan took Leon with him to train in the military camp, to toughen him up.

After all, Ryan himself had trouble staying disciplined after turning sixteen. The Flame Dragon Knight breathing method of the Rimehart family had its roots in ancient dragons—creatures of overwhelming vitality and lust.

The Rimehart family, however, imposed strict rules on their bloodline. The current Earl Rimehart decreed that no direct heir could release their essence before turning sixteen or before becoming a Silver Knight.

Even among the extended family, no one was allowed to indulge before age thirteen.

It was these harsh traditions that allowed the Rimeharts to rapidly rise and surpass other count-level houses—which is why the family was often spoken of as the Empire’s fifth Grand Duchy in waiting.

Meanwhile...

At Knight Watt’s domain, the young successor had proved even more reckless than his father.

By mid-June, the new Knight Watt had once again invaded Baron Hatton’s land, bringing his private army with him.

"Don’t worry, Baron Hatton. I’ll make sure that brat understands—the difference between a baron and a lord of merit has never been just words."

"Hit their granary! Take all the grain!"

"Forget the unharvested crops—get what’s already stored!"

On a wide, fertile plain fed by a rushing river, Northwind’s largest farmland unfolded before them. Knight Watt—still young and impetuous—shouted commands as his army moved in. Watching Hatton’s peasants scatter before his soldiers, he grinned with satisfaction.

"House Hatton... you stole so much from my father. Now I’ll make you pay it back tenfold!"

But just then—a thunderous roar erupted behind him.

Knight Watt turned and saw over a hundred warhorses charging his way, each mounted by a fully-armored knight. Behind them, hundreds of slave-soldiers advanced in neat formation, weapons raised—far more disciplined than his own troops.

In mere moments, the cavalry was upon him.

Knight Watt locked eyes with Brand, who rode at the front with a cold stare—and was then knocked clean off his horse by a crushing blow.

"Kill them!"

Brand’s shout sent Watt’s army into chaos. The battle ended almost instantly.

From a distant forest edge, Ryan emerged slowly, surveying the utterly one-sided battlefield.

"A military raid, and not even a single scout?" Ryan shook his head. "How does someone like that command an army?"