Reinforcements

With shared interests at stake, this meeting went very smoothly. According to the agreed division of spoils, each side would contribute an equal share of troops.

The longer they delayed, the more variables there would be.

The four agreed to gather at the border of the Barony of Cleveland five days later, combine their forces, attack the Pioneer Knight's territory, and seize the iron mine with its abundant reserves.

Over the next few days, Velin actively prepared for war.

On the morning of July 23, a well-equipped army entered Lake of Star Prayer from the south.

After receiving the news, Velin took his men to welcome his cousin.

"Velin, I'm here."

A handsome, dashing knight strode toward him. It was his cousin, Brian.

"Cousin, welcome."

The knights on both sides paid their respects to the other lord before following the two men into Lake of Star Prayer.

"In less than three months, you've turned this place into something impressive. You're far better than your cousin." As Brian toured the territory, he recalled the early days of his own pioneering venture and sighed with emotion.

"You flatter me, Cousin. I have Sir Brandon next door to thank for his 'assistance.' That gave me enough manpower to move on to the next stage of my plans," Velin replied with a smile.

As they chatted along the way, they arrived at a broad grassland laid out with lavish food and wine. The many knights began the banquet.

During the banquet, Velin introduced his cousin to the surrounding situation while explaining his plan.

"Velin, I don't think we need to make this so complicated. This time, your cousin brought fifty Bronze Knights, two hundred Knight Squires, and six hundred elite warriors. We can just line up, hit them head-on, and beat them into submission."

Brian rubbed his throbbing head, waved to cut off Velin's endless speech, and laid out the simplest, most brutal plan.

"Cousin, that would cause considerable casualties. They aren't pushovers either. If we use a few tactics properly, we can reduce our losses and gain greater benefits." Velin looked at Brian helplessly and tried to persuade him.

"Fine, fine. I'll listen to you." Seeing that Velin was about to continue, Brian waved him off, raised a cup of wine, and drained it in one gulp.

"Forget it, Cousin. Let your Guardian Knight discuss it with me instead."

Velin covered his face as he looked at this drunkard. He truly did not know how his cousin had managed, in only six short years, to seize a territory twice the size of the Barony of Cleveland and govern it so well.

At three in the afternoon, the banquet ended, and many drunken knights collapsed on the ground to sleep.

Left with no choice, Velin had Orlando bring over blankets to cover them.

"Lord Velin, I am my Liege Lord's Guardian Knight and chief executive officer. You may call me Adrian." A young man appeared before Velin.

Sensing the aura around him, Velin said in surprise, "A Magic Knight?"

"You have a sharp eye, my lord." The young man responded politely and elegantly.

Now Velin understood why Ridge Territory had been managed so well. The reason was likely this man.

Magic Knights were knights who used Mana Energy. They possessed the advantages of both mages and knights. Powerful and intelligent—those were the words that defined them.

Afterward, Velin brought Adrian to a wooden house, spread out a map, and began explaining his plan.

"In this battle, we will face an attack from four territories. I estimate the enemy force at three thousand men, sixty percent of whom will be serfs. That means the regular troops we face will number only twelve hundred."

"Lake of Star Prayer can deploy three hundred infantrymen and fifteen Bronze Knights. They will stand at the front and draw the enemy's attention."

"As for your forces, the enemy does not know of your existence beforehand. You can lie in ambush on the flank, wait for my signal, then attack from their side and rear. Strike their command center by surprise and crush their core strength."

After hearing this, Adrian asked doubtfully, "Lord Velin, forgive my impertinence, but can your three hundred men withstand a frontal assault by three thousand?"

"You needn't worry about that. I have my own way of dealing with it." Velin gave Adrian a mysterious smile.

This piqued the Magic Knight's curiosity. He very much wanted to know how Velin intended to use three hundred men to hold back three thousand.

After entering Lake of Star Prayer, he had already determined that there were no Silver Knights here.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Hearing the knock, Velin said, "Come in."

Orlando pushed open the door and reported, "My lord, we caught six serfs trying to escape. All of them were slaves purchased more than a week ago."

"Demote them to Third-class slaves. After the war is over, send them to the Salt Mine."

"Yes."

After Orlando left, Adrian naturally understood that these people had likely been spies planted in Lake of Star Prayer by the enemy. Upon learning that an unfamiliar army had entered, they had hurried to escape and report back.

However, compared to that, he was more interested in this young knight.

At only thirteen years old, he was already a Mid-Bronze Tier Knight. Such talent was astonishing.

July 25 was bright and sunny.

The four lords gathered with their subordinates at the border of the Barony of Cleveland.

Sixty Bronze Knights, three hundred Knight Squires, one thousand warriors, and three thousand serfs formed the main force of this campaign.

Violet, Cesley, and Barry were full of high spirits, as if they could already see the light of victory.

With such a powerful force, they did not believe a Pioneer Knight who had only recently emerged could withstand them.

But Brandon felt that something was wrong. Not one of the spies he had placed among the slaves had returned, and that made him uneasy.

"This time, we'll definitely destroy that brat—and avenge Brandon while we're at it! Hahaha!" Violet looked arrogantly at Brandon and said it openly in front of everyone.

Violet's subordinates raised their weapons one after another, staring provocatively at Brandon's army as they flaunted their valor.

"My Liege Lord, they..." A knight pointed at Violet and spoke to Brandon angrily.

"Forget it. I have a bad feeling about this. Tell our men to slow down."

Brandon was not angered by Violet's little trick. Instead, he gave the knight an order.

He had long passed the age of hot-blooded impulsiveness. How could he fall for such a cheap provocation and rush off to serve as cannon fodder?

Seeing this, Violet wisely did not continue. He berated his subordinates and told them to shut up.

"Move out."

Under the command of Violet, the temporary overall commander, the main force began advancing toward the camp where the Mithril Ore mine was located.

As agreed, Violet's troops marched in front, followed by Cesley's and Barry's armies. Brandon's force came last, numbering only around five hundred men in total.

Because his losses in the previous battle had been too severe, he did not have enough money or equipment to rebuild his forces in such a short time.