Volume One: The Forest Knight Chapter 105: The Horse Trader Grimber (Part Four)

Upon hearing the name Viscount Milkor, Bellion immediately thought of Grimber; this very Viscount Milkor was the one Grimber hated most among the living.

However, for now, Bellion needed to find a way to extract more information from Baron Enshima. Slamming his fist on the table in anger, he shouted, “Those audacious Valendi curs! How dare they trespass on Brick’s lands? They truly have no regard for life!”

Bellion’s sudden outburst startled Baron Enshima. The baron placed a hand over his chest and earnestly advised, “Young man, don’t be so hasty. The more urgent the matter, the more composed one must remain—especially when it involves a war between nations. We must wait for the monarch and the court officials to make their decisions.”

Hearing this, Bellion quickly stood and saluted. “I sincerely apologize, Your Excellency, for startling you earlier. I will heed your counsel and restrain my impatience. Matters of such gravity require the duke, the chancellor, and the two deputy chancellors to speak first. Until then, we shall wait patiently.”

Baron Enshima nodded approvingly and smiled. “Sir Bellion, you are commendable. At your age, I could rarely listen to anyone’s advice. Your humility in youthful zeal is indeed rare.”

“You flatter me, Your Excellency,” Bellion replied bashfully, scratching his head. “By the way, who exactly is this Viscount Milkor you mentioned? Did he lead his private troops across the Blue Mountains himself?”

Baron Enshima shook his head. “Viscount Milkor commands not merely his private soldiers but an entire regiment from Queen County.”

Bellion gasped in surprise. In this world, conflicts between nations usually began with minor skirmishes. For example, a knight might lead a small band of twenty men to raid a merchant caravan, prompting negotiations. During these talks, each side might send a small force to raze one or two villages to exert pressure.

Noblemen of viscount or baron rank would almost never be sent directly, let alone an entire regiment. Such actions were often the personal conduct of a lord’s subordinate and not official acts of war, allowing negotiations to proceed.

But dispatching a regiment led by a viscount or baron onto another nation’s soil was no mere provocation or friction—it was a clear declaration of war.

This was precisely what the Valendi had done. They had effectively declared war without warning, violating the established rules of warfare on the Verin Continent. Worse still, they had the audacity to send a regiment capable of besieging castles to ravage peaceful villages—a most unethical act.

Seeing Bellion’s shocked reaction, Baron Enshima sighed. “Honestly, I never expected the Valendi monarch to be so reckless. He hasn’t even consolidated Queen County, which he seized from the Orians, before coming to war with us. Is he so eager to crown himself king, forcing us to recognize his claim?”

Bellion shrugged helplessly. “A titular king and a king acknowledged by all are very different. Our neighbor is indeed too hasty.”

Baron Enshima chuckled. “You might not know why he is in such a hurry.”

“I would be grateful for your insight, Your Excellency,” Bellion said, genuinely curious about this Valendi monarch’s impatience.

Taking a sip of wine and clearing his throat, the baron explained, “Because he ascended the throne by murdering his own brother.”

Bellion’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

Amused by Bellion’s astonishment, Baron Enshima elaborated, “The Valendi are naturally brutal and ruthless, lacking the morality and discipline we Brick people uphold. Their nobility, including the royal family, are no exception.

“Before becoming the monarch of Valendi, King Quent was merely the second son of the old duke, with no right of succession. He was known for his dissolute lifestyle—frequenting brothels and sleeping in henhouses, earning a terrible reputation among nobles and commoners alike.

“But one day, this prodigal son suddenly reformed, giving up his vices and drinking habits. Everyone believed he had a great awakening and intended to change his ways. The truth, however, was far darker.

“Young Quent, now better called Sir Quent, had an affair with his father’s mistress. Afterward, he killed her. This was discovered by his brother, the rightful heir, who chose to keep the secret from their father, the duke.

“The good brother used this knowledge to force Quent to abandon his reckless ways, to train in arms, and learn statecraft, preparing to assist him in governance.

“But Quent repaid that kindness with treachery. One night, he sent assassins to kill his brother—the very man who had saved his life.”

Bellion was moved to solemn reflection. Indeed, before the supreme power, all bonds of kinship and gratitude crumble to dust.

Baron Enshima took another sip of the violet rose wine and continued, “After murdering his brother, Quent seized his brother’s fiancée, now Queen Annika of Valendi. When the old duke learned the truth, he died of grief.

