Chapter 125: Resolve

Nicole sat atop a three-meter-high blue stone, her arms wrapped around her legs, her delicate chin resting on her knees, her bright face partially hidden by her long flowing hair. At this moment, she was just a fragile girl, not the formidable knight she could be.

Seeing Nicole like this, Trisily sighed softly. She had been at the agreed meeting place with Nicole, Bruce, and Gris for three days, yet Victor had not appeared. They had thoroughly searched the area but found no trace of him. As time passed, Nicole grew increasingly silent, worried that Victor might have met with some accident.

Trisily was concerned as well, but she did not believe Victor would suffer misfortune. Since Victor was able to send messages to Lilia, it meant he was safe. Besides, there were not many Ant-men in this territory.

What worried Trisily was that Victor might be deliberately avoiding them, unwilling to relinquish his land and return with them to Black Fort Town. But how could she explain such a matter to Nicole? Was she to tell her that the family needed Victor’s brick-making techniques and control over his territory, and above all, that the secret of the Ant-men’s leader must not be leaked? That was why she had been sent to bring Victor back—and that was why he refused to meet her.

“Bruce, come lend a hand. This will be our dinner,” said the old knight Gris, emerging from the bushes dragging a half-grown wild boar. Bruce stepped forward to take the prey, skillfully cutting off four legs and setting them to roast over the campfire.

Bruce’s skill at preparing wild game was impressive; soon, the enticing aroma of roasted meat filled the air. Gris sniffed appreciatively. “Not bad! Greild is certainly a demanding fellow.”

Bruce gave a wry smile. Nobility might disdain manual labor, but hunting was an exception—an essential skill for every squire knight. It allowed knights to feed themselves in the wild and to please their mentors. Bruce had once been a squire himself, and Greild was his teacher—a witty yet lazy old knight.

Bruce did not know Gris, but some hidden powers always lingered within the family. Gris clearly recognized his teacher, and the unfamiliarity faded with a single sentence.

“You know my teacher?”

Gris nodded, eyes tinged with nostalgia. “Yes, but he died too young. If only it hadn’t been for…”

“Is it time to eat yet?” Trisily interrupted, unwilling to hear talk of the past event.

Bruce tactfully suggested, “Should we call Nicole down?”

“Don’t bother! She won’t come down anyway,” Trisily replied with a hint of displeasure. Nicole sat at that height so her beloved could always see her, yet Victor never showed himself. To Trisily, Victor was a cold-hearted lord, and Nicole, a complete fool.

“Young people always have inexplicable stubbornness,” Gris murmured.

Bruce sighed. “Months ago, right here, Nicole, with Victor’s help, slew the old ogre and was promoted to knight. Victor’s bravery left a deep impression on me…”

“Baron Victor is now a ruthless lord. Nicole once risked her life to rescue him, but he refuses to meet her to protect his own position. His shortsightedness and coldness astonish me. I pity Nicole,” Trisily said coldly.

Bruce felt awkward. Clearly, the family was exploiting Victor’s feelings for Nicole, yet from Trisily’s words, it seemed Victor was at fault. But he would not argue with a woman, especially one who was a Silver-rank Grand Knight.

“Baron Victor is smart; he’ll come around. He’s just young and a bit headstrong,” Gris added. He had once lived disguised as a farmer within Victor’s territory. The old knight admired Victor’s many wild ideas, believing him a genius.

Trisily snorted but said nothing. She had to admit that several knights close to Victor, including Sylvia, held him in high regard.

Night had fallen. Two kilometers away on a hill, Victor stood atop a thirty-meter-tall redwood, gazing distantly at Nicole. Neither the distance nor the darkness could dull his sharp gaze.

Victor knew they had entered his territory as soon as they arrived, but he had left them waiting for three whole days.

On one hand, he needed this delay to send three spirit monkey militia to Black Fort Town. They would infiltrate the War Bear mercenaries carrying Victor’s orders. He foresaw that once he set foot in the York family’s lands, he would be isolated because the York family would never allow the Ant-men’s secret to leak before securing agreements with other powers.

On the other hand, Victor did not know how to face Nicole.

He knew she liked him, and he liked her, but it was far from love. For Nicole, Victor had once recklessly confronted the old ogre, unable to watch a beautiful girl who cared for him perish at the hands of monsters. Back then, Victor was newly transmigrated, still passionate, valuing life, and naïve. Now, he had been shaped into a lord who viewed everything through the lens of self-interest.

If not for the intelligence from Barrow, Victor would have met Nicole immediately. He had few friends in this world, and Nicole’s affection was precious. But now, Victor had to doubt her motives. That suspicion bred resentment in his heart, making him reluctant to meet Nicole and Bruce.

Under the dim moonlight, Nicole sitting on the blue stone looked so fragile and lonely that Victor was deeply moved. He began to question himself. Was it worth becoming cold and heartless for power and wealth, forsaking family, love, and friendship? What meaning did such success hold? Nicole was strong as a knight, yet still a gentle girl. If he could be so merciless to her today, would he be willing to sacrifice Nelson or Lilia tomorrow? Was that what he truly desired?

He had faced many setbacks and changed much, but he should never forsake his true nature. Changing one’s essence just to adapt was weakness. A true strong person, when faced with adversity, should become wiser and more decisive, never a mere follower who loses themselves.

“Nicole is young, beautiful, and a female knight. Since I like her, I must win her—snatch her away from the York family!” Victor’s eyes grew resolute and bright with sudden clarity.

He slid down the tree trunk lightly as a feather. Upon reaching the ground, he said to Nelson, who stood guard nearby, “Nelson, be careful on your own for now. Remember, never approach any camps in the territory, especially the hill camp!”

Nelson replied, “My lord, I will be cautious. You must also take care.”

“The Countess of York is not a cruel person,” Victor said after a pause. “The greatest danger is you, but as long as you avoid the camps, it should be fine.”

Victor decided to go to Black Fort Town. As a precaution, he prepared a fallback plan: leaving Nelson outside, who, if things went awry, would lead the alchemist militia in a rescue operation. The details of the rescue plan had been carefully considered.

In truth, Victor trusted that Sylvia would not harm him but rather try to bribe him. Of course, before the York family reached an agreement with other powers, house arrest was inevitable. Victor needed time to complete his schemes.

Meanwhile, Nelson roaming outside was in real danger. The York family would show no mercy to eliminate threats. However, with the Dust Hawk and War Hound at his side, it was nearly impossible for the York knights to find Nelson.

“I’m leaving! Reno and Shark come with me. The rest are in your hands!” Victor patted Nelson on the shoulder and turned toward Nicole’s position, followed by two militia.

At barely two hundred meters, Victor was spotted.

“Who goes there!” Trisily shouted.

Before Victor could answer, Nicole leapt into his arms, her tear-wet shoulder pressing against him, her trembling body just like when they faced the fierce gnoll together.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

——————————————

Tall and sturdy, with steel-needle-like brown short hair exuding toughness and confidence, Vincent was the most capable Silver Knight under Marquis Som.

At this moment, Vincent stood respectfully, awaiting Sylvia’s questions.

“Is this Marquis Som’s decision alone?” