Chapter 222: Richard
“When these Fishn truly launch an attack, just relying on their numbers would be enough to flood Earl Raul’s territory.”
Marl looked toward the map hanging on the wall.
“The southern part of the Principality of Corlay, bordering the Principality of Ackerman, should be the main area where these Fishn are striking, right?” Marl said, turning his gaze to Bevan.
Bevan replied helplessly, “Without the Rat Path, we can’t even contact Lord Pegira, let alone the Principality of Ackerman.”
Marl said, “If those rchants dare to do anything for gold coins, then why not let them cross the Misty Forest to reach the Principality of Ackerman?”
The Misty Forest was a long and narrow woodland located at the border junction of the three principalities. It was said that the forest carried a mysterious curse. Anyone who stepped inside would beco lost until all their life was drained away. In the end, only skin and bones would be left. At that mont, they would reappear at the exact place where they had first entered the forest, only to die instantly the mont they stepped out.
Because of this, the Misty Forest was regarded as a forbidden land. Along with Lake Salvador, it ford a natural corridor, and Earl Raul’s territory lay within this narrow passage.
If one really wanted to reach the Principality of Ackerman, Bevan thought that letting rchants try their luck through the Fishn’s territory would actually be slightly more possible.
After all, with exceptional luck, one might circle around into the Principality of Ackerman through the Fishn’s side. But entering the Misty Forest? That was absolutely impossible.
At least, up until now, Bevan had never heard of anyone surviving after stepping foot into the Misty Forest.
So when he heard Marl’s clearly sarcastic remark, Bevan could only reply, “I’ll make arrangents and see if anyone dares take on this bounty.”
Marl said, “Whoever can pass through the Misty Forest and return alive, their bounty will be paid by the Church.”
If such a hero truly existed, naturally, they must be given sufficient reward.
After speaking, Marl stared at the map again and said, “Although the Principality of Ackerman is the weakest of the Greenwood Three Principalities, it has the support of the Altlinsmann Empire. With preparations in place, the resistance it can put up against the Fishn’s advance will be far stronger than that of Earl Raul, who has lost the support of the principality.”
“So once the offensive against the Principality of Ackerman is obstructed and the Fishn shift their focus toward Earl Raul, the Earl will not be able to stop them.”
“At that ti, once the overwhelming Fishn surge in, they will drown us like a tidal wave.”
Julian and Bevan stared at the map, as if they could already see the devastation after the Fishn broke through Earl Raul’s lands.
Julian’s feelings were especially deep, for he had once experienced the rampage of Werewolves and witnessed the scenes of humans being penned like livestock by them.
Although the Fishn were called a different race, their cruelty toward humans would be no less than that of the Werewolves.
After all, this was a war between races. And unlike Werewolves, Fishn could reproduce naturally. They didn’t need to capture humans for survival. Most of the humans they captured were simply eaten.
“That’s why, to strengthen our defense, we absolutely need the power of those rcenaries here.” Marl finally looked at Bevan.
Bevan frowned deeply. Hundreds of thousands of Fishn, even of the lowest rank, were far more troubleso than Werewolves.
And the enemy was not human. If captured by humans, one might still negotiate. But being captured by an alien race…
No. Bevan dismissed the thought. He would never be captured by Fishn. With the pride of a noble, should that day truly co, he would end his own life first.
And this land was his painstakingly built foundation.
Bevan said, “I’ll discuss with Puniel about opening a rcenary Tavern here. I’ll see to it that they quickly adapt to the presence of rcenaries.”
Marl nodded, saying, “If you need gold coins, you can speak with Oscar.”
Bevan replied, “Very well, if necessary.”
Though inwardly, he sneered: if the Church doesn’t intervene, who would that lunatic ever give face to?
Julian suddenly spoke up, “If what Priest Marl says is true, that York Territory is quite safe now, then could we request the Honorary Knights Order to relocate here, so they may act in the na of the Church Knights?”
The Honorary Knights Order had been stationed in Odo Village. Julian knew a bit about them mainly because Knight Bedi had recently joined them as an external knight.
Bedi, like him, had once been knighted by Baron Belair. After Belair beca a commoner, both of them turned into free knights. Long before Julian, Bedi had chosen to co to York Territory and later joined the Honorary Knights Order.
After Julian beca a councilor, due to his duties, he had more contact with Bedi as well.
Currently, the Honorary Knights Order had three official Honorary Knights, plus Bedi the free knight, and twelve squires.
Thanks to the Church, their equipnt was excellent. Their presence here would indeed be a considerable boost.
Marl turned to Julian and asked, “After they co, what exactly will they do?”
The Honorary Knights Order had no real mission. And given York Territory’s current state, their combat strength seed sowhat excessive.
Marl even suspected that the Bishop had granted them this title simply to reassure them after the departure of knights from Glory Fortress—an act of appeasent rather than true duty.
“Sir Morn has asked York Territory to help safeguard his lands. But now, too many covet Sir Morn’s domain. We can only defend against Earl Raul and Viscount Youn’s fortresses,” Julian explained Bevan’s account of Morn’s request.
“In Sir Morn’s territory, we cannot deal with all the bandits. This makes those leaving their villages to serve the Church feel unsafe. They are devout believers of the Lord, and this land should be under the Lord’s protection.”
For a mont, Marl thought it was Bevan speaking—the tone was all too familiar.
Julian continued, “And on land protected by the Lord, how could bandits harming His devout believers be tolerated? Therefore, I believe Sir Morn urgently needs the Honorary Knights Order to help eradicate the bandits in his territory.”
Marl nodded slowly and affird, “You’re right. Bandits must be eradicated!”
