Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

With that explanation, everyone present understood. They’d never had more than a single Silver Coin in their pockets, so they had no idea what military funding was.

But when it was framed as "money," they understood.

They at least understood the basic concept that money could buy things.

"Hehe, does this mean I can eat honey every day now?" Zat chuckled gleefully, as if he could already see a future of unlimited honey.

In his mind, if the Southern Territory gave them money, wasn’t that the same as giving it to High Cliff Castle? And if High Cliff Castle had money, wouldn’t the food improve? That meant he’d get to eat more tasty things.

This oaf had no idea that even grunts were supposed to get something called a salary.

It wasn’t just him, either. Anyone present who’d been born in the Wilderness had no concept of military funding.

In their eyes, getting three meals a day was more than enough reason to lay down their lives.

That was how things worked in the Wilderness, after all. Some didn’t even get food but were still forced to fight.

However, a few people—like Mier, Leiden, and Heather—did understand what was going on. But since their lord hadn’t said anything, they certainly weren’t about to speak out of turn and get an earful.

"I have a question."

Only one person timidly raised a small, fair hand, her big, adorably innocent eyes sparkling like stars.

"Speak."

The Lord glanced over to see it was Sophia, the Silver Dragon Maiden, and snapped his fingers with a grin.

’He hadn’t expected Liya to cover all the supplies for the three thousand soldiers. How was this any different from her becoming his sugar mama and keeping him?’

’A real man never accepts charity!’

’But right now, he was thinking that maybe, just maybe, he could use a little more of this "charity." Sugar mamas were the absolute best!’

Now in a fantastic mood, he fully encouraged his subordinates to voice any questions they had.

"I’m a member of High Cliff Castle too, so technically, I should get a share of that money." The Silver Dragon Maiden counted on her fingers before looking up and mustering her courage. "Levi, I want to keep my money."

Heather, standing beside her, smiled and subtly tugged at the sleeve of the Silver Dragon, whose mind was completely muddled by greed, hoping to change her mind.

No one knew better than her just how much of a cheapskate Levi was. Getting money out of him was impossible—even if this dragon climbed right into his bed.

Unfortunately, the girl, her mind completely muddled by greed, paid her no mind.

"Sophia, it makes me, your Lord, very happy that you consider yourself part of High Cliff Castle. But it makes me very *un*happy that you’re doubting me." The Lord leaned on the table with both hands, his expression one of deep anguish. "Do you think I would embezzle your few measly coins? I’m helping you save money!"

"You’re still young. Do you think you can manage that money all by yourself?"

"If you spend it all, how are you going to go back to Dragon Island and buy a Dragon’s Nest? How are you going to rub it in your siblings’ faces? How are you going to become the top dragon?"

"When you’re finished working for me, I’ll give all this money to you. Wouldn’t it be better to return with a whole chest of glittering Gold Coins to blind their dragon eyes?"

The Lord continued his cajoling, but he sounded like an awkward missionary.

"Really?" Sophia, bewildered by the verbal onslaught, felt a strange sense of deja vu. But faced with the Lord’s intense stare, she flinched and could only ask weakly.

"Absolutely!" Levi declared with the righteous conviction of a Holy Hall Knight true to his word. "You’re still young, you can’t handle this money. Let me hold onto it for you. Once your work is done, you can take it out whenever you want!"

"Okay." Sophia ultimately chose to trust him and sat back down.

The Lord was a classic hypocrite. Though he was dying to end the conversation, he still put on a show with one last remark.

"If anyone else has questions about this, feel free to speak up. Here in High Cliff Castle, we don’t go in for that whole dictatorship nonsense."

That kind of Undead talk could only fool a few greenhorns. Anyone who actually dared to speak up would surely be made to suffer for it later, so they all wisely followed their survival instincts.

"No."

"No."

...

"Excellent. Then it’s settled. I, your Lord, will save up the money for all of you. I’ll give it to you when you’re ready to get married." Receiving the unanimous denial, the Lord clapped his hands, putting a cheerful end to the matter.

