Chapter 222: Richard

“When these Fishmen truly launch an attack, just relying on their numbers would be enough to flood Earl Raul’s territory.”

Marl looked toward the map hanging on the wall.

“The southern part of the Principality of Corlay, bordering the Principality of Ackerman, should be the main area where these Fishmen are striking, right?” Marl said, turning his gaze to Bevan.

Bevan replied helplessly, “Without the Rat Path, we can’t even contact Lord Pegira, let alone the Principality of Ackerman.”

Marl said, “If those merchants dare to do anything for gold coins, then why not let them cross the Misty Forest to reach the Principality of Ackerman?”

The Misty Forest was a long and narrow woodland located at the border junction of the three principalities. It was said that the forest carried a mysterious curse. Anyone who stepped inside would become lost until all their life was drained away. In the end, only skin and bones would be left. At that moment, they would reappear at the exact place where they had first entered the forest, only to die instantly the moment they stepped out.

Because of this, the Misty Forest was regarded as a forbidden land. Along with Lake Salvador, it formed a natural corridor, and Earl Raul’s territory lay within this narrow passage.

If one really wanted to reach the Principality of Ackerman, Bevan thought that letting merchants try their luck through the Fishmen’s territory would actually be slightly more possible.

After all, with exceptional luck, one might circle around into the Principality of Ackerman through the Fishmen’s side. But entering the Misty Forest? That was absolutely impossible.

At least, up until now, Bevan had never heard of anyone surviving after stepping foot into the Misty Forest.

So when he heard Marl’s clearly sarcastic remark, Bevan could only reply, “I’ll make arrangements and see if anyone dares take on this bounty.”

Marl said, “Whoever can pass through the Misty Forest and return alive, their bounty will be paid by the Church.”

If such a hero truly existed, naturally, they must be given sufficient reward.

After speaking, Marl stared at the map again and said, “Although the Principality of Ackerman is the weakest of the Greenwood Three Principalities, it has the support of the Altlinsmann Empire. With preparations in place, the resistance it can put up against the Fishmen’s advance will be far stronger than that of Earl Raul, who has lost the support of the principality.”

“So once the offensive against the Principality of Ackerman is obstructed and the Fishmen shift their focus toward Earl Raul, the Earl will not be able to stop them.”

“At that time, once the overwhelming Fishmen surge in, they will drown us like a tidal wave.”

Julian and Bevan stared at the map, as if they could already see the devastation after the Fishmen broke through Earl Raul’s lands.

Julian’s feelings were especially deep, for he had once experienced the rampage of Werewolves and witnessed the scenes of humans being penned like livestock by them.

Although the Fishmen were called a different race, their cruelty toward humans would be no less than that of the Werewolves.

After all, this was a war between races. And unlike Werewolves, Fishmen could reproduce naturally. They didn’t need to capture humans for survival. Most of the humans they captured were simply eaten.

“That’s why, to strengthen our defense, we absolutely need the power of those mercenaries here.” Marl finally looked at Bevan.

Bevan frowned deeply. Hundreds of thousands of Fishmen, even of the lowest rank, were far more troublesome than Werewolves.

And the enemy was not human. If captured by humans, one might still negotiate. But being captured by an alien race…

No. Bevan dismissed the thought. He would never be captured by Fishmen. With the pride of a noble, should that day truly come, he would end his own life first.

And this land was his painstakingly built foundation.

Bevan said, “I’ll discuss with Puniel about opening a Mercenary Tavern here. I’ll see to it that they quickly adapt to the presence of mercenaries.”

Marl nodded, saying, “If you need gold coins, you can speak with Oscar.”

Bevan replied, “Very well, if necessary.”

Though inwardly, he sneered: if the Church doesn’t intervene, who would that lunatic ever give face to?

Julian suddenly spoke up, “If what Priest Marl says is true, that York Territory is quite safe now, then could we request the Honorary Knights Order to relocate here, so they may act in the name of the Church Knights?”

The Honorary Knights Order had been stationed in Odo Village. Julian knew a bit about them mainly because Knight Bedi had recently joined them as an external knight.

Bedi, like him, had once been knighted by Baron Belair. After Belair became a commoner, both of them turned into free knights. Long before Julian, Bedi had chosen to come to York Territory and later joined the Honorary Knights Order.

After Julian became a councilor, due to his duties, he had more contact with Bedi as well.

Currently, the Honorary Knights Order had three official Honorary Knights, plus Bedi the free knight, and twelve squires.

Thanks to the Church, their equipment was excellent. Their presence here would indeed be a considerable boost.

Marl turned to Julian and asked, “After they come, what exactly will they do?”

The Honorary Knights Order had no real mission. And given York Territory’s current state, their combat strength seemed somewhat excessive.

Marl even suspected that the Bishop had granted them this title simply to reassure them after the departure of knights from Glory Fortress—an act of appeasement rather than true duty.

“Sir Morn has asked York Territory to help safeguard his lands. But now, too many covet Sir Morn’s domain. We can only defend against Earl Raul and Viscount Youn’s fortresses,” Julian explained Bevan’s account of Morn’s request.

“In Sir Morn’s territory, we cannot deal with all the bandits. This makes those leaving their villages to serve the Church feel unsafe. They are devout believers of the Lord, and this land should be under the Lord’s protection.”

For a moment, Marl thought it was Bevan speaking—the tone was all too familiar.

Julian continued, “And on land protected by the Lord, how could bandits harming His devout believers be tolerated? Therefore, I believe Sir Morn urgently needs the Honorary Knights Order to help eradicate the bandits in his territory.”

Marl nodded slowly and affirmed, “You’re right. Bandits must be eradicated!”

