Administrator Prinster

The two sides faced off from several dozen meters apart, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

At first, Luo Ning's guards did not understand why the Baron had told them to take up their weapons.

But when they heard the newcomers speak in such an impolite tone, they seemed to understand.

At this moment, their admiration for Luo Ning deepened even further. The Baron was truly extraordinary—he had actually foreseen this situation.

Administrator Prinster sat on horseback and looked over Luo Ning's shoulder. The number of guards carrying swords matched his expectations: around thirty men. This gave him confidence.

"Lord Luo Ning, you may not know this, but I have served as Mountain Forest Town's Administrator for nine years. Over those years, even when the harvests were poor, even when we were attacked by savage tribes and Demon Beasts from Wushan, I was still able to pay Wushan Castle taxes worth ten gold coins every year."

These ten gold coins did not necessarily refer to money; equivalent goods were included as well.

It did not sound like much, but for a mountain town with fewer than a thousand people to pay that much tax every year was indeed quite impressive.

Luo Ning nodded slightly. "You have done very well. It was precisely because Wushan Castle recognized your abilities that it entrusted this town to your care for nine years."

He could not yet determine what measures the other party intended to take, so there was no harm in offering him a few compliments.

"Heh, but now, the place I worked so hard to manage for nine years is being handed over to a good-for-nothing with a notorious reputation like you!"

Prinster's gaze changed, becoming aggressive. "I refuse to accept this!"

"Why can nobles so easily take away the fruits of others' labor? Why should I hand over what is mine to a useless fool played by women?"

He roared furiously, "Why?!"

"Shut up!"

Macken drew the longsword in his hand and looked at Luo Ning. "My lord, let me go over there and kill him!"

But Luo Ning shook his head, signaling Macken not to make a move yet.

As someone who had transmigrated here, he could somewhat understand the other man's feelings.

Although Prinster had not been Mountain Forest Town's lord over the years, he had been no different from one. Asking him to acknowledge Luo Ning as his master now was indeed psychologically difficult for him to accept.

But understanding was one thing. Trying to seize what belonged to him was absolutely unacceptable.

"You were sent by Wushan Castle to manage Mountain Forest Town, but Mountain Forest Town does not belong to you. Whether you are angry or roaring, you cannot change this rule, because this is how the world works—it is ruled and dominated by nobles! If you want a territory of your own, the first thing you must do is offer your loyalty to a noble."

"But I understand you."

Luo Ning changed his tone. "As long as you dismount now and acknowledge me as your master, I can overlook your attitude today. If you pledge loyalty to me, perhaps one day you can become a Baron like I am now."

"Perhaps!"

Prinster slowly drew the sword at his waist. "But I have a better proposal."

The atmosphere fell to freezing point as killing intent slowly leaked out.

"Go on," Luo Ning said.

Prinster pointed his sword at Luo Ning. "I can kill you here and continue serving as Mountain Forest Town's Administrator."

"Oh? Aren't you afraid Wushan Castle will hold you accountable?"

Prinster laughed loudly. "Wild beasts and Demon Beasts often appear on the road to Mountain Forest Town. With only one Beginner Knight by your side and thirty infantrymen, it would be perfectly normal for you to die beneath the claws and fangs of Demon Beasts."

Clearly, the other party also possessed information about Luo Ning's personnel. Luo Ning believed that the moment he departed from Wushan Castle, that information had already been sent toward Mountain Forest Town.

Luo Ning did not believe Prinster had spies in Wushan Castle.

An Administrator of a small mountain town did not possess that kind of capability.

So Luo Ning was very curious. Where exactly had he obtained this information?

He studied the burly men on horseback beside Prinster. These four men did not seem ordinary. Could they also be Beginner Knights?

But Mountain Forest Town only had a few hundred residents. It should not have produced so many extraordinary individuals, should it?

Luo Ning tried to probe him for information.

"Your plan is indeed somewhat feasible. But I see that you only have twenty or thirty men over there. Are you really so confident that you can kill me so easily?"

As he spoke, he glanced back. "As for numbers, I have more people than you~"

"Haha, you really are as foolish as Wiggins! If numbers could decide everything, could Wushan Castle crush the Black Gold Brotherhood? Could it crush the Hyde Family?"

Prinster's face was full of disdain. "But the reality is that Wushan Castle is powerless against anyone!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became. Challenging the authority of nobles and trampling on their dignity were things he had long wanted to do. Today, he could finally do so.

"To tell you the truth, I am an Intermediate Knight myself, and I have four Beginner Knights beside me. Before absolute strength, you are no different from sheep in a pen."

He was already eagerly anticipating the look of fear on the face of Wushan Castle's Legitimate Grandson upon hearing such a lineup.

Yet he only saw a flicker of surprise cross Luo Ning's face.

Luo Ning was indeed surprised.

When they set out, everyone in Wushan Castle had assumed Mountain Forest Town would have at most one or two extraordinary individuals. Who could have expected there to be not only five extraordinary individuals, but even an Intermediate Knight?

Wushan Castle's intelligence-gathering ability was truly terrible. It could be said that they knew absolutely nothing about Mountain Forest Town.

Of course, there was another possibility: perhaps they had never cared about Mountain Forest Town at all. As long as they received ten gold coins in taxes every year, they did not care what happened here.

That was how a declining noble house gradually lost its control.

"I'll say it again, Prinster. And everyone behind you, listen carefully!"

Luo Ning regained his composure. "Before we begin, I can forgive your disrespect today. But if you still refuse to cherish your lives and insist on challenging my authority, then don't blame this newly arrived lord for killing people."

Prinster's expression had already darkened.

After ruling Mountain Forest Town for so many years, he had not heard such disrespectful words in a long time.

Over the years, he had eagerly wanted to see panic and fear on the faces of nobles. He had also desperately wanted to get the better of them.

Yet Luo Ning not only displayed none of that, but even turned around and shook the morale of his own side.

He noticed that some of the guards beside him were truly beginning to waver. After all, nobles were a deeply rooted concept in these people's minds, and they knew that they all belonged to Wushan Territory.

They could not keep talking any longer.

Prinster hardened his heart. "Archers, fire!"

The three archers did not waver. To them, nobles were vague and distant, while the Administrator was a real person who could grant them superior lives.

They quickly drew their bows and nocked arrows. In just two seconds, the arrows flew from the strings.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Macken charged out first.

Driven by Battle Qi, the Sword Aura on his longsword surged.

With a single sweeping strike, he severed all three arrows and sent them falling to the ground.

Prinster's pupils contracted violently, and his expression changed. "How could he be an Intermediate Knight?"

Since the fight had already begun, there was no need for more nonsense.

Luo Ning quickly gave his orders. "Leave Prinster to Macken. Remember to keep him alive if possible—I still have use for him!"

"Elrond, remember to treat the injured person in time."

Luo Ning pointed his longsword forward. "Everyone, kill!"

Macken shouted in response, "Traitors deserve to die!"

Hooves thundered urgently. Macken, Luo Ning, and David led the charge straight at the opposing formation, while the twenty-nine guards behind them also rushed forward.

Only the mage Elrond and the manservant Chahar remained behind and did not advance.

Prinster had not expected the other side to launch the charge. Moreover, they were attacking uphill while his side stood downhill, so the terrain was not especially favorable.

But now that the battle had begun, there was no point dwelling on positioning.

"Kill!"

With an angry roar, Battle Qi erupted from his entire body, and his aura was imposing.

On this great road, a fierce battle involving sixty or seventy people erupted.