Knight with Wand

After Balf led Leon away, Baron Elliver asked the servant who had returned to the tent to fetch the map.

Spreading it on the table, he stroked the parchment and tapped the villages and fortresses around the Nightmare Forest.

At present, in addition to the knights and soldiers who went with him, if he summoned the garrisons of Faroris City and the Eastern Fortress, he could try his best to gather a thousand infantry plus nearly a hundred cavalry.

And if he wanted to capture the city, this army of more than a thousand people would need at least the same number of civilians and craftsmen.

Bearing the food and drink of the additional two thousand people, without affecting the conscripted troops he currently led on the front line of Mamor, Elliver estimated that the money and food on hand could only sustain this thousand-man army for one year.

Enough, although such a devotion to the family's wealth would use up the last grain on hand

Elliver's eyes were burning, and his palm stroked the Kantadar County in the south of the Nightmare Forest.

This would be the beginning of the rise of the Faroris family again, which he had been seeking all his life.

He had never considered informing other lords of this information right now, including General Trosa, who was now leading the army of Gray Fir Valley to march south.

Indeed, Elliver knew that if the Kingdom of Orland gathered its true strength and marched south from the Nightmare Forest, it would surely tear off a large piece of territory from Cantadar in one fell swoop.

Even swallow up the entire northern border of Cantadar.

But what does such a beautiful kingdom prospect have to do with the Thorn Flower Family?

Since Elliver believed that he was in charge of the fragmented family, he had worked very hard to make countless pledges for Ledwin III in these years.

But as the remnant of the previous dynasty who stood on the wrong side in the civil war, it was already a great fortune to maintain the survival of the last barony in the kingdom with difficulty.

The Thorn Flower Family had done its best to avoid being swallowed up by the surrounding royal party neighbors who were eyeing it covetously.

However, the Farolis Family, which was labeled, was still firmly rejected by the real power faction of the kingdom no matter how it behaved.

He finally established a good friendship with the king supporters.

But from the current war, those royalists still regard the Thorn Flower Family as pawns and cannon fodder.

As a pioneer, they made such great sacrifices in the early stage of the war, but only got those few pieces of rotten land on the front line, and the road connecting the new territory was even monitored by the bastard Gunnar who was assigned to Redingburg.

The intention of the royal party to make such an arrangement is self-evident.

It seems that the personal relationship with Trosa cannot be exchanged for the acceptance of the entire royal party.

Even if they suffer one loss after another, they cannot be respected, and the revival of the family is hopeless.

The baron pounded the map with an angry iron fist, suppressing the indignation in his heart expressionlessly.

However, as long as Leon's news is true, the Thorn Flower Family will not have to look at anyone's face in the future if they seize this God-given opportunity.

Elifer also understands that he cannot completely monopolize the Nightmare Forest and even the Kantadar land on the other side.

But he could use the time difference to get the upper hand before anyone else, as long as he first consolidated the territory he occupied and connected it.

At that time, if the old dragon, Ledwin III, wanted to go south as soon as possible and seize the opportunity to eat the land of the Southern Kingdom, he would not be able to easily control the Thorn Flower Family in such a critical position.

After bringing back the well-fed horses, Leon and Corvis waited on the road to the camp for Knight Balf to select personnel from the Guards Camp.

While observing and learning with interest the layout of the camp that accommodated nearly 10,000 people for a long-term siege, Leon suddenly found a familiar uncle in robes and armor walking not far away.

Leon remembered that he still had a treasure in the other party's hand, so he stepped forward and said hello: "Good day, Master Hilgard."

The warlock consultant holding a long-handled warhammer looked back and saw the young man in silver plate armor, and remembered the little knight he had seen in Selva more than a month ago.

"What a coincidence, Sir Leon." Hilgard nodded and saluted, "Have you also applied to join this war?"

"Maybe in the future, not yet. I came to see the Baron to do some official business in the territory." Leon answered vaguely, and then asked: "Sir, I wonder if you have repaired my gem necklace?"

"It may take a few days. In order to deal with the current battle, I usually can't spare much energy to replenish the magic power of that item." Hilgard said a little embarrassed.

Leon was not too disappointed: "It doesn't matter, but is the thing with you now? My friend wants to see it."

After talking about the previous experience with Corvis, Leon learned from the boy's guess that the magic necklace that can stimulate the body's potential is likely to come from Atias.

"I have been keeping it with me." Hilgard turned the necklace out from under the collar of his armor.

Leon turned around and motioned to Corvis behind him to take a look: "How is it? Is this the thing you guessed?"

The blond boy took two steps closer and looked up at the familiar necklace on the neck of the local spellcaster in the Western Continent in front of him, and recognized it at a glance.

"Yes, it is indeed the equipment of the 'magic knight'."

Hearing this, Hilgard looked at the handsome blond boy beside Leon, wondering what the foreign words in the child's mouth meant.

Leon had a clue in his mind, so he said to the warlock uncle: "Master, don't let it interfere with your work anymore. I want to take the necklace back now."

