Negotiation

Derek accepted the mission. Of course, he knew the dangers and difficulties involved.

To those lofty figures, this so-called hero was perhaps nothing more than a somewhat valuable chess piece.

Sending him to Saint Myra Province would conveniently block the Holy Cross Kingdom's counterattack.

If he succeeded, everyone would naturally be happy.

Even if he failed, it would not matter much. He would still be better than picking some random useless fool.

Derek understood. He was willing to be that chess piece.

Their arrogance and contempt were precisely what gave him an opportunity.

The titles of Baron and Viscount might seem the most valuable.

But what he valued most was the position of Commander of the Saint Myra Legion.

Perhaps it was pity reserved for cannon fodder, but to Derek, it was the most important thing.

Righteous cause and legitimacy.

In name, the Saint Michael Legion could operate throughout the entire province and garrison anywhere.

And being deep in enemy territory, there would be no one around to meddle.

As for troop limits, that was a joke.

"Sooner or later, you'll regret this."

Derek quickly took command of the new Saint Michael Legion with his subordinates. Its soldiers were all capable men transferred from the Second Legion.

Count Perella had been quite generous in this regard and had not stuffed the ranks with Militia to make up the numbers.

Though he inevitably planted some of his own people within it, it was still far better than the ideal situation Derek had expected.

Now that Derek held power, he naturally began placing his trusted men everywhere.

As for how he judged them, all he had to do was open the Panel. Those listed on it might not be one hundred percent loyal, but those absent from it definitely were not loyal enough.

While others were still making preparations, Derek had already completed the initial integration and set off at once.

During that time, a letter from the Ferrera Family finally arrived. A group of paternal and maternal cousins came to seek refuge with him, bringing news from Baron Ferrera along the way.

"Count Perella's granddaughter?"

Upon hearing the news, Derek finally understood why Count Perella had been so generous.

After considering it for only a second, he agreed immediately.

What damned love? It simply did not exist in this era.

As for skinny commoner girls, he was even less likely to be interested.

In fact, even without considering political factors, his choices for a wife were extremely limited—unless he had unusual tastes.

"Tell Father that I agree, but the marriage must be postponed for a while, at least until Saint Myra Province is stable."

Derek replied to Baron Ferrera. Before leaving, he personally paid a Visit to Count Perella and subtly conveyed his intentions.

Then he took another batch of weapons, equipment, provisions, and fodder with him.

This marriage was no loss.

Saint Myra Province. The Barbarians were on the move.

This southern raid had not been difficult to win. The difficult part was holding on to the gains.

In truth, given the current strength of the three southern nations, the Barbarian Kingdom would definitely be hung up and beaten.

Once the war machine started moving, it was not so easy to stop.

But the Barbarians could no longer quietly build up their strength.

As their population and power expanded, they needed more trade and outside resources.

Petty smuggling was utterly incapable of meeting a nation's needs.

And the best way to gain recognition was naturally to show off one's muscles.

From the very beginning, the Holy Cross Kingdom had been their primary target.

Thanks to smuggling, the Holy Cross Kingdom's corrupt church and nobility would make the best business partners.

But if the two nations established diplomatic relations, that rigid kingdom which clung to its sacred name would never agree so easily.

The only thing they had not expected was for the Locke Kingdom to turn things around.

Thus, the plan had to be hastily revised.

According to the original plan, the Barbarians were supposed to withstand the Holy Cross Kingdom's first wave of attacks themselves, while transporting large quantities of people and supplies back to their homeland.

Then, in winter, they would hand Saint Myra Province over to the Locke Kingdom.

They would let the two nations, both of which had completed their war mobilization, tear each other apart.

The opening this created would allow the Barbarian Kingdom's strength to grow greatly and give it more confidence.

But the plan had changed, and adjustments had to be made.

The people and supplies they had plundered amounted to only a tenth of what they had imagined, while their army's losses were far from small.

And if the Locke Kingdom, which had preserved its strength, entered the Holy Cross Kingdom, would that lead to a one-sided situation?

All of this was enough to give the Barbarian think tank a headache.

But they did not dare delay any longer. Otherwise, if they drew the attacks of both kingdoms, their losses would likely be even greater.

The frontline commanders who knew of the plan complained that their Locke Kingdom companions were useless while rushing to transport the population.

Yet they still underestimated Derek's speed. Right at the border of the Holy Cross Kingdom, the new Saint Michael Legion intercepted a Barbarian unit.

"What are you doing?"

The Barbarian officer was extremely tense. He had never heard of the Saint Michael Legion, but the other side outnumbered his men.

Simon personally held the attachment to the documents exchanged between the two nations, practically ready to throw it in the other man's face.

"Saint Myra Province was handed over to our Locke Kingdom half a month ago.

Now that our two nations have established diplomatic relations, are you trying to violate the alliance treaty?"

The Barbarian officer had not expected to encounter such a situation.

With a grim expression, he answered, "I am only carrying out orders. If there is a dispute, go speak to our Great Commander."

"Heh!" Simon waved his hand. "Take them."

What damned Barbarians? He was not afraid of them.

They were nothing but beaten dogs he had chased into flight.

The Barbarian officer had never imagined they would actually make a move. Though he had brought his men with him, the prepared soldiers of the Saint Michael Legion easily captured them.

Even the guards who resisted were cut down right before his eyes.

"You... you are violating the alliance treaty."

The Barbarian officer was both shocked and furious.

"I am clearing out a Slave-Hunting Team trafficking people. The witnesses and evidence are all here. What else do you have to say?"

Legally speaking, that was indeed the case, but how could he put it that way?

The matter quickly blew up. The Barbarian army, still busy moving supplies, abruptly came to a halt.

Several nearby Barbarian forces quickly converged, but the Saint Michael Legion was extremely forceful. They directly raised the Two-Headed Dragon Banner and even arrested people right in front of a thousand-man unit.

By the time the Barbarian Great Commander arrived, the atmosphere had become like a powder keg.

Derek finally appeared and met with the Barbarian Great Commander, Wilson.

"Viscount Derek, are you trying to provoke a conflict between our two nations?"

The other man tried to intimidate him from the moment they met.

But Derek was no pushover either and immediately pushed back hard.

"Then let's go to war. At worst, I'll be stripped of my title."

Wilson's momentum was instantly crushed. Of course, he did not dare start a war now. Otherwise, would all their efforts not have been for nothing?

"This is your fault. Release my men first."

"No. You violated the alliance treaty. According to the treaty our two nations just signed, you have no right to touch a single blade of grass in Saint Myra Province, and you must wait for our army to formally complete the handover before withdrawing.

Now, I have caught some scum among your people. You should thank me. Or should I say... this was officially ordered by your Barbarian Kingdom?"

Naturally, Wilson did not dare admit it. Treaties were like toilet paper, but only for the stronger side.

Coincidentally, the Barbarian Kingdom needed something from others, while Derek held the psychological advantage and was not afraid of the Barbarians at all.