Chapter 344 - 250: Red Poison Snake

In previous years, the late-June sun over the Highland would be scorching, baking the southern lands.

But now, in mid-May, the temperature in Kolon had only just begun to warm. While thick woolen sweaters were no longer necessary, the drastic drop in temperature at night still kept people huddled around their hearths, reluctant to leave.

But no matter how reluctant he was to leave the warmth of the room, Ororen, having received word from his men, had no choice but to pull himself off his mistress. He slowly donned his Leather Armor and buckled on his Sword.

"Do you have to go so late? Can’t it wait until morning?" his mistress, her pale skin exposed, complained.

Anyone would be displeased to be interrupted halfway through.

"Those damn Northern Guys are attacking, what the hell am I supposed to do? And that son-of-a-bitch Lion Hunter Knight... wouldn’t it be better for everyone if he just stayed in that godforsaken patch of the Wilderness?" Ororen cursed under his breath, but then a laugh escaped him. "Still, it’s thanks to them I’m earning this fat commission."

Ororen was the commander of a Mercenary Corps, with five thousand men who followed him to earn their keep.

They usually made a living working for nobles or taking on contracts from merchant caravans. Of course, they occasionally moonlighted as bandits, plundering small mountain villages and the like.

So, despite the size of his forces, his status remained low—lower than even a single Knight—and he was despised by most of the nobility.

He never expected such a golden opportunity to fall right into his lap.

He was wanted by the Western Border Nobles for plundering a village in the Western Territory and had come to the Southern Territory to lie low. To his surprise, the Duke of the South himself had summoned him.

The Duke promised that once the war was over, not only would Ororen receive a massive payment, but he would also be enfeoffed as a Baron.

The first offer might have given him pause about joining a fight between two Dukes, but the second one—the title—ignited the greed in his heart.

"That Lion Hunter Knight... his reputation is terrifying. They say he’s killed enough people to fill an entire town." The curvaceous mistress shared a rumor she’d heard, a hint of fear on her face.

"Hah, he’s just a greenhorn. I heard some stories about him back in the Western Territory," Ororen said, his face a mask of disdain. "If he stood before me, the Red Poison Snake, he’d have to get on his knees and suck my cock."

He had clawed his way to the command of such a large Mercenary Corps entirely on the back of his unfathomable and vicious Spear Skill, which struck like a viper. He had even killed a Giant in single combat.

As such, he felt no fear toward this so-called Lion Hunter Knight, especially since he’d heard the man had once been a mercenary in the Western Territory himself.

’He’s probably just some lucky kid.’

"Boss, that old fart has been nagging for a while now."

Just then, the mercenary outside—clad in Leather Armor and a pointed helmet—spoke up again.

"When I get back, you can have the first taste," the Red Poison Snake said with a lecherous grin, giving her breast a hard squeeze before turning to leave.

He led a few of his trusted men toward the Kolon City Wall. After being hired by the Duke, he’d been assigned to guard Kolon’s western wall.

Kolon was situated on a Highland, surrounded by vast fields. From the walls, one could even see the distant Selor Lakefront, providing a completely unobstructed view of the surroundings.

Now, those fields were covered in white tents that had sprung up like mushrooms after a rain. They were densely packed and brightly lit by countless torches, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"This damn weather is no good for a war. A man should be indoors, warming himself with a woman and some hot mare’s milk."

A cold gust of wind washed over him, and Ororen couldn’t help but shiver, immediately starting to curse.

"Ororen, do not forget our contract. Only by holding the wall will you receive everything we promised you."

A steady, even voice came from behind him. When Ororen turned and saw the familiar face, he grinned and said, "Ah, Lord Panto. What orders do you have for me?"

"The enemy has arrived at the walls. According to the officers’ assessments, they could attack tomorrow, or they could attack the next time you stop to take a piss." Panto, dressed in a loose robe, was expressionless, his pale, plump face a blank slate. "So, what you should be doing now is holding the wall, not running off to dally with some goddamn whore!"

He had once been a simple castle Scholar, responsible for managing affairs and tutoring the heirs of the Isely Clan. Now, he was over fifty, his hair completely white. By all rights, a man his age shouldn’t have to be toiling in the middle of the night. But with Damon having taken all the High Level officers with him, Panto was the only one left to serve as Kolon’s acting garrison commander.

After all, it wasn’t as if they could rely on that woman, Penny, or on the Little Duke, who was only thirteen or fourteen.

"Lord Panto, you worry far too much." Ororen wasn’t angry; he just kept smiling. "The Kolon City Wall is a full twenty-eight blades high. Unless those Northern Guys sprout wings, there’s no way they’re getting up here anytime soon."

"Who knows," Panto said, remaining noncommittal.

He just gazed worriedly out beyond the city.

To be honest, no one had expected the war to turn out this way.

When the Duke of the North first marched south, they had all agreed on one thing: even if the Southern Territory’s army was somewhat weaker, their geographical advantage would even the odds.

The only possible outcome for the enemy was to leave countless bodies strewn across the land before being forced to retreat to their kennels in disgrace.

But no one had anticipated that Damon would suddenly lead the main army—which had been stationed at Black Stone Castle—further south. And to this day, they had not returned.