The Barbarian chieftain suddenly felt a surge of energy rush through his body and quickly sprang to his feet.
He looked in the direction from which they had come, but apart from a few of his own people dragging their feet, he saw nothing. Just as he was about to curse his subordinate for reporting false information, he saw his clansmen in his line of sight suddenly turn and start running. Their speed showed no sign of the fatigue they had displayed earlier.
Something was wrong! The chieftain barely had time to turn his head before one of his subordinates was already dragging him along in their retreat. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a line of fully armored Lokian soldiers advancing toward them. That familiar triangular banner confirmed the identity of the enemy.
It was all clear now—this was a trap.
"Cunning Lokians," the chieftain muttered as he ran, feeling a sharp pang of regret. All the wealth he had pillaged was now slipping through his fingers. But wealth wasn't as important as his life. With that thought, the chieftain pushed away his subordinate in an effort to run faster.
What he had forgotten, though, was that after walking all night, his legs were weakened, especially after their brief rest. It didn't take long for the Lokian infantry to catch up with him, knocking him to the ground with a powerful kick.
Some barbarians started shouting in their native tongue, declaring their surrender to avoid being killed. The ones making the loudest claims were the traitors who had been captured by the Lokians earlier.
Adrian, without much effort, captured dozens of barbarians. Any who resisted were swiftly dealt with—one slash of the sword and they were dead. Compared to the bloody battles of the frontlines, capturing prisoners was both easier and far safer. One after another, more barbarians stumbled into his hands, their chieftain among them, all crouched down in submission. By midday, Adrian had captured around 150 people. The remainder were either lost in the wilderness or had managed to slip away unnoticed.
When Simon's cavalry finally arrived, they were shocked to find a whole group of barbarian prisoners sitting on the ground.
"Adrian! Did you capture all of them?" Simon's voice was full of envy. With so many prisoners under his belt, Adrian's merit would be substantial. Knowing Sir Derek's reputation, he would surely reward Adrian handsomely.
"All thanks to the commander's careful planning," Adrian replied modestly. This mission wasn't particularly difficult, though it had been exhausting. But in the end, it was a great opportunity, and he had taken full advantage of it. No doubt, there would be others jealous of him. Yet this was the benefit of having family connections. He wouldn't deny his advantage, nor would he go out of his way to draw unnecessary resentment. He therefore reminded Simon, "There are still some barbarians straggling around. If you sweep the area, you might be able to round up a few more."
Simon's eyes lit up at this suggestion. After thanking Adrian, he quickly led his men to search the surroundings. Quite a few barbarians had managed to escape—some had gotten lost, while others had evaded capture by sensing the danger ahead. These fugitives were unlikely to have gotten far. Even if Simon couldn't capture all of them, there were bound to be more stragglers he could round up.
…
Meanwhile, back at the town, Derek remained calm and collected, which made the anxious Baron Palmer rather envious.
"Derek, you really are a born general," he remarked, unable to control his nerves despite knowing the outcome was likely in their favor. No matter what he told himself, he couldn't help but worry about the possibility of something going wrong.
Derek smiled lightly. It wasn't as though he was truly without worry. This was his first time commanding, after all. To say he wasn't nervous would be a lie. But every time doubt crept in, he would sneak a glance at his data panel. Seeing that all his men were still accounted for and active reassured him that everything was going according to plan.
As expected, a messenger soon arrived bearing good news. If Simon hadn't been delayed by capturing more prisoners, the victory report would have come even sooner.
"Baron Palmer, take a small group to watch over the prisoners for now. Once the Earl arrives, I'll need to pick up the pace," Derek instructed. According to the Earl's orders, their two battalions were meant to serve as bait. And bait doesn't move forward cautiously. Instead, they needed to take bold action, pressing forward aggressively.
When the time came to divide the spoils, Baron Palmer politely declined Derek's offer.
"My family is not short on money," he explained. "What we need is military merit and land to solidify our status among the nobility, not just wealth."
His words were confident, even proud. That's the mindset of the new commercial nobility—they truly didn't lack for money. Derek could only silently accept the spoils, grateful for the support of such wealthy allies. While everyone envies the wealthy, everyone also loves doing business with them.
After a brief rest, Derek led his two battalions deep into the barbarian army's territory. By this point, they were very close to Ironwall City. Meanwhile, Earl Pereira had only just received news of Derek's advance. Unhurried, he ordered the second legion to begin gathering slowly.
"That kid gets it," the Earl mused. "He's a risk-taker, for sure. If he survives this, he'll at least earn himself a barony."
