Chapter 125: Honorary Knights
Just as Knight Wolf had told Corleon, the war in the Three Western Baronies was cleared out.
The declaration of war was issued in the morning, and by evening, Knight Wolf, along with the two knights and warriors left behind by the lord, was already having dinner in one of the barons’ fortresses.
Amidst a ground full of corpses.
The Three Western Baronies had already been ravaged by Dark Creatures; they had only just driven them away recently, and recovery had yet to begin.
Moreover, when York Territory provided assistance, it wasn’t merely to help them clear out Dark Creatures.
On the second day after the declaration of war, Knight Wolf had already cleared the remaining two baronies.
One baron was driven back into his fortress and defeated, while the other surrendered voluntarily.
It wasn’t until the fourth day after the declaration that Knight Wolf returned to York Territory.
He had spent a day dividing his forces into three groups. He and the two other knights each led one group and carried out massacres against the Gentry Families in the three baronies.
Although those gentry tried to resist, how could they possibly withstand elite warriors led by knights?
Only a few lucky ones managed to escape south.
After the killing was done, Knight Wolf brought back the three barons along with their families and wealth to York Territory.
The three scholars and the books were sent to the Church; everything else was thrown into York Town for Piero to worry about.
The combined territories of the Three Western Baronies were roughly half the size of York Territory.
If the original gentry there hadn’t all been killed, the old system could have been retained to quickly establish order.
As long as the gentry were controlled, rule over those lands could be secured.
However, since all the gentry had been wiped out, Piero had no immediate solution for dealing with it.
But Knight Wolf didn’t bother with such matters. He instructed the knightly families to recruit militia using the Privileges of Knighthood, and for those without knightly families, he also demanded Piero continue conscription.
While Knight Wolf launched his surprise attack on the three barons, the two viscounts and five barons neighboring to the south were not idle—they too were mobilizing their warriors.
A rich Viscounty—who wouldn’t be envious?
Having gone through multiple rounds of chaos, losing over eight thousand people, and with elite warriors taken away by the lord,
Still, that land once belonged to Pegiraov, who dared to hammer a marquis to death. Who knew what that bold fellow might have left behind in his territory?
Thus, they tacitly formed a coalition army to share the risk.
However, with more people came more conflicting interest, and organizing the army became slower.
By the time those who had escaped Knight Wolf’s blade sought refuge with them, their coalition army had still not fully assembled.
"Judging by their movements, they’ll probably send at least a thousand elite warriors, and counting auxiliary troops, the total might reach three thousand," said Nyx.
He had arrived at the Great Church as soon as Knight Wolf returned—so terrifying was Knight Wolf’s killing intent.
With York Territory’s middle-level officials and Gentry Families already lacking, and now even the families in the newly conquered lands slaughtered, governance of the villages was utterly neglected.
Thus, upon Knight Wolf’s return, Nyx came immediately to the Great Church.
He had no concern for the nobles, but he was somewhat worried about the scholars who had served those three barons.
There were fewer than two hundred scholars registered in Greenwood City. Most of them were acquainted, and due to geographic proximity, Nyx’s relations with those three weren’t bad.
However, upon arriving at the Church, he discovered that the three scholars were now confined within the Monastery.
"Based on estimates, they will dispatch at least fifteen knights."
"But currently, there are only three knights in York Territory."
Nyx’s voice carried concern.
"How long has peace lasted, and now war again," he sighed.
Perhaps due to age, or perhaps due to his frequent interaction with commoners in his role as a priest, Nyx’s thoughts had grown more distant from those of the scholar who once governed territory through data.
When he heard news of war, his first thought was that the commoners hadn’t even had time to recover before facing war’s suffering again.
"The number of warriors matches your estimate, but there will only be nine knights," said Corleon.
"They aren’t just planning to invade York Territory. They will also send knights southward—that’s the true battlefield."
"Now that the Succession Battle has a clear target, all those who had been watching from the sidelines and had not chosen sides can now place their bets."
"Invading York Territory would earn them only wealth, but killing the lord could bring them a higher noble title, even granting their family bloodline the right to inherit the principality."
After finishing, Corleon stood and glanced at Nyx, who was seated in the third row of the Pew Bathed in Light.
"You don’t need to worry. You must believe in Knight Wolf," he said, then looked toward the doorway.
"It’s only a coalition of greedy nobles. I will not allow the smoke of war to reach our lands," came Knight Wolf’s voice from the Church Entrance.
"So what are you planning to do?" Nyx turned to glance at Wolf.
His armor was still stained with fresh blood, his expression grim, full of killing intent.
"I will use several knights within the territory, then invade their lands," said Knight Wolf.
"But the lord isn’t here. Though by regulation you can still confer knighthood, how will you do that without the lord present?" Nyx asked.
"Each baron can confer six knights. Coincidentally, the three barons currently visiting the town happen to have no knights under their command," Knight Wolf said, then looked at Corleon.
"That’s eighteen knightly titles in total. Though they are Honorary Knights without fiefs, does the bishop need a few of the slots?"
His words showed no regard for whether those barons agreed or not.
"What do you need me to do?" asked Corleon.
"Many of the conscripted warriors are new recruits. I will use the simplest and fastest method to make them grow, but in the process, they will inevitably be injured. So I need ample Healing Potions and Bandages. At the same time, I need the Church to soothe their hearts," said Knight Wolf.
"The Lord is merciful, but those greedy lords who wish to invade this land of peace and harmony—they are not merciful. Their greed has blinded them, and they are guilty," said Corleon.
"Therefore, I will send people from the Church to accompany your army, to bestow Blessing upon these warriors who protect their homeland and crusade against sin. When they are lost, they will bring the Lord’s Teachings and guidance."
"I will dispatch Temple Warriors. They are the Lord’s warriors. They will guard the Lord’s Throne—that is the Lord of Hosts’ Throne—and be with you."
Knight Wolf nodded and said,"I will send Baron Sacker to the Church. He will surely enjoy the environment here."
After saying that, Knight Wolf turned and left.