Field was dumbfounded. What kind of person is this?!
"Damn it!" he muttered, his irritation plain.
Butler Kao hunched his shoulders, looking sheepish. This was exactly what he'd been hesitant to mention earlier: Baron Bull and his son were notorious scoundrels.
"Wait! You're the Baron of Nightfall Territory? Perfect! Finally, someone to act as a buffer for my fortress. Let's hope you survive for a couple of days! But don't bother me when the undead start chasing you—I won't be opening the gates," shouted the man on the wall.
Apparently, after being reminded by his advisor, the young man had remembered Field. Unfortunately, the only thing he could think of was using Field as a strategic buffer for Kassan Fortress.
Kao couldn't hold back any longer. Sidling up to Field, he whispered, "That's Richard Bull, the baron's only son. He's known as a coward. We're better off avoiding him."
"You're absolutely right—there's no point arguing with an idiot," Field replied, the veins on his forehead bulging as he slowly backed away. His tone carried a simmering fury. "If this is how they want to play it, fine. I won't hold back either."
"The gate to Nightfall Territory is open. You're welcome to pass through—it's perfectly safe," Richard called out mockingly before retreating into the safety of the castle. "Now get out of my sight, you filthy outsider!"
Off to the side, Richard's advisor wiped the sweat from his brow and cautiously suggested, "Young master, deceiving them like this might not be..."
"Shut up!" Richard snapped, cutting him off.
After retreating a safe distance, Field ordered everyone to halt and wait.
"I understand now why the undead are here," Field said, his lips twitching with frustration as he adjusted the longsword at his waist. "If the Peace Treaty wasn't in place, the empire's proudest defensive line would already be the butt of every joke."
"Respected lord... we'll just be on our way," one of the villagers stammered nervously. The group huddled together, awkwardly shuffling and pushing each other, clearly eager to avoid getting caught in Field's ire. Eventually, they nudged one man forward to speak on their behalf. "We're leaving now. Thank you for saving us."
Field, still fuming, narrowed his eyes. Though born in a modern society, he wasn't about to let anyone take advantage of him. His gaze dropped like a predator sizing up prey, and he growled coldly, "Did I say you could leave? Your lord abandoned you, which means you're now under my protection."
Perfect timing for some free labor.
"What? No, no, my lord, please spare us. We're free citizens!" the villagers protested vehemently, horrified. Based on what Richard had said earlier, they knew Field was headed to Nightfall Territory—a cursed land filled with death. To follow him there would be a death sentence.
"Fine, I'll let you go—for five gold coins each as a ransom fee," Field said sharply, drawing his longsword. His tone turned icy. "I saved your lives, so this is what I'm owed. Either follow me to Nightfall Territory, pay up, or I'll cut you to pieces and feed you to the dogs. Do you understand?"
"Well... he's definitely a noble," Ashina muttered with a sigh of relief.
For days, Field's kindness and gentleness had felt like a surreal dream to her, something out of place in her harsh reality. Seeing him finally act like a typical noble—cold, ruthless, and opportunistic—brought her a strange sense of comfort.
"Good thing the orcs are blocked by the gray mist," she added under her breath.
"Since that idiot Richard Bull has chosen to hole up in the inner fortress, abandoning the outer defenses..."
Like Ashina, the villagers seemed to respond surprisingly well to threats. After being intimidated, they became submissive, kneeling one by one and pledging to follow Field to Nightfall Territory. If they're going to die either way, they might as well take their chances, they reasoned.
"Pathetic cowards."
Field sheathed his longsword and pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing in resignation. It seems a strong fist is always more convincing than a persuasive tongue.
"Don't be discouraged, my lord!" Ashina cautiously approached, noticing Field's dissatisfaction. Her tone was soft, almost like she was trying to cheer up a sulking child.
Field glanced at her and froze for a moment. His intense stare made Ashina uneasy, and she began to shrink back nervously. Only then did Field snap out of it and offer a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, just lost in thought."
As they continued toward the fortress gate, Field's small map suddenly displayed a mass of skull icons clustered near the entrance. He stopped in his tracks, startled.
"So this is what Richard meant when he said the gate was safe?"
That idiot... not only did he take my money without doing his job, he also set me up for an ambush. Field's expression darkened. If he'd blindly entered the fortress, the undead hidden inside could have overwhelmed them.
Though annoyed, a sly thought crossed his mind as he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
If the outer defenses have been abandoned... doesn't that mean I can loot this place freely?
His lips curled into a grin. Field was no saint or naïve do-gooder.
To him, concepts like honour and virtue were irrelevant here. These fools deserve no kindness. I'll take their gold, their food, and maybe even their women.
Field flicked his cloak dramatically. "Kao, do you remember the slaves who dared to pick up weapons and fight back against the undead? Gather all of them. If we don't have thirty, fill in the numbers with the strongest ones."
Though Kao was timid, he was efficient when it came to executing orders. Before long, thirty slaves of various backgrounds were assembled.
"But first," Field said, casting a glance at Connor in the distance, his expression darkening. "There's someone who should be eating horse manure that's still getting in the way."
"Brave Knight Connor," Field called out with mock courtesy, "I know this isn't my fiefdom, but as a noble with chivalrous virtues, I feel obligated to help the farmers here and take down the undead. Care to join me?"
Is this guy insane? Connor was dumbfounded. He'd already lost a soldier dealing with the undead earlier, and now he was stressing over compensation. Hearing this fool of a baron suggest dealing with more undead—for someone else's benefit—was beyond belief.
"No, thanks," Connor replied firmly. "I've completed my duty by escorting you to the border of Nightfall Territory. You're just one gate away now. I'm heading back to report to the Count."
Connor couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. By the end, he was laughing outright. "Sorry, but I have to say, taking this ragtag bunch to fight the undead? You'd be better off bringing pigs—they might at least fill the zombies up."
Field sighed theatrically, shaking his head. "Pity. I thought you'd want to share in the glory."
"Don't forget the Empire's laws and your family's rules. Make sure you report to your post on time," Connor said, leaving a final warning before galloping off with his knights.
Field barely had time to remind him that he hadn't yet eaten his promised horse manure.
"Are we really going to provoke the undead?" Butler Kao asked nervously, his voice trembling.
Field had no expectation of Kao fighting, so he waved dismissively. "You stay here and keep an eye on the slaves. Don't let any of them run off. If anyone tries to escape, just use the slave contract to burn them to ash."
Field's voice was loud enough for all the slaves to hear, and the threat sent shivers down their spines.
Kao, however, looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Field forced the slaves to arm themselves with scythes, pitchforks, and woodcutting axes before setting off with Ashina by his side.
After about ten minutes of walking, Field led them into an empty forest. Using the small map provided by his lordly abilities, he carefully confirmed there was no one else nearby. Satisfied, he reached into the saddlebag on his warhorse's right side and pulled out a gleaming crystal orb.
Ashina's status panel had changed. That was what had distracted Field earlier—he needed to be sure he wasn't seeing things.