...

Things quieted down over the next few days. The men of High Cliff Castle fell into the calm, daily routine of guarding the city walls as they awaited their return journey.

Though there was talk of some Demon to the south, their own leader hadn’t mentioned it, so they didn’t pay it any mind.

The fighting was over, so it was only natural to head back.

Otherwise, they’d just be stuck here every day, either idly guarding the main gate or cooped up in their cramped camp, with no room to even stretch their arms and legs.

Moreover, since the Southern Territory was covering their meals, everyone from High Cliff Castle had put on a bit of weight. This was a source of both joy and concern for a certain someone.

The joy was that, since it had only just begun, the nobles in charge didn’t dare skimp on their provisions. The concern was that these gluttons were getting soft, losing some of the sharp edge of an elite fighting force.

However, Levi knew he was just worrying over nothing. The Beastman Warriors hadn’t lost their fighting prowess; they had simply become more subdued in the absence of war.

It was the same principle: the dogs that are going to bite don’t bark.

Everyone was looking forward to returning to High Cliff Castle, but a few days later, that anticipation was shattered by the arrival of some uninvited guests.

It was a starless night, the moon’s lovely face veiled by a thick blanket of clouds.

The Lord was making his usual patrol of the city walls.

Just because he was diligent about collecting the City Entrance Tax, one shouldn’t think he was some pig who did no real work.

In truth, collecting the City Entrance Tax was merely a hobby. He had always been the one paying taxes in the past; now that the roles were reversed, he naturally had to indulge himself to the fullest.

Since High Cliff Castle had been assigned to guard the city walls, Levi intended to execute his duties faithfully until it was time for them to leave.

He didn’t want a tragedy to occur from negligence on his watch. That would add a black mark to the record of High Cliff Castle’s elite forces, and that simply wasn’t worth it.

They were only staying here because the situation to the south was still unclear, so they couldn’t leave just yet.

He had no desire to leave only to have that so-called Demon besiege Kolon again the moment their backs were turned. Fulina shared this opinion.

"Boss, we’ve got a situation!"

Zat, who had spotted it first, tapped Levi’s arm and pointed toward the road in the distance.

Even without him saying anything, Levi had already noticed a column of troops emerging from the distant, enveloping darkness, their forms taking shape in the torchlight.

The company halted at the border between light and shadow. Only the Knight at their head continued to advance.

This was a tacitly agreed-upon safety line. If anyone crossed it without permission, the forces of High Cliff Castle were authorized to attack immediately.

This Knight wore a suit of shining Silver Plate Armor and a pointed helm adorned with a white feather. The purple flower emblem emblazoned on his chest was the family crest of Andao.

He looked up, his resolute face illuminated by the torchlight. He was a young, high-ranking Knight, and the long march had etched lines of weariness onto his features.

He did his best to curve his lips into an amiable smile, but he didn’t seem accustomed to it; the expression looked forced and insincere. He called out in a loud voice, "Lord, I am an officer under Count Andao! We are returning and request entry into the city!"

"One moment."

Even though the walls were high and the distance was great, Levi’s sharp eyes could still identify the man as the commander of the Cavalry Corps who was always at Count Andao’s side.

When Count Andao was away, this man had full command of the Cavalry Team.

According to the grapevine, the man was Andao’s illegitimate son, which would explain why he was in command of an entire Cavalry Corps at such a young age.

Soon, a small gate opened. With his Holy Sword at his waist and hands stuffed in his pockets, the Lord strode forward with a confident swagger. Dozens of Beastman Warriors carrying torches followed close behind.

"Where’s Count Andao?" Levi glanced past the man, but saw no sign of the Count.

Out of caution, he hadn’t opened the main city gates. Instead, a small sally port had been opened, and it closed shut the moment he stepped through.

Levi could confirm that the man was indeed the commander of Andao’s Cavalry Team. His hesitation to grant them entry was merely a matter of protocol.

Anyone wishing to enter the city had to have their credentials thoroughly checked—especially a cavalry unit of this size.

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