The Brother's Change
Blackstone Pass, Ignas Fortress.
The name "Ignas" means "Eagle Nest" in ancient language. This massive fortress, perched atop a treacherous mountain pass, truly lives up to its name, resembling the nest of a raptor overlooking the earth—majestic and perilous.
It is the strategic core of Blackstone Pass, guarding the largest and most crucial passage from the Goldflower Kingdom to the northern wilderness, and the cornerstone of the kingdom's Northern Territory defense system.
However, "Blackstone Pass" does not refer to a single passage, but rather to the complex natural barrier region along the northern border of the kingdom, composed of continuous mountain ranges and deep canyons.
In this vast area, there are hundreds of passes, mountain paths, and river valleys of varying sizes that are passable.
While Eagle's Nest Fortress was indeed magnificent, it could only directly defend and control a few of the most important and suitable main lines of communication for large armies.
Even Earl Eisenberg, with his large army, felt powerless to reach and defend against the many other hidden and narrow paths.
Even when facing major passages, Eagle's Nest Fortress's strategy was more about deterrence and delay than complete blockade.
With its sturdy walls and dense Cannon, it could effectively block the Sauron's large-scale infantry legions from breaking through, and could also launch attacks at opportune moments to harass the enemy's logistics and marching columns.
However, even Eagle Nest often felt powerless against the Sauron Cavalry, who were swift and highly mobile.
The Sauron light cavalry could take advantage of their speed to bypass the fortress's frontal defenses and infiltrate and plunder from a wider area.
To this end, the commanders who guarded the Northern Territory throughout the ages devoted tremendous effort to building an elite cavalry force.
The Blackstone Cavalry under Earl Eisenberg, along with the Fran City Cavalry under Earl Rochefort, were known as the "Northern Border Iron Cavalry."
It was a trump card that the kingdom had carefully cultivated at the expense of most of the tax revenue from the Northern Territory, intended for use in open battle against and even counterattacks against the Sauron Cavalry.
However, despite possessing such a formidable weapon, Earl Eisenberg rarely dared to deploy it in actual field battles, especially in direct confrontation with the main cavalry force of the Sauron.
There are two profound reasons behind this.
Firstly, it stemmed from the Count's deep-seated fear.
The Battle of Grey Wolf Forest seven years ago was the most devastating defeat in the history of the Goldflower Kingdom's Northern Territory wars, bar none.
At that time, the ambitious King Heinrich X personally led an army of 80,000 men, intending to wipe out the Sauron Tribe in one fell swoop. However, he was ambushed and surrounded by the Sauron general Harald in the Gray Wolf Forest region, and his army was almost completely wiped out.
Several high-ranking generals were killed in battle or surrendered, and Heinrich X himself died of anger and resentment at the defeat.
At that time, Earl Eisenberg was leading a detachment on a flanking mission, narrowly escaping the devastating attack from the main battlefield, and successfully gathered some of the routed troops, allowing the entire division to retreat.
This traumatic experience was etched into his soul like a nightmare, completely shattering his courage and desire to attack.
From then on, he developed an almost instinctive fear of the Sauron army, especially its main cavalry force.
Whenever Sauron launched a large-scale southward invasion, he preferred to remain entrenched in the fortified Eagle's Nest Fortress, relying on the walls and Cannon for passive defense, occasionally firing muskets and arrows. The casualties inflicted on the massive Sauron army were merely a tickle.
He no longer dared, nor was he willing, to engage in a decisive battle with the Sauron Iron Cavalry in open terrain, a battle with an uncertain outcome.
Secondly, it stems from naked political calculations and family interests.
Earl Eisenberg had long regarded his elite cavalry, which he had built at great expense, as his private army and the most important military foundation of the Eisenberg Family.
In his view, these cavalrymen were a key asset in maintaining the family's superior position in the kingdom and intimidating other rivals, such as Schmidt in the south and Rochfort in the north.
