Filder was dumbstruck. *What kind of person is this?!*
"Shit!" Filder spat, thoroughly disgusted.
Steward Kao shrank back, finally understanding his earlier hesitation. Baron Bull and his son were indeed terrible people.
"Wait! You're the Baron of Nightfall Territory? Perfect! Finally, someone to act as a buffer for my fortress! Hope you last more than a couple of days! But when you're being chased by ghouls, don't come crying to me. I won't open the gates."
The man on the wall, reminded by his advisor, finally recognized Filder. Unfortunately, the only thing it brought to mind was using Filder as a strategic buffer for Fort Karshan.
Kao couldn't hold back anymore. He leaned in and whispered, "Richard Bull, the only son of Baron Bull, is known as 'Richard the Timid'. Perhaps it's best we don't engage with him further."
"Very true. No point arguing with a fool." Filder's veins bulged at his temples as he slowly backed away. "If everyone wants to play it this way... fine. I won't be polite either."
"You can open the gates to Nightfall Territory yourselves! It's perfectly safe over there!" Richard declared before ducking back into the keep. "Now get out of my sight, you damned outsider!"
An advisor beside him wiped cold sweat from his brow. "Young master, deceiving them like this, is it perhaps—"
"Shut up!"
Once they had retreated a safe distance, Filder ordered the group to wait.
"I understand now why the ghouls appeared here," Filder muttered, his lip twitching as he adjusted the longsword at his waist. "Thank the gods the orcs are also blocked by the grey mist and bound by the peace treaty. Otherwise, the Empire's proudest defense line would be a joke."
"Well, esteemed lord... we won't trouble you further," the villagers mumbled, awkwardly nudging each other forward. They didn't want to anger the clearly furious Baron Filder. Finally, they pushed one representative forward to bid farewell. "We'll be going now. Thank you for your help."
Filder, still simmering with rage, might have come from a modern society, but that didn't mean he was a pushover. His eyelids lowered like a predator's. "Did I say you could leave?" he growled, his voice icy. "Your lord abandoned you. You are masterless now. Therefore, you are under *my* custody."
*Perfect free labor.*
"Ah? No, no, Milord! Please spare us! We are freemen!" The villagers protested vehemently. From Richard's words, Filder was heading to Nightfall Territory – a cursed land of death, a certain doom.
"You want me to spare you? Fine. Five gold coins per person as ransom. I saved you. It's my due." Filder drew his sword without hesitation. "Either come with me to Nightfall, pay up, or I'll chop you into mincemeat for the dogs! Understood?!"
"Huh... So he *is* a noble after all."
Beside him, Ashina actually sighed in relief. Filder's unusual kindness and gentleness these past days had felt unnatural, like living in a dream. Seeing him now, acting with the typical noble's ruthless cunning, felt strangely reassuring.
Like Ashina, the villagers seemed perversely comforted by the threat. After being intimidated, they became docile, kneeling and pledging to go to Nightfall. Death awaited them either way; might as well take their chances.
"Wretches," Filder muttered under his breath as he sheathed his sword, massaging his temples. *Force always speaks louder than words.*
"Milord, don't give up!" Ashina ventured cautiously, seeing Filder's displeasure.
Filder looked at her and froze, staring until Ashina began to look frightened. He snapped out of it, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Just... lost in thought for a moment."
Continuing onward, Filder approached the fortress gates only to be startled by a large cluster of skull markers on his mini-map.
"And Richard said the gates were *safe*?"
That damned fool! Took the money, didn't do his job, and tried to set him up with ghouls. Charging blindly into the gate would have meant walking straight into an ambush.
Filder seethed, but an idea quickly sparked. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Since that idiot son of Baron Bull is holed up in the inner keep and abandoned the outer defenses... does that mean I can... help myself? After all, no one's watching."
He decided to act immediately. Filder was no saint. Chivalry and honor? Unnecessary for scum like this! They deserved to have their money, grain, and women plundered.
He flicked his cloak. "Kao! Remember those who dared to fight the ghouls with weapons? Gather them all. If there aren't thirty, fill the ranks with the strongest slaves you can find."
Though cowardly, Kao was efficient. Soon, thirty slaves of various ethnicities stood assembled.
"Before that... there's someone who promised to eat horse dung who's becoming an eyesore," Filder said, glancing at Connor in the distance, his face stormy.
"Valiant Knight Connor! Though this is not my fief, as a noble possessing martial virtue, I intend to aid the peasants here by slaying the ghouls. Will you join me?" Filder offered the flimsy excuse.
*Is he insane?!* Connor was dumbfounded. He'd already lost one man fighting these ghouls. He was still fuming about the death benefits, and now this idiot Baron wanted to help *others* quell a corruption wave? He couldn't believe his ears.
"No. I have escorted you to the border of Nightfall Territory. It is but one gate away. I must return to report to the Count." Connor refused firmly. As he spoke, a derisive laugh escaped him. "Apologies, my lord, but taking that rabble to fight ghouls? I'd have better luck bringing pigs. Might at least fill them up."
Filder feigned deep regret. "A pity. I thought you might wish to share in the glory."
"Do not forget Imperial law and family doctrine. Arrive on time." Connor delivered his warning and spurred his horse away, his cavalry thundering after him. Filder didn't even get a chance to remind him about the uneaten horse dung.
"Are... are we truly going to provoke the ghouls?" Steward Kao asked, trembling.
Filder had no expectations of Kao fighting. "Stay here. Guard the slaves. Don't let any escape. Burn any who try using their slave contract." He said it loudly enough for the slaves to hear, making them shudder.
Kao looked immensely relieved.
After forcibly arming the slaves with sickles, dung forks, and wood axes, Filder set off with Ashina.
After walking for ten minutes, Filder led them into a secluded grove. Using his mini-map ability, he carefully confirmed no one was nearby. Then, he reached into a saddlebag on his warhorse's flank and pulled out a beautiful crystal orb.
Ashina's panel... it had changed. That moment of distraction earlier? He'd been making sure he hadn't imagined it.