"No problem, but do you have a way to replenish its magic power?" Hilgard took off his hood, took the gem necklace off his neck and handed it back to the other party.

"Well, I know a wizard friend who can help me." Leon nodded, and didn't say who it was.

Hilgard was a little curious, but before he could ask again, Leon heard the horse's hooves and the call of Knight Balf behind him.

Putting the necklace on his neck and stuffing it into the neck guard, Leon said goodbye to the warlock uncle: "Sorry, Master, let's talk another day. I have important things to do back to the territory."

Turning over and riding on the horse, Leon took Corvis to catch up with Balf's team and rushed out of the military camp.

Hilgard looked at the back of the little knight and was confused.

There were not many warlocks in the northern association, and they had many connections with each other. At present, another warlock from Kosos County is also in the military camp. Apart from this, he has not heard that there are other warlocks in the association going south.

Is it a traveling apprentice who travels to the other party's territory? But how can an apprentice who has not been assessed with a title charge such a complex magic item?

Or... Could it be that this young man really has a talent for learning magic, and was favored by a spellcaster?

Hilgard, who had originally claimed not to have much hope for the young man, suddenly became eager.

Even if the other party is now just a small knight on the border, if these two identities can be developed, a wizard who is both an Orland noble lord and a member of the association will be of great significance to the Northern Association's expansion of influence in Orland.

You know, there are only a handful of spellcasters with noble identities in the association. Although they are respected by the lords of the Northern Kingdom, in fact, the political identity of most spellcasters is still civilians under the nobles. Although they have a unique status, it is still difficult to influence the politics and power of the kingdom. Such a situation is undoubtedly a long way from the ultimate goal of the association.

Hilgard stroked his beard, knowing that he should write a letter to ask the fortress to send someone to Selva to take a look.

The morning of the third day when Leon left Selva for the military camp.

In the backyard of the lord's house, the metal sounds of weapons clashing and armor shaking rang.

Azerien, wearing a steel helmet and plate armor, held a training spear with a blunted blade, and tried his best to deal with the blonde girl in front of him who was also wearing armor and holding a training spear.

The noble boy uncrossed his hands and tilted his spear to the left to block Olivia's dangerous attack.

After successfully blocking, he didn't dare to waste a moment. He raised his shoulder and stabbed the girl's face armor.

However, Olivia, who was charging forward without any loss, just followed the force of the spear shaft being opened, lifted the end of the shaft held by her left hand, and deflected the counterattack.

In the process, her right hand pushed the holding position to the upper half of the spear shaft.

At the moment of making these counterattacks, the girl's steps did not stop for a moment, and the distance and position between the two were shortened.

This also determined Azerien's death. His spear head had already fallen on the girl's side, and could no longer pose any threat to the girl in armor.

When she entered the dangerous distance, Olivia turned her body and raised her shoulders, and the shortened shaft was pulled like a paddle, and immediately raised the spear head from the lower right to Azerien.

The noble boy could not retreat in time. As long as the girl's right hand pushed forward again, the spear head could penetrate the gap between the helmets and penetrate the opponent's face.

The winner was decided, and the two stopped this round of fighting.

Several children who came to watch the excitement around applauded vigorously.

Although they could not understand the sparring between Lord Azerien and Sister Olivia, the dazzling moves still made them feel wonderful.

"You are a little absent-minded, Olivia." Azerien took off his helmet, sighed, and took the wet towel handed over by the little servant to wipe the sweat.

He was obviously absent-minded.

Even in armored martial arts sparring, the noble boy knew that even if he was wearing plate armor, he could not survive three moves from the monster-like girl.

But today, in the morning armored spear sparring, he could not only survive four or five moves occasionally, but even had the opportunity to fight back a few times.

Although that was still not enough to defeat Olivia, Azerien had already felt that the girl, who had always been full of energy, seemed to be in a bad state for the first time.

Could it be that she happened to be menstruating these days?

Of course, Azerien would not say this rude speculation.

Olivia took off her helmet, raised her hand to untie the hair behind her head and shook it, then tied it into a ponytail again: "Nothing, I'm just not in a good mood."

The girl sighed silently.

Originally, she was looking forward to having a good chat with Leon the day before yesterday, and listening to him talk about the thrilling journey of saving Ms. Elena.

Who knew that when she got up the next morning and went to find him again, she found that he had only rested for one night and left Selva again.

She was already feeling a little depressed because she missed the reunion with her long-lost friends. As a result, she had an argument with her father at home yesterday.

Thinking of her father's tough attitude, the girl's beautiful eyebrows twisted again.

At this moment, little Lina happily walked from the hall to the backyard: "Lord Azerian! Brother Leon and his friends are back. He asked me to call you."

Hearing that her friends had returned, Olivia's eyes lit up, and her distressed expression due to the decision her father told her suddenly disappeared a lot.

Now the two of them were in no mood to continue practicing. The girl and Azerian put away their training spears and left the backyard.

