Volume Two: The Iron-Blooded Baron Chapter 119: Thieves Arrive from the Sea (Part Five)

Atop Windcloud Peak, in the newly built banquet hall of Nolandenburg, the singing came to an end. Berion raised his cup and called out, “Cheers, my good brothers!”

“Cheers!”

Everyone shouted together and drained their cups.

“Brothers, I didn’t prepare much wine tonight. There’s only enough for three cups each. I was afraid you might drink too much and let it interfere with your duties.” Berion smiled as he spoke.

“Hahaha! My lord, that won’t happen. Let us drink our fill—we’ll still be able to get up the next day!” said Barrett, commander of the militia, with a hearty laugh.

His words provoked another round of laughter. In truth, no one believed Berion had prepared only three cups of wine. They knew that although their lord was young, he had an impressive tolerance for alcohol and enjoyed drinking with his brothers.

Once the laughter had subsided, Berion had the maids pour everyone a second cup. Then he said, “This second cup is to announce some good news. Because of my achievements in battle recently, I have been promoted to baronet.”

When they heard the news, everyone exchanged astonished glances. Within a single year, a youth not yet twenty had risen two ranks. Such a thing was practically unheard of across the Velin Continent.

Even so, after their initial surprise, they broke into cheers and applause. After all, their leader’s advancement was naturally good news for them as well. The ceiling on their own advancement had risen, too.

“Brothers, I could never have reached where I am today without your help. So this cup is for you. Thank you, my good brothers. I will never treat you unfairly.” With that, Berion drained his cup.

“Cheers!”

“Congratulations, my lord!”

“That’s wonderful, my lord!”

…

After announcing the good news, Berion told them that the Toba pirates had invaded and would attack Nolandenburg within half a month.

The military men, led by Bess, immediately grew excited. They had spent two bitter months training themselves here, and now they finally had a chance to distinguish themselves in battle—and not merely in some minor skirmish, but in a major war. Naturally, they were thrilled.

After all, they had already defeated the Toba pirates at Maple Manor. They were more than willing to cut down a few more of the pirates, claim the rewards, and earn promotions.

The civil officials, led by Mark, however, were filled with concern. Nolandenburg had only just completed its first year of development. The seeds sown in the newly cultivated fields had barely begun to sprout. Like this newborn territory, they were full of hope yet exceedingly fragile. One careless misstep could wipe everything out.

Berion studied the expressions of both groups, but his heart remained calm. It was exactly as he had expected. Fighting was necessary. Without military achievements, how could he expand his territory? How could he raise his rank? And without greater lands and a higher title, how could he marry Lady Jessis?

Yet peace and development were necessary as well. Nolandenburg’s foundations were still too shallow. Others might be able to suffer defeat ten times or eight times, but if Nolandenburg suffered one crushing defeat, everything would return to the beginning, and they would have to start all over again. He was increasingly able to understand the principle so often mentioned in the official news of his former life: winning time for peaceful development.

But once trouble arrived, it had to be faced directly. At a time like this, he could not favor one side over the other. He had to coordinate everything and maintain a proper balance.

“All right, everyone, quiet down!”

After a year as the territory’s leader, and with his prestige rising steadily throughout that year, Berion did not need to raise his voice for his authority to be felt. The moment he spoke, everyone fell silent.

Berion swept his gaze across the hall before saying, “We are not afraid of war. Not one man of Nolandenburg fears death! No matter how many Toba pirates come, we will cut down that many heads!

“These filthy swine of pirates are always boasting that they will use your skulls as bowls, aren’t they? This time, we’ll cut off enough of their heads to make drinking bowls for our victory feast!”

“Roar! Roar! Roar!”

“Ho! Ho! Ho!”

…

Berion’s stirring words won an enthusiastic response not only from the officers, but also from the civil officials such as Mark. Their fighting spirit had been ignited as well.

After the cheers had gone on for a while, Berion waved his hands, signaling everyone to stop. He continued, “Although we are not afraid of breaking a few pots and pans, the little prosperity our brothers have built up was not easy to achieve. If we can protect it, then we must protect it.

“Look at our chief steward, Mark. He is barely past twenty, yet wrinkles are already appearing at the corners of his eyes. I do not want this war to smash the fruits of his labor over the past year to pieces and age him another decade.”

Berion’s half-serious, half-joking remark drew laughter from everyone. Mark also smiled knowingly. It seemed that his lord truly understood the situation—and even knew how to feel sorry for his hard-working chief steward.

“Therefore, we must prepare properly. Only by fighting a prepared war can we minimize our losses and maximize our chances of victory.” Berion looked into everyone’s eyes and spoke each word deliberately.

“Brother Bess, beginning tomorrow, Nolandenburg will enter a state of martial law. No unfamiliar merchant caravans or refugees are to enter, lest spies of the Toba pirates infiltrate the territory,” Berion ordered.

Then he turned toward Rochiel and said, “By the way, this is Rochiel. I imagine Mark has already introduced him to you. He is a mercenary cavalryman I recruited, and there is a good chance he will be joining Nolandenburg.”

