Field stared, dumbfounded. *What kind of person is this?*
"Shit!" Field spat, thoroughly displeased.
Butler Kao shrank back his neck. This was exactly what he'd hesitated to mention earlier. Baron Bull and his son were simply not good people.
"Wait! You're the Baron of Duskwind Territory? Excellent! Finally, someone to act as a buffer for my fortress! Hope you live more than a couple of days! But when you're being chased by Rotten Corpses, don't come bothering me. I won't open the gates for you."
The man on the wall, reminded by his advisor, finally recalled who Field was. Unfortunately, all he could think of was using Field as a strategic buffer for Ka Mountain Fortress.
The butler couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned in and whispered, "Richard Bull, the only son of Baron Bull, is known as 'the Timid.' Perhaps it's best we cease communication with him."
"Quite right. No point arguing with a fool." Veins bulged at Field's temples as he slowly backed away. "So that's how everyone wants to play? Fine. I won't be polite either."
"Go open the gate to Duskwind Territory yourselves! It's perfectly safe over there!" Richard finished and ducked back inside the castle. "Now get out of my sight, damned outsider!"
An advisor beside him wiped sweat from his brow. "Young Master, isn't deceiving them like this a bit…"
"Shut up!"
After retreating a safe distance, Field signaled for everyone to wait.
"Now I understand why the Rotten Corpses are here," Field muttered, his mouth twitching as he adjusted the longsword at his waist. "Thank the gods the orcs are also blocked by the grey fog and bound by the peace treaty. Otherwise, the Empire's most vaunted defense line would become a laughingstock."
"Then, honored Lord… we shan't trouble you further, haha…" The villagers crowded forward, awkwardly jostling each other. They didn't want to court misfortune; Baron Field looked furious. Finally, too afraid to simply flee, they pushed one man forward to bid farewell. "We'll be going now. Thank you for your help."
Field was still seething. Though he hailed from a modern society, it didn't mean he'd tolerate being pushed around. His eyelids lowered, giving him the look of a man-eating wolf. His voice was a cold hiss: "Did I permit you to leave? Your lord abandoned you. You are masterless now. Therefore, you are under my custody."
*Perfect timing for some free labor.*
"Ah? No, no, Milord! Please spare us! We are freemen!" The villagers protested vehemently. Judging by Richard's earlier words, Field was heading to Duskwind Territory – a death-cursed land. Going there meant certain doom.
"I *can* spare you," Field said, drawing his sword without hesitation. "Five gold coins per person as ransom. I saved you; this is my due. Either come with me to Duskwind Territory, or pay up. Otherwise, I'll chop you into mincemeat and feed you to the dogs! Understood?!"
"Whew~ So he really *is* a noble after all."
Beside him, Ashina actually sighed in relief. Field's unusual gentleness and kindness these past days had felt deeply unnatural to her, like living in a dream. Seeing him now, resorting to the typical noble's ruthless, unscrupulous tactics, felt strangely comforting.
Like Ashina, the villagers seemed almost… satisfied by the threat. Being bullied into submission felt familiar, right even. They knelt down, one after another, agreeing to go to Duskwind Territory. *Go and die, stay and die… might as well try our luck.*
"Spineless wretches."
Field sheathed his sword and rubbed his face in exasperation, sighing inwardly: *Fists are always more persuasive than words.*
"Milord, don't give up!" Seeing Field's displeasure, Ashina cautiously approached to comfort him.
Field glanced at her and froze. He stared until Ashina began to look frightened. Only then did he snap out of it, forcing a quick smile. "I'm fine. Just… lost in thought for a moment."
As they moved forward again, nearing the fortress gate, Field was startled by the dense cluster of skull icons suddenly lighting up his mini-map.
"This is what Richard called 'perfectly safe'?"
*That damned idiot! Took the money and didn't do the job. Probably hoping the Rotten Corpses would ambush me!* If they'd just barged into the gate area, the hidden corpses could have overwhelmed them.
Fury surged, but it quickly gave way to a different thought. Field's fingers rubbed his chin thoughtfully. *If Baron Bull's idiot son is holed up in the inner citadel, abandoning the outer defenses… does that mean I can… help myself? No one's watching, after all.*
He decided instantly. Field was no saintly pushover.
*Courtesy? Honor? Pointless with these wretches! Plunder their coin, grain, and women!*
Field gave his cloak a sharp flick. "Kao! Remember those who dared pick up weapons and fight the Rotten Corpses? Gather them. If there aren't thirty, fill the ranks with the strongest you can find."
Though timid, Kao was efficient. Soon, thirty slaves of various origins were assembled.
"Before that… some horse-dung eaters need dealing with." Field's gaze flicked towards Connor, standing in the distance looking sour.
"Valiant Sir Connor! Though this isn't my fief, as a noble upholding martial virtue, I feel compelled to aid the local peasants by slaying these Rotten Corpses. Will you join me?" Field offered the flimsiest of justifications.
*Is he insane?!* Connor gaped. He'd *already* lost a man fighting the corpses.
He was still stewing over the death compensation. Hearing this idiot Baron now propose helping *others* fight a corruption wave strained belief.
"No," Connor refused flatly. "I've delivered you to the border of Duskwind Territory. Only a gate remains. I must return to report to the Count." As he spoke, a laugh bubbled up, escaping as a derisive snort. "Apologies, but I believe leading this rabble against Rotten Corpses is as useful as bringing pigs – at least the pigs might fill the corpses' bellies."
Field looked genuinely disappointed. "A shame. I thought you might wish to share in the glory."
"Do not forget the Empire's laws and your family's tenets. Arrive on time." Connor delivered his warning and spurred his horse away, his cavalry thundering after him. Field didn't even get a chance to remind him about the uneaten horse dung.
"Are we… truly going to provoke the Rotten Corpses?" Butler Kao's voice trembled.
Field had no expectation of the butler fighting. He waved a dismissive hand. "You stay here, guard the slaves. Don't let any escape. Anyone trying to run… use the slave contract. Burn them to ash." He spoke loudly, ensuring the slaves heard, their faces paling with terror.
Kao looked like he'd received a pardon.
Forcing the slaves to arm themselves with sickles, pitchforks, and wood axes, Field left with Ashina.
After a ten-minute walk, Field veered into a secluded grove. Using the mini-map provided by his Lord abilities, he carefully confirmed they were alone. Then, from a pouch on his horse's right flank, he withdrew a beautiful crystal sphere.
Ashina's status panel… it had changed. His earlier distraction hadn't been idle thought. He'd needed to be sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.