The meheart 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 wastnds, could build such a magnificent stronghold,rge 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 Blooddes, 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 causedmotion, looking straight at him, and it yawned softly.


    That was a bad sign.


    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 mes billowing off it.


    "I hear you came from Baron meheart''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.


    "What?"


    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 notst 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. ording to some sources, he received approval from the imperial family and has bought troops of ve warriors."


    Kelvin spoke.


    "These ve warriors are powerful. Strong enough to bring down our forces with little casualty. In a month, thest 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 in expression.


    He rose to his feet.


    "You should have informed me, Kelvin. The mehearts are our only source of trading without attracting attention to ourselves. If he is gone, we are exposed."


    "I considered the matters at the destnds, 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 wastnds, 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 wastnds 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 Blooddes 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 meheart. While he holds the front for me, I shall expand in the destnds."


    "That is a wise choice, Your Lordship, but there is no need to ignore the wastnds. 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. de Nubis is petty; he wille when he sees a little spark of my rise."


    "Let us first defend Baron meheart, 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.


    "As you wish."


    "Good. I shall leave for the meheart domain with my personal troop alone since they have the best mobility, but before then, is cksmith Dan at his forge? I want to discuss forging my own armor set."


    ...…..


    nk! nk!


    Not far from the city square, which was several hundred yardsrge 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 cksmith could smith weapons.


    Right now, Dan, the big bearded journeyman-grade cksmith, was mming 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.