“Quent, as the sole heir, inherited the dukedom and the throne. After purging his brothers’ supporters, he solidified his rule.

“Knowing his ascension was tainted, he understood the nobles only submitted out of fear. Once his power waned, they would rise like wolves to devour him.

“That is why he is so desperate to become the first crowned king on the Verin Continent. He aims to compel the Brick, Orien, and Bax nations to acknowledge him.

“Only by achieving this will his domestic prestige reach heights never before seen by his ancestors, securing his throne and prolonging his reign.

“Such achievements will also mask his disgraceful usurpation, and his warmongering will be seen as justified. After all, the populace worship strength and are easily swayed.”

“Unbelievable,” Bellion muttered. “A man of such vile character governing a nation—what a tragedy.”

Baron Enshima scoffed. “Not only King Quent is corrupt; the nobles he trusts and empowers are equally reprehensible.

“Take Viscount Milkor, for example. His father and two brothers insulted a horse trader’s wife, provoking the trader to lead a rebellion that burned their family’s castle and slaughtered most of their kin.

“Milkor bribed King Quent’s courtiers, preserving his family’s title and lands. For his role in quelling the rebellion, he was appointed governor of Queen County.

“This shameless scoundrel’s governorship amounts to extorting money and oppressing peasants. Under his rule, farmer uprisings erupt several times each year.

“Yet, his military skill is undeniable. He easily suppresses these revolts and has nearly eradicated the bandits sheltering in the Blue Mountains.

“King Quent favors men like Milkor—not only are they obedient and pay heavy taxes, but they also bring him entertaining tributes.

“This is why Milkor earned the king’s utmost trust and was assigned to ravage Brick’s border, provoking war. Few honorable nobles would stoop to such tasks.”

Bellion pondered deeply. According to Baron Enshima, this depraved Viscount Milkor, though heinous, was a formidable figure—trusted by the king, repeatedly quelling rebellions, and nearly wiping out Grimber’s faction.

With war looming between Brick and Valendi, Bellion’s moment to prove himself was approaching. After retaking Maple Manor, Viscount Merry had tasked him with assembling an infantry regiment.

Bellion recalled Viscount Merry telling him that the Valendi frequently stirred border conflicts, and Brick’s monarch would surely retaliate within a year or two to punish King Quent’s provocations and premature claim to kingship.

Yet, less than six months had passed before war erupted. Though ignited by the Valendi, the outcome was the same—open warfare had begun. The entire Verin Continent was entering an era of great upheaval.

After the fragmentation of the Orians, Brick, Valendi, and Bax empires, the northern, western, central, and eastern nations respectively were plunging into chaos.

For common folk, chaos meant death and destruction. But for ambitious men like Bellion, chaos was a ladder. Since he could not stop this tumultuous era, why not seize the opportunity to grow stronger and ultimately end the chaos?

Alas, his current strength was still too meager—a mere knight commanding fewer than three thousand men, governing a territory no larger than half a town in his past life’s homeland.

“Honk! Honk! Honk!” Baron Enshima’s cough snapped Bellion from his reverie.

Regaining his composure, Bellion said solemnly, “Before coming to Youngwick Castle, Viscount Merry instructed all direct vassal knights to form infantry regiments.

“At the time, I did not understand the governor’s intent. Now I see—they had foreknowledge we would soon be at war with the Valendi.”

Baron Enshima was momentarily surprised but quickly resumed his usual demeanor. “It’s only natural Viscount Merry was informed. As a court viscount, he reports directly to our lord, Duke Gallerin.

“Likely, the duke ordered this. In wartime, the most reliable troops aren’t those of vassals but the knights and barons under direct command.”

Bellion nodded. “Indeed. Before departing, I entrusted the matter to one of my attendants. I must hurry back; otherwise, Viscount Merry might punish me.”

“Ha ha ha!” Baron Enshima laughed heartily. “You worry too much. Recruiting a hundred peasants and arming them is sufficient. Wars between nations are chiefly concerns of the highborn. You just need to muster the numbers.”

Bellion inwardly cursed the cunning baron but smiled outwardly. “Baron Enshima, you speak with confidence, no doubt because you are at Youngwick Castle. But Viscount Merry insisted we recruit trained peasants. Sloppily gathered troops would be rejected and might even bring punishment upon their commanding knights.”