Feigning Surrender

The interrogation went on for quite some time, until Malt had confessed everything he knew.

Aside from the information that Prinster, Dyson, and the others were loyal to Baron Leysen, the second most important piece of intelligence was the defensive strength of Sain Territory.

Baron Leysen Sain himself was an Advanced Peak Knight, reportedly only one step away from being promoted to Bronze Rank.

Besides that, he had a Knight Squad, whose captain, Philiton Henry, was also an Advanced Knight.

Other than the three carrying out a mission in Mountain Forest Town, the Knight Squad of Sain Territory had two Intermediate Knights and six Beginner Knights.

Luo Ning found a stone by the roadside and sat down.

Even including Malt, who had just surrendered to him, his side had only five extraordinary individuals in total.

Sain Territory, on the other hand, had ten extraordinary individuals, including two Advanced Knights.

From Intermediate Rank to Advanced Rank, the amount of Battle Qi increased dramatically. Even with Macken's extensive combat experience, he might not be a match for them.

After comparing their strength, Luo Ning felt that if he went to war with Sain Territory now, he would have almost no chance of winning.

But he knew full well that the other side had already regarded Mountain Forest Town as something in the bag. Now that Luo Ning had become the lord of Mountain Forest Town, Resen would not let the matter rest easily.

This vicious neighbor would not be easy to deal with!

"My lord, the casualty report is complete."

At that moment, the mage Elrond walked over. "Although the battle ended rather quickly, seven of our men suffered minor injuries, while three were seriously injured."

Luo Ning's expression tightened. Though these men were ordinary people, they were practically his trusted retainers. He did not want to lose a single one of them.

"How are the seriously injured doing?"

"I've treated two of them well enough that they should be fine after two weeks of rest. The remaining one is more severely injured. His arm was nearly severed, and the bone was damaged. He'll likely need a month of rest."

"Take me to him."

Led by Elrond, Luo Ning came before the severely wounded guard. Chahar had already bandaged him and cut away his bloodstained sleeve.

"How are you feeling?" Luo Ning asked with concern.

Seeing the lord personally bend down to check on him, the guard immediately looked overwhelmed with gratitude. Excitement flushed his pale face red. "My lord, Master Mage has already treated me. I only need one month before I can raise my sword and fight for you again!"

Luo Ning patted his shoulder. "Recover properly."

Then he instructed Chahar, "Take good care of the wounded from this battle. We can't let the guards shed blood and suffer afterward."

"Yes, my lord!"

"Also, Elrond, once you've refined your mana, treat the seriously injured guards a few more times when you can. Help them recover faster."

"Yes, my lord!"

Luo Ning went on to inspect and comfort the other wounded men, while also praising the guards for their brave performance in the battle.

Though he had merely shown his face and expressed concern, the effect was excellent. The guards' recognition and reverence for Luo Ning deepened greatly.

Returning to where he had been, Luo Ning asked, "What about the casualties among the people from Mountain Forest Town?"

"I counted those as well."

Elrond shook his head. "All three archers died. Of the twenty infantrymen, only five survived, and they were all badly injured. My mana was limited, so I didn't treat them."

Compared to Luo Ning's side, the infantrymen who had followed Prinster had suffered devastating casualties.

All that could be said was that Luo Ning's guards had fought too fiercely.

"My lord, how should we deal with Prinster and the other two?" Elrond asked.

Luo Ning rubbed his brow. "Dyson and the one called Kate are from Sain Territory, so naturally I can't keep them. As for Prinster, I would like to keep him. He may still be of some use."

He rose to his feet and walked toward the prisoners.

Luo Ning waved a hand, signaling Macken to lower his sword and stop holding it to Prinster's neck.

Prinster looked at Luo Ning, an indescribable glint appearing in his eyes. "You've been very calm from beginning to end. And the way you handle matters is completely different from Count Wiggins."

Luo Ning chuckled. "Tell me, then. What is Count Wiggins's way of doing things?"

"Casual, willful, thoughtless, and impatient."

Prinster spoke with a hint of mockery. "That isn't merely my assessment of him. Many people assess him that way."

Luo Ning thought about it. He had not had much contact with Wiggins since arriving in this world, but the man's behavior did seem to match that description.