Then he added, “I will send word to Knight Borien, asking him to relocate the Honorary Knights Order’s station here.”
This aning made Bevan and Julian exchange looks.
No need to consult the Bishop—Marl could directly mobilize them.
Marl paid no mind to their expressions. He looked at Julian and said, “I am a Priest of the Church. They are Temple Warriors of the Church. Rather than waiting until Earl Raul suffers heavy casualties and begs for aid, we would rather save more lives in advance.”
“So, I will set out the day after tomorrow. For the next two days, Councilor Bevan, please arrange the smoothest path possible for our journey.”
Bevan nodded, saying, “I will. I believe, once they learn of the Church’s rcy, they will surely grant Priest Marl passage.”
At such a ti, Bevan dared not be stingy with gold coins. For the first ti, he realized just how powerful this glittering currency was—once rely a tool for exploitation during his ti as a direct lord.
With gold coins paving the way, all the lords and gentry along the route pretended not to see Marl’s group until they finally neared Earl Raul’s castle, where they were stopped.
Earl Raul’s territory was also part of Greenwood. This season, the wheat should have been growing vigorously. But when Marl stepped into it, he saw trampled fields.
It resembled York’s northern lands after the Werewolves had ravaged them.
Yet even Lower Werewolves were as tall as n. The Fishman Servants here, though quick and agile, crawled low like canines, no bigger than dogs. Thus, while they flattened much of the wheat, they hadn’t destroyed it completely. The fields looked crooked and trampled, but not entirely dead.
Still, Marl judged that even if they grew, the harvest would certainly be far less than usual.
Few people could be seen in the open.
Marl understood why. Here, villages were still dominated by the gentry. The gentry gathered villagers to work the fields collectively, then called them back near nightfall.
No one dared run away. Their families remained in the villages. And even those without strong family ties, if they fled, would likely be caught by bandits—forced either into banditry or sold off as slaves.
Having grown used to York’s freer environnt, where commoners could move about outside warti, Marl felt uneasy seeing this.
The sound of hooves approached as a knight rode swiftly toward them. Only when close did he pull the reins, stopping before them.
“Church warriors of York Territory.” The knight’s tone was certain.
His armor looked worn and recently polished of rust. Marl doubted its defensive ability.
The knight’s visor was lifted, revealing a face much younger than Marl expected—barely twenty, with eyes as clear as the sky’s pale blue.
Behind him ran a squire.
The squire wore only a simple leather jerkin and carried a knight’s flag.
A newly knighted man, from a family of little ans.
Was he knighted because another had died? Or because Earl Raul had raised up a new trusted follower?
While Marl quickly judged his status inwardly, outwardly he smiled and said, “I am a Priest from the Church of the Sanctuary, Glory Fortress. I’ve brought Temple Warriors of the Church to aid Earl Raul against the Fishn.”
The knight laughed boldly, though sowhat forced: “Hahaha, Priest, I admire your courage. But those Fishn are not so easily dealt with.”
Marl couldn’t help but laugh too. “So, this knight—have you fought Fishn before?”
“Of course! Just today I slew forty… forty-so of them?” The knight faltered, glancing back and shouting, “Oliver! How many Fishn did I slay today?”
“Three! Master, today you killed three Fishn!” Oliver shouted, panting heavily. He looked utterly exhausted.
“…” Marl stayed silent, trying not to smile.
He could see out of the corner of his eye that the Temple Warriors behind him were also struggling to hold in their laughter.
“Oh, then perhaps I’ve slain more than forty Fishn over this period in total.” The knight showed no embarrassnt, still speaking proudly. “You must know, the Fishn have been attacking for over two months now. Yet in this whole area, not a single one remains—that’s thanks in part to my efforts. Even the Earl himself has praised for the Fishn I’ve slain!”
“Twelve! Master, you’ve slain twelve Fishn in all this ti. You’re truly our hero!” The squire finally reached them, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. Perhaps misunderstanding the earlier question as referring to the total number, he had, without aning to, exposed his master.
“Hahaha! So, twelve in total. But one day, I’ll surely reach forty or more!” The knight didn’t grow angry. He continued laughing with pride.
Marl suddenly felt so admiration for him. He asked, “May I know your na, Sir Knight? How should I address you?”
“Richard Raymont! Son of the honorable Knight Elbert Raymont! Now, I am proud to have such a glorious father. But in the future, I will make my father proud to have as his son!” Richard’s voice brimd with passionate vigor.
Marl also laughed, replying, “I believe that day will co.”
“Of course! Without doubt!” Richard declared firmly.
“Hahuha~hu, Master, Earl Raul sent you to welco the Church’s warriors and to host them. I don’t think he ant for you to regale them with tales of Sir Elbert’s glory,” squire Oliver reminded breathlessly.
“Hahaha, very well, Oliver, I know.” Richard, undisturbed, answered loudly. Then to Marl, he said, “Honored guests of the Church, you must have heard—this is my lord’s command. So please follow . My fief is just ahead.”
He glanced at the Temple Warriors carrying the Lord’s Throne and added, “Though you long to fight Fishn at the front, and that is indeed honorable, I believe even these brave warriors need so rest.”
Marl looked at the clouds behind Richard, gilded with evening glow.
It was already dusk, night approaching.
Though they had entered Raul’s direct domain smoothly thanks to gold coins, they had neither sent prior word nor received formal invitation.
By rights, Marl’s actions could be considered an invasion of Earl Raul’s lands.
He wasn’t sure of the Earl’s attitude toward them. But judging by this Knight Richard, Raul seed to bear no malice.
Marl found himself liking this spirited young knight.
After a mont’s thought, Marl nodded and said, “Sir Richard, I think you’re right.”
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