Northlands Warriors, Wheat Sprouts in the Swampland

The house is round, with a skylight that leads directly to the sky. Sunlight falls on the only stone tablet in the house, and anyone standing in the house is in the shadow.

Except for the human who can kneel before the stone tablet, he will stand in the sunlight.

"Would you like to go and take a look?"

Sven looked at the knight with the instinctive fear of a knight. The solemn and dignified environment reminded him of the scene when he swore an oath. He felt that his makeup and clothes were too shabby and did not deserve such an environment.

"See? The Northlands will not turn away any warrior."

Sven led the knight into the sunlight, where the warmth dispelled all the chill of the shadows. The knight stood before the stone monument, feeling incredibly awkward and dejected.

"I... I can't read."

This is not surprising. Nobles are knowledgeable, but most knights are stiff burly men. Even in Ryan's Frozen Territory, the Buck Legion has not fully popularized knowledge. As for the Armored Bear Legion, from top to bottom, including the Legion Commander Bogeld, no one is literate.

"Lord Ryan, favored by the Northlands, will act on the will of the Northlands and grant any warrior who is not afraid of the Northlands's cold a powerful Life Breathing Art."

"Ryan has no right to rule over any human who trains himself using the Northern Warrior Breathing Technique, and likewise, the Warrior has no obligation to be loyal to Ryan."

"The Monarch they serve is the world that has been submerged by the Northlands."

"Their responsibility stems from any human village or town."

"The Warrior of the Northlands will swear that they will never leave the Northlands. They will stand forever where human civilization is closest to the Northlands. They will defend human territory to the death against the cold Northlands."

"Every Warrior will face death in the Northlands, becoming a nobleman without land, vying for honor with knights without wearing a crown, using the burning heat of their life to stop the invasion from the Northlands. The sword in their hand is the horn of the Warrior's charge, and the armor on their body is the sturdy shield protecting the human territory. They dedicate their lives and honors to the icy lands of the Northlands. Warrior are like this, their offspring are like this, this life is like this, and life after life is like this."

"That's what it means."

Sven looked at the knight, whose eyes were now wide open, and said:

"These are the conditions for obtaining the Northern Lands Breathing Technique: becoming Warrior of the Northlands. You are not entitled to have servants, farms or estates, to be loyal to nobles, or to enjoy wealth and luxury."

"Battle, death, born in the snow and wind of the Northlands, dying in the depths of the icy wilderness."

"Whenever the Orcs begin to invade human lands, the Warrior of the Northlands will not hesitate to go to the battlefield closest to the Orcs, the most dangerous, and the closest to death. He will die there, or he will wipe out all the Orcs."

"This is an oath, an oath witnessed by the great God of Light."

Sven raised his head, looking at the golden sunlight with a determined gaze.

He witnessed with his own eyes how Lord Ryan summoned a ray of sunshine in the gloomy weather, which shines here forever. Whether it's windy or rainy, cloudy or clear, this golden sunlight is always here. Even at night, the moonlight shines down with a hint of gold.

If there are Miracle in the Northwind Province, then this ray of sunlight is Miracle.

"No one can betray the oath witnessed by the God of Light, and anyone who does so will be hunted down by the entire Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild until death."

"The Northern Warrior Breathing Technique. Lord Ryan calls it Warrior, not a knight, because all the extraordinary beings under this Breathing Technique are not knights who loyally protect noble lords. They are Warrior, Warrior who will charge into the Northlands world even if they are naked."

The knight stood there, stunned and somewhat incredulous. Putting aside everything else, what he had just said was actually quite similar to the knight's creed: to dedicate one's life and to transform loyalty into a charge on the battlefield.

There is only one condition: to give up all wealth and glory.

Simply put, they can no longer become nobles or acquire vast estates. Keep in mind that knights, to varying degrees, own their own real estate.

Which knight has never longed to achieve great things? A small goal might be to become the son-in-law of a nobleman, a medium goal might be to become the owner of a manor, and a grand goal might be to become a nobleman. Even if they couldn't achieve it themselves, they would still lay the foundation for their descendants, hoping that one day their descendants could do it.

However, under this condition, not only is one not qualified, but one's bloodline and descendants are also completely abandoned.

"Who would accept such conditions?"

The knight swallowed hard, completely forgetting that he had been the one angrily questioning the knight in the hall earlier.

Ryan understood all too well the nobles' wariness of commoners and slaves; they would never give them any chance to rise in status. If these conditions weren't compounded with incredibly cruel ones, the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild would have been trampled to the ground by the nobles and their armies long ago, and most likely the Imperial Extraordinary Legion of Winged Gorge would have done it themselves.

Even with conditions added, it wasn't safe, so Ryan used the Divine Blessing given by Archbishop Adriana. This oath and these conditions were truly under the watchful eye of that Great Being.

At this juncture when the empire and the God of Light are in a honeymoon period, the nobles have no courage to question the God of Light's favor. His Majesty Emperor Flor came to see for himself, he could only think of other solutions.

However, he probably doesn't have the time right now. Ryan's formidable strength in the Northlands Lands allowed this demanding condition to be carved into this stone slab.

