Chapter 603: The Baron

“The wealth of the Karos territory will help us solve our problems, but you need a more loyal and reassuring vassal to control all of this for you!”

Seeing that he seemed to have moved Earl Lanshan, Richard immediately pressed on.

“You mean… a transfer of fief?”

Lanshan Earl hesitated as he asked.

Actually, Richard preferred that Earl Lanshan would just hang William directly and confiscate everything, but he knew that was unrealistic. Therefore, he could only say, “In this campaign, Sir William has also earned merits, so why not grant him a larger fief?”

“I’m sure even Sir William would not object to your decision and would be deeply grateful.”

In Richard’s opinion, since William had been promoted to baron, he should gratefully offer all the secret formulas and factories to the higher authority. As for the Karos territory, naturally Richard himself was the more suitable lord.

Does that pig Sisay really think nobody knows his petty schemes?

If Wu Ming were here, he would surely find it amusing.

After all, although these nobles coveted his territory, they knew nothing about managing it, yet they were so confident, as if everything would go smoothly once they took over.

Such a strange confidence was truly unfounded.

Perhaps they thought that as long as they mastered the skill of collecting taxes, the Karos territory would keep producing profits like a golden goose.

…

Wu wu!

The horns sounded.

Wu Ming led hundreds of cavalry galloping across the battlefield, with soldiers behind him cheering loudly and following the cavalry charge with high spirits.

The war had lasted for several days.

With a little effort and military intimidation, he had already subdued his cavalry forces, and every battle ended in great victories.

However, the Viscount Garcia on the opposing side was no pushover. Although forced to retreat repeatedly, his legion formation remained solid, offering no chance for a breakthrough.

The entire situation became a stalemate, but any clear-eyed observer could see that Viscount Garcia had already fallen into a clear disadvantage. Without any unexpected developments, his defeat was only a matter of time.

Clang!

Blood covered the knight’s spear as Wu Ming tightened his thighs, and his warhorse almost became a whirlwind, forming a straight black line.

Puh!

The spear thrust forward, piercing through an enemy knight who wore an expression of disbelief.

Shiu shiu!

After eliminating this enemy, a volley of arrows shot towards him. Ever since he displayed unmatched bravery, the enemy cavalry had been afraid to confront Wu Ming again, always sticking to their square formations and shooting arrows to drive him away whenever he approached.

“Is this all you’ve got?”

Wu Ming discarded his spear, drew the Dragonheart sword, and a pale blue glow flashed as most of the arrows fell to the ground.

Roaring, he displayed his extraordinary martial prowess, yet he had no intention of fighting to the death for Earl Lanshan and slowly withdrew.

Wu wu!

The deep horn sounded, bringing the order to retreat.

“Sir William!”

“William!”

“William!”

…

The soldiers shouted excitedly, and Wu Ming’s cavalry felt proud.

“Wow… another knight!”

Baron Terry approached, looking at the head Wu Ming had severed with admiration on his face: “That’s the thirteenth one, right? Besides calling you the Commoner Sword Saint, the enemy should probably add the nickname ‘Knight Killer.'”

He lowered his voice: “Now we have gained the advantage, forcing Viscount Garcia’s army into a desperate situation. If we hold on for another two or three days, victory is certain!”

Wu Ming handed the reins to Awa, dismounted, and let his squire remove his armor, which was scarred and covered in blood and flesh: “You seem a bit hesitant?”

“That’s right… Perhaps the Earl is correct. The Lion family from the Highlands also has constraints, and they cannot break through the defenses of Eagle Castle!”

Baron Terry changed to a relaxed expression: “The war will soon end, and we are on the side of the victors!”

He looked delighted, as if he had finally regained his pride.

It seemed that the recent victories were a kind of release for him, greatly alleviating the humiliation of his previous capture.

“If even Baron Terry feels this way, the other high-ranking officers in the camp are even more so…”

Wu Ming went with Terry to attend the Earl’s banquet, his mind even clearer.

Along the way, he saw more and more people laughing and happy. The merchant followers brought in large amounts of alcohol and many heavily made-up courtesans.

They openly moved into the military camp, chatting and flirting loudly with the soldiers, while the nobles were the ones leading the way in violating military discipline.

“Have they been intoxicated by a series of victories?”

Wu Ming took a deep breath.

From the surrounding atmosphere, he sensed the scent of death.

“It’s very close…”

Although the cosmic rules were different, that tiny soul fragment only gave him extraordinary perception. However, after awakening the power of the people, Wu Ming had developed more abilities and could perceive even more things.

