Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

This year’s winter had been unusually long and cold—a fact everyone in Debei agreed on.

Heavy snows had begun to fall as early as August and September, continuing all the way until now, nearly May. After almost half a year, the Southern Territory was only just beginning to show the first signs of a thaw.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory, it was likely still deep winter.

This southern campaign was simply about reclaiming a title, so there was no need to completely occupy the surrounding towns. They only had to ensure the road to Kolon remained clear of obstacles.

Now, only one fortress stood between them and Kolon: a place called Black Stone Castle. Once they took it, the path to Kolon would be wide open.

But even this far into the war, they still hadn’t seen Damon’s main army. This strange absence had a whole host of Northern nobles on edge, terrified that their enemy was planning some wild, unconventional strategy.

The Lord was poring over maps day and night. When he saw the sea to the east of Debei, he slapped his thigh as a startling thought struck him. ’Damn it, don’t tell me that bastard Damon is sailing north from White Harbor, across the Hurricane Sea?!’

Debei was a coastal nation; its entire eastern border ran along the sea. Naturally, the Southern Territory had a massive port of its own—White Harbor. The port could accommodate up to a hundred merchant ships daily, with trade routes extending to several nations. It had undeniably played a major role in the Southern Territory’s prosperity.

Since they still hadn’t seen Damon’s main army, the Lord wondered if the old veteran was planning a nasty base trade.

If that happened, even if they managed to take Kolon, Bailiu City and its Guard Army of only a few thousand wouldn’t be able to stop Damon’s assault. Both sides would be stuck in an awkward stalemate, each holding the other’s territory.

The Count of Monvert, standing beside him, had initially thought the Lion Hunter Knight was onto something incredible. But after hearing this, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"Levi, you certainly have a vivid imagination."

"Why don’t you take a guess as to why the sea under Debei’s purview is called the Hurricane Sea."

Before Levi could answer, Monvert tapped the vast expanse of sea on the map, his expression serious. "Because from January to March, violent hurricanes suddenly manifest out of nowhere in this region. They’re powerful enough to capsize a ship built for a thousand men. Not even the most experienced captain would dare set sail during this period."

"All ships are forced to remain docked in the harbor. Sailors squander their earnings in brothels, while the captains, losing money by the day, sigh endlessly at their mistresses’ homes, praying to the Gods for the hurricanes to pass. Otherwise, the dozens of mistresses they support might just leave them when they go bankrupt."

"I strongly condemn those captains!" Levi declared righteously, though he was practically drooling with envy.

"That’s not the point!" Monvert said, exasperated. The Lion Hunter Knight could be a bit too flighty at times. Still, considering the young man was in the prime of his life, he could understand. After all, the stronger a man’s physique, the higher his... appetites. "Levi, I suggest you find a few women to vent some of that terrifying energy of yours."

"Ahem." At that moment, the Lord was desperately trying to warn him by winking and making faces.

"Otherwise, bottling it all up at your age isn’t necessarily a good thing. It’s not like you’re a monk." Unfortunately, Monvert paid him no mind and continued on his own.

"Lord Monvert, what are you two discussing?"

Liya, who had entered the tent at some point, finally spoke up. The smile on her face suggested she hadn’t heard a word of their conversation.

"Haha, it’s nothing! Just passing on a bit of wisdom to the younger generation. Just a bit of wisdom." Monvert was clearly embarrassed. He then slapped his forehead as if remembering something and continued, "So, Levi, unless Damon is willing to risk his ships being capsized by the hurricanes, there’s absolutely no way he’s coming north by sea. To say nothing of the fact that even if you threatened to behead the captains, they still wouldn’t set sail. No one knows the dangers of the sea better than they do!"

"’It seems Aunt Fulina already took this into account when she chose to dispatch the troops at this time,’ Liya added thoughtfully."

"’Then what on earth is Damon up to?’ Levi asked, hoping Monvert, being a ’local,’ might have some information."

"When the usurper took power, all of us nobles who had supported Miss Liya were ostracized. We’ve been completely cut off from any information." Monvert looked helpless. "To be honest, if we lose this war, Wolf Island will likely have a new master."

’A purge. It’s something every new ruler does.’ Levi wasn’t surprised.

And so, Damon’s whereabouts became a mystery. The situation was too tense, and even the "little birds" responsible for intelligence couldn’t get messages through.

Although the snows in the Southern Territory had begun to melt, the howling, frigid wind still stung one’s face.

Cross stood on the walls of Black Stone Castle, gazing out at the vast Highland beyond. As the snow melted, patches of black earth were revealed.

The warm, black robe he wore offered him no comfort, not even a trace of warmth. His heart was as cold as the melting snow.

For he knew the thaw brought not warmth, but the Northern Border Corps, massing their forces for an assault on the castle.

Behind him, a dozen or so other nobles also stared out from the walls, their faces etched with worry.

Cross was a Marquis and a staunch supporter of Damon. His creed was simple: the Lord of the South could only be someone from the pure-blooded Iseley Clan.

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