Earl Pereira's appreciation for Derek was evident. After all, the same orders had been given to more than just the 10th Battalion. But Derek was the only one to truly understand and act on those orders. Not only did he understand the Earl's intent, but he had the courage to take the risks necessary to carry them out—and the ability to execute his plan. So far, he had proven himself the only one to rise to the challenge. Anyone else who might want to compete with him now had already missed their chance.
It was survival of the fittest. Only those who excelled under pressure and proved themselves in the face of the barbarian horde could endure.
…
Derek's sudden appearance took the barbarians by surprise. As they neared the heart of the barbarian encampment, their vigilance was at its lowest. Not until Derek's forces had captured and slaughtered several smaller units did the barbarians finally take notice.
But by then, Derek had already rounded up his prisoners and led an assault on a nearby town, swiftly recapturing it before the barbarian army could react. However, this move was extremely dangerous, as the barbarians surrounded him on all sides. Any slip-up could result in the complete annihilation of his forces.
At this point, Derek still hadn't drawn too much attention. But when he started using the prisoners to fortify the town's defenses and led his cavalry to swiftly crush several nearby barbarian units and supply caravans, he forced the barbarian high command to take notice. Now, the barbarian army's movements were severely hampered. Each unit was forced to move in groups of at least a hundred soldiers, and even their supply caravans required heavy protection. This placed a tremendous burden on the barbarian forces, especially as they ventured deeper into Lokian territory. The strain on their manpower and morale would have far-reaching consequences.
Upon receiving the news, the barbarian commander traced Derek's movements on the map. Soon, he pinpointed the town Derek had captured, positioned strategically in the center, with the ability to launch attacks in either direction.
Leaving Derek's force unchallenged would be a serious problem.
"The Lokian Kingdom does have some capable leaders," the commander admitted. "But they're underestimating us."
The commander saw through Derek's strategy immediately. How arrogant of the Lokians to think they could hold such a crucial position against his forces. Did they really believe the barbarians lacked the power to crush them?
After checking the positions of the Lokian first and second legions, the commander slammed his finger down on the map, right where Derek was holed up.
"Send Chief Enric the Wolf to deal with these pests. And tell him to bring the troops back afterward. The Lokian main force is on its way."
Realizing that Ironwall City would be difficult to capture, the barbarian offensive had already begun to slow. Their goal was simple: devastate the Lokian reinforcements, crush the resistance of the northern province, and sever its ties to the Lokian Kingdom. In doing so, the barbarians would secure recognition from the southern nations and solidify their place on the world stage as a new power… as a nation.
The barbarian commander appointed a specific general, and soon, the scattered barbarian troops reorganized into a new formation. The hesitant barbarians quickly gathered under a wolf banner, forming a force almost equivalent to one-third of the barbarian invaders. This massive army surrounded the small town where Derek had made his stand.
The wolf leader, Enrique, didn't rush into an attack. Instead, he waited for all his forces to assemble, surrounding the town from all sides, clearly intending to crush them completely. Derek stood with Baron Palmer beside him, who had rushed into the town the day before the siege tightened. Clearly, Baron Palmer was risking everything for a promising future.
Derek wasn't about to reject the extra support, even if it was just a hundred-man team. In critical moments, that small force could make a significant difference. However, upon seeing the vast sea of enemies outside the town walls, Baron Palmer's legs began to tremble slightly. Honestly, he was starting to regret his decision.
"Derek Knight, if we survive this, I promise I'll introduce you to my daughter," Baron Palmer said earnestly. Derek looked at the baron in surprise, seeing that his expression was serious, not joking at all. Upon reflection, it wasn't too strange—Derek had proven himself to be a rising star, and it was only natural someone might want to make such a connection.
"Baron, let's both make it out alive first," Derek responded. Despite his confidence, he couldn't deny the growing concern as the barbarian forces swelled. Nevertheless, he had chosen this town as his stronghold not only for its strategic position but also because its walls, though modest, were relatively sturdy. The town boasted a rare stone wall, which, though simple, offered significant protection. With over two thousand men under his command, Derek was confident that the barbarians would lose plenty of blood and teeth trying to take this place.
"They're coming!" Derek announced just as the barbarians began their assault.
The town's walls lacked towers and other defensive structures, and even the battlements were low and crude—barely better than nothing. Derek wisely deployed a squad of shield-bearers to guard the vulnerable sections of the wall. The barbarians, lacking experience in siege warfare, charged mindlessly at the defenses without any coordinated effort. Derek, observing the situation, made a few simple adjustments to his defensive lines before stepping back and allowing his officers to take charge.