At this moment, he suddenly sensed a great danger approaching.

With this warning, he naturally would not allow his subordinates to slack off. He immediately ordered Jack to reorganize his five hundred soldiers and instructed Awa to drive away all the vendors and courtesans from the cavalry camp.

These two areas under his command were already the best in terms of military discipline in the camp. Combined with the authority he had barely established within the cavalry, he was able to suppress the soldiers and enforce his orders.

However, he was powerless to control the other parts of the camp.

…

Inside the commander’s tent.

The flames roared, roasting suckling pigs, roast geese, fried potatoes, fish pancakes… The aroma of many delicacies lingered. Red wine and beer were continuously carried into the center of the hall. Musicians sang and danced, and many nobles let loose, hugging the courtesans on their shoulders and indulging in revelry.

When Wu Ming entered, this was exactly the scene he saw. Obviously, to celebrate today’s victory, Earl Lanshan had decided to indulge in a grand celebration.

“Haha… Look quickly! Our warrior, the Commoner Sword Saint has arrived!”

Earl Lanshan’s face was flushed with wine, his speech already carrying the scent of alcohol: “Let us cheer for the hero!”

“Cheers!”

Numerous wine glasses were raised halfway into the air, splashing beer foam and red wine everywhere.

“Earl, you seem to have forgotten something?”

Next to Earl Lanshan, Richard, the noble with a delicate and unusually handsome appearance, reminded him.

“That’s right, William Wallace!”

Earl Lanshan announced loudly: “You have slain over ten enemy knights, your bravery and merits are known throughout the army. I will grant you a larger fief and make you a baron!”

The scene fell silent at once. Many nobles stopped their revelry, obviously digesting this news.

That William Wallace would become a baron after the war was already the consensus among everyone, as his achievements were evident.

But to do so so eagerly was somewhat out of character for the Earl. Looking at his sharp, gleaming eyes, it was clear he wasn’t truly drunk.

“A larger fief, huh?”

Beside him, Baron Terry’s face turned dark as he immediately understood the Earl’s intention: “Transfer of fief? Using a barony to exchange for Karos territory?”

Obviously, for any knight, such a move would be a great gain, except for Sir William!

In the legends of the Fengying Plains, his territory was already piled high with gold and silver.

Yet, even though it was clear there was a plot, it was hard to refuse.

Baron Terry’s eyes immediately locked onto Lord Richard. Obviously, the Earl’s behavior was largely influenced by this noble’s instigation.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s cheer for the new baron!”

Richard’s soft, sinister laughter rang out.

He looked smugly at Wu Ming and Terry below, unafraid that his plan would be discovered.

After all, no matter what, Earl Lanshan was their liege lord, and promoting a knight to a hereditary baron with a fief was a great honor for any knight.

“With the glory of nobility, if he still isn’t satisfied, then use the authority of the lord to directly eliminate Sir William!”

Richard’s narrow eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, and for a moment, he even looked forward to William resisting.

“Thank you for your grace, my lord!”

But to his surprise, Wu Ming remained very calm and composed.

“Excellent!”

Seeing William’s obedience, Earl Lanshan finally felt relieved, and then a slight sense of guilt arose.

But soon, thinking about the upcoming gains and the endless wealth, he quickly suppressed that guilt and coughed slightly: “To honor Baron William’s great achievements, I will also marry one of my daughters to him!”

“Bad news!”

At that moment, a noble with a grave expression entered and shouted.

“What are you talking about?”

Earl Lanshan looked at the noble with confusion on his face: “We are doing very well, couldn’t be better. Do you think Baron William is unworthy of such an honor, Viscount Baler?”

In this Blue Tiger allied army, Earl Lanshan was naturally the commander, followed by Viscount Baler.

In fact, even within the entire Fengying Plains Blue Blood Alliance, it was these two plus another viscount who were the core, considered the three strongest Blue Blood nobles.

“Let’s postpone the celebration. In fact, we don’t have much time left!”

Viscount Baler’s face was solemn as he held up a letter: “According to the latest news I received, the Lion family from the Highlands has sent their knights to start attacking Howling City!”

Crack!

This statement was like thunder.

First, there was a solemn silence within the tent, then someone’s wine glass fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.

Richard’s face turned pale as he looked at Earl Lanshan.

At this moment, the Earl still maintained some composure. He laughed loudly and asked, “Baler, have you had too much rum? How could the Highland knights attack Howling City? Behind us, there is Viscount Eagle Castle and his loyal knights guarding!”