Come to think of it, outside opinions could be quite accurate sometimes.

"I'll give you a chance. Will you submit to me?" Luo Ning asked.

He did not truly intend to take Prinster into his service. Rather, he needed to understand Mountain Forest Town's population, production, surrounding environment, and many other matters, all of which would take considerable time and effort.

If Prinster were willing to open his mouth and cooperate with Luo Ning in helping him understand and take control of these matters, it would save him a great deal of time.

As for how he would deal with Prinster afterward, that could only be decided then.

"Fine!"

Prinster abandoned his previous silence. "I can submit to you, but I demand that you confer knighthood on me before all the citizens of Mountain Forest Town."

Luo Ning did not agree immediately. Instead, he considered the purpose behind this request.

Was Prinster trying to ensure his survival through this method? After all, if Luo Ning conferred knighthood on him in public, he would be unable to act against him later without a legitimate reason.

"From what you said earlier, you seem to hold nobles in contempt. Yet now you want me to confer knighthood on you..."

Luo Ning did not continue. Instead, he agreed decisively. "Fine. I accept, future Sir Prinster."

"Please accept my loyalty, Lord Luo Ning!" Enduring the pain, Prinster dropped to one knee.

This scene made Malt, who had been preparing to surrender, feel his heart skip a beat. He had not expected Prinster to survive.

After dealing with Prinster, Luo Ning walked over to Dyson and Kate. Both of them were Baron Leysen's men.

"Malt!"

Hearing his name called so suddenly, Malt shuddered. His heart pounded wildly, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He did not know whether Luo Ning would spare him for being the first to surrender and reveal information.

"My lord, your command!" he replied respectfully.

"Pick up your sword and end Dyson and Kate's lives," Luo Ning ordered.

Malt froze. He had not expected the Baron before him to make him kill his former companions.

But he quickly came to his senses and drew his longsword. "I am willing to serve you!"

"No, don't! You can't kill me!"

Kate was so terrified that he wet himself and fainted again, leaving only Dyson to beg and threaten them. "I am Baron Leysen's knight! If you kill me, the Baron will never let you go!"

Luo Ning said nothing, merely watching Malt pick up the longsword.

"No, you can't kill me!"

Terror filled Dyson's face. "Lord Philiton is already on his way! If you kill me, he will definitely avenge me!"

"Stop!"

Those words shocked Luo Ning into a cold sweat, and he hurriedly stopped Malt from striking.

"What did you say? Philiton is heading for Mountain Forest Town?"

Dyson seemed to have seized a lifeline. "Prinster used a Carrier Pigeon to send out your information when you were passing through the previous two mountains. Lord Philiton has been on the way for a long time already!"

Luo Ning's expression changed drastically. His group had rested here for at least three hours. Adding the time it took to cross two mountains, at least five hours had passed.

Carrier Pigeons were fast and flew in straight lines. From Mountain Forest Town to Sain Ridge, it would probably take no more than twenty or thirty minutes.

In other words, Philiton had set out roughly four and a half hours ago!

Luo Ning looked at Malt. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Malt immediately panicked. He dropped the longsword in his hand, knelt on the ground, and hurriedly defended himself.

"My lord, I didn't know about this! Prinster hates nobles, and he also hates me for being noble-born. There are many matters I have no access to!"

Luo Ning looked toward Prinster.

The man who had just chosen to submit to him was now staring coldly at Dyson. "Useless trash!"

In that instant, Luo Ning understood. Prinster had not submitted at all. He had merely been stalling for time.

As long as Philiton arrived, he would have a chance to survive.

The one thing he had not expected was that Luo Ning would insist on killing Dyson, and that Dyson would reveal such important information.

For a moment, Luo Ning's heart fell into turmoil as well.

Philiton was an Advanced Knight of Sain Territory, and he definitely would not be coming alone!

"What should I do?"

I've drawn a map. If anyone is interested, you can check it out in the comments section. It only distinguishes the approximate locations of the main cities in the early stages, so please excuse my limited drawing ability.

Also, any sirs who haven't invested yet can consider making an investment. I checked, and there still aren't many investors, so you can still earn a few Qidian coins.