Baron Palmer, however, was confused by Derek's strategy of deliberately weakening the wall's defenses. "Isn't it risky to weaken our defenses when we're already outnumbered?"
"We've got reserves stationed behind the walls," Derek explained patiently. "If any part of the wall is in danger of being breached, we can send reinforcements quickly. Besides, overcrowding the walls with defenders can hinder their ability to fight effectively. A layered defense is more efficient at wearing down the attackers. And one more thing—I'm deliberately showing weakness to the enemy."
Derek explained his tactic of baiting the barbarians into underestimating them. The weakened section of the wall, particularly the southern part where they stood, was designed to draw the enemy's attention. Meanwhile, inside the town, prisoners and hastily conscripted townsfolk were hard at work reinforcing the defenses. If they ran out of materials, they'd tear down houses. If they lacked manpower, Derek would force more people into service. In this dire situation, he had no time for human rights; swords and fire ruled here.
Baron Palmer, despite his initial confusion, wisely refrained from questioning Derek further. He knew that soon enough, Derek's real strategy would reveal itself.
Meanwhile, Wolf Leader Enrique observed the battle from a distance, growing frustrated with his troops' disorganized attacks. "These men still haven't learned their lesson from the previous defeats by the Lokians. When we return, I must drill siege tactics into their thick skulls," he muttered. The higher-ranking barbarian commanders had already recognized the need for better siege capabilities, especially when venturing into the more fortified cities of the southern kingdoms. However, the newly-formed Barbarian Kingdom still lacked the resources to establish a proper standing army, relying instead on tribal warriors who were only skilled in close combat.
Watching for a while longer, Enrique acknowledged that the Lokians were putting up a formidable defense, and his men were sustaining losses. "Still, it's only a matter of time," he concluded confidently. "Three days at most, and we'll breach those gates."
He dispatched his personal guards to the front lines to assist in coordinating the attack. While still lacking in finesse, the coordinated efforts of the barbarians began to resemble more of a sustained wave of pressure rather than the earlier, uncoordinated rushes.
"Perhaps it'll take less than three days," Enrique murmured, already considering his next opponent. To him, the Lokians in this town were merely an annoying obstacle that would soon be cleared away. As for the notion that this was a Lokian trap? If the bait is this easily consumed, then it's hardly a threat.
On the first day of the siege, the barbarians lost four to five hundred men but managed to identify the weakest point in the southern wall. On the second day, Enrique adjusted his main attack to focus on that point. Several times, barbarian warriors breached the wall, only to be driven back by the Lokians' fierce resistance. By now, both Enrique and the Lokians felt that the siege was reaching its climax.
On the third day, Enrique sent his personal hundred-man guard to the front, intending to break the town's defenses in one decisive strike. But again, they fell just short of success. Frustration mounted, and Enrique started feeling the pressure. He even executed a few deserters on the fourth day but still couldn't bring the walls down. The Lokians seemed on the verge of collapse with each attack, but somehow, they held on each time.
Enrique began to suspect that this was indeed a trap. The barbarian high command repeatedly inquired about his progress, and Enrique could only respond, "Soon! Very soon!" He refused to believe that the Lokians could hold out much longer. He still had seven to eight thousand men, while the Lokians had suffered significant losses—how many could be left?
Yet, within the town, Derek's hidden fortifications were nearing completion. Baron Palmer finally understood Derek's plan when he saw massive piles of firewood and other flammable materials being stacked within the town. But what truly impressed the baron was Derek's leadership on the battlefield. Despite being in the thick of things, Derek had successfully maintained a facade of desperation. To anyone observing from outside, it looked like the Lokians were on their last legs, when in fact, Derek had managed to keep casualties surprisingly low.
By mixing conscripted townsfolk with his regular troops, Derek gave the illusion of heavier losses than there actually were. While it appeared that they had lost over a thousand men, the true toll was only about a third of that number. As for the conscripts? They weren't officially part of the army, and no one cared about their fate. Despite the short amount of time since Derek had entered the town—barely ten days—he had managed to whip many of the conscripts into something resembling soldiers. Their combat effectiveness might still be lacking, but at least they could hold a weapon.
Thus, while the barbarians believed the Lokians were running out of men and resources, the reality was far more favorable than they could have imagined.