Rochiel hurriedly rose and said respectfully, “Lord Berion, Rochiel and the soldiers under my command swear before the great Fire God that we will always remain your loyal subjects. We are willing to pledge ourselves to your service.

“Our swords will forever fight for you. We will always guard your safety, and when danger comes, we are willing to protect you with our lives!”

After speaking, he knelt together with Grinber and Euromi, pledging their loyalty to Berion.

They had already decided to submit after being conquered by Berion. Moreover, during the journey, their understanding of Berion and his soldiers had deepened, further strengthening their resolve to swear allegiance to him.

For men like Rochiel, who had traveled far and wide, the coming age of chaos made following a reliable leader far more valuable than earning a little extra money or acquiring a few additional acres of farmland.

Berion was naturally delighted to see the three of them swear their loyalty. He stepped forward and helped them to their feet, then embraced each of them with a smile before giving Rochiel’s shoulder a powerful pat.

“By the name of the Fire God, I, Berion Tucker, accept the allegiance of Rochiel and the soldiers under his command. You will always have a place beside my hearth. You will drink at my table and eat meat at my table.

“The Fire God shall witness our vows. So long as your loyalty to me remains unchanged, my sincerity toward you will never change either. Tonight, and every night thereafter!”

“Roar! Roar! Roar!”

The onlookers erupted into cheers and applause. Everyone was pleased to see such an elite cavalry force joining the territory.

After the oaths were sworn, Berion did not immediately raise a cup and drink with them. Instead, he continued issuing military orders.

“I hereby appoint Rochiel captain of the Nolandenburg cavalry, with authority over all cavalry currently under his command. Grinber and Euromi will serve as deputy captains.”

After Berion announced the appointments, the three men once again bowed respectfully.

“Effective immediately, Nolandenburg is entering a full state of war readiness. Bess, Eomer, Barrett, Dock—the soldiers of the infantry and militia are to enter battle mode beginning tomorrow. Weapons must remain at hand, and armor must remain on their bodies. You are to ensure that at least one-third of the soldiers can enter combat at any moment.

“This is not a minor clash with bandits and robbers. This is a life-and-death war that concerns the survival of everyone here.”

“Understood, my lord!” the four commanders of Nolandenburg’s principal military forces answered in unison, their fighting spirit already surging.

Berion then turned his gaze toward Mark and ordered, “Mark, once the entire territory has entered a state of war readiness, you must ensure the following.

“First, our overall food reserves should be sufficient, but every village must have its own supplies properly stored. We must prepare for the possibility of being besieged until winter. You are to distribute the provisions in time. Not a single person may be allowed to starve.

“Second, you and Hama must speed up the production of weapons and equipment. Arrows in particular, along with stones for defending the walls. We also need additional armor, spears, pikes, swords, and anything else we can produce. Once the fighting begins, these supplies will be consumed at an astonishing rate.

“Third, although we have no shortage of food, you must hurry to stockpile iron, fodder, salt, cloth, and other essentials. Do not be stingy with money. Prepare enough for two months. Firewood must also be stored. If we are surrounded, the weather will grow colder by the day, and we cannot survive without wood for heating.

“Fourth, you and Riano must carefully inspect the newly constructed fortified houses and arrange for traps to be laid. The pirates will attack the three villages first, since they are easier to capture than the castle. You may ask Bess and Barrett for help with this.

“Fifth, I am placing Mister Drew, whom I brought back from Yangvik City, under your authority. He is a versatile bard. Have him work with you to communicate with the common people and prevent panic from spreading. They must trust me and trust the warriors of Nolandenburg. We are invincible in battle. No matter how powerful or savage an enemy may be, once they come here, they will merely help us increase our military achievements.

“That is all I can think of for now. Go back and consider the matter carefully as well. If we have time tomorrow or the day after, we will meet again and hold a council.”

Mark stood respectfully as he listened, then replied, “As you command, my lord. Mark will certainly not disappoint you.”

“I believe in you, my good brother!” Berion gave him a firm look.

With that, Berion raised his cup and stood. Everyone else hurriedly raised their cups and rose as well, waiting for him to speak.

Looking at his subordinates, Berion felt his confidence grow considerably stronger. He smiled and said, “My teacher once told me that death is not the end of life. Being forgotten is. I believe there isn’t a single person here who fears death, is there? If you were afraid to die, you would never have followed me all the way to this desolate place.”

At his words, everyone burst into laughter. It was true—there was not a coward among them. They had all seen the wider world, and every one of them was a man of courage and fierce spirit.

“We do not fear death, but we fear dying an ordinary death. We fear that after we die, no one will even remember our names!

“We want to be like the heroes whose stories are passed from mouth to mouth—remembered forever and held up as examples—instead of being like the old farmers at the entrances to our home villages. While alive, they are nearly invisible to everyone. When they die, they vanish without a sound. Afterward, no one remembers them, and sometimes even their own families stop speaking their names.

“We refuse to live and die like that, and we never will! We will surely defeat this filthy pack of Toba curs!

“Come, brothers! Drain this cup, and together let us strike down the enemy who dares to invade us!”

Berion’s voice rang with passion.

“Cheers!”

Everyone raised their cups and drained them in a single swallow.