Lutto placed a sheet of paper on his table. In a fantasy world, the paper was not made from wood, as it was counterproductive and was considered a hindrance should an expert accidentally rip it apart.
Thus, Fredrinn began to feel its surface out of curiosity before he read the content.
As he did, Lutto elaborated on everything.
"My Lord, the one behind this crest was a family from the Southern Vast Meadow. It was considered an outer force of the Mystyr Kingdom, equivalent to its blade. They are widely known as the Kennel Family. The one who attacked us was the members from one of its branches in the Greenwood Forest, the territory where we reside."
"They are famous as the local overlord of this territory, and should a rumor arise that a village began to rise to prominence without its interference nor permission, they would go and destroy it, upholding the motto of pulling the weak roots while it's still a sapling."
Hearing this, Fredrinn scoffed in annoyance. Such an insignificant branch family, wanting to destroy his village all because of their sense of inferiority towards uprising villages?
To think his people got killed because of such a pathetic bunch!
"They must have heard of the Rein Village's destruction."
Fredrinn sneered. The Kennel Family! Such an amazing, great, and powerful family!
He already engraved this name on his dead list. As long as there's no good enough reason to stop his advance, no one could block him from razing this family to the ground!
He won't say he's a 'tooth for tooth, an eye for an eye' kind of guy, but they crossed the line! Even in this fantasy world, there's a moral code even the powerful abide by despite not being written.
It's to not attack when the most prominent member of that force is out. Because it was considered a despicable, cowardly act. After all, if you want to dominate, what's the point of killing some nobodies?
Fredrinn was perplexed at first. Does such a righteous unwritten rule actually exist? However, when he happened to overhear a conversation between nobles when Count Yeldon held a banquet, he understood.
In the past, the Human Faction, which covered the whole Human Race as a whole, suffered a devastating blow when the Sovereigns were out. At that time, the only ones who could resist the invading Sovereigns were the Emperors.
It was a black stain in history, one that they were determined to never happen again!
Fredrinn was confident there was a hidden agenda behind this, but that doesn't mean he hates it. Instead, he found it impressive. A bunch of scheming individuals who could come to a consensus to establish such a righteous unwritten rule was unheard of, even from the novels he read in the past.
He smiled evilly. It seems like he had a bargaining chip in this case. One that would make even the main Kennel Family suffer.
"You did a good job, Lutto. Do you want to become a squire? I have a vial that could help you."
Fredrinn knew that Lutto was still tormented by the fire of vengeance in his heart, so he wanted to give him a way to release it all. What better way than to train?
Lutto's eyes turned red as he bowed deeply, "Thank you for the chance, my Lord! I would not disappoint you!"
A week seamlessly passed by. He mostly spends his free time coddling the moody, pregnant Rea, who was saddened by his absence through the past month.
The development of the four branches was paramount. In the Agriculture Field, Lez has already developed the most optimal crops. It required less time to ripe, held more grains in a sheave, and tasted better than ever. Although its contribution was insignificant at the current moment, when his force reached millions of people, this would be a main trend.
The Educational Hall, led by Ryly, was also developing fast. The manpower from the Hebel Village drastically increased its efficiency. Even Maltel, whom he personally escorted to the building, attended the classes, wanting to no longer be illiterate.
At this, Fredrinn decisively separated a class for adults, and true to his expectation, the adults who were embarrassed to learn with children came immediately as soon as this was announced.
There's no need to talk about the Combat Group. This week, 30 men from his people entered the squire realm, increasing the group's power by over 300%! Kel also became a knight, emitting a powerful fluctuation that signified his status.
To know, a knight is approximately 10 times stronger than a squire, which allows a knight to fight against a hundred squires without effort, albeit exhausting.
Along with the increasing average strength from the newly-trained Hebels, his strength almost reached the ceiling of a million kg!
If he could keep the conquered villages and tribes, it would be even more! Unfortunately, since he was too busy reinforcing his territory, he neglected those places, and as of now, the number of members has drastically dropped to 2,000.
He didn't feel mad; it made sense. He didn't even spare an effort to maintain their loyalty.
As for the Construction Department, it was supervised by Fredrinn himself, who had drawn several blueprints of the houses he saw in his past life, which held more aesthetic, comfort, and space, along with resilience. Although they were not concise and intricate and could be considered clumsy, with the strength of the villagers, it was enough!
Now that he already fortified the defense of the village, he would have no burden in going out.
There are over 45 squires and a knight. Not even a viscount was this powerful! Not to mention himself, a monster in disguise of a squire.
