Chapter 294 - 226: The Old Skinflint’s Purpose (Part 2)

Throughout their journey, they had skirted the borders of the Eastern Territory, inevitably passing near the fiefs of several lords. Yet not a single one had come forward to establish relations. They all feared the army as they would a tiger.

Although they were only the Vanguard Army, the combined forces of the two counts and High Cliff Castle numbered over thirty thousand. One wrong move and an attempt to build rapport could turn into letting the wolf into the henhouse. After all, the saying "an army passing through is like a fine-toothed comb" was no mere platitude.

But these Skinners had done the exact opposite, actively riding out to meet them. Having grown used to the quiet journey, the men were suddenly on high alert, startled by this unexpected development.

"Boss, are we going to fight?" Zat asked excitedly.

The past half-month on the road had bored him to death.

"I doubt it." Andao first replied to the Beastman Barbarian, then turned to Levi. "I’m not sure what they’re trying to do, but the chances of them being hostile are slim. After all, their cavalry is stationed right out in the open on the road, plain for all to see."

"This tactless bunch... they aren’t planning to charge us a toll, are they?" the Lord asked, raising an eyebrow.

Not far ahead was the Stone Bridge, and these Skinners had been collecting tolls there for hundreds of years.

Count Tess, who was beside them, sneered. "My dear Lion Hunter Knight, what are you thinking? We have over thirty thousand soldiers. How could they dare charge us a toll, unless their brains have been eaten by Goblins?"

Levi shot him a sidelong glance. The old bastard had been at odds with him from the start, taking any chance he got to throw a jab or two his way.

In the beginning, even though they didn’t get along, the commanders would at least gather to discuss military matters.

But ever since he saw Fatir Saint Delirium Heart, that old coot who followed the Ice and Snow Church had worn an expression like he’d just eaten shit. He no longer joined them unless there was something important to discuss, always staying with his own troops instead.

Andao, on the other hand, was extremely pleased by Fatir’s aid and expressed his strong approval.

"Levi, we can send a small team ahead to inquire about their intentions while the rest of the army prepares for battle," Count Andao offered, making a prudent suggestion.

Despite all his blustering, that old fart Tess was no fool, and he agreed with Andao’s plan.

Ultimately, a ten-man team of light cavalry rode ahead. It wasn’t long before they returned with news. The commanders exchanged a look, stood down the alert, and led the main army forward to meet the party.

The three leaders of the Vanguard Army rode at the very front of the column. Tess was mounted on a white-horned horse with a Magical Beast Bloodline, while Andao rode an Antlered Horse, which likewise shared this heritage.

Both wore exquisite Leather Armor, draped in fine cloaks of different colors. A single glance was enough to tell they held high status.

But when their eyes fell upon the Lord, the Debei cavalry couldn’t help but be startled.

This Knight sat ramrod straight upon the broad back of a majestic, unknown, three-headed Magical Beast. He wore a suit of Leather Armor engraved with intricate patterns, and a wide, white cloak added to his aristocratic air. A Treasure Sword hung at his waist, and his gaze was deep and sharp.

His Magical Beast was clearly extraordinary. The mere proximity of it made their own handpicked warhorses grow restless, and it took a good while to calm the mounts.

He was on a completely different level from them. A single glance was enough to inspire a sense of vast social distance, making them feel inadequate in comparison.

’This is a truly important person!’

The thought surfaced in everyone’s mind.

Levi and the other commanders halted a hundred paces from the Debei family’s cavalry. If the other party tried anything, the eager Northern Soldiers at their backs would instantly tear them to shreds like a pack of hungry wolves.

From the other party’s ranks, ten riders trotted forward. Six of them were Knights, flanking three men in the center who were obviously nobles.

"Good day, my lords. The Debei family welcomes you."

The man in the lead was an old man with a gaunt frame, hair like withered grass, and sunken cheeks. He forced a smile and gave a slight bow in the manner of a nobleman.

The two young men behind him, who bore a strong resemblance to the old man, also bowed.

Perhaps it was a family trait, but all these members of the Skinning Clan were conspicuously gaunt. Even their smiles couldn’t conceal a sinister aura, giving the immediate impression that they were treacherous men.

’Ahem.’ Levi hadn’t expected the old man to mistake him for the force’s supreme commander.

But he was thick-skinned enough to go along with it. He gave a slight nod. "Count Polhaidon? I’ve heard of you. I believe Duchess Fulina has already informed your Feudal Lord that we would be borrowing the Debei family’s Stone Bridge, and we are willing to pay a suitable toll."

"So may I ask, what is your purpose for being here now?"

"My lord, we are not here to obstruct you. Duke Sideluo and the Duke of the North have always been on good terms, and we feel the same about our compatriots from the Northern Territory," Polhaidon said, his smile never wavering as he tried his best to appear sincere. "In truth, we came to invite you to my castle to rest for a time. You have marched for half a month through wind and snow; you must be weary in body and soul. While Terror Castle cannot be called prosperous, it can certainly help you wash away some of that exhaustion."

"Furthermore, I have prepared an exquisite gift for you all at the castle. I trust it will provide a... memorable experience."

As he said this, the old man winked, giving a smile that all men would understand.

In this world, the greatest forms of entertainment were the Gladiatorial Arena and the brothel, so it wasn’t hard to guess the nature of the so-called "gift."

After all, there were only so many diversions available.

Levi and Andao’s expressions remained unchanged, but a flicker of interest was clearly visible on Count Tess’s face.

He was a count who lived a life of luxury and had long since grown weary of the military campaign. Now faced with an opportunity to enter a castle and bed some women, he naturally found it hard to conceal his eagerness.

Moreover, he had heard that this Skinning Clan loved to torture prisoners, and as a result, had "trained" many obedient slaves. He imagined that would be a unique experience.

But before he could reply, the Lord sternly refused. "Count Polhaidon, our orders are to reach the Southern Territory with all possible speed. Therefore, I’m afraid we must decline. We have decided to pass through Mislin Land today."

The smile remained on Polhaidon’s face. "In that case, I will not delay you any further."

He was a decisive man. With a wave of his hand, he led his cavalry away, a tide of hoofbeats fading as they rode into the distance.

The commanders watched until the cavalry’s figures disappeared over the horizon, only then letting out a collective sigh of relief.

Perhaps their army of over thirty thousand men did not fear a force of nearly two thousand cavalry, but the implications if they had attacked were something they could not afford.

It would have meant one of two things: either the Eastern and Southern Territories had formed an alliance, or the Southern Territory had allied with this Old Skinflint. In either case, there would have certainly been an ambush waiting for them somewhere unseen.

But as it stood, it seemed they had genuinely just come to invite them as guests.

"Levi, Andao, you two are far too tense," Tess said with some dissatisfaction, though he didn’t press the matter.

"That Count’s actions are rather baffling," Levi said, shaking his head.

"Not entirely. If you look at it from another angle, his motives are traceable," Andao mused, stroking the little moustache on his chin as he offered his own analysis. "Count Polhaidon is getting old. This display was most likely to pave the way for the Little Skinflint."

"We are very close to the Southern Territory here. By choosing to let us pass, while he might not completely antagonize Damon and his people, their relationship will obviously sour."

"Therefore, his only option is to build a good relationship with us in advance."

"Then, if and when we conquer the Southern Territory, we’ll be more or less obligated to consider this neighborly gesture and look after the Little Skinflint."

"That’s just how it is with nobles. They fight and fight, and in the end, they discover both sides are related in some way. The only ones who end up dead are the commoners and the soldiers. Not a single noble ever dies," Andao said with a laugh, shrugging as he delivered the grim joke.