Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

Just griddling corn cakes for these two gluttons was enough to leave the little aproned girl drenched in sweat. But she didn’t dare stop, terrified that any delay in supply would displease her two high-status guests.

The little old man, stooped as he kneaded the corn dough, secretly sized up the pair. There wasn’t much to say about the Beastman—he was most likely a slave, though an absurdly burly one. His fists alone were as large as the old man’s head.

The one who truly warranted attention was the young man. Not even the Knights of Kalia were that handsome. The Leather Armor he wore was clearly of high quality, and the Sword at his waist was so exquisite one hardly dared to look at it for long. Even a fool could tell he was the real VIP.

Logically, he shouldn’t have set up his stall. A battle had just broken out here yesterday, and it was said that many people had died.

He was just a breakfast seller; he had no idea who had fought the Baron. But since no soldiers had come to harass the commoner’s district afterward, he had assumed the Baron of Kalia Town was victorious.

So, whether out of a habit he hadn’t broken in years or a desire to save a little more money for his granddaughter before he died, he decided to set up shop.

But now he was starting to regret it. After all, Baron Regulo didn’t have any Beastman slaves under him. It seemed that group of outsiders had won.

The only thing the little old man could do was try his best to fill their stomachs. He didn’t even care if they left without paying, as long as they didn’t do anything to his granddaughter.

"You son of a bitch, you ate them all! What am I supposed to eat?" Levi habitually reached into the basket for a finished corn cake, only to find it empty. He whipped his head around to see Zat’s mouth stuffed full and immediately sent him over to griddle corn cakes too.

Zat, a look of bitter resentment on his face, walked over to the little girl’s side, scaring the daylights out of both the old man and the child.

"We’re not bad people, old-timer. You and your granddaughter take a break. Just let this lunkhead do the work," Levi said with a wave of his hand.

"Yes, my Lord." The little old man didn’t dare refuse. He quickly moved aside to stand and watch, but his wariness of the Lord only grew, and he held his granddaughter tightly behind him.

Levi paid it no mind.

"What new game are you two playing now?"

Andao, who had just walked over, almost burst out laughing at the sight of the burly Beastman holding a tiny iron spatula and griddling corn cakes.

This was the same Barbarian who yesterday had been scaring the shit out of the enemy with two Double-Bladed War Axes in hand. Now, he had an extra-small apron tied around his waist, griddling batter with a wronged expression on his face.

He plopped down next to Levi and reached for a corn cake from the bowl, only to have his hand slapped away by the Lord.

"If you want some, make them yourself. I don’t even have enough for me."

"A great Lion Hunter Knight, and you can’t even spare a few cakes." Andao looked exasperated. With a wave of his hand, one of the Guards following him had no choice but to go and join the griddling.

"Man is iron, but food is steel. Right now, these aren’t just corn cakes, they’re my energy source," Levi replied casually without looking up. "If there were enough to go around, I wouldn’t mind treating you."

Watching the two clumsy men, the little girl who had been griddling the cakes couldn’t bear it any longer. Mustering her courage, she stepped forward and took the job back.

"Alright, spit it out. What did you want to see me about?"

"A letter arrived from the rear." Count Andao picked up a cake, took a bite, and pulled an already opened letter from his breast pocket, placing it on the table.

"Not bad," he commented. "I remember eating these back when I was a Knight, but they were never this authentic."

Levi noticed the Count didn’t look particularly pleased. He finished the last of his food, wiped his hands, and unfolded the letter. "What does it say?" he asked.

"Little Skinflint is dead," Count Andao said out of the blue.

Levi’s brows furrowed. He took the letter and scanned it, his face filled with confusion a moment later.

The letter ordered them to stand by and wait for the main army to rendezvous with them before advancing on Kolon together. However, a note at the end mentioned that Red Debei, the heir of Terror Castle, was dead. He had been discovered in a brothel, having been dead for some time. A healer’s examination concluded the cause was excessive debauchery.

"What do you make of it?" Levi put down the letter and looked at Andao.

This latter piece of news could be a huge problem or nothing at all. As they marched south, their supply lines would pass over the Stone Bridge in Mislin Land, the territory of the Debei family. It was unclear if Little Skinflint’s death would affect their campaign.

"What’s there to make of it?" Count Andao shrugged. "Countless nobles die on a woman’s belly every year. It’s all too normal for young men to lack self-control."

"When I saw the man, he already looked lifeless. He was clearly a regular at the brothels, so it’s not surprising he’d end up dying on a woman’s belly."

"Alas, the scourge of lust is like a flood, a ravenous beast, endangering the youth of the Kingdom," Levi sighed, shaking his head sagely.

Internally, however, he was rather contemptuous. ’If it were me,’ he thought, ’I wouldn’t be the least bit tired even after three days and three nights. The guy was just too weak.’

"To be honest," Andao explained, "it doesn’t matter how Little Skinflint died. As long as Old Skinflint’s brain hasn’t been eaten by a Goblin, he’s shrewd enough to know what to do. Besides, Duke Fulina left Si Kai there to stand guard. Nothing is likely to happen."

"Fair enough." Levi nodded.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, he stood up and stretched lazily.

The old stall owner immediately grew tense. As far as he was concerned, as long as he could see this group off peacefully, the money was a non-issue.

But just then, a small object flew straight toward him. He caught it reflexively and saw it glinting brightly in the morning sun.

It was, without a doubt, a Gold Coin.

"Well, well. Since when did you become so generous?" Count Andao teased.

"Hmph, I’m a rich man now!" Levi’s nose was in the air. He "accidentally" let the heavy money pouch at his waist show. Without a backward glance, he led his men away, the clear, pleasant jingle of coins echoing from the pouch as he walked.

"Damn it!" Count Andao couldn’t help but swear. He suddenly remembered that Levi had just finished looting a Baron Castle.

That smug look made him desperately want to kick the Lion Hunter Knight right in the ass.

...

The following days were peaceful. The commoners of Kalia Town discovered that aside from seizing their livestock that one time, the group of outsiders stayed in their respective camps and never again set foot in the civilian districts.

One by one, they grew bolder. Merchants began to sell their wares on the streets, and farmers who had been temporarily trapped in town started heading to the gates to see if they could get back to the countryside.

Life gradually began to return to the town, but it could never hope to match its former liveliness.

This state of affairs continued for five days, until the arrival of the main army.

Kalia Town was far too small to accommodate so many people. Tents began to spring up in dense clusters around its perimeter, and only officers were permitted to enter the town itself.

Compared to the scruffy and disheveled Vanguard Army, the soldiers of the main army were energetic and had high morale. Their slogans shook the heavens. At a glance, they were clearly a troop of pampered pretty boys who had yet to experience real combat.

However, Levi spotted a special squad. All of its members wore exquisite, gilded Plate Armor and golden capes. Their sigil was a unique red cross, and they carried Giant Swords as wide as door panels. They had the complete look of Holy Knights.

"That’s the Holy Light Knight Order from the Holy Light Church." Andao was standing on a platform, cracking melon seeds out of boredom.

"Duke Fulina is on good terms with the Holy Light Church. The Church is also eager to expand its influence into the Northern Territory, so it was only natural for them to send a hundred-man Knight Order in support."

"These Knights have all cultivated the *Holy Word Treasure Manual*. One-on-one, they might not be able to defeat a Combat Qi Knight of the same Level, but when they charge in formation, their powerful physiques and fine equipment turn them into meat grinders on the battlefield."

"Weaker than I imagined. I thought Holy Knights, if not quite on my level, could at least thrash you Combat Qi Knights," the Lord said, shaking his head.

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