Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

"It’s me."

Fujero’s eyes were riddled with bloodshot veins. His ear-length green hair was a tangled bird’s nest, and his long years in the military had left him with a scruffy beard.

The once-dashing Legion Commander of the Thorn Corps now looked like a beggar who had been wandering the streets for days without sleep, on the verge of dropping dead from exhaustion.

His wretched state terrified Sophia. Thinking her earlier complaints had caused this, she shrank back and hid behind the Lord.

Fujero recognized the girl with the Dragon Vein. He shot her a quick glance before finding a small stool for himself and sitting down. A few potatoes were roasting by the nearby stove, and without ceremony, he grabbed one and began to eat.

As a Legion Commander, he had even been made a Baron for his achievements in dealing with the Minotaurs up north. Now, heading south, he was really just going through the motions. After all, there was only so much glory to be won, and he couldn’t hog it all. He had to give his juniors a chance for promotion.

As a result, the Thorn Corps he commanded had been largely relegated to logistics.

But ever since being screwed over twice by that Marquis Cross, the Thorn Corps had been ordered to join the siege.

An army a hundred thousand strong had completely surrounded Black Stone Castle. Cavalry patrolled in squads every ten paces, the perimeter so secure that not even a marmot could slip through.

Meanwhile, all the artisans and blacksmiths were working furiously to build catapults.

Hundreds of catapults launched a continuous barrage into Black Stone Castle, while the remaining Ice and Snow Mages relentlessly bombarded the walls.

As the officer overseeing the assault, he hadn’t slept in two days and two nights.

But the results were encouraging. The once-impregnable Black Stone Castle was now starting to crumble. According to the expert artisans, the walls would fall by tomorrow.

The established goal of taking the castle in an all-out assault within three days was finally on track.

"Speaking of which, where’s the Saintess of the Holy Light Sect?" Fujero scanned the tent. It seemed all of High Cliff Castle’s leaders and officers were present—aside from the Centaur Leader, who was far too large to fit inside. The one person missing was Saintess Fatir.

"Those Holy Knights are clamoring to see the Saintess every day. Fatir got tired of it, so she’s decided to simply meditate in her quarters." Levi waved a dismissive hand. In truth, he was lying. The Saintess spent all her time trying to persuade him to become the new leader of the Holy Light Knight Order, and he found it so irritating that he’d sent Liya to deal with her instead.

"Anyone would find those Holy Knights annoying. All they ever talk about is ’Holy Light this’ and ’Justice that,’ ’Honor,’ and so on." Fujero noticed a small dish of red spices by the stove. He dipped his potato into it and took a bite. "Huh? What is this seasoning? I’ve never seen it before."

"It’s a mix I made myself from chili peppers." Levi glanced at the Legion Commander. ’This guy obviously came here for a reason, but he’s just beating around the bush.’ Unconcerned, Levi played along, not rushing him. "I can give you some if you’d like."

Seeing that the Lion Hunter Knight wasn’t taking the bait, Fujero ran his hands roughly through his nest-like hair and finally steeled himself. "Levi, I’ll just be blunt."

He stared straight into the Lord’s eyes. "Tomorrow, the forces of High Cliff Castle are to lead the assault on the western wall!"

"What did you say?" The Lord’s voice rose sharply. He then gave the Legion Commander a cold smirk. "First, you people relegate me to the rear, and now you want me to risk my life on the front lines? How is it you get to have your cake and eat it too?"

Fujero scratched his head and sighed.

To be honest, everyone knew full well why they had sidelined the Lion Hunter Knight. One of the main reasons was fear that he would steal the spotlight again.

But now, they had no choice but to ask him to join the assault. If Duke Fulina hadn’t ordered it herself, he never would have come.

It was a completely underhanded move, unjustifiable by any standard.

"It was Duke Fulina who specifically requested High Cliff Castle." Having come this far, he could only brazen it out and continue, "Her Grace believes that the Lion Hunter Knight who single-handedly turned the tide against the Wind Speech Tribe can certainly work another miracle here."

"We’ve been bombarding them for two days and nights. The enemy is bound to be exhausted, and the front wall is on the verge of collapse. The main army will break through there. Your role is simply to create a diversion."

High Cliff Castle may not have many soldiers, but the quality of its elite troops was plain for all to see. Therefore, to ensure nothing went wrong, the commanders had discussed the matter and unanimously decided to put the Lion Hunter Knight in charge of one section of the wall.

His job was to draw the enemy’s attention and relieve the pressure on the main force.

"Doesn’t Fulina have the Holy Light Knight Order? Having that bunch of walking lanterns create a diversion would be far more effective than me. They’re certainly eye-catching!"

’Easy for him to say,’ Levi thought, not even bothering to look up.

More importantly, he wasn’t Duke Fulina’s lackey, to be summoned and dismissed at her whim. He had to take a firm stance now and make that clear.

"They’re joining the main assault force," Fujero said, looking at Levi. "Her Grace has high hopes for you. She has promised that whoever breaches the castle first will be entitled to one-tenth of all the wealth within."

"Ahem. When does the assault begin?" Levi took a sip of tea, doing his best to appear as if he weren’t solely motivated by profit. Inside, however, his mind was already racing, ’Once we’re in, should I go for the Gold Coins first, or the antiques? Or maybe... those noble ladies...’

The offer might have seemed like an empty promise to anyone else, but that depended on who was receiving it. For the renowned Lion Hunter Knight, it was as good as gold in his pocket.

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