As for how it will evolve, only time will tell.

"Yes, that's why, until now, not a single adventurer has chosen to become a Northlands Warrior."

Sven said with a smile that the real reason was not that there was no one there, but that those people were not qualified to see the stone tablet.

The knight before him underestimated the desire of commoners and slaves to become knights; his birth was far too high.

The day the Northern Warrior Breathing Technique spread, the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild was so crowded that a stampede occurred, resulting in deaths. It was only through the strong suppression of the knights that the situation was calmed down.

The reason things calmed down later was that ordinary adventurers needed to kill ten Orcs with combat capabilities on their own, a condition that was actually worth about thirty Gold Coin. Then, at the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild, they had to give up this wealth of thirty Gold Coin in exchange for the opportunity to receive the Northern Warrior Breathing Technique.

How many ordinary people could kill ten Orcs, all of whom were at least Black Goat Orcs? They probably killed quite a few Orcs on the way to find them.

After that, how many ordinary people who couldn't even get close to the basics of Breathing Technique would be able to resist the temptation of dozens of Gold Coin?

In short, in order to lower the nobles' guard as much as possible, Ryan set up many thresholds and cruel conditions.

The oath under the watchful eye of the God of Light, the threat from the entire group, the promise of free assistance to nobles in resisting disaster, and finally, the high threshold conditions—all these combined to bring the Northern Warrior Breathing Technique to this place.

And so far, no one has visited. In the first few days, the nobles were dissatisfied and then it became a joke about Ryan.

They believed that no Northlands Warrior would ever appear, or if they did, there would only be a few, and those few would likely become Ryan's Knight Retainer rather than keeping the oath on the stone tablet.

The nobles were averse to the presence of Northlands Warrior, but they had no objection to anyone becoming one of Ryan's Knight Retainer.

Ryan proved his strength with his vast wealth, and they wouldn't be surprised if Ryan had many knights under his command.

In fact, Ryan had never considered that the Northern Warrior Breathing Technique would turn too many commoners into extraordinary beings. As for slaves... how could they possibly come here to receive the Breathing Technique when they didn't even have freedom?

It's tough for ordinary people because survival is a problem. Dozens of Gold Coin can change the future of a family or even an entire commoner clan. Even if they are exploited, one Gold Coin can be used as five silver coins, which can still make a big difference.

Even without the opportunity provided by Ryan, a commoner with the courage to make such a decision would probably not be too bad off.

Ryan's real target was the nobles.

When choosing a wielder for Frostmourne, nobles like Ryan, Connie, Lawrence Sirin can become his loyal base, thus influencing a noble's loyalty to Ryan.

He might select ten people, but perhaps not even one of them would be qualified.

The remaining nine people, since they were selected, are basically all quite good.

Ryan didn't want to lose the sesame seeds while picking up the watermelon; he wanted it all.

That was impossible, so Ryan changed his approach again.

He knew very well that a noble family was very large. A Baron, in addition to being Baron himself, also had children. Nobles believed that the more offspring the better.

Over time, the noble families multiplied from the original nobles, and the noble families became very large.

A large portion of these descendants had been reduced to servants because they were not the eldest sons of their ancestors; the better ones were merely menial laborers within noble territories.

They could say they had a faint, thin noble bloodline, which was undeniable, but that was all.

Even Wandering Nobles are still the direct descendants of the former nobles.

Are these people qualified to gain power within the noble lord's territory? Impossible. Becoming servants and lackeys is the limit for them. Can they acquire wealth? They themselves belong to the noble lord's wealth.

They were only slightly more fearless than slaves, because as servants of collateral bloodlines, the nobles were relatively lenient towards them.

They also had more freedom than commoners, and could say that their ancestors and the ancestors of noblemen were brothers, which the nobles couldn't deny.

In short, they were members of a large family with an aristocratic surname.

This won't change anything.

All this is to prove that these people could potentially become the Northlands Warrior that Ryan wants.

Within their lord's territory, they were always treated like cattle or horses.

Change? Impossible. The noble blood in their veins is already diluted, and there is no possibility of legitimacy. If one day the noble family dies out, just like those lands that were wiped out after the war, they will have nothing to do with it.

Before this, there was no possibility of change for this type of person.

Especially those who are suppressed by their own clansmen, the clansmen in power will squeeze all their ways of gaining power. In Ryan's view, they are the ones most likely to say that fortunes change every thirty years.

If there were someone who was jilted, expelled from the nobility, and then had a sudden epiphany, that would be even more standard.

Ryan's path was prepared for them.

They had noble surnames and became Warrior of the Northlands. Even when the nobles finally wanted to settle scores, they discovered that these people who had gained supernatural powers were all of their own bloodline. How could they settle scores then?

At first, Ryan thought that if such a person could really succeed, he would be fully qualified to wield Frostmourne and do something like sacrificing family for the greater good, which would be more in line with the name of the sword.

Later, this was rejected because Frostmourne was meant for the nobles in power.

