Chapter 256: Unexpected Coalition
The news that the lord would personally lead a team of knights on an expedition had already spread throughout the Wubei Territory.
Many citizens, especially those living in Swamp Town, were worried about whether they would be conscripted into the battlefield.
After all, that was exactly what Baron Leisen had done in the past. As a vassal of Wushan Castle, he was obligated to respond to the call, but that did not mean he would send his most elite troops to fight.
When Leisen deemed it profitable, he would dispatch more knights; otherwise, he would send only a token force. At times, he had sent as few as three junior knights to lead a contingent.
With fewer knights, there were naturally fewer well-trained cavalry, infantry, and archers. But to maintain the illusion of a larger force, Leisen would temporarily recruit serfs and untrained militia to fill the ranks.
Some might argue that he had answered the call by sending over a hundred men to war, yet those men had little to no combat effectiveness.
Given Leisen's history, it was understandable that the residents of Swamp Town had concerns.
However, their worries were unnecessary.
Since Ronin had no need for additional logistics personnel, he had no intention of recruiting serfs and militia merely to increase numbers. Instead, he allowed them to continue with the autumn harvest, road construction, and land reclamation, ensuring that the territory's development remained on track. Training new recruits in their spare time was a far better investment than sending untrained men to die on the battlefield.
Though this was his reasoning, he did not publicize it within the territory.
Officials, led by Wilson, told the public that the lord was showing mercy to the common folk, sparing those without proper training from the horrors of war. They framed it as an act of benevolence, reinforcing Ronin's image as a compassionate ruler.
At the same time, they emphasized the justice of Ronin's expedition, exaggerating the enemy's cruelty and the dire consequences Wubei Territory would face if they were defeated.
This strategy not only helped the people feel more invested in the war but also further solidified Ronin's reputation.
Of course, such propaganda would not have an immediate effect. Some ignorant serfs failed to grasp its significance, while others, harboring resentment toward the nobility, secretly wished for Ronin's defeat.
But over time, as long as the message remained consistent, it would take root—especially since Ronin had indeed improved their quality of life.
Take this year's autumn harvest, for instance. As the people watched the wheat fields turn golden like waves under the sun, they knew a bountiful harvest was imminent.
This success was due to the guidance of village leaders, improved fertilization, and meticulous care—all of which stemmed from the lord's initiatives.
By July 7, Riedal and his team had been traveling beyond Wubei Territory for several days, while Ronin, accompanied by his dragon, had yet to set off. He had no intention of wasting time on the road.
During this period, he flew Carlos to the swamp again to inspect previously marked locations.
The results from fourteen suspected wild rice sites had come in.
Nine of them were nothing but ordinary weeds. However, the remaining five contained wild rice, coexisting with barnyard grass, and had already begun to sprout green rice ears!
Though the scale was small, the discovery thrilled Ronin. His vision for rice cultivation could now be fully realized in the coming years.
To maximize the harvest, he carefully removed the barnyard grass from the wild rice and transplanted it elsewhere. While it hindered rice growth, it still had its uses, so he chose to relocate it rather than discard it entirely.
The rice was expected to mature by mid-to-late August, and Ronin planned to oversee the harvest himself.
Luckily, he had Carlos. Otherwise, balancing his presence on the battlefield with overseeing the harvest would have been impossible. Swamp Town was too far for Wilson and the others to manage it effectively on their own.
After handling the wild rice, Ronin immediately returned to Shanlin Castle.
Having mastered the principles of papermaking, he successfully produced his first sheet of paper in this world. After undergoing the steps of pulping, slurry mixing, pressing, and drying, he had a finished product.
Though grayish-yellow in color and not as refined as white paper, it was perfectly functional for writing.
He spent two days instructing Galen on papermaking techniques—preparing raw materials, boiling fibers, and other essential steps. Before leaving, he tasked Galen with gathering additional materials so that production could expand in his absence.
Once the war was over and he returned to Hillforest Castle, Ronin planned to recruit papermaking craftsmen to scale up production. This would help his territory break free from its dependence on expensive parchment.
With all preparations in place and the autumn harvest proceeding smoothly, Ronin finally set out. Riding Carlos, he soon caught up with Riedal's troops.
"Sir, you've finally arrived!"
Riedal was unsurprised by Ronin's sudden emergence from the woods, but the soldiers were bewildered. Hadn't the lord been in the territory just moments ago? How had he appeared here?
"How was the journey? Did you encounter any other noble armies along the way?" Ronin asked.
"We crossed paths with forces from Muma City and Lake Town," Riedal replied. "But their logistics trains are longer than ours, so their marching speed is slower. They're probably more than ten miles behind us."
Ronin nodded. While flying, he had noticed another force trailing them, though he hadn't been able to make out the details. Unlike his Wubei troops, those soldiers did not have their heraldic flags flying high.
Looking toward Rogna, Ronin asked, "Rogna, how many men did your father bring this time?"
"From what I know, Baron Snow is leading a team of knights," Rogna replied.
Baron Snow was Kurami's father and a Silver Knight. Viscount Marvin's willingness to send a team of knights indicated his commitment to the campaign.
"Is Baron Hermann leading the Lake Town forces?"
"Yes, sir," McKen confirmed. Having accompanied Ronin to Lake Town and Wushan Castle, he had met the one-armed lone wolf, Baron Hermann, in person.
"However, his force is smaller than Viscount Marvin's. I estimate around five or six knights, a dozen cavalry, and forty to fifty infantry."
Though Lake Town was a barony with a thriving aquatic trade, Hermann's family was wealthy enough to maintain two knight squads.
Ronin frowned slightly. Bringing only a handful of men seemed insufficient. However, since a Bronze-level lord was leading the unit personally, their overall strength should still be formidable.
"The Stone Territory is a hundred miles ahead. We should slow our march to preserve the stamina of our men and horses."
They carried some supplies but not enough for prolonged travel. Once they reached Stone Territory, Galil would take over logistical support.
With Ronin slowing the march, Viscount Marvin and Baron Hermann caught up on the third day. The once-empty road now teemed with soldiers, forming a proper marching force.
Ronin assessed the new arrivals. Muma City's knight squad was well-equipped, their cavalry and horses clad in armor. However, their infantry and archers were lacking.
"Uncle Marvin, you might want to invest in iron and wooden equipment for your infantry and cavalry," Ronin remarked with a smile.
Both Marvin and Hermann glanced at Ronin's troops. With two months of production, most of his infantry now wore lamellar armor, making them look far more imposing.
"I asked Rogna about buying some, but he said you had none in stock," Marvin chuckled. "When you return, set aside sixty sets for me."
"I'll take sixty as well," Hermann added.
"No problem!" Ronin agreed, sealing two business deals before the battle had even begun.
As their forces approached Stone Territory, Ronin grew increasingly dissatisfied. Many noble armies were in far worse condition than expected.
"Where is Viscount Vitorino?" he frowned. "Who else hasn't arrived?"
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