Another Hero

After more than ten days, word that Reiner had led his army to the edge of his territory to resist the Krad People spread through most of the Northern Frontier. Some admired his actions, but they still did not think much of his strategy.

Others thought this nobleman, who had only just inherited his title, was utterly foolish. Though the Krad People were formidable fighters, even ants could kill an elephant in sufficient numbers. That saying did not exist among Imperial proverbs, but everyone understood the principle.

If their numbers were close, the well-equipped Northern Frontier lords, backed by iron mines, naturally had nothing to fear. But the enemy's numbers had reached a point where equipment and training could no longer make up the difference. They could only avoid the enemy's edge.

"Reiner? He's brave! But I'll be even braver than him!" A young nobleman rapped his knuckles against a table in his castle. Having inherited his father's title not long ago, he was even more eager than Reiner to establish his authority. His unusually vast barony was far more complicated than Morland Castle.

"Don't do this, Kahn. We'll lose too many troops in the war. So many people are watching us like hawks right now. Don't do something that weakens us like this!"

A middle-aged knight stood before Kahn and spoke. Having only recently inherited his title, Kahn's position was insecure, which was why he was so aggressive. He wanted everyone to see that their Liege Lord was a highly capable man.

"Stop trying to talk me out of it! I have to make everyone accept me as soon as possible! They may still be willing to listen to me now, but after some time, I can't be sure that will remain true!"

Kahn's expression was grim. The recent rumors throughout his territory had made him deeply uncomfortable, and the contempt some people showed him filled him with rage.

"Everyone has gathered at the castle already. If I mobilize some more freemen, we can raise over four hundred men. I refuse to believe the invading Krad People truly number more than a thousand!"

Kahn spoke with complete certainty, but the knight continued to plead with him. "This year's snow is far heavier than usual. The prey in the Frigid Forest will surely be greatly reduced, so more Krad People than ever will cross the border to plunder! We should be more cautious!"

"I've made my decision. Do not try to persuade me again. Order the troops to assemble at once. The freemen are to take up their weapons and put on their padded armor. I will crush the enemy before they enter my territory!" Baron Kahn declared solemnly.

The knight looked at the young Liege Lord before him and could only sigh helplessly. "Yes, my lord. I will convey your orders at once!"

Once his orders were issued, they immediately caused a tremendous uproar. His vassals all expressed dissatisfaction with the command, but since they had sworn loyalty to him, they could not openly refuse to obey.

The freemen were the same. Some even refused military service and chose to support him with grain instead. Freemen had an obligation to serve their lord in battle, but they could substitute grain for service.

After all, they could be considered wealthy farmers. They could afford a padded armor and a war pick or a spear, and their better diet made them physically stronger than ordinary serfs. Thus, they were the greatest force besides the lord's professional soldiers and knights.

But freemen, or independent farmers, still feared death. Like citizens of higher status, they had obligations, but they also possessed considerable rights.

Moreover, they held force in their own hands, so nobles generally did not dare go too far.

However, as the Empire had enjoyed peace for many years and warfare had become far less common, the freemen's status had gradually declined. Many were even driven into bankruptcy by their lords, who annexed their lands and turned them into serfs.

And so, he led more than two hundred soldiers and freemen in a grand procession toward the edge of his territory.

The camp followers, merchants and prostitutes who usually accompanied every army on campaign had no intention of following this time. Kahn's plan was simply too risky, and no one in the entire barony had faith in this battle.

For their own safety, they did not set out with the army. The Krad People were not like Imperial men; in their eyes, there was only food and women. The moment they encountered enemies, they would begin slaughtering without restraint.

Meanwhile, a barony north of Baron Kahn's territory had already fallen completely. Desperate with hunger, the Krad People had forced their way into the castle with their bare bodies, looted everything inside, and finally burned the small earthen-and-wooden castle to the ground.

As for the people inside, naturally, they had all been wiped out. Only a few lucky ones escaped the Krad People. Apart from women capable of bearing children and young children, everyone had died at the Krad People's hands.

Some castles had been breached by the Krad People before, but those cases had been rare. Over the past twenty years, only three castles had fallen.

Refugees fleeing south from the north gradually brought this news to Baron Kahn.

After hearing the refugees' account, his expression gradually turned grave. More than a thousand men had directly breached a castle—something he had never anticipated.

He was beginning to regret his decision. The enemy's numbers far exceeded those of previous years. In the past, the Krad People would leave some of their people in the north, and not many would reach this area. Most merely plundered wandering residents who had failed to reach the castles in time.

But this time was far more serious. His northern neighbor had been wiped out entirely, and a large number of enemies continued marching south to plunder after their raid.

"Baron, the enemy will likely enter our territory tomorrow. If we return to the castle now, there is still time!" The knight who had always tried to dissuade Baron Kahn urged him again.

Baron Kahn was consumed by anxiety. He wanted to go back as well, but there was no turning back now. Having only recently inherited the territory, he had overruled all opposition and insisted on facing the enemy directly to raise his prestige.

If he backed down now, he would undoubtedly become a laughingstock among all his vassals and residents. Other lords would mock him as well.

His prestige would collapse, creating countless problems, and his rule would become unstable because of it. He had no way back now and could only press on.

"Shut up, old man! If you keep saying things that disrupt morale, I'll revoke your fief!" The anxiety in his heart made him increasingly irritable, and he actually insulted one of his staunchest supporters like this.

The middle-aged knight stared blankly at Baron Kahn. At last, he merely lowered his head so that no one could see his expression and said quietly, "Yes, my lord. I will fight for you until the moment I die!"

The agitated Baron Kahn did not notice the implication in his words at all. He ordered the army to go on alert, while the knights began patrolling the area to prevent the Krad People from secretly crossing the border.

Meanwhile, at Morland Castle, as Reiner led his army through ice and snow to camp at the border, more than half a month passed before they finally saw the first Wolf Smoke Signal shoot straight into the sky.