Volume One: The Forest Knight Chapter 40: The Battle to Reclaim Maple Leaf Manor (VI) - Part One

Other items such as armor and weapons were divided among the principal knights who had led the troops into battle. Berion claimed seven sets of relatively intact iron-plated armor and helmets, as well as some spearheads and battle-axes. As the second-in-command of the operation and the one who had distinguished himself most, Viscount Merrick further rewarded Berion with five hundred denars and three warhorses—a pleasant surprise beyond expectation.

As for the rescued serfs and prisoners, Viscount Merrick decided to send them all to the mines of the Snowland as forced laborers. His first reason was his persistent distrust of the original serfs of Maple Leaf Manor; he believed these people were likely disloyal, and perhaps even harbored traitors, so they could not be allowed to remain. Second, he feared that if the royal inspectors arrived, these serfs might talk indiscreetly and cause him trouble. Considering all this, Viscount Merrick resolved to make them slaves for life in the mines.

No one else raised objections to this solution. In their eyes, the lives of these lowly serfs and merchant prisoners were as worthless as weeds.

But Berion was different. On one hand, the values of his previous life in a modern society had instilled in him a sense of compassion. On the other, Norland Castle was desperately short of people; if these individuals could be relocated there, it might help ease Berion’s ongoing labor shortage.

Berion privately shared his thoughts with Viscount Merrick. Seeing the viscount’s ambivalent response, he offered to forgo his share of the spoils from the siege and further pledged a thousand denars if Merrick would agree.

Viscount Merrick, seeing Berion’s sincerity and wishing to win him over, did not accept the additional thousand denars. He only required that Berion relinquish his portion of the plunder, which was then distributed among the county troops.

This battle had given Viscount Merrick a new understanding of the county troops’ lackluster combat strength. He resolved to better equip and rigorously train them; after all, only with elite forces under his personal command could he sleep soundly at night.

After the meeting for dividing the spoils—or rather, the “war trophy distribution assembly”—Berion returned to the Norland Castle soldiers’ camp. That night, everyone moved into Maple Leaf Manor. As commander, Berion arranged for his men to occupy a long wooden barrack, so they would no longer have to sleep in tents.

Upon entering the building, he found both Iomir and Barrett awaiting him. As soon as they saw him, they stood up. Barrett laughed heartily, “My lord, I’ve been waiting for you for ages! How much loot did you manage to secure at the division of spoils today?”

Seeing Barrett’s grinning, sly expression, Berion replied irritably, “Spoils division, my foot—it was a war trophy distribution, and I didn’t get a single denar.”

“What! Those pig-headed fools, and that damned county governor—how could they treat us like this? Without you, my lord, they’d have died of exhaustion before ever taking Maple Leaf Manor!” Iomir fumed with indignation at Berion’s words.

“Keep your voice down!” Berion admonished. “We’re all in the manor now; if outsiders overheard, it would be bad. I was given a fair reward—I just chose not to accept it.”

“But why, my lord? Haven’t you always taught us that seizing riches is one of the main reasons for going to war?” Barrett asked, bewildered.

“Because I traded my share of the spoils with the viscount for something more valuable. Now, all two hundred or so serfs in Maple Leaf Manor, as well as the merchants and guards captured by the pirates, are ours.” Berion explained the reason for declining the loot.

“I knew our lord was no fool! This was a wise trade—Norland Castle isn’t short on wealth or grain, but we do lack people. Truly brilliant, my lord!” Iomir praised.

“All right, enough—you can stop flattering me!” Berion cut him off. “By the way, Barrett, how did things go on your end? A good haul, I presume?”

Barrett grinned. “Of course! The ten pirates aboard that ship were completely unprepared—we took the vessel easily. It was packed: cloth, wool, furs, salt, beer, wine, smoked meats—enough to fill three holds. I brought over a barrel of wine for tonight.

Besides that, there were about fifty thousand pounds of wheat, over two thousand pounds of pig iron, and in gold, silver, and copper coins, roughly one hundred and thirty thousand denars. But more importantly, we found something remarkable.” As he spoke, Barrett lowered his voice, as if disclosing a secret.

Berion and Iomir leaned in. Barrett whispered, “We found a chest in one of the cabins—turns out the pirates had plundered a monastery. Gilded icons, bronze candlesticks, ceremonial items used by priests—they’re all there. This is serious. I’ve hidden them well, and when we get back, we’ll need to keep them secret.”

The Toba pirates worshipped sea gods and, unlike the Bricklanders, had no particular reverence for priests or monasteries—so naturally, they sacked an undefended abbey. If such items were taken as spoils on the battlefield, it would be one thing. But in this case, Berion and his men had opportunistically seized them. If discovered, others might accuse them of robbing the monastery themselves. Berion could find himself before the Inquisition, and despite his noble status, might well be burned at the stake as an example—religious power still being formidable in this era.

Berion nodded approvingly, “You did the right thing. Quietly bring these back and hide them. Later, we’ll decide whether to have Hama melt them down or handle them otherwise. I doubt the Fire God will blame us.”

“Exactly! The Fire God won’t blame us—for we’ve rescued his treasures from pirates who worship false gods. He might even reward us,” Barrett muttered, quick to rationalize.

“My lord, I find these pirates strange,” said Iomir. “Why come all this way just to plunder? It can’t be just for wealth—southern lords are far richer, and robbing them would be easier and closer.”

Hearing this, Berion didn’t answer immediately. He sat down, poured himself a cup of ale, took a sip, and said, “Iomir, I’ve been pondering the same question these past days. Honestly, I don’t know.”

“I did capture a few prisoners, but haven’t questioned them yet,” Barrett interjected.

“They’re all low-ranking pirates. The only two leaders died in battle—we won’t get much out of the rest,” Berion replied with regret. “But one thing’s certain: the pirates won’t stop coming just because of this defeat. I fear they’ll soon return, advancing further inland along the Karl River.”

“What! Surely not?” Both Iomir and Barrett were stunned by Berion’s prediction.

Berion held his cup, his expression grave. “If they only wanted loot, they’d have left after sacking Maple Leaf Manor. Instead, they stayed for half a year, fortified the place, and stockpiled plenty of food. I checked the granaries today—without a siege, they could have held out for three more months. They clearly intended to stay long-term. That’s why I believe the Toba pirates have a deeper motive than mere plunder.

I don’t know exactly what that is, but I’m certain of one thing—they’ll return, and in greater numbers. So, when we get back, we must expand our standing army and militia to meet this looming threat.”

After Berion’s analysis, Iomir and Barrett both nodded in agreement. Barrett then let out a wistful sigh. “Ah! Even though we’ve gained more people lately, we need hands for clearing fields, building the encampments and the castle, and now we’re to expand the army—there’s still not enough manpower.”

“Exactly. More soldiers means fewer people for farming, herding, and building, which hinders Norland Castle’s long-term development. If our people lack food, drink, or shelter, it won’t do. But if we have too few soldiers, no matter how well we build or how much grain we harvest, the pirates will just steal it all anyway. It’s a real dilemma,” Iomir echoed.

Hearing them, Berion nodded with satisfaction. “You two have truly grown—not only do you think about training and war, but you consider the bigger picture as well.”