Pride and Prejudice

Pride and prejudice had always hung over humanity.

Derek encountered the arrogant Harvey Garcia—this was the pride and prejudice Royal Capital nobles held toward country nobles.

Yet he himself had made the same mistake of pride and prejudice.

Everyone believed that Barbarians were backward, ignorant, and uncivilized, and that their defeat in the War of Secession thirty years ago had merely been the result of a lucky strike.

Afterward, the three nations had been too occupied by civil war to spare a hand to deal with this trouble.

Perhaps the Barbarians of thirty years ago had indeed been like that, fitting the Locke Kingdom nobles' impression of them.

But what had been taken from them back then was not only land, but also a vast population.

How could the Barbarians have made no progress in thirty years?

Over the course of an entire generation, the Barbarians had established a rudimentary semi-feudal system, acquired a certain degree of technical and military knowledge, and even had some descendants of the Locke Kingdom serving them.

It was only because the Northern Lands were remote, with a buffer zone in between and deeply entrenched prejudice, that people had overlooked the Barbarians' changes.

The land they had voluntarily yielded back then had instead become an excellent barrier.

Although some nobles had always traded with the Barbarians, they still believed from the bottom of their hearts that the Barbarians were ignorant and uncivilized.

Even Derek had thought so. How many Northland Nobles could truly be clearheaded?

Thus, when the Barbarian army suddenly appeared, the unprepared Northland Nobles were caught completely off guard.

It was not only the Locke Kingdom. Barbarians had also appeared in the neighboring Holy Cross Kingdom.

Thirty years ago, they could still call it luck.

Thirty years later, the Barbarians openly declared that they had officially stepped onto the stage of the southern continent.

The nobles and even the kingdom officials of the Northern Province had been utterly unprepared. In just a few days, the Barbarians had stormed four or five cities with lightning speed, even beheading a count.

More nobles and kingdom troops suffered devastating blows. It seemed that the scene from thirty years ago was playing out once more.

By the time Derek heard the news, ten days had already passed since the Barbarian invasion began.

After countless obstacles, the news had finally spread.

Only then did the Northland Nobles realize that it was not a rumor.

Many people had not been ready. War had come far too soon.

According to the kingdom's plans, they should still have had half a year to train and raise a force.

But now, only two months had passed. Many farmers had held weapons for less than a month—how much fighting strength could they possibly have?

Most importantly, scattered farmers could not accomplish anything at all.

Even the huge stockpiles of supplies had all become spoils for the Barbarians.

The Ferrera Family urgently convened a meeting to discuss this enormous upheaval.

"The Barbarian vanguard has already reached Ironwall City. If anything happens to Ironwall City, the entire northern part of the province will fall, and Watch City will be their next target."

Baron Ferrera had fought in war before, so he possessed some basic military knowledge.

On the map, the entire Northern Province had two clear dividing lines.

North of Ironwall City, the provincial capital, lay directly exposed to the Barbarians and the Holy Cross Kingdom.

South of Watch City was closer to the heartland.

The Ferrera Family was located on Watch City's side, not too far north.

Count Perez's territory, however, lay right in the middle.

If the intelligence was accurate, small groups of Barbarians had surely already bypassed Ironwall City. Count Perella's territory might even have come under attack.

But they could not be optimistic either. If something went wrong on the front line, the Ferrera Family would be the first to bear the brunt. There would be nowhere to run.

Thus, the head of the Ferrera Family was extremely agitated, gesturing back and forth over the map.

"I estimate the Governor's order will arrive soon.

"Following kingdom custom, a provisional legion will likely be formed nearby to support the front line.

"Ironwall City cannot fall. Otherwise, the entire Northern Lands will be lost."

Baron Ferrera had a clear understanding of the situation. Guarding their own little patch of land was useless now. Only by holding Ironwall City could they buy themselves some breathing room.

After his initial shock, Derek had already adjusted his mindset on the way here. He now asked a crucial question. "What is the situation in Ironwall City? Can it hold?"

"I don't know. The current Governor comes from the court nobility and has no military achievements.

"The Iron Lion Legion is stationed in Ironwall City, with an authorized strength of only three thousand. Though it has been expanding recently, it is hard to say how many men it actually has.

"With the City Guard and the nobles' private troops added in, it should be able to hold as long as they do not do anything foolish." Baron Ferrera had a terrible headache. Due to a certain prejudice, he did not think highly of the current Governor.

That made sense. A Governor from the court nobility would inevitably be looked down upon by the military nobles of the Northern Lands.

Derek had not expected the situation to become so dire so quickly, but he also saw an opportunity in it.

"First, regardless of whether Ironwall City can hold, we must prepare for both possibilities.

"Some people should evacuate immediately and head into the mountains.

"Father, you should remain here personally to hold the family together. With the castle here, we can at least hold out for a while if anything happens.

"My eldest brother and I will prepare to march. We cannot just stand by and watch."

Derek understood that when the lips were gone, the teeth would be cold. Once the organized forces of the Northern Province were wiped out, the nobles would be doomed if they had to fight alone.

Therefore, whether Ironwall City held or fell, they had to fight.

"Derek is right, Father." His eldest brother Marco also agreed. "Second Brother is still serving in Ironwall City, so we cannot ignore him. Fourth Brother is still at home, so let him leave first. That is the safest course."

From a rational standpoint, even if the worst happened, the Ferrera Family would not lose its lineage.

Moreover, neither the honor of the Northland Nobles nor practical considerations would allow them to retreat.

The people of the Northern Lands had all seen the fate of those nobles who lost their lands thirty years ago.

How many had already seen their bloodlines cut off and lost the glory of their ancestors?

Baron Ferrera knew that Derek's arrangements were sound.

It was time to make a decision.

"Baron, an order from the Governor."

The Knight Commander burst in, bringing the kingdom's order.

"Let me see it."

Baron Ferrera took the order. It was a general proclamation.

"By order of the Governor of the kingdom's Northern Province, provisional legions are to be formed.

"...

"Count Perella is appointed Legion Commander of the Second Provisional Legion. All forces are to assemble within three days of receiving this order and depart within ten days to reinforce Ironwall City.

"All military merits in this battle shall be recorded. After the war, titles and lands shall be granted as rewards without stinginess."

Clearly, this Governor had not given up resistance, and his mind was very clear.

As the highest official of the Northern Province, he had the authority to issue such an order on the King's behalf.

The King would certainly honor the rewards after the war. Otherwise, the kingdom's credibility would collapse.

Baron Ferrera finally made up his mind.

"Do as Derek said. Leave some soldiers behind. Marco, take everyone else with you."

Once Baron Ferrera had made the arrangements, the family's forces would naturally be entrusted to Marco.

Derek was considered an independent individual.

"I will speed up recruitment and push their training. If anything happens, we can at least hold the line for a while.

"Derek, help take care of your brother."

The final sentence was merely a father's request.

"I will."

Derek gave his word. As long as it was within his power, he certainly would not stand by and do nothing.