Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

The moon was dim and the stars were few. Beneath a pitch-black sky, a troop of soldiers stood just beyond the line where light met shadow, their forms indistinct. They were like a Giant Beast in the darkness, lying in wait to devour its prey.

"We are the vanguard. My father is still in the rear and probably won’t arrive until tomorrow morning."

This illegitimate son of Andao, sitting atop his horse, looked down at the Lord and spoke with a broad smile.

"We’re just on a routine patrol, so don’t mind us." Levi kicked a small stone by the roadside. Amidst the crackle of the torches under the night sky, the sound was crisp and clear.

"I understand."

Levi noticed a few bloodstains on the illegitimate son’s Armor. It had clearly been washed, but some traces remained. His helmet didn’t fit quite right either; it sat a little too high, making his head look long.

"What’s the situation in the south?"

"By the time we arrived, those Demons had already been dealt with, so we turned back. First, there was no point in staying there, and second, we wanted to return with the good news." After speaking, he added, "Actually, you don’t even need to wait for us. A letter about it will reach Kolon in a few days anyway."

"So everything is peaceful?" Levi continued to ask.

"Everything is peaceful!" the man confirmed with a nod.

The simple questioning ended; everything seemed normal. Zat was already yawning, unable to resist reaching behind him to scratch his butt. He was already thinking about what to eat for a late-night snack when he got back, torn between potato and beef stew or braised meat wraps.

"Lord, the Warriors have been traveling hard, sleeping under the open sky. We’re like fledgling swallows, desperate to return to the nest. I know entering the city at night is against regulations, but please forgive the eagerness of men so far from home."

Although the man still wore a smile, the urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

Levi fell into thought. ’The man’s answers were almost flawless—so flawless, in fact, that it felt strange.’

’He began to analyze it piece by piece, trying to pinpoint what felt wrong. Soon, he reached a conclusion: the man was lying!’

’The fresh blood on his Armor proved he’d just been in a fight, yet he claimed everything was over by the time he’d headed south and that was why he was returning.’

’Admittedly, they might have run into some bandits or robbers on the road, the kind of idiots stupid enough to attack a regular army. But a proper commander of a Cavalry Team wouldn’t have to personally get his hands dirty with such small fry!’

Levi could hear the faint breathing of the troop, but he noticed something was off. Their breaths were too rapid, as if they were desperately trying to suppress something.

And...

’On such a dim, moonless night, they weren’t using any light source. The main body of the troop had also conveniently stopped just short of the torchlight, allowing one to only vaguely make out the soldiers’ silhouettes.’

’Could Andao’s elite force really have reached the point where they could march at night without any light and not have a single soldier fall behind?’

’Even he, the Lord, couldn’t guarantee that the troops of High Cliff Castle could pull that off.’

’Most importantly... even Andao himself wouldn’t dare remain mounted while speaking to him, a Lion Hunter Knight. How dare some worthless illegitimate son do so?!’

Besides, as far as Levi knew, this particular illegitimate son never called Andao "father"!

"Forgive me for asking, but why is your head so pointy?" Levi asked abruptly.

"What?" The young Knight looked confused, but still explained earnestly, "My Lord, your eyes must be playing tricks on you."

"I see," Levi said with a smile.

"My Lord, may we enter the city now?"

"I’m very sorry, but entry into the city is forbidden at night." Levi made a hand signal behind his back. The Barbarians on the ground kept their guileless smiles, but inwardly, they were on high alert. On the city walls, the Feder Archers’ eyes were as sharp as eagles’ as they quietly unslung their Purple Robe Longbows and nocked their arrows.

"Oh, and that goes for you especially!" the Lord’s voice suddenly turned cold.

"And why are we forbidden from entering the city?"

The masculine voice suddenly became hoarse, filled with deep confusion.

"Cut the act. I knew you weren’t human the moment I saw you!" Levi sneered. "Tell those punks behind you to show their faces!"

"Heh heh... as expected of the man this body’s memories held in such high regard. You really are cautious, aren’t you?"

The young Knight’s fake smile vanished instantly. His face became a paralyzed mask, devoid of all expression. He took off the helmet that sat too high on his head, revealing his true form.

The sound of weapons being drawn rose in a continuous wave, accompanied by a tide of frenzied, excited roars.

They had crimson skin and ferocious, ghoul-like faces. All four of their limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had tails tipped with sharp hooks. Their flesh was withered, skin stretched taut over their skeletons, making their bodies abnormally gaunt. And on their faces, they wore smiles of pure evil.

Without a doubt, these were the Bloody Demons that had appeared before everyone at Black Stone Castle. Of course, their true name was Babu Demon; "Bloody Demon" was just a colloquial term based on their appearance.

As for the illegitimate son Knight before him, a palm-sized, spider-like creature was perched on top of his head. The string of eggs on its body was enough to set off the Lord’s OCD. All eight of its sharp legs were embedded deep in the Knight’s skull.

Babu Demons are furtive and cunning. When they decide to ambush an opponent, they typically make masterful use of their superb multi-attack and sneak-attack techniques.

Thus, the truth was obvious.

"It seems my good brother, Count Andao, and his army have already fallen into your hands." The Lord took a deep breath, his expression turning grim.

’Back when that guy left, he’d been waving every death flag in the book from the very start. Levi didn’t even have time to stop him.’

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