Chapter 293: Inheritance of Noble Bloodline

After leaving the territory of York, the bustling prosperity that had filled the York Domain suddenly turned desolate.

The sparse traces of human activity showed that this land had indeed suffered through many wars. Only on the maintained highways were there more merchants passing back and forth.

Even Cooper did not speak of robbing a merchant caravan or stealing a horse to speed up their journey.

The mercenaries traveling with those caravans were watching them closely.

Perhaps all of them had seen bloodshed before, for each side could easily sense the danger from the other.

Although Cooper was confident that he and Hode could defeat those mercenaries, their experience in York City had made them choose to keep their heads down and press forward.

They could not afford horses. Even after counting the compensation Vito had given Cooper, the two of them had only just over one hundred York gold coins in total. Now they understood how precious such coins were. Since they could travel on foot, why insist on spending them on horses?

Thus, what would have been two days on horseback, the two forced themselves to walk in five.

The once-great Adrian City had already been gnawed clean by the Fishmen. The current Adrian City had been rebuilt on a new site, its back against Lake Salvador, where a port would be constructed.

Ever since the wall that had once blocked the southern side of York Domain had been destroyed, river transport had gradually lost its importance. However, Marl knew that the Monastery and Adrian Academy of Magic were considering cooperation in constructing a magical array that would create a perpetual wind upon Lake Salvador. This would free ships from relying solely on manpower and allow sails to truly serve their purpose. Thus Marl directly rebuilt Adrian City on the lakeside.

Although Adrian Territory was one of the few that had not been completely relocated, most of its lands had still been ravaged by the Fishmen, leaving only just over forty thousand people. Compared to the flourishing York City, it was far inferior.

Marl was a busy man. Richard had taken the Oath Knights to the frontlines to hunt down Fishmen, so the entire administration of the territory fell to him.

Yet despite his busyness, when he heard of Hode’s visit, Marl still set aside his affairs to receive him.

Looking at the Marl before him—who appeared older than himself—Hode felt momentarily dazed.

He remembered Marl’s youthful vigor, yet now, all he saw was steadiness.

It was merely a sigh within his heart. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hode went straight to the point.

Hode said, “The power of the Lord of Dominion has already corroded Hoover Territory and the surrounding lands. That Lord of Dominion cares nothing for bloodlines or procreation—he directly transforms the humans under his control into Fiends. Even the weakest commoner, once transformed, gains the strength of a warrior who has trained for years.”

Marl added, “Second-rank lower warrior? Or third-rank upper warrior?”

Hode hesitated, considering what he had learned of the ranks, and replied, “Second-rank lower warrior. These common Fiend rabble have that level of strength. But besides them, there are those warriors transformed into third-rank Fiend Soldiers, as well as the brave ones who were corroded into Fiend Knights.”

Marl asked, “And the number of Fiend Knights? Do you know?”

Hode looked at Cooper.

Cooper hesitated before saying, “It should be around thirty.”

Marl asked, “Only thirty?”

That single word “only” left them silent for a moment.

For these were thirty knights.

Yet when one thought of the Oath Knights numbering over seventy, perhaps in Marl’s eyes, “only” was indeed the right word.

Cooper stiffened his neck and said, “Perhaps more. At that time, in Hoover Family’s lands alone, there were over seventy Northern Warriors.”

Marl glanced at Cooper and said directly, “Then let us estimate sixty. And the numbers of the remaining third-rank Fiend Soldiers and second-rank Fiend rabble? Or rather, how many people in total are under the Lord of Dominion’s control?”

Hode again turned to Cooper—he did not know such numbers.

Cooper, after hesitating, exaggerated slightly and said, “Perhaps one hundred and fifty thousand.”

Marl said, “The northern lands are barren, not like Greenwood, able to feed so many people. If I recall correctly, the Marquisate of Hoover at its peak only had seventy thousand.”

Cooper, his expression unchanged, replied, “And the surrounding lands. That Lord of Dominion did not stop at swallowing Hoover Territory. He took other nobles’ lands as well. You must have seen—where the north borders Greenwood, there are no nobles and no people left. The inhabitants there were likely all taken to Hoover Territory by the Lord of Dominion.”

Marl looked deeply at Cooper and said, “Then let us assume one hundred and fifty thousand.”

He turned to Hode. “By proportion, that would allow at most sixty fourth-rank Fiend Knights, three thousand third-rank Fiend Soldiers, and over one hundred and forty thousand second-rank Fiend rabble. Indeed, a formidable force.”

His face remained calm as he spoke. “So you wish me to send troops to drive out these Fiends for you?”

Hode said, “No. For the Northern Kingdom, destroying these Fiends is only a matter of time. In fact, allowing them to grow is something the northern nobles themselves desire. But I wish to preserve the Hoover Family’s lands. Therefore, I must join this war—but I have no army.”

“Of course, I know your situation here. I know the Eastern Expedition has not yet ended. I do not expect you to gather troops for me. Vito told me that perhaps you might have another way to help me.”

Marl nodded and said, “So your aim is merely a way to gather warriors?”

Hode nodded. “Yes. Not too many—three hundred elite warriors will suffice. I only need to prove my valor in the war, to prove that I am worthy to inherit the Hoover Family.”

Marl looked him up and down, then glanced at the box Hode carried. “Unlike Greenwood, in the north, to inherit a noble family you must be strong. And for a marquis family, at minimum you must reach the fifth rank of Grand Knight before they recognize you. But if you can become a Grand Knight, then you would not even need to summon warriors.”