For example, there's Sirin Dragon, who is the heir to Viscount Dragoon and the eldest son; or Lawrence Xavier, who, as the second son, enjoys his father's favor. If Baron Xavier weren't so incompetent, he would have been given a Noble Title of pioneering noble. And then there's Connie Dean, whose prestige in the Deane Family now surpasses that of his father, who still sits on the Noble Title.

These people represent the direct influence of the noble territories and are the forces that Ryan truly needs to support.

Compared to that, the Northlands Warrior are just a side hustle; if they succeed, great; if not, Lord Ryan won't lose anything.

He didn't take any risks, so naturally he didn't expect any returns.

Before the stone tablet, Sven led the disgruntled knight away. He too could not accept such harsh conditions. Now the other knights in the hall had another like him, and who knew when they would be looking at the newly arrived, enraged knight with the same gloating gaze.

"Buy a Scott Dagger. It's a weapon forged by Scott, Scott craftsman from a noble family in the South who followed Master Brock to the Frozen Earth Territory."

At Sven's enthusiastic invitation, the knight awkwardly paid for a fine dagger.

Sven then looked at another group of people. He heard these knights discussing this year's Eight Knights, each one confident and seemingly certain of winning the Northern Warhorse this year.

"When did the honor of the Eight Knights become something to be fought over verbally?"

"Of last year's Eight Knights, four returned alive. Even those who died have their tombstones revered in Zero Crossing City. How can you call yourselves the Eight Knights?"

Sven was rude, but the knights were very polite to him because the girl next to Sven was very powerful.

Moreover, the knights had vaguely heard that the Bard Sven had refused Baron Ryan's Lordship reward in exchange for more stories and fine wine.

His story became a tale told by Bard, which greatly satisfied the vanity of the Sven.

With this supreme honor for Bard, Sven naturally held his head high when dealing with these knights who had no stories to tell.

In the circle of Bard, distinctions were not determined by social status.

The knights were at a loss for words. Why had they come to Zero Crossing City?

Oh right, it's all for wealth. Count Soron's knights found the dragon blood and rebuilt the Dragonblood Warrior Legion. These knights are all very envious. The nobles behind them sent them here, wanting to take back wealth that would make the nobles smile.

Adventurers strive for the title of one of the Eight Knights, but for most people in this world, the life of an adventurer is still a minority.

Many more people remain engrossed in the land, diligently seeking a means of survival.

Nobles are too far removed from adventurers, and the legend of the Eight Knights is equally distant and unattainable for the truly impoverished.

The circles of the upper, middle, and lower levels are separated by an invisible chasm, and no matter how long these people dig with hoes, they can never fill the vast chasm.

Until the seed sprouted, everyone's smile was the same.

Ryan hurried to the Swamp and saw the green shoots that had sprouted after the rain. This was the breath of life. On the second ten days, he finally saw the vitality of the Swamp.

"It really grew."

All around, countless serfs knelt on the ground, their eyes burning as they watched the wheat seedlings emerging from the soil, small and thin, like chives.

"I said that this land would provide us with food."

Ryan said loudly. At this moment, no one dared to contradict the nobleman in their hearts. When they looked at Ryan, their eyes were filled with deep loyalty. Food is the most important thing for people. No matter when, the nobleman who can provide them with food is kind. Even when they are old, they can proudly tell their grandchildren that they were once Lord Ryan's slaves and that Lord Ryan taught them to grow food in the frozen soil.

"I hope they will turn golden yellow in the fall."

"The God of Light favors our piety."

At this moment, Ryan truly hoped that the Sun in the sky, the great God of Light, could play a greater role. Sunlight is the source of all life, and people's faith in Him stems from this.

The news that wheat seedlings had appeared in the Swamp spread like wildfire throughout the noble circles. The nobles were all amazed, for they understood the difficulty of reclaiming wasteland. It was not the initial task of clearing away weeds and rocks, but rather the subsequent fertilization of the land and the actual growth of crops.

How could the nobles not be surprised that food could grow in that the Swamp area?

Some nobles even wanted to see if the wheat seedlings growing in that land were real.

Ryan did not stop it; the Swamp's farmland was originally his ultimate means of attracting nobles to join him.

The more nobles who come to visit, the better, as it will increase the prosperity of Zero Crossing City.

"Compared to the Swamp, the land in this world is simply a godsend."

Nidhogg, Ryan stood in the vast wheat field.

Lord Ryan is finally free from worrying about food for the whole year.

Nidhogg, the third city, has twenty-five cities and vast tracts of arable land. It's a world ruled by Dragons, with incredibly fertile land. Most importantly, it doesn't even have the Northlands.

If it weren't for the Dragons's destruction, the amount of food produced from the farmland we currently have would be enough to feed us for ten years.

Ten years!

It is easy to imagine the terrible damage that the previous Dragon Monarch caused to the production of human slaves, leaving them all emaciated and weak.

Spring has arrived, and it's the busy farming season in every world. With the Frost Giant attracting the Dragons ' hatred, Ryan has arranged for people to begin cultivating crops on a large scale, which is why he has been constantly entering this world these days.

(End of this chapter)