Although Jos was confident Beim wouldn’t dare deceive High Cliff Castle, his innate caution still compelled him to inspect the cargo in each of the wagons.

The main reason for his caution, however, was that this was the first time the Lord had entrusted him with such a significant task. He would rather spend a little extra time than allow anything to go wrong.

"Everything’s in order." Jos nodded, a slight smile finally appearing on his face. "Chief Beim, we’ll be heading back now."

The Wilderness Tribes relied on barter, having no fixed currency. Therefore, the goods used to trade for the weapons were, naturally, the Wind Surge Tribe’s specialty: maple syrup.

This maple syrup was made by boiling down the sap of sugar maple trees, which had an extremely high sugar content. Sweet as honey with a unique flavor, it was rich in minerals—a truly special, all-natural, and nutritious product.

The Debei People loved pancakes and toast drizzled with the syrup, and also enjoyed pouring it over roasted meats or certain vegetables.

Some nobles even liked to crush it with ice to create a drink. It was both icy and sweet, with a smooth, slush-like texture. As one drank, they would feel the mix of ice and sugar slowly slide down their throat—an incredibly pleasant sensation.

A single sip on a hot summer day sent a cool sensation from the soles of your feet straight to your scalp.

However, true connoisseurs would often drizzle it over lightly seared foie gras. That was the real delicacy.

All the maple syrup was packed into sealed oak barrels. High Cliff Castle planned to keep some for its own use and take the rest to sell in Bailiu City.

This stuff was a hot commodity, so they had no worries about selling it.

Levi had even already contacted Lorina by letter. The wealthy merchant had offered a fair price and said she would buy as much as they could provide.

This also gave High Cliff Castle a decent source of income.

The convoy was guarded by only a few dozen men—a pitifully small number. Any moderately strong tribe could have easily robbed them, but the thought never even crossed Beim’s mind.

He just quietly watched the silhouette of the convoy disappear against the setting sun.

He shook his head. Right now, the only thing he could do was try his best to stay on High Cliff Castle’s good side.

Ever since learning that the Lord of High Cliff Castle was the one who had annihilated the Wilderness Alliance Army of several thousand men, he hadn’t dared to entertain any other notions.

Their Wind Surge Tribe was very strong on its own, with a population of around two thousand and nearly seven or eight hundred warriors.

But that was just a fraction of the Wilderness Alliance Army that had tried to seize the iron mine. If an Alliance Army that powerful had been sent running with their tails between their legs, he didn’t believe the Wind Surge Tribe stood a chance.

Just as he turned to leave, he heard some very strange sounds.

His excellent eyesight allowed him to see Jos, who had just vanished over the horizon, galloping back in a mad panic with his men, as if the Undead were hot on their heels.

"Jos..."

Beim looked on in confusion, wanting to ask what was happening, but no one paid him any mind as they galloped past.

But he didn’t need to ask. He finally saw what had made the High Cliff Castle Warriors abandon nine wagons full of supplies.

It was a black line on the horizon, growing larger by the second. It was accompanied by the sound of trampled grass, a chorus of wolf howls, and the ringing of unsheathed blades.

Wilderness Bandits!

An army of Wilderness Bandits, terrifying in number!

Damn it!

Damn it!

Beim’s face instantly turned deathly pale. A single glance told him there were at least three thousand of them, and they were advancing menacingly. He couldn’t understand how such a large force had appeared here without the Wind Surge Tribe catching any wind of it.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

He shrieked. The Wind Surge Tribe warriors, who had just finished a battle and hadn’t had time to put down their weapons, hastily scrambled to defend against the coming enemy. Beim, meanwhile, quickly smeared himself with dirt and, when no one was looking, dove into a particularly dense thicket of grass.

The serene peace of the sunset was shattered as the cries of battle erupted.

...

"Did you find out?"

Gorgon gripped a terrified Goblin with one hand, using its body to meticulously wipe the blood from his Giant Sword.

This was something he had learned from a book: human Knights, masters of Martial Arts, would always maintain their swords by wiping them with a handkerchief after a battle. He only did it because he had nearly died at the hands of Goblins in his youth.

In terms of individual prowess and strength, these Wilderness People were far inferior to his elite vanguard. Their weapons were only slightly superior, but that was hardly enough to bridge the gap in their combat abilities.

Coupled with the advantage of a surprise attack, the battle instantly became a one-sided affair and was over in less time than it takes to eat a meal. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

However, Gorgon discovered something else that excited him greatly. While gathering the spoils of war after the dust settled, they found the cargo wagons in a clearing. When opened, they revealed rows of "fine" iron weapons neatly arranged inside.

It only took Gorgon a moment’s thought to understand. This shipment of weapons had just been delivered. The people of this Tribe hadn’t had time to distribute them, which explained why they had been so easily defeated.

"My lord, it’s true. Someone supplied them with these iron weapons."

"Excellent." Gorgon casually tossed the fainted Goblin into an Ogre’s mouth. With a flourish that showcased his exquisite Swordsmanship, he twirled his Broadsword and sheathed it on his back. "Who supplied them?"

"A Pioneer Lord from Debei. His territory is called High Cliff Castle." As he spoke, the Jackal Wolf Scout couldn’t help but laugh. "These clueless bumpkins described him as someone incredible, like a Warrior fighting for the Gods."

At this thought, the Scout puffed out his chest. They might not be fighting for the Gods, but they were, in fact, fighting for a Giant Dragon.

And that was why he could so proudly call these Wilderness Natives "bumpkins."

’Just a small Pioneer Territory,’ Gorgon thought dismissively. ’This Tribe had some strength, but they were clearly ignorant. No need to pay them any mind.’

Gorgon made his decision instantly.

’What kind of military strength could a Pioneer Territory have? At best, they’re just a bunch of losers who couldn’t make it among humans and are trying to make a name for themselves in the Wilderness. At most, they might have a hundred pioneer warriors.’

’They’re no match for my Giant Dragon Corps.’

’And the fact that they resort to Trade for supplies just goes to show they aren’t strong. Otherwise, there would be no need to use such peaceful methods.’

’A human noble capable of supplying weapons to the Wilderness Tribes... It’s hard to believe just how many weapons this Pioneer Territory possesses. But if they have enough of a surplus to sell, they clearly can’t be lacking.’

"Lady Sophia, you are another step closer to your goal," Gorgon murmured.

’After wiping out this Pioneer Territory, the Giant Dragon Corps will seize their weapons and become much stronger. Won’t unifying the Wilderness be even easier then?’

"My lord, if we launch a large-scale attack on a Debei Pioneer Territory, we’ll be in big trouble," the Jackal Wolf Scout said hesitantly.

"If only a small force attacked a Pioneer Territory, Debei wouldn’t intervene, even if the territory was destroyed."

"But we’ve gathered three to four thousand to form a legion. That’s no different from a small army. If Debei finds out, they certainly won’t ignore such a threat. They’re bound to send forces to crush it in its cradle."

"Yes, it would indeed be troublesome if we’re discovered." Gorgon looked in the direction a captive was pointing and gave a cold sneer. "But if a remote Pioneer Territory is annihilated, just how long will it take for Debei to find out?"

"Half a month?" the Jackal Wolf Scout Captain chimed in.

"I’d say three months, at least..."

But not a single one of them noticed that in a thicket of grass not far away, a figure that looked like a pile of mud was desperately clamping a hand over his own mouth, not daring to make the slightest sound.