These three noble lords were:
Cardia, from the Black Baron family.
Igor, from the Yark Baron family.
Fida, from the Merck Baron family.
These three families had an alliance of interests with the Weiss family and cooperated in selling beer.
Their relationship was very good. The group of people rode into Apus Village.
"The Weiss family's territory is developing so fast!"
Looking at the scene before him, Cardia couldn't help but feel emotional. Apus Village had undergone tremendous changes.
Half a year ago, he had come to Apus Village for the beer sales rights. At that time, Apus Village was full of thatched and wooden houses, with dirt roads everywhere...
It was simply a poor ordinary mountain village.
And now those dilapidated thatched cottages and wooden houses had all disappeared, replaced by more sturdy and beautiful stone houses.
The uneven dirt roads had been replaced by smooth cobblestone roads. Various public toilets, commercial streets, and other infrastructure were readily available. Small vendors selling their wares could be found everywhere along the streets.
A large number of villagers shuttled through them. The atmosphere was quite lively.
It was a scene of prosperity…
If it weren't for him being certain that this was Apus Village, he would have thought he was in the wrong place.
"Don't be amazed! Let's first pay a visit to Baron Roland," Igor said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Cardia and Fida did not object. They did not come here for sightseeing.
They arrived at the Weiss Manor. The three of them presented their calling cards. The butler dared not neglect them and quickly led the three to the reception room.
Then, he went to inform Roland.
A few minutes later, Roland arrived with a smile, yet a worried look.
"Baron Igor, Baron Cardia, Baron Fida, what brings the three of you here for a sudden visit?" Roland asked, surprised to see the three noble lords.
"Baron Roland, we have an important matter to discuss with you during this visit," Igor said solemnly.
"What is it?" Roland asked curiously.
Seeing three of them, a bad premonition welled up in his heart.
Doesn't this happen when there was big trouble boiling or when other lords jealous of the developing Lord try to strike on him and horde everything.So, he was on guard.
"Have you heard about the news of the upcoming border war, Baron Roland?" Igor asked without directly stating the matter.
"An upcoming border war?!" Roland frowned slightly.
He was not aware of this. Recently, his wife, Janet, was about to give birth, and his attention was focused on that. Also, he was quite busy in business development followed by coaxing children, and then training.
And he did not participate much in local noble gatherings, so naturally, he was not well-informed.
However, such a matter wasn't something to be neglected. There was a difference between negligent and careless.
This was the case of later and this might one day lead to his doom.
"That's right! Two months ago, a super-large mana crystal mine was discovered on the western border. There were also other precious metals and mana stones discovered in that area. Both our Kingdom of Jin and the neighbouring Kingdom of Onil believed that the vein belonged to their respective sides."
"Now the border situation is very tense. It was said that our king had already prepared for war with the Kingdom of Onil."
Seeing that Roland was still unclear about this matter, the head of the Merck Baron family, Fida, explained.
"What does this have to do with us?"
Upon hearing this, Roland became even more confused. He didn't understand what these people were trying to express by mentioning this matter.
What does the western border war have to do with small nobles like them in the southern region?
Unless the war in the western border is a war of annihilation. Otherwise, this war would not reach them at all.
Or were these guys too cautious and wanted to take preventive measures prior…
This wasn't bad but just as Roland arrived at this conclusion, he was slapped in his face.
"This war is a good opportunity!"
"We came here this time to invite Baron Roland to cooperate with us and participate in this war."
"By gathering the armed forces of our four families, we will surely achieve remarkable military achievements in this war. Our titles can also be further advanced, while obtaining larger fiefs."
"And after that, people can't ignore us as the Baron of the countryside, ignorant of social hierarchy.One of us may even become Count.."
Igor said excitedly with fire burning in his eyes. Cardia and Fida were also the same.
A flicker of greed flashed in their eyes.
Hearing this, Roland understood everything.
He was not moved by the beautiful blueprint described by Igor. As a former soldier of the Knights Legion, he was well aware of the cruelty and danger of war. It was a ruthless meat grinder that devoured countless lives.
He hadn't fought in major wars between the kingdoms, but the minor skirmishes were enough to take away the lives of 1000 lives every year.
And what agonised his fellow mates was that when soldiers were dying the upper echelons remained indifferent and indecisive.
Even in the modern world, people fought over territory, so how could it be different in this world where strength mattered the most?
But the King of their Kingdom was afraid of losing the war and then getting taken advantage of by other nobles so he just turned a blind eye so he didn't support war but now it seemed there was something that could force him to move.
Secondly….
As he had fought in many border skirmishes, he knew the experience. While soldiers spit out their lives, it's the superior who engulfs the credits of pain-strickenly fought victories.
The armed strength of their four baron noble families is completely insignificant. Just a few squads of his legion can overturn them.
One stroke of bad luck and the entire army would be wiped out. The King was also a cunning fox in that instead of using his troops and legion, he gave opportunities to nobles but in truth, he was keeping them in check as nobles would surely lose a portion of their private army.
"This level of war is too dangerous. I'm sorry, but I can't agree to this cooperation."
Thinking of this, Roland immediately shook his head and declined politely. With his golden finger, his future is boundless.
There was no need to risk his life on the battlefield for wealth and glory. It was okay if he was alone but as Lord, he carried the pressure of several lives on his shoulders so he can't nor does he have the right to risk their lives for some petty greed without having enough power to protect themselves.
...
To read chapters ahead of schedule,visit patreon.com/LonelymanStories