Back to the first floor hall of the house, the two met Leon and Corvis again, who had just finished three days of running around.

"It just so happens that you are all at home." Leon took a sip of the cold drink brought by the maid and greeted his friends.

"How is it? Does the Baron agree to send our young men back from the fortress?" Azarian asked the most important thing now.

"Don't worry, Lord Elliot not only released the soldiers of Lonka and Pleton, but also gave me a bounty of five hundred gold crowns. We don't have to worry about running out of money for the time being." Leon pointed. The small box full of gold coins on the side smiled at his partner.

He then informed Azerien of all the gains from the trip.

The number of armed civilians recalled from the eastern fortress totaled eighty-six.

There were thirty-seven men in Lonka, twenty of whom were skilled archers.

Platon had forty-nine men, and eight more soldiers from wealthy families in the territory who knew how to ride horses.

Now the Uriah bow and war horses in the territory can also be used.

Coupled with the fact that Selva is now in his sixties, the three territories can form a total force of about 140 people.

With that said, Leon asked Lina to bring three more chairs, so that all the standing friends could sit down, and they started discussing with Azarian directly in the hall.

Leon will give the six best Uriah war bows in the warehouse to the best hunters in Longka Archers to use, while the other archers will go back and buy some Orland longbows to equip them.

But to be honest, even the Orland military longbow seen on the front line, in Leon's opinion, is just a stick with a string hanging on it, it is simply an archery "pole". The rough craftsmanship is really a waste of so much money. Good wood.

Compared with the Uriah recurve bow of the Kantadar Cavalry, there is a huge gap between the two in terms of materials, production technology, and actual combat effectiveness.

Although the Cantadar cavalry under Duosen is not a human being, the guys in their hands are really good.

As for the extra cavalry armor after arming the heavy cavalry, Leon planned to spend some money and ask Brian Blacksmith to help repair a damaged breastplate, and use the extra parts to make another set.

Use ten complete sets of armor and choose ten veterans from the territory who have been on the battlefield and seen blood to wear them.

The remaining infantry was relatively rudimentary. Leon could not afford to equip all the light infantry without decent armor with chain armor. As an alternative, he could only buy more shields.

In this way, the first territorial troops under his command, except for the heavy cavalry squad with nine horsemen and horse equipment, including the three of them.

It will consist of ten heavy infantry, twenty archers, and one hundred and ten light infantry equipped with shields, spears and some chain mail.

Leon arranged for Azarian to purchase longbows, shields and other armaments later, and then revealed his next step: "Have a rest for one night. I will go on the road tomorrow. I am making no excuses. I must bring Mr. Balfe back safely." Only by traveling through the Nightmare Forest can I prove to Baron Earlive what I said."

"Through the nightmare forest?" Olivia asked doubtfully next to Leon.

"Well, I left in a hurry the day before yesterday, so I forgot to tell you. This time I escaped through the Nightmare Forest again. However, the cursed land has dissipated. Now, except for the undead, the forest is full of undead. It’s an ordinary land.”

After Leon explained briefly to Olivia, he also reminded the girl not to mention this matter to anyone.

"So, you just came back and are leaving again?" Olivia's voice couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Seeing the girl's disappointment, Leon felt a little inexplicably sorry: "Well, I have to go again, but it's not too far. I can come back in a few days at most."

Listening to the conversation between the two, Corvis couldn't help but cross his arms, looked at each other playfully, and then glanced at his master.

When the boy saw the innocent girl named Olivia, the look on his pretty face turned dark with the naked eye.

He smiled secretly, and suddenly understood.

"My lord, didn't you say that this young lady's martial arts skills are quite good? Then why not take her with you on this trip.

Now, the Nightmare Forest is no longer a cursed place. Even you and I can't stop ordinary zombie beasts. I think Miss Olivia, whom you praise so much, is no longer a threat.

Besides, there was Lord Balfe with his cavalry. "

Hearing what Corvis said, Olivia raised her head and looked at him in surprise.

Go together?

The blond hair on the girl's head seemed to have regained its bright luster.

"Yes, since the cursed land is no longer there, and you said it's not far away, then take me with you. I also want to help you." The girl stared at Leon expectantly.

Leon looked at Olivia's shining eyes and couldn't help but said: "There is indeed no danger to you on this trip. If you have no objection, I am very happy to have you accompanying me, but Uncle Brian Can you agree? After all, unlike you, I can't tell your father about the Nightmare Forest."

Hearing her stubborn old father, Olivia bit her lower lip, frowned and hesitated.

How to convince my father?

Especially since my father actually brought it up in the past two days.

The girl struggled for a while.

But thinking about the inexplicable argument yesterday, she suddenly felt a little angry at her father.

A feeling of rebellion surged up for no reason.

If he can't change his father's mind, then this may be his last chance to take risks with Leon and the others.

Olivia closed her eyes and made a decision in her mind.

She has never lied to anyone.

I’m going to tell a little lie tonight~!