On the sixth day, Enrique, the leader of the wolves, felt the pressure mounting like a mountain. Doubts about his capabilities spread from the main camp to the tribal leaders and even down to the rank-and-file soldiers.
Despite the prolonged siege of Iron Wall City, it was a massive fortress, more than ten times the size of the current small city. Enrique, aware of the shift in the army's morale, recognized the signs of impending collapse in this makeshift force.
"We can't wait any longer!" he declared.
He understood this was a test. Though he could no longer achieve an excellent rating, he at least needed to secure a passing mark. The task at hand required sacrificing lives—if one thousand wasn't enough, then two thousand; if two thousand wasn't enough, then three thousand. Even if it meant losing all ten thousand men, he had to complete the mission.
Thus began the most brutal assault, with the barbarians showing no regard for human life. Enrique's reputation as the leader of the wolves was not only due to his leadership but also his cold-blooded cruelty. Even to his own men, he could be merciless.
When a small group of barbarians protested against being thrown into the meat grinder of the battlefield, Enrique had his guards subdue them and sent them to the front lines. "Execute them all," he ordered.
Seeing Enrique's resolve, the ringleader panicked and attempted to protest, claiming his noble status and threatening revenge. Enrique's face darkened further as he realized the magnitude of the loss. However, his guards followed orders without regard for status, and the execution proceeded.
With a noble bloodline executed in front of them, the remaining barbarians fell silent. The city walls were on the brink of collapse, and there was no need for further unnecessary deaths.
Meanwhile, Derek, observing the chaos outside the city, quietly retreated with Baron Palmer. The soldiers on the city walls had been replaced with militia, and resistance was weakening.
This led the barbarians to believe they were solely responsible for the city's impending fall. "These Lokians can't hold on any longer," one barbarian leader declared as he climbed onto the city walls, creating a breach with a few swings of his axe.
More barbarians followed, and Enrique, watching from afar, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although the casualties were significant, they had succeeded in breaching the city.
"Prepare everyone. This time... no sealing of the blades," Enrique commanded coldly. Given the significant losses, if the soldiers' grievances were not addressed, the aftermath would be even worse.
The order spread quickly across the battlefield, and soldiers eagerly surged forward. With the city on the verge of collapse, those who arrived late would get nothing. Soon, the barbarians occupied the city walls, and the gates were opened.
"Charge!" Enrique's command echoed as the barbarians rushed into the city gate. Although those at the front had already seen the trap, they were either unfamiliar with it or could not stop, moving forward passively.
In reality, the makeshift trap city, hastily constructed, was not as defensible as it seemed. There was no need for another siege battle. Within fifteen minutes, three to four thousand barbarian soldiers poured into the city, quickly filling the small space. Some began to climb the trap city.
Enrique felt relieved. He couldn't see the situation inside the city, but based on experience, the large influx of soldiers meant the situation was under control. "The Lokian reinforcements are very close. The main camp needs me to remove this thorn and join forces to defeat them," Enrique thought, already planning his redemption.
As long as he achieved significant merit in the upcoming battle, the losses of today would be erased.
Meanwhile, Derek issued a cold order: "Set the fire!" Torches soaked in oil rained down from the sky, and not just one or two. The densely packed barbarian soldiers were unaware of the flammable materials and firewood around them.
Only those near the large piles of firewood began to realize the potential danger. "Stop pushing! This is a Lokian trap. It's all firewood!" a few terrified individuals shouted, but their warnings could not stop the frenzied movements of the barbarians.
Some even used the stacked firewood as ladders to climb. They saw the Lokians so close and even the pity on their faces.
Pity?
Boom! Flames erupted as the oil-soaked firewood ignited rapidly. In just a few seconds, the entire trap city was engulfed in flames and smoke. The Lokian soldiers began to retreat. Even if a few managed to escape now, it wouldn't make a difference. The priority was to avoid friendly fire.
A large area was cleared inside the trap city to prevent accidental injuries. As the smell of oil wafted over, Derek donned his helmet and lowered his visor. Baron Palmer's face turned pale, seemingly hearing the distant cries of despair.
"Sir Derek, there's no need to take further risks," Palmer said. Given the current results, not only was the baronial title secured, but also a tangible baronial estate. There was no need to risk more.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If missed, it won't come again," Derek replied as he mounted his horse and opened the east gate. The knights were excited. While the brutality of war was frightening, the honor and rewards of victory were alluring.
With the merit in sight, how could they not be eager? As the cavalry led the charge, the infantry followed closely. The well-preserved fresh troops were finally put to use.