If, for the sake of the so-called "interests of the kingdom," the Sauron to the death in open battle, or even be completely wiped out, then the strength and influence of the Eisenberg Family would surely plummet.
This is something he absolutely cannot accept.
Therefore, he was willing to bear the infamy of being "cowardly in battle" in order to preserve the strength of this cavalry force and use it as the ultimate tool to maintain the family's rule.
At this moment, this powerful Guardian of the Northern Border, who commanded a large army, sat alone in his study at the highest point of Eagle's Nest Fortress, overlooking the entire pass.
Outside the window were rolling mountains and winding paths, but inside, a somber and oppressive atmosphere permeated the space.
In his hand was the Kingdom Gazette, delivered by fast horse from the Royal Capital, Plai.
His gaze lingered on the front-page report of the "Great Victory at Carnford," his face somber, revealing neither joy nor anger.
A moment later, steady footsteps and the soft clanging of armor came from outside the study door.
A young, handsome officer, dressed in a crisp knight's uniform and exuding a composed demeanor, entered through the door and saluted respectfully.
"Count Excellency, you wanted to see me?"
The visitor was none other than Sir Friedrich von Schmidt, the eldest son of Duke Schmidt, who had been sent by the King to Blackstone Pass to serve under Earl Eisenberg and learn about the defenses of the Northern Territory.
Earl Eisenberg didn't turn around, but simply pushed the newspaper on the table back, his voice flat and emotionless. "Sir Friedrich, look, your brother in the Northern Territory has accomplished a truly remarkable feat."
Friedrich paused slightly, stepped forward, picked up the newspaper, and quickly began to browse through it.
When he saw the flowery language that lavished praise on Karl von Schmidt, a fleeting look of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly regained his composure.
His impression of Karl, his half-brother, was very vague.
In his memory, Karl always hid in a secluded corner of the manor, following behind the docile but unfavored Lady Eileen, and was introverted and even somewhat timid.
He showed no interest in knightly martial arts, aristocratic social interactions, or even mysterious magic, which was incompatible with the Schmidt Family's martial tradition and made him extremely unpopular with his father.
Later, I heard that his father had given him a random excuse and sent him to the Northern Territory to deal with the King's Pioneering Decree, which no one believed in, leaving him to fend for himself.
Friedrich never imagined that his frail younger brother, almost forgotten by the family, would not only survive in that harsh, dangerous land surrounded by powerful enemies, but also cause such a commotion!
Defeated Sauron's main force? Awarded by the King? Hailed as the "Light of the Northern Border"?
This is simply... so unexpected.
He put down the newspaper, a complex expression on his face—surprise, a tiny bit of family honor, but mostly an indescribable... curiosity and scrutiny.
"Indeed...surprising, Count Excellency." Friedrich chose his words carefully.
"As far as I remember, Karl... seemed to have no interest in military affairs. I never expected him to achieve such... remarkable military exploits in the Northern Territory." His tone was calm, revealing little emotional fluctuation, but for the first time, he felt a genuine "interest" in this almost unfamiliar younger brother.
He wanted to know what had transformed the timid boy from his memory into the "hero" described in the newspapers.
How much of this is true, and how much is exaggerated?
Earl Eisenberg turned around, his deep gaze falling on Friedrich's face, as if trying to see something in the eyes of the Schmidt Family heir.
He said slowly, "Yes, it's quite unexpected. It seems we all underestimated him. That old fellow, Carnford... Rochfort, really got a windfall this time, gaining a considerable reputation and military merit for nothing."
His tone was meaningful. "It seems the situation in the Northern Territory is about to change, Sir Friedrich. Perhaps you should pay more attention to your younger brother."
"Perhaps... you brothers will have some dealings with each other in the future."
Friedrich bowed slightly. "Yes, Count Excellency, I will keep that in mind."
In his heart, he did indeed develop a strong interest in his younger brother, who had suddenly risen to fame in the far Northern Territory, and a subtle sense of competition.