Pioneer War

From atop the platform, Thor looked at the expressions of the serfs below, and a smile appeared on his face. This was undoubtedly the outcome he wanted. Before returning, he had not acted immediately. On one hand, preparations were needed; on the other, the information needed time to spread and ferment.

After all, it was not easy to mobilize a group of numb, apathetic people.

But once hope had been kindled in them, mobilizing them became much easier.

"Goddess of Life above, I shall grant you a chance at rebirth."

"You shall once again have the chance to bask in the radiance of the Goddess of Life!"

"Today, I shall launch a Pioneer War against a Goblin Tribe. I promise that anyone who kills three Timid Goblins in this Pioneer War will have the chance to shed their status as serfs. Kill ten goblins, and I, the lord of Eagle Ridge, will not only free you from serfdom, but also allow you to join the Reserve Knight Corps, granting you the chance to become knights."

"Will you fight alongside me?"

Thor's voice rang out, amplified by Life Source Power until it echoed in everyone's ears.

As his words fell, all three thousand five hundred people instantly had bloodshot eyes.

The three thousand at the rear were especially so.

Even the five hundred at the front were not much better.

Although Thor had previously promised that diligent enough work would give them a chance to escape serfdom.

No one knew how long that would take or what exactly they would have to do.

This time, however, he had given them a complete path.

As well as conditions they could certainly fulfill.

Three Timid Goblins.

As long as they could kill them, they would be freed from serfdom.

Though it required fighting.

They were not too afraid when the opponents were merely Timid Goblins.

They even saw it as an attainable goal.

Not to mention that their lord had promised that if they killed ten Timid Goblins, they could even join the Reserve Knight Corps and have a chance to become knights.

That prospect immediately made it impossible for everyone to contain themselves.

A knight had a genuine chance of becoming a noble.

It was the key to rising through the social ranks in this world.

Once such terms were offered, not only serfs, but even free commoners would go mad for them.

Eagle Ridge was no different at this moment.

"My lord!"

"My lord!"

"We are willing to fight alongside you!"

The three thousand five hundred people erupted in earth-shaking cries. Their voices mingled together, and every one of them began breathing heavily.

"Good!"

"I, the lord of Eagle Ridge, have heard your answer."

"May the Goddess of Life shine upon you!"

Thor nodded, then waved his hand.

The next moment, Reserve Knights swiftly began distributing the weapons Thor had purchased earlier in Loren City.

He had spent quite a few gold coins on those weapons.

But for now, those expenses were necessary.

As the weapons were handed out, the three thousand five hundred serfs, including the freed commoners from before, could not help but feel excited and exhilarated.

"Move out!"

Seeing the hopeful and excited looks in their eyes, Thor drew his Knight's Sword and gave the order.

At that moment, he was brimming with confidence.

He could already see his victory.

One Great Knight.

More than thirty Formal Knights.

Over a hundred Apprentice Knights and more than two hundred Reserve Knights.

Along with three thousand five hundred serfs.

They faced only five or six thousand Timid Goblins. He could not even imagine the possibility of defeat.

He was even confident that, with Blazing Oil, they could leave none of the goblins alive.

They would eliminate the threat once and for all.

The force set out in great numbers.

Their target was the large Timid Goblin Tribe.

The distance of several dozen miles was covered quickly, and by the next day, they had already approached the large Timid Goblin Tribe.

Thor waved his hand, bringing everyone to a halt.

At the same time, he swiftly issued orders.

He had the three thousand men spread out in a fan-shaped formation to encircle the large Timid Goblin Tribe.

His plan was simple.

The main force of knights would charge directly into the large Goblin Tribe, then use Blazing Oil to set the entire tribe ablaze. Once the large Goblin Tribe was crushed and thrown into chaos, the next step would be slaughter.

With four hundred knights slaughtering them directly and three thousand five hundred serfs clearing the perimeter, as long as they moved fast enough, they could ensure that not a single Timid Goblin escaped.

"Ryan, I'll leave these people to you!"

"I will assign three knights, thirty Apprentice Knights, and one hundred Reserve Knights to follow your orders. Don't disappoint me."

After speaking, Thor looked at Ryan beside him.

"Yes, my lord!"

Ryan nodded, excitement visible on his face.

This was his first time leading a Knight Order, and he had more than three thousand serfs under him as well. It represented his lord's immense trust in him.

Alongside his nervousness was a thrill of excitement.

"Steve!"

After giving his instructions, Thor turned his gaze toward Steve.

"My lord!"

Steve replied respectfully.

"Check the supplies and inspect the Blazing Oil. We move out in two hours."

Thor swiftly gave another order.

"Yes!"

Steve hurriedly nodded.

Afterward.

Steve and Ryan quickly got to work.

Ryan led the three thousand-plus people as they began spreading out in every direction.

Steve, meanwhile, began checking the supplies and equipment.

Time slowly passed.

In the blink of an eye, two hours had gone by.

Thor swung himself onto his warhorse.

The more than two hundred knights mounted their horses as well.

"Certain victory!"

Thor's voice rang out.

"Certain victory!"

"Certain victory!"

The two hundred men behind him answered in unison.

The next moment, the two hundred riders charged forward like a howling gale, plunging straight toward the distant large Goblin Tribe.

Boom.

Rumble!

As more than two hundred knights thundered forward, the ground itself shook violently.

The distance of several miles was quickly crossed.

And the enormous commotion.

Soon alerted the Timid Goblins.

Inside the underground caverns of a mining site.

Goblins, noticeably more robust than ordinary Timid Goblins, had gathered together.

At the very center, an even larger Timid Goblin held a scepter with its eyes closed.

At that moment.

A flustered goblin ran inside.

"Bad news, bad news!"

"Bad news!"

"Humans are here!"

"Humans!"

The Timid Goblin that rushed in was panicked and terrified.

In an instant, the Timid Goblins in the cavern began to panic as well.

Goblins were the lowest class of beastmen, treated almost like food within beastman tribes, while among humans, they were nearly always slaughtered.

Even the goblin leader could not help but panic upon hearing that humans had come.