Fredrinn stood at the outskirts of the village. His people were watching him, including the tearful Rea, the reluctant mother, and a longing Maltel. Kel, knowing the previous accident that befalls the Village of Peace, vowed solemnly.
"Do not worry, my Lord. As long as I, your knight, live, no one could ever touch your people! I'll protect it until my last breath prevails!"
The rest of the Combat Group patted their chests loudly and looked at Fredrinn with solemnity, assuring him that they would die first before anyone else in this village.
The Lord smiled as he slung the handbag on his shoulder. This time, he was back in his old armor, making other original dwellers reminiscence of the past.
With a red fur cape made from a wild beast's fur that Rea personally knitted and an iron sword secured with his belt, Fredrinn, with his tall figure, looked very heroic.
This time, he did not bring anyone with him, knowing that their parts would be significantly reduced in his rendezvous. It would be better if they stayed here to increase their strength.
"Farewell, my people. I'll make sure to return triumphantly!"
Under his heroic disposition, a tint of coldness appeared in his eyes. When he's back, the local overlord of the Greenwood Forest would be no more!
Soon, he walked briskly into the distance. Usually, the western direction of the Village of Peace headed towards the wilderness where wild beasts dominated. To go to the nearest civilization, he usually took the southern direction when he was called back to Count Yeldon's territory.
Unlike his last venture when he must be cautious, he's at utter ease.
He enjoyed the green shades, the vast green meadow, the trickling river, and the chirping birds. It was only when he was assured of his safety that he could enjoy the scenery.
Usually, he would go to the Litel Trading Site and book a place in a carriage, which would lift him to the nearest town where Count Yeldon resides.
It didn't take much time. With his speed, four hours were sufficient to cover a distance of over 50 kilometers.
Soon, an expanse gradually appeared within a distance. Fredrinn entered the trading site. The site was busy with crowds and merchants, along with the local markets and vendors. He was familiar with this place.
He didn't bring much, only a few silver coins and some spare changes. He didn't plan to stay out for long anyway.
Fredrinn immediately paid a local driver some coppers. The Branch Kennel Family was located in the Northern Forest. It has 4 subordinated villages, which were the only villages with knights in the territory of Greenwood Forest.
The Litel Trading Site was located in the Western Forest, so it's not very far from the Northern Forest. To wait for the driver who wanted to draw more customers, Fredrinn sat at a humble food shop at the side of the road. The food is stale, as expected, but it does the job.
"I heard that the Outcasts have been surging into the territory of Viscountess Nemhil lately. Have they succeeded yet?"
"Don't worry. Viscountess Nemhil has dozens of knights and hundreds of squires under her command. If not for the distance between here and the capital, I'm sure those nobles would have not succeeded in intercepting the news of her achievements from reaching the ears of the King. She would be a marchioness long ago!"
"Nobles and their fare; I can't still understand why would they be willing to offend the powerful Viscountess Nemhil for such a petty reason."
"Don't talk too much about it; the walls have ears. We should discuss the Outcasts. I heard that dozens of knights had gathered from the Outcast side. It seems like they were determined to breach the defense of Viscountess Nemhil."
"Surely others, including the nearby forces, would lend a hand, right?"
"I don't know. There are too many undercurrents within the Mystyr Kingdom. Hell, I even heard that one of the Supreme Commanders has been having an affair with the daughter of an old duke."
"Damn it! And you said it's better not to talk too much."
Hearing the nearby murmurs of the merchants, Fredrinn creased his eyebrows. Submerged by numerous troubles, he almost forgot about this crucial news.
Although inexplicit, it's obvious that the situation of Viscountess Nemhil is not in her favor. Denied of her title, attacked by the outcasts, and ignored by the forces.
It was an extremely bad situation, one that was basically insolvable unless she took a drastic measure.
Fredrinn narrowed his eyes. His current force may not be worth much in the eyes of others, but one must remember that he was a peak-stage Grand Knight equivalence!
If his deduction was correct, this viscountess happened to be forsaken. If he lends a hand at that time...
"I could start my conquest through her."
With a glint befits that of a decisive Lord, Fredrinn slightly smiled. With his strength, who dared to say that he was unworthy to have such an ambition?
There's no need to consider about others; look at what happened to him. He didn't offend anyone, but a bunch of nobodies dared to kill his people.
Such an unreasonableness, such an audacity.
He, Fredrinn, had no other choice but to vie for hegemony! Let others tremble in fear!