Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

While High Cliff Castle methodically prepared to march south, a tense, jittery atmosphere permeated the entire Kingdom of Debei.

The Secret Silver Commerce Association’s carrier pigeons flew frequently between Bailiu City and the remote corner of the world that was High Cliff Castle. Thanks to them, Levi learned what had been happening. His Majesty the King of Debei had sent special envoys from the Griffin Knight Order to both the Northern and Southern Territories. They carried personal letters from the so-called "Absurd King," who was attempting to mediate the impending war to prevent civilian displacement and national turmoil.

Of course, trying to stop a war with mere letters was obviously impractical. In the end, the Griffin Knights, long accustomed to their lofty status, tasted humiliation for the first time. One by one, they flew back in a rage to the Debei Royal City of Gonda.

Naturally, the matter didn’t end there. Soon after, His Majesty the King wrote again, inviting the two Dukes to Gonda for reconciliation.

However, any intelligent person would know better than to travel to Gonda alone at a time like this. Reading this, Levi grew anxious. ’I hope that Tiger Lady, Fulina, doesn’t have a screw loose and actually went.’

Fortunately, a later letter from Si Kai explained that both Dukes had refused the proposal without hesitation. Instead, they used a large Transmission Stone to hold a conference that spanned a thousand miles.

It was said that a full ten Court Mages were required just to channel the Magic Power needed to sustain the long-distance conference.

The two Dukes engaged in a heated debate right in front of His Majesty, which ended only when Fulina gave a cold sneer and told her counterpart to prepare for the wrath of the Martel Family.

"His Majesty is a bit too idealistic."

Levi finished the letter, shaking his head as he tossed it onto the table. "The core problem remains unsolved. At this point, it wouldn’t matter if God himself intervened. A fight is a fight, and it’s going to happen."

The conflict between the two sides was no longer just about the detention of Liya’s mother. The real issue was that the rightful heir to the Duke of the South was Liya, and she had the blood of the Martel Family in her veins.

Thus, the Martels of the Northern Territory would never pass up this chance to seize the seat of the Duke of the South.

If they succeeded, the Martel Family would have two Dukes, and their power would swell to unprecedented heights.

No family would pass up such an opportunity. They would even be willing to bet everything they had for a chance at it.

"I’ve heard the king is a chronic alcoholic who loves hunting and visiting brothels. It’s not surprising he’d do something like this."

Baisitina sat in her chair, absorbed in knitting a wool sweater, occasionally chiming in.

Even she, a member of the Federation People from the deep Wilderness, had heard stories about this king. It was clear his reputation in Debei had hit rock bottom.

To be honest, when Levi first learned how the king had clawed his way to the top, he found it hard to believe the man was a brainless fool.

After all, it was impossible for an illegitimate son to seize the throne without being cunning and resourceful.

But all these facts and rumors now suggested he wasn’t nearly as clever as one might think.

"Or perhaps it’s all just an act?" Levi said pointedly. He didn’t dwell on the topic, however, changing the subject instead.

"Who do you think the king will ultimately side with? Or will he just sit back and watch his Dukes go at each other’s throats?"

Here, Levi had to find fault with this world’s system of aristocracy.

Whether a Baron or a Duke, their domestic and military affairs were not subject to the king’s control. This meant a wealthy Baron’s domain could potentially field a stronger army than that of a Count.

A Duke’s power was not that much weaker than the Royal Family’s, which was why the king had to resort to polite requests.

’If this were one of the emperors from the history of my past life,’ he thought, ’they would have crushed this rebellion with an overwhelming force long ago.’

It just went to show that you had to keep a firm grip on your own military power. Levi’s situation was a little different, though. His soldiers were enhanced by the system, and as long as he didn’t actively mistreat them, they were extremely unlikely to betray him.

"It’s hard to say. After all, no king wants to sit idly by while two of his own Dukes go to war."

"The two sides will probably keep wrangling for a while."

Miriel sighed.

The Half-Elf had been a permanent resident of High Cliff Castle ever since the Secret Silver Commerce Association officially opened its branch there.

To be fair, as a merchant, she knew that war would allow them to make a fortune, earning profits unimaginable in times of peace.

But as a Half-Elf, she had also inherited the Elves’ love for peace and hated to see so many innocent people die in a war.

"But His Majesty has no way to mediate a conflict that’s practically impossible to resolve."

Levi shrugged. Putting himself in the king’s shoes, he couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.

He lacked the power to strong-arm the two Dukes and could only try to mediate with words.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t a conflict that could be resolved with words or compromise. The only solution was for one side to renounce their claim to the duchy and admit to being a usurper.

And that was obviously not going to happen.

Time passed, and just as everyone expected, King Debei’s envoys shuttled endlessly between the two ducal territories without making any real progress.

Then, at the end of February, the King ordered the Duke of the South to strictly guard his western border. As everyone knew, the nation to the west, closest to Debei, was the Holy Sith Kingdom.

The two kingdoms shared an unfriendly border, and friction was common.

This action made it clear to everyone that mediation between the two Dukes was no longer possible. The war was inevitable.

The two Dukes, for their part, still showed the king the utmost respect by promising not to commit atrocities like massacring civilians or sacking cities.

One morning in early March, a carrier pigeon landed at High Cliff Castle. A professional handler rewarded the hardworking messenger with fresh milk and wheat.

He then removed the message cylinder, which was passed from hand to hand until it reached the important figures authorized to read it.

A moment later, an urgent horn blast echoed across the hill, followed by a brief commotion. An elite force assembled on the training ground with lightning speed.

The news had reached High Cliff Castle: King Debei’s attempts at mediation had utterly failed.

War had finally come!

Their Lord stood before them, clad in exquisite Leather Armor and a snow-white wool cloak. He wore fine Deer Hide Hunting Boots, a Secret Silver Longsword hung at his waist, and he cut a rather princely figure.

His gaze swept over the assembled leaders of High Cliff Castle.

With the exception of Baisitina, Muto, and Jos, he planned to take everyone south for the war, leaving behind only enough Warriors to defend the castle.

"Lord! The Burning Corps’ First Battalion: three hundred Heavy Armored Orc Infantry, three hundred Feder Archers, two hundred Jackal Wolfman Cavalry, and three hundred Centaur Clan Warriors, for a total of one thousand one hundred Warriors. All are present and accounted for!"

Leiden, now wearing his storied set of Leather Armor, reported with meticulous precision.

"Twenty Bed Crossbows and three Catapults are loaded and ready to move out."

Mier had donned his flashy suit of Bright Silver Plate Armor, and his voice boomed.

At a glance, the High Cliff Castle Warriors stood in neat formations on the training ground, their gazes fixed forward in absolute silence.

Thanks to the system’s enhancements and Leiden’s training, the discipline of High Cliff Castle’s Warriors was beginning to rival that of the most renowned Elite Corps.

"March out!" Levi commanded in a deep voice, swinging his Longsword.

The column of one thousand one hundred Warriors, bolstered by an additional contingent of Cook and Assistant Soldiers for a total of two thousand five hundred personnel, formed a long, snaking line. They set off for Bailiu City with great momentum.

This war was different. Levi was betting the farm, taking all of his active-duty Warriors south and leaving only five hundred reservists to garrison High Cliff Castle.

"Tina, I’m leaving High Cliff Castle in your hands for now. If anything happens, send me a letter."

Levi looked down at the girl, who was only as tall as his chest, and gently patted her head.

In truth, he only dared to pull away nearly ninety percent of his combat forces because of Sophia. If High Cliff Castle were ever in true danger, he could ride his dragon back in no time.

"Levi..."

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