Then he added, “I will send word to Knight Borien, asking him to relocate the Honorary Knights Order’s station here.”

This meaning made Bevan and Julian exchange looks.

No need to consult the Bishop—Marl could directly mobilize them.

Marl paid no mind to their expressions. He looked at Julian and said, “I am a Priest of the Church. They are Temple Warriors of the Church. Rather than waiting until Earl Raul suffers heavy casualties and begs for aid, we would rather save more lives in advance.”

“So, I will set out the day after tomorrow. For the next two days, Councilor Bevan, please arrange the smoothest path possible for our journey.”

Bevan nodded, saying, “I will. I believe, once they learn of the Church’s mercy, they will surely grant Priest Marl passage.”

At such a time, Bevan dared not be stingy with gold coins. For the first time, he realized just how powerful this glittering currency was—once merely a tool for exploitation during his time as a direct lord.

With gold coins paving the way, all the lords and gentry along the route pretended not to see Marl’s group until they finally neared Earl Raul’s castle, where they were stopped.

Earl Raul’s territory was also part of Greenwood. This season, the wheat should have been growing vigorously. But when Marl stepped into it, he saw trampled fields.

It resembled York’s northern lands after the Werewolves had ravaged them.

Yet even Lower Werewolves were as tall as men. The Fishman Servants here, though quick and agile, crawled low like canines, no bigger than dogs. Thus, while they flattened much of the wheat, they hadn’t destroyed it completely. The fields looked crooked and trampled, but not entirely dead.

Still, Marl judged that even if they grew, the harvest would certainly be far less than usual.

Few people could be seen in the open.

Marl understood why. Here, villages were still dominated by the gentry. The gentry gathered villagers to work the fields collectively, then called them back near nightfall.

No one dared run away. Their families remained in the villages. And even those without strong family ties, if they fled, would likely be caught by bandits—forced either into banditry or sold off as slaves.

Having grown used to York’s freer environment, where commoners could move about outside wartime, Marl felt uneasy seeing this.

The sound of hooves approached as a knight rode swiftly toward them. Only when close did he pull the reins, stopping before them.

“Church warriors of York Territory.” The knight’s tone was certain.

His armor looked worn and recently polished of rust. Marl doubted its defensive ability.

The knight’s visor was lifted, revealing a face much younger than Marl expected—barely twenty, with eyes as clear as the sky’s pale blue.

Behind him ran a squire.

The squire wore only a simple leather jerkin and carried a knight’s flag.

A newly knighted man, from a family of little means.

Was he knighted because another had died? Or because Earl Raul had raised up a new trusted follower?

While Marl quickly judged his status inwardly, outwardly he smiled and said, “I am a Priest from the Church of the Sanctuary, Glory Fortress. I’ve brought Temple Warriors of the Church to aid Earl Raul against the Fishmen.”

The knight laughed boldly, though somewhat forced: “Hahaha, Priest, I admire your courage. But those Fishmen are not so easily dealt with.”

Marl couldn’t help but laugh too. “So, this knight—have you fought Fishmen before?”

“Of course! Just today I slew forty… forty-some of them?” The knight faltered, glancing back and shouting, “Oliver! How many Fishmen did I slay today?”

“Three! Master, today you killed three Fishmen!” Oliver shouted, panting heavily. He looked utterly exhausted.

“…” Marl stayed silent, trying not to smile.

He could see out of the corner of his eye that the Temple Warriors behind him were also struggling to hold in their laughter.

“Oh, then perhaps I’ve slain more than forty Fishmen over this period in total.” The knight showed no embarrassment, still speaking proudly. “You must know, the Fishmen have been attacking for over two months now. Yet in this whole area, not a single one remains—that’s thanks in part to my efforts. Even the Earl himself has praised me for the Fishmen I’ve slain!”

“Twelve! Master, you’ve slain twelve Fishmen in all this time. You’re truly our hero!” The squire finally reached them, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. Perhaps misunderstanding the earlier question as referring to the total number, he had, without meaning to, exposed his master.

“Hahaha! So, twelve in total. But one day, I’ll surely reach forty or more!” The knight didn’t grow angry. He continued laughing with pride.

Marl suddenly felt some admiration for him. He asked, “May I know your name, Sir Knight? How should I address you?”

“Richard Raymont! Son of the honorable Knight Elbert Raymont! Now, I am proud to have such a glorious father. But in the future, I will make my father proud to have me as his son!” Richard’s voice brimmed with passionate vigor.

Marl also laughed, replying, “I believe that day will come.”

“Of course! Without doubt!” Richard declared firmly.

“Hahuha~hu, Master, Earl Raul sent you to welcome the Church’s warriors and to host them. I don’t think he meant for you to regale them with tales of Sir Elbert’s glory,” squire Oliver reminded breathlessly.

“Hahaha, very well, Oliver, I know.” Richard, undisturbed, answered loudly. Then to Marl, he said, “Honored guests of the Church, you must have heard—this is my lord’s command. So please follow me. My fief is just ahead.”

He glanced at the Temple Warriors carrying the Lord’s Throne and added, “Though you long to fight Fishmen at the front, and that is indeed honorable, I believe even these brave warriors need some rest.”

Marl looked at the clouds behind Richard, gilded with evening glow.

It was already dusk, night approaching.

Though they had entered Raul’s direct domain smoothly thanks to gold coins, they had neither sent prior word nor received formal invitation.

By rights, Marl’s actions could be considered an invasion of Earl Raul’s lands.

He wasn’t sure of the Earl’s attitude toward them. But judging by this Knight Richard, Raul seemed to bear no malice.

Marl found himself liking this spirited young knight.

After a moment’s thought, Marl nodded and said, “Sir Richard, I think you’re right.”

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