Field was dumbfounded. "What kind of person is this?" he muttered, clearly annoyed.
The butler, Cao, shrank back slightly, having hesitated earlier to mention that both the Bull Baron and his son were no good people.
"Wait! You are the baron of Nightfall Territory? Perfect, finally someone can serve as a buffer for my fortress. I hope you live a few more days! But when you're chased by the rotting corpses, don't bother me; I won't open the door for you," the man on the city wall warned after being reminded by his advisor, though all he could think of was using Field as a strategic buffer for the Kashan Fortress.
Unable to hold back any longer, the butler whispered, "Richard Bull, the only son of the Bull Baron, is known as the cowardly one. We should avoid interacting with him."
"You're absolutely right. There's no need to argue with fools," Field said, veins throbbing, slowly stepping back. "Is this how everyone plays the game? Well, I won't be polite anymore."
"Open the gate to Nightfall Territory yourself! It's safe there," Richard said before retreating into the castle, "Now get out of my sight! Foul outsider."
A consultant beside him, wiping cold sweat, spoke up cautiously to Richard, "Young master, deceiving them like this, is it..."
"Shut up!"
After moving a safe distance away, Field asked everyone to wait for a moment.
"Now I know why the rotting corpses have appeared here," Field said, twitching his lips and adjusting the sword at his waist, "Fortunately, the orcs are also blocked by the gray mist, and bound by the peace treaty, otherwise the empire's proudest defense line would become a joke."
"Then, respected sir... we won't disturb you anymore," the villagers said awkwardly, nudging each other. They didn't want to tempt fate, seeing Field so angry, yet they dared not run away directly. Finally, they pushed forward a spokesperson to bid farewell, "We're leaving now, thank you for your help."
Field, still fuming, though born in modern society, did not mean to be pushed around. His eyes narrowed like a wolf about to pounce, his voice cold and low: "Did I say you could leave? Your lord has abandoned you; now you're without a master, so I'll take you in."
Just adding free labor force.
"Ah? No, no, please, sir, spare us. We are free men," the villagers protested unwillingly, hearing Richard's words earlier. Field was heading to Nightfall Territory, a cursed land filled with death, where going meant certain demise.
"I can let you go, but it will cost you five gold coins as ransom. I saved you; this is what I deserve," Field said bluntly, drawing his sword, "Either come with me to Nightfall Territory, or pay up, or else I'll chop you into mincemeat for the dogs, understood?"
"Phew~ He really is a noble, alright."
Ashnara, standing by, felt relieved instead. Field's recent kindness and gentleness had been unsettling, making her feel as if living in a dream. Now seeing him act like a ruthless noble made her feel at ease.
Like Ashnara, the villagers found their 'itch' scratched by the threat. Submissive now, they kneeled and agreed to head towards Nightfall Territory. Whether they went or not, they would die; better to try their luck.
"Worthless."
Field sheathed his sword, sighing in frustration: Fists always speak louder than words.
"Don't lose heart, sir!" Ashnara gently comforted Field upon noticing his displeasure.
Field looked at her, momentarily stunned until Ashnara showed fear in her expression. Realizing his mistake, he quickly smiled and said, "I'm fine; I was just lost in thought."
Continuing onward, Field was startled by the skull icons marking the fortress gate on his mini-map.
"Is this what Richard meant by 'the gate is safe'?"
The damn fool took money but didn't deliver, trying to set me up with the rotting corpses. If I recklessly entered the fortress gates, I could be ambushed by hidden corpses within.
Displeased but quick to adapt, Field rubbed his chin thinking: Since the Bull Baron's foolish son sticks to the inner city, abandoning the outer strongholds, wouldn't that mean I could make a killing? After all, no one is watching.
He acted immediately; Field was no saint.
No need for manners or morality with these wretches! He deserved to rob them of their money, grain, and women.
Twisting his cloak, Field commanded, "Cao, remember those who dared to arm themselves against the rotting corpses? Round them all up, and if there aren't enough, fill the numbers with the strong ones."
Though timid, Cao was efficient. Soon, thirty slaves of different races were assembled.
"Before that, some troublesome fellows need dealing with," Field glanced at the distant, displeased Conner.
"Brave knight Conner, even though this isn't my fief, I, as a noble with martial virtue, must help these farmers slay the rotting corpses. Will you join me?" Field fabricated an excuse.
Are you insane? Conner was baffled. He had lost a man fighting the rotting corpses and was already irritated over the compensation issue. Now, this idiotic baron wanted to help quell a rot tide? He couldn't believe his ears.
"No, thanks. I've brought you to the border of Nightfall Territory; it's just one door away. I must return to report to the earl," Conner refused resolutely, laughing heartily, "Sorry, but I think taking these misfits to attack the rotting corpses is less useful than bringing pigs; at least the corpses would get a full meal."
Field expressed regret: "Well, I thought you might want to share in the glory."
"Don't forget the empire's laws and family doctrines; arrive on time."
After issuing a warning, Conner left with his cavalry at a gallop, Field didn't even have time to remind him about the horse manure.
"Are we really going to provoke the rotting corpses?" The trembling butler Cao asked.
Field didn't expect the butler to fight; he waved dismissively: "Stay here and watch the slaves; don't let them escape. Burn any who try to flee with their slave contracts."
This was loud enough to scare the slaves.
But Cao felt greatly relieved.
Forcing the slaves to arm themselves with sickles, scythes, and axes, Field left with Ashnara.
After walking for ten minutes, Field led them into an uninhabited forest. Using his lord abilities and the mini-map to confirm no one was around, he took out a beautiful crystal ball from the pack on his warhorse's right side.
Ashnara's stats had changed; and Field had been distracted earlier to make sure it wasn't a mistake.