The Flameheart soldier did not believe he stood before a baron or was in a domain that belonged to a baron. Not even his lord, known as the richest man in the wastelands, could build such a magnificent stronghold, large enough for tens of thousands to live in.
In his lord's barony, he was among the 500 silver-ranked warriors and was treated with respect. But silver-ranked soldiers that had more robust auras were like the sand. Almost every soldier was a silver-ranked soldier!
He had crumbled, but his greatest shock came with Asher's return. He saw thousands of silver-ranked soldiers donning impressive armor entering the gate. It wasn't just hundreds anymore, but thousands!
Where had this paradise been all this while?
The most unbelievable thing was that the lord of this stronghold was so young that he might be of the same age group as his first son.
"Greetings, Lord Ashbourne."
He went on one knee and lowered his head. His heart palpitated at the sight of the BloodBlades, and he could feel their sword-like gazes boring into him.
Just when he thought this was the worst, he turned and saw a giant wolf, the same wolf that caused commotion, looking straight at him, and it yawned softly.
It meant the wolf was either hungry or bored; neither of them were to his advantage. If it was hungry, then he had to watch his words, or he might be the wolf's lunch, and if it was bored, they could still toss him over for it to have fun, ripping him apart.
The soldier felt dread. The wolf wasn't an ordinary giant wolf because no ordinary wolf had flames billowing off it.
"I hear you came from Baron Flameheart's domain. Is that true?"
Asher cocked his head.
"It is. I came bearing the terror of my lord. His domain has been invaded by an alliance of three noble households. The Zebuluns, the Tyres, and the Scarlets. They have gathered a fearsome force of strongmen, over 5000 in numbers, and have taken Hebron Town."
Asher leaned forward.
He turned to Kelvin, and his headbutler nodded.
"You did not send me any letter."
"You were on an important expedition. I could not disturb you with other pressing matters." Kelvin responded calmly.
Asher turned away from him.
"What is the situation of your lord?"
"As of two weeks ago, when I left, House Zebulun had not changed their strategy. He has camped his forces around the castle and has cut off every means of food supply. It's been a month, and Silver Castle may not last much longer."
Asher's brows knit together.
"I haven't heard of this Zebulun before. Is it a new house?"
"House Zebulun is under the lordship of Jordan Zebulun, the man who sent men to destroy the convoy and hijack all we had after we had traded with him. According to some sources, he received approval from the imperial family and has bought troops of slave warriors."
"These slave warriors are powerful. Strong enough to bring down our forces with little casualty. In a month, the last city might fall."
Asher leaned back and exhaled softly.
"Return to your Lord. Inform him that his ally is on his way."
With a radiant face, the soldier hurriedly left the hall, while Asher remained looking at the doors with a plain expression.
"You should have informed me, Kelvin. The Flamehearts are our only source of trading without attracting attention to ourselves. If he is gone, we are exposed."
"I considered the matters at the desolatelands, but I shall not make this mistake again."
Asher turned to face him.
"What do you think about this war?"
"For decades there has been peace in the wastelands, and this war will afford you the opportunity to consume them all before the world realizes."
"So you did not care for our ally?"
"He is to be your vassal."
"Probably, but do not hurry. Count Williams won't watch me swallow the wastelands without acting, and this situation is beyond him; the imperial family is also involved."
After saying this, Asher began walking toward the exit alongside Kelvin. His BloodBlades were behind him, walking so silently that their footsteps couldn't be heard, and yet they weighed quite a lot!
"This attack is just a medium for me to strengthen the alliance between me and Baron Flameheart. While he holds the front for me, I shall expand in the desolatelands."
"That is a wise choice, Your Lordship, but there is no need to ignore the wastelands. It belongs to your ancestors and is rightfully yours."
Asher chuckled and patted Kelvin's shoulders.
"In due time. I have a count on my neck and his daughter's fiance; the son of a duke is not a friend of mine. Slade Nubis is petty; he will come when he sees a little spark of my rise."
"Let us first defend Baron Flameheart, and I shall destroy Viscount Zebulun. He has no roots, and it will also cause a deeper rivalry between the count and the imperial family."
Impressed by Asher's view, Kelvin smiled.
"Good. I shall leave for the Flameheart domain with my personal troop alone since they have the best mobility, but before then, is Blacksmith Dan at his forge? I want to discuss forging my own armor set."
Not far from the city square, which was several hundred yards large and paved with white stones, where hundreds of people walked about, a forge could be seen, and the forge had a space outside where a blacksmith could smith weapons.
Right now, Dan, the big bearded journeyman-grade blacksmith, was slamming his hammer against a metal. His dirty tunic was soaked in his sweat, and his leather apron, which was brand new when Asher upgraded him, was like something that he had worn for decades.
All of a sudden, a boot stepped on his table, breaking his concentration, causing him to look up in anger. His eyes reflected the image of a metal helmet that had what seemed like actual bloodstains on the right eye part.
Instantly, all the hairs on his body stood up.