Hode fell silent. At last he said, “My talent is limited. I can feel I have already reached my peak.”

He then lifted the box. “Agamemnon only stripped me of my knighthood. He permitted me to continue using this Holy Relic. With this relic, and with enough warriors, they will acknowledge me. This is the inheritance of noble blood. They will recognize it—they must recognize it.”

Marl straightened slightly and murmured, “Noble bloodline…”

The room fell silent. Cooper felt uneasy. He looked at Hode, wanting to suggest they leave, but Marl interrupted first.

Marl said, “I understand your intent. Have you ever heard of mercenaries?”

Hode looked awkward. He had killed mercenaries from Greenwood before—how could he not know?

Marl understood from his look and did not press further. Instead, he said, “Currently, there are nearly twelve hundred mercenaries across Greenwood. Among them, four hundred are ranked as third-rank upper warriors—that is, what you call elite warriors. And their numbers are still growing. Each comes with his own equipment, and none owe loyalty to any single person.”

Hode nodded. “You mean I should hire them?”

Marl shook his head. “No. Hiring them is costly. And in the end, you want them as your own people.”

Hode frowned. “Then…?”

Marl did not answer directly. “During this Eastern Expedition, aside from the famous knightly orders, one mercenary group also made a name for itself.”

“The Bloodaxe Mercenary Company. Its leader, Bloodaxe, is a rare fourth-rank knight. Because of his rating, he quickly gathered nearly thirty mercenaries at the start. After establishing his company, he did not accept nobles’ war contracts. Instead, he hunted Fishmen directly to exchange merits with the Senate. Now, his company has expanded to over seventy, with more than twenty third-rank warriors.”

“And from becoming mercenaries to building a seventy-strong Bloodaxe Mercenary Company, he took less than two months.”

Cooper’s fingers trembled slightly. He felt uneasy. He wanted to stop Marl from continuing, even considered killing him.

Just a bishop without combat training, looking frail—perhaps in the north, even an ordinary adult wielding an axe could kill him.

Yet at the very moment that thought arose, Marl looked at him. For an instant, golden sparks seemed to flash in his eyes. Cooper felt as though his mind had been struck heavily, swelling and dizzy.

When clarity returned, a fully armed knight had silently appeared behind Marl.

Cooper tried to tell Hode what had happened, but found he could neither open his mouth nor move his limbs.

Hode glanced at the knight but paid little attention. He had understood Marl’s meaning, and his expression grew solemn. “You mean for me to also establish a mercenary company? I am a Northern Warrior, and can be called a fourth-rank knight.”

Like the Bloodaxe Mercenary Company, he could gather mercenaries, accept contracts, and, through shared experience, win their support.

It was indeed a feasible plan.

Relief appeared on Hode’s face.

But Marl shook his head. “No. That would be too slow. And the number of mercenaries is limited. They still need food and drink. They earn by blade and blood, and in idle times, their indulgences cost much gold. Thus, even the largest mercenary company rarely exceeds one hundred and twenty.”

“That is in Greenwood, where food is abundant. If they followed you north into war, their compensation would only rise. They are mercenaries—they trust no promised rewards after war. Only immediate profit.”

Hode said with disappointment, “Then what do you suggest?”

Marl leaned forward, eyes fixed on him. “You are the last surviving bloodline of Hoover Family, a marquis family of noble lineage. In Greenwood, that identity gains you little. But in the north—when you reveal your noble bloodline there?”

Hode felt embarrassed. When he and Cooper had wandered the north, they had declared their surname. Yet those who heard it simply looked at their ragged appearance and charged at them with weapons.

He said tactfully, “In the north, more than bloodline stories, one must first possess sufficient strength. Strength includes wealth, military power, and the warriors one commands. If a lone man simply declares his noble bloodline, none will believe him.”

Unless, of course, he was powerful enough to reach Grand Knight level.

Marl nodded, remembering this detail. Then he said, “But as a mercenary? In Greenwood, even a knight can attract followers. If mercenary culture takes root in the north, and a man of marquis blood such as yourself becomes a mercenary, might not those wandering warriors choose to follow you?”

Hode pondered. “Still not enough. One needs renown. Those free warriors are proud, strong. Bloodline alone will not make them follow me.”

Indeed, northern culture bred many powerful warriors in the wilds. They far outnumbered those of Greenwood. And if not strong, they could never survive the northern lords’ purges.

The north was unlike Greenwood. Though politics and balance existed, in the end, strength spoke loudest. Nobles had little use for “nails” that pricked at them.

Marl asked, “If you accepted commissions, proved your valor, gained rewards, and were sung about, would these wandering warriors be willing to become mercenaries?”

Hode nodded. “Of course. They are free warriors, but warriors must survive. Compared to raiding, they would rather be praised in song.”

Marl continued, “And bards—have you seen them?”

Hode nodded. “Of course I have heard of them.”

Indeed, most of what they knew of Greenwood had come from listening to bards in taverns.

Then he paused, realizing Marl’s intent. “You mean, bards would spread my fame?”

Marl nodded. “Not only them. Mercenary taverns will help spread it as well. Soon, your name will be known throughout the north.”

“All will know that a wandering noble named Hode Hoover had his homeland seized by evil Fiends. And that this noble is so powerful he fears no danger—that his arms can tear apart a Snowfield Berserk Bear, that his roar shakes heaven and earth. But the Fiends are too many. So now, he needs comrades to join his mercenary company, to help him drive out the evil Fiends. And in return, Hode Hoover will share with them honor.”

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