Chapter 158: Chapter 145: Unexpected News
The meaning of this title was a little too obvious. One of Southern Damon’s titles was "Highland Golden Lion."
The title "Lion Hunter Knight" made the connection impossible to ignore.
’No wonder this Duchess traveled all this way herself. She wanted him to join her army and fight the Minotaurs, all so he could burnish this new title for her propaganda.’
"That’s right. You and Liya are at the heart of this southern campaign for the dukedom. In the coming war, I need someone to rally the people and boost morale!"
"This person should ideally be connected to the cause of the war and possess considerable strength and prestige. Obviously, Levi, you are the most suitable candidate."
Fulina nodded honestly, making no attempt to hide her intentions.
"To be honest, Lady Fulina, High Cliff Castle’s Guard Team is just a handful of men. In a southern war involving hundreds of thousands, we won’t even make a ripple." Though cursing inwardly, Levi laid his complaints bare on the surface. "If you really trust me, I don’t mind doing the grunt work of guarding the supply lines. But as for this title... let’s just forget it."
’The benefits of the title were obvious: my name as the Lord of High Cliff Castle would resound throughout Debei. But I would also face the fiercest attacks from that "Highland Golden Lion."’
’In other words, this damned title was just a tool to draw aggro.’
’Admittedly, with my current strength, it would be difficult for ordinary soldiers to stop me. But my subordinates aren’t supermen like I am.’
’The consequence of drawing the entire enemy army’s attention would be me becoming a general without an army.’
"I do have someone in mind for that." Levi smiled. ’Better him than me,’ he thought. "Knight Si Kai has worked hard and accomplished much. Isn’t his reputation and fame greater than mine? He’s more than capable of bearing this title. And as for being connected to the cause of the war? It shouldn’t be too hard to add one more name to the list of people who rescued Miss Liya from Kolon, should it?"
"After all, commoners and soldiers are easy to persuade with a little guidance."
Fulina, already familiar with the Baron’s temperament, was not surprised. She remained noncommittal, taking an unhurried sip of warm water before asking, "Levi, I hear you’ve been cultivating the Glowing Holy Word Treasure Manual?"
"Your Grace is well-informed." Levi gave a faint smile, exuding an aura of unshakeable calm.
"If I’m not mistaken, you only possess the Tier One cultivation method. You don’t even have any Holy Light Divine Skills."
"That is indeed the case." The Lord nodded. There was no point in denying it.
’Besides, the fact that Fulina said this meant she already knew my situation.’
"Generally speaking, the Holy Light Church isn’t too strict about managing the Tier One cultivation method for Holy Knights. The publicly circulated methods naturally filter for Holy Knights with good Talent. If these Knights want to advance to the next stages, their only option is to join the Holy Light Church, which saves them a great deal of manpower and time."
"That’s why the Holy Light Church strictly controls the later stages and the Holy Light Divine Skills; they almost never circulate externally." At this, Fulina smiled faintly. "As it happens," she said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world, "I have a good personal relationship with the Pope of the Holy Light Church. I imagine I could call in a favor and get you some Holy Light Divine Skills."
’Great, just great. One of you has a good relationship with the Saintess, the other has a good relationship with the Pope.’
’So you’re all just ganging up on me because I don’t have any connections, is that it? I’m so outraged I’m trembling.’
’The Lord swore that, when he got the chance, he would become sworn brothers with the Saintess of the Holy Light Church, no matter what. They’d be thick as thieves.’
"Oh, Lady Fulina, whether I get Divine Magic or not is completely unimportant," the Lord said with a wave of his hand, his face a mask of righteous integrity. "But if you insist on giving them to me, I suppose I won’t refuse. For now, though, let’s get back to discussing the ’Lion Hunter Knight’ title."
"Oh? Does that mean you’ve changed your mind?" The corners of Fulina’s mouth curled up, like a mischievous child who’d just pulled off a prank.
"What do you mean, ’changed my mind’? This war started because of Liya and me in the first place. No matter what, it’s my undeniable duty to see it through!"
Anyone else in his position might have blushed, but this was the Lord of High Cliff Castle, a man known for his thick skin. He didn’t even offer a hint of a blush.
"Actually, you don’t need to worry too much. For this southern campaign, I’ve decided to divide the army into two parts. One will be a private army composed of the lords under my command. The other will be the Northern Border Corps, which I will lead personally."
"You will be grouped with the other lords and have a great deal of autonomy. Aside from adhering to a unified order of battle, you will not be under each other’s command."
Fulina, a Duchess, was explaining things to Levi herself, in greater detail than any staff officer would.
"The reputation and honor this title will bring far outweigh the danger."
Levi nodded.
’To be honest, all his earlier haggling was just to squeeze out more benefits. Now that he had them, it was time to quit while he was ahead.’
’After all, he couldn’t just be a logistics officer and sit on the sidelines during the southern campaign.’
"As you’ve guessed, the reason I want you in this war is to add more victories to your record. An invincible ’Lion Hunter Knight’ will absolutely be enough to rally the people." Fulina popped a crispy peanut into her mouth. "You won’t have to lift a finger for the subsequent propaganda, either. Just sit back and reap the reputation and honor that come with being the ’Lion Hunter Knight’."
"I can foresee it now: the ’Lion Hunter Knight’ will absolutely become the knight most admired by young noblewomen." Fulina gave a teasing smile. "You might even get a chance to become a favorite guest of the noble ladies."
"Hah, am I that sort of man, one who craves vanity?" The Lord waved his hand, putting on the air of a perfect gentleman as he spoke with righteous conviction. "Young ladies, noble ladies... I care for none of that. I have only a sincere heart, dedicated to repaying my Feudal Lord."
Levi knew that a man’s reputation preceded him. The benefits reputation brought often surpassed what money could buy, which was why he had agreed to this.
’High Cliff Castle, still in its development phase, desperately needed a public figure to be its face.’
’Throughout all of High Cliff Castle, Baisitina was a woman, Mier was obsessed with designing weapons, and Zat was an illiterate Beastman. All the others, to a one, were of the Alien Races. That left only the Lord himself with any promotional value.’
’Sometimes, you have to do things that go against your own wishes. Perhaps that’s just the unfortunate reality of being a lord.’
The two of them discussed a few more details, and from Fulina, Levi learned more of her perspective on the coming battle.
The Duchess had never truly considered the Minotaurs a threat. Her show of taking this so seriously, even coming to command the army in person, was all just a performance to build momentum.
To put it bluntly, everything was preparation for the southern campaign. For the Duchess, her true objective was marching south to conquer cities and seize land.
After they finished discussing the details, the Lord arranged for Fulina to stay in the room Liya had occupied.
Liya had only just left, so the room hadn’t been tidied up yet, but it was ready for her to move in directly.
Fulina was clearly not a germaphobe, as she settled in right away. Of course, she also might not have minded because she knew the bedding had been used by Liya.
...
As the great army made camp, the cold wind on the Wilderness seemed to carry a new tension, creating the feeling that enemies lurked behind every tree and bush.
These soldiers were more elite than Levi had expected. Not one of them used their post as an excuse to leave the camp for entertainment. Every day, they remained in the encampment, quietly awaiting the coming of war.
「Two days later」
Si Kai, who had ventured deep into the Wilderness, finally returned with his men.
His condition, however, was not good.
The first to spot them was a Jackal Wolfman Scout Squad that was always on patrol, followed by Fulina’s Cavalry Corps.
"Damn it, we all underestimated those Minotaurs!!"
The Lord was the first to meet with Si Kai, and the Knight, who was known for his unflappable composure, let out a rare curse. His face was etched with thick disbelief, as if he had seen the Undead.
