Preparing to Leave

The castle was gripped by panic, but Baron Kluo did not make things difficult for anyone. He gathered everyone together and publicly announced that he would be leaving. He released everyone from their contracts and let the castle servants decide for themselves. He did not object if they wished to follow him, nor did he force those who did not.

Most of the castle servants chose to leave. The baron generously gave them some travel money as payment for their years of work at the castle. Only a small number—those with no attachments or those completely loyal to the baron—chose to leave with him. This group mainly consisted of the castle guards and the promising Breathing Method candidates who had been selected. The baron dealt with the castle's final affairs in an orderly manner.

As for Aishweil, Leila, and Mia, they had no choice but to leave. As nobles of the castle, they would certainly face retribution from the Saladin Kingdom. Combined with the beauty of the three young women, it was not hard to imagine what would happen if they were discovered by the Saladin army.

Over the past two days, Green had also learned the detailed route plan. Based on the Saladin Kingdom's strategic intentions, they would certainly first use the rivers to seize the territories on both sides of the roads. Therefore, the first thing they needed to do was get far away from the rivers.

The baron intended for the convoy to head north as quickly as possible, enter the Vissas Plains, then change course toward Allendale Port, the Maslow Alliance's largest port.

As for why they were not fleeing toward the capital of the Lodin Kingdom, the road to the royal capital would inevitably pass through Duke Lothan's territory. The baron's lands were trapped between Duke Lothan and the Saladin Kingdom's army, so they could only head north, which would also take them away from the south-flowing rivers.

Every war between the Saladin Kingdom and the Lodin Kingdom drove many refugees into the Maslow Alliance. Although the Maslow Alliance refused to admit refugees, it welcomed nobles carrying large amounts of wealth. As long as they could safely reach a port in the Maslow Alliance, everything afterward would be much easier.

In just two days, the Saladin Kingdom's invasion had already greatly affected the entire Lodin Kingdom. Large numbers of refugees passed through Baron Kluo's territory.

The refugees who passed through wore expressions of fear and exhaustion. Their eyes were vacant and lost, and from time to time, they looked back at the road they had come from, filled with longing. The war between the Saladin Kingdom and the Lodin Kingdom would inevitably drag these ordinary civilians into it. Most of them could not read and knew little of the outside world. With nowhere else to go, they could only head toward the Lodin Kingdom's royal capital, hoping to find shelter there.

From atop the castle, Green watched the slowly moving mass of refugees and let out a soft sigh.

These refugees likely would not meet a good end. The royal capital would never allow them inside. Saladin spies could easily be hiding among them, and to ensure the capital's safety, the refugees would be kicked from one territory to another like a ball, struggling to survive in misery. The Saladin Kingdom also needed these refugees to keep moving, using them to disrupt the Nordin Kingdom's internal stability.

After two days of sorting, most of the valuable items inside the castle had been loaded onto the carriages.

Green had very little to prepare, and Old Green had nothing much to take with him either. Their entire carriage was packed with food and water.

However, the carriage itself had been completely refurbished. To prevent accidents on the road or a breakdown, Green replaced all its worn-out parts and reinforced it as well. He threw out everything unnecessary, making room for more food and water.

As the sun neared the horizon, the sky looked as if it had been set ablaze. Blood-red clouds foretold the slaughter that was about to descend upon this land. In the castle training grounds, more than a dozen carriages stood neatly lined up. They varied in size, but all were tightly covered, making it impossible to tell what was stored inside. Several horses stood nearby, ridden by the castle guards. Everyone else stood beside the carriages. At a glance, the entire group numbered nearly a hundred people.

Os, captain of Baron Kluo's guards, stood outside the city wall with Green and the other two. As the convoy's main source of military strength, their importance went without saying.

Standing atop the wall, the three of them waited for the final news. Baron Kluo had long since sent scouts out to investigate the movements of the Saladin Kingdom's army.

"Captain Os, I heard you've been to the Maslow Alliance before. Could you tell me about it?" Green asked the guard captain in a low voice.

Os wore heavy armor, and his frame was exceptionally burly. He had been staring worriedly beyond the castle, but after hearing Green's question, a trace of reminiscence appeared on his face.

"Yes, I've been to the Maslow Alliance, but that was more than ten years ago. I was still in the army then. I was assigned to transport grain, and that was how I was fortunate enough to visit Allendale." A hint of nostalgia flashed across Os's face.

"Do you know, Green? The Maslow Alliance is completely different from us. Both the Lodin Kingdom and the Saladin Kingdom are centered around their kings, while the Maslow Alliance is centered around its council. Every order must pass a joint vote of the council before it can be carried out. Some orders are even rejected outright. It's completely different from how our kings reign supreme.

"Allendale Port in the Maslow Alliance is incredibly prosperous. Countless merchant ships trade there every day, and the entire city is far larger than our royal capital." The more Os spoke, the happier he became. He began gesturing with his hands as he described the great ships he had seen at Allendale Port.

"Commerce there is extremely developed. You can buy anything. Goods from the Lodin Kingdom and the Saladin Kingdom are everywhere, along with things from overseas nations. There are no nobles in the entire country. Those with high status are councilors or the wealthiest merchants. After we get there, I plan to open a swordsmanship school and teach others swordsmanship." As the conversation deepened, Os even revealed his plans. "It is absolutely a place suited for growth."

"The Maslow Alliance is actually very powerful. Knight apprentices can be seen everywhere on its streets, and there are quite a few true knights as well—far more than in the Nordin Kingdom and the Saladin Kingdom. Yet for some reason, the Maslow Alliance has never expanded outward. Neither the Saladin Kingdom nor the Lodin Kingdom has ever started a war with it. Even when the Maslow Alliance sells supplies to both the Saladin Kingdom and the Lodin Kingdom during wartime, neither country has any objection."

"That strange?" Green's curiosity was piqued. Based on Os's description, the Maslow Alliance seemed to occupy an especially detached position. The baron was also drawn in by Os's words and turned to listen carefully. Although his status was higher than Os's, he had never been to the Maslow Alliance either.

"Following this route, it will probably take us half a year to arrive. The main reason is that we have to avoid the Saladin Kingdom's army. We first need to head north to the Visas Wasteland. The journey there is fairly easy, but the real problem is the Visas Wasteland. Water will be a serious issue there, though we can prepare enough in advance, so it won't be too much of a problem."

"The main concern is that we may encounter bandits in the Visas Wasteland. Since it is an unavoidable route to Allendale Port, there are countless bandits there, and they often rob passing merchant caravans. Many nobles will be fleeing this time, which will be a feast for those bandits. Still, with the three of us here, it should not be too much of a problem. Green, your archery will be a huge threat to them. Bandits are not desperadoes; once they suffer losses, they will retreat quickly."

Green frowned. Not because of the bandits, but because of the large noble convoys. According to Os, there would likely be many nobles of every rank fleeing. In the wasteland, they would have to beware of more than just bandits. They would also need to watch out for the convoys of fellow Lodin nobles. With no restraints on them, robbing others of their wealth could grant them a better life in Allendale.

After Green voiced his thoughts, Baron Kluo and Os both grew solemn.

"Your concern is not without reason, Green. When we deal with other nobles later, we must keep our guard up as well."

The three began discussing arrangements for the convoy after entering the wasteland.