Starting as the Baron of the Lonely Island

Lange Valley was a territory under Duke Eldrin’s direct control. Due to changing hands multiple times in recent years, this once-thriving border city was now showing signs of decline.

This was especially true after Viscount Freddy’s occupation of Lange Valley, which coincided with the spring planting season. Farmers had either died in the conflict or been conscripted, leaving the fields fallow. A food shortage in the latter half of the year was now inevitable.

Duane led his grand army north. When they arrived outside Lange Valley, they were surprised to see a large contingent of men arranged on the main road ahead, as if awaiting an enemy’s arrival.

Baron Cruz’s tone was laced with sarcasm. "A scout just told me we were being blocked up ahead. I didn’t believe him, but I’ll be damned, it’s actually true!"

Logically, a group this weak should have used the city walls to their advantage if they intended to fight to the death. What sense did it make to leave the city and try to intercept them in the open wilderness?

"Duane, let me handle this group. As the Intelligence Officer, I haven’t had a real chance to shine in this war yet," Baron Cruz volunteered.

Baron Jick urged his horse forward a couple of steps and said with a laugh, "You didn’t shine during the landing? If you ask me, you’re just itching for a fight."

He looked at the small band of people ahead. "A small force like that? We can just send a couple of battalions to charge them and it’ll be over. No need for us to get involved at all."

Duane shook his head slightly and reined in his warhorse. At his signal, the main army slowly came to a halt.

"There’s no need to argue. That group over there is here to welcome us into the city. They aren’t enemies."

Huh?

The men beside him froze, all looking bewildered. "What do you mean?"

Just then, two fine horses galloped out from the crowd ahead. Although Baron Cruz and the others were a bit wary, they relaxed when they saw Duane’s knowing expression.

"Hey, isn’t that one of your men?" Baron Cruz asked, pointing at Hardy in confusion.

Duane smiled faintly and gave a slight nod.

Kaelon added, "To be precise, all three men approaching are the Lord’s followers."

Soon, the three men reached the front of the formation, dismounted, and announced in unison, "Hardy, Lune, and Brison, reporting to you, My Lord!"

Duane nodded slightly and looked at Hardy. "You didn’t return on time. Does that mean Viscount Freddy has broken his promise to me?"

"Yes, My Lord!"

Hardy said angrily, "Not only did he refuse to acknowledge his surrender and submission to you, but he also called your thinking naive! He even wanted to execute me on the spot to boost morale! If Brison hadn’t spoken up to persuade him, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be here to see you now!"

Duane was already prepared for his betrayal. "Since Viscount Freddy has made his choice, he can’t blame me for being heavy-handed."

He then looked at Hardy with an approving expression. "You did well in this matter. Go and get some rest now."

Hardy’s heart leaped with joy. It was a rare thing to receive praise from his Lord. He immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for the acknowledgement!"

Duane nodded and turned to Lune and Brison. "What’s the situation in Lange Valley now?"

"After Viscount Freddy left with his army, he left only Knight Beckett to defend Lange Valley. We have already disarmed and imprisoned him and his troops. Conrad and Ross are watching over them with Lord Cat."

Duane couldn’t help but almost laugh. ’Even Big Cat is being called "Lord" now?’

Next, Lune and Brison described how they had taken control of Lange Valley, leaving Baron Cruz, Baron Jick, and the others who were listening utterly dumbfounded.

"I’m truly impressed, Duane. I never expected you to have an ace up your sleeve like this!"

Baron Cruz exclaimed in amazement, "Unlike me, who only knows how to lead troops in a frontal assault on a castle."

Many battles between nobles were like that. While stratagems were used, it was rare for someone to directly launch a sneak attack on the enemy’s main base.

Let alone a move like Duane’s, directly turning an enemy noble and planting his own forces within their territory.

At that moment, Brison stepped forward. "My Lord, Viscount Freddy also revealed a piece of intelligence about reinforcements from the Akutas Kingdom. I believe I should report it to you."

Duane’s brow furrowed. "Scorching Wind Territory is getting reinforcements?"

The others immediately stopped their lighthearted banter. Reinforcements from a Kingdom were certainly no trivial matter.

"Yes, My Lord. According to Viscount Freddy, these reinforcements are incredibly strong. He claimed they could even deal with you! The reason Viscount Freddy left Knight Beckett to hold Lange Valley was to delay your advance."

Duane was surprised. He looked at the men beside him and asked, "The Akutas Kingdom has Ascension-level Warriors?"

Everyone shook their heads. As the one in charge of the Silver Gale Messengers, Baron Cruz was the best-informed, and he also said he didn’t know.

"The strongest in the Akutas Kingdom is King Tyron, but he rarely makes public appearances, so his current power level is unknown to the outside world. The second strongest is Duke Cindy Pike, who is said to be a Scorching Sun Level Warrior."

Baron Cruz said, "King Tyron was a Silver Moon Warrior twenty or thirty years ago, so it’s possible he’s reached the Ascension Level by now. But there’s no way they would send King Tyron himself to the Starfall Islands to reinforce Scorching Wind Territory."

Scorching Wind Territory is just a Viscount’s Territory. If King Tyron were to make a move, it would be aimed in other directions.

"So I think Viscount Freddy was probably just saying that to stabilize his troops’ morale. In reality, it’s highly unlikely anyone could deal with you."

Baron Jick, however, suggested, "True or not, I recommend we pass directly through Lange Valley and continue north. We should reach Scorching Wind Territory as soon as possible!"

Brison added, "Viscount Freddy also said that the Kasa Kingdom won’t just stand by and watch the Akutas Kingdom be completely annexed. So this war, this four-kingdom siege, is about to reach a turning point."

Duane’s heart sank.

’Just as I thought.’ He had suspected the Kasa Kingdom’s stance from the beginning. After all, once the Akutas Kingdom was destroyed, the remaining kingdoms—Asando, Fidun, and Pruck—would surely turn their spears on Kasa.

After all, those three kingdoms had the support and lobbying of the Holy Radiance Court, and would inevitably form a new alliance.

"Kaelon, pass down the order! The entire army will enter the city for a short rest. This afternoon, we will resume the forced march, pass through Sharp Stone Territory, and enter Scorching Wind Territory as soon as possible!"

"Cruz, can you contact our spy in Scorching Wind Territory? Have him report on the situation there."

"Shouldn’t be a problem. The only issue is that there’s no roost here. After the Silver Gale flies out, it can only return to Star Sea City."

The Silent Shore has two roosts in the Starfall Islands, hidden in Scorching Wind Territory and Star Sea City respectively.

They were in Lange Valley now, where no Messenger Bird Passage had been established. Once a Silver Gale flew out, it wouldn’t be able to return.

"That’s fine. Once you’ve written the letter, bring the Silver Gale to me. I’ll use ’Mind Control’ on it."

Perfection Level Mind Control can last for three hours. Given the distance from Lange Valley to Scorching Wind Territory, a Silver Gale could make the round trip in an hour if it flew fast.

Baron Cruz was stunned for a moment, then said with pleasant surprise, "That’ll work!"

After Duane made the arrangements, the army entered Lange Valley in an orderly fashion under the guidance of Brison and Lune.

Despite the massive scale of the procession, there was no friction, and not a single person died.

This left the people of Lange Valley both fearful and astonished.