Chapter 43: The Allied Forces

“Did you say those tribes have united and are preparing to attack my territory?” Su Lun did not seem too surprised when he heard the news brought by Floer.

“Yes, Master.” Floer knelt on the ground and said respectfully.

“Get up. If this is true, you will be credited for your service.” Su Lun casually placed the wooden board on the table.

“Thank you, Master!” Floer said excitedly, even preparing to kiss Su Lun’s boots.

“Johnson, send a few men to scout around the territory and see if those Gnolls and Goblins Kobolds have gathered together.”

“Alright, boss, I will arrange for people right away.” With that, Johnson turned and went to assign personnel.

After giving the orders, Su Lun began to gather the remaining members of the Barbarian Guard. All their leave was canceled, and Su Lun even distributed weapons to the remaining Barbarian women and children.

Although these Barbarian women and children were called women and children, their combat ability was not low. Those teenagers around fourteen or fifteen years old could easily pass as adults if not for the youthful look on their faces. As Barbarians, even if they were not yet adults, their physical fitness was no worse than that of ordinary people in Florentia, and might even be stronger.

Su Lun did not plan to let these women and children go into battle. He gave them weapons so they could maintain order and guard the city. Su Lun had no intention of defending passively.

This territory had not been developed for long. If those Gnolls, Kobolds, and Goblins were allowed to attack, the newly cultivated farmlands outside the territory would surely be destroyed, and the Blacksmith Shop by the river probably wouldn’t survive either. This was unacceptable to Su Lun. He had invested several thousand Gold Nar and spent so much time. If it were all ruined, he would go crazy.

The Blacksmith Shop had forged many weapons during this time. Those scrap metals were melted down and reforged into Hundred-Tempered Fine Iron. Weapons made from this Hundred-Tempered Fine Iron were of excellent quality, including Half-plate Armor, Two-Handed Axes, horned helmets, combat boots, skirt armor, and three Hand Axes.

Such a set of equipment was considered the standard gear for the Barbarian Guard. If bought in Karlt City, such a set would cost at least three hundred Gold Nar. The most expensive item was the Half-plate Armor, made from Hundred-Tempered Fine Iron, costing at least one hundred fifty Gold Nar per piece.

The entire set of equipment weighed over a hundred pounds. Ordinary people would find it difficult to walk in such gear, but the Barbarians moved swiftly and effortlessly, as if they were wearing Leather Armor instead of Iron Armor.

Over thirty Barbarian Warriors stood together, the shortest among them over two meters tall. An invisible sense of solemnity and lethality filled the air. Those who were timid would likely tremble in fear before these war machines.

Aside from the Barbarian Guard, Su Lun only prepared some axes and spears for the other Barbarians. Their armor consisted of Leather Armor, with iron plates embedded only in vital areas. There weren’t many sets of Leather Armor, mostly leftovers from the Barbarian Guard’s replacements.

Although the Mercenaries had joined the territory as Freeman, they would still take up arms when the territory faced a crisis. These veterans, though not particularly strong, were capable of staying behind to guard the place.

All five hundred Serfs were withdrawn into the city for safety. Su Lun had spent fifteen hundred Gold Nar to buy these Serfs, intending for them to farm the land. He had no plans to let them fight. Even if they picked up weapons, they would be no match for the Goblins and Kobolds.

Over a thousand Goblin Kobold and Gnoll slaves were locked up to prevent them from causing trouble while Su Lun was away. After arranging everything, it was already evening. Su Lun led the Barbarian Guard back to the Lord’s Castle for dinner.

Last time, when Ji En and Johnson returned to purchase slaves, Su Lun specifically asked them to bring back a cook from Karlt City. After Su Lun’s guidance over the past few days, the cook could now prepare food that suited his taste.

Johnson took a bite of a wheat flour wrap. The wheat flour used to make white bread was baked into wraps and rolled with roasted duck, instantly conquering his taste buds. He finished a wrap in just two or three bites.

“Boss, this roasted duck wrap tastes amazing!”

Su Lun ignored this foodie, picked up his chopsticks, and happily ate a piece of boiled lamb meat.

“Have the scouts returned?”

“They have!” Johnson swallowed the remaining half of his wrap in one bite.

“What’s the specific situation?” Seeing Johnson eat so heartily, Su Lun couldn’t resist taking a wrap himself, adding some roasted duck, pressing it down, rolling it up, and taking a big bite.

“Those tribes are still fighting for leadership.” Johnson sneered. “These races in the Wilderness are all bandits and thieves. Getting them to obey isn’t easy. None of them are willing to suffer losses. They can’t unite without a few internal fights!”

“Just as expected, a bunch of rabble!” Su Lun said. “How many of them are there?”

“The camp is too chaotic to count, but I estimate at least five thousand people.” Johnson picked up another wrap and took a bite.

“Five thousand? These useless fools don’t take us seriously at all. Do they really think numbers alone can win?” Su Lun laughed scornfully.

“But we can’t be careless. Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit, let alone in a battle. Everyone needs to stay alert.”

“Master is wise!” Johnson flattered shamelessly.

“It’s just as well they’ve united. Saves me the trouble of tracking them down one by one. This time, we’ll settle it all at once and avoid future troubles!” Su Lun took a gulp of Ale.

“By the way, do you remember where the allied forces of those tribes are camped?”

“Of course, I remember. I specifically had Floer take two Goblins to keep an eye on the place.”

“Good!” Su Lun nodded and continued eating. “We’ll set off right after dinner!”

…

After dinner, Su Lun led the Barbarian Guard out of the camp under the cover of night. The Wilderness was very cold at night, and Su Lun tightened his clothes.

“These damn Wilderness tribes. Why couldn’t they just stay put? They had to come and bother me, forcing this lord to travel at night.”

Su Lun was in a foul mood. As a Noble, and a landed one at that, he should be sleeping on a bed covered in thick Velvet, with a pretty maid to warm his bed. Instead, he was traveling with a group of rough men. His situation was truly miserable.

No Velvet bed, no pretty bed-warming maid—only thirty-five bald, muscular giants over two meters tall. Bed-warming? Only if you wanted to experience what it felt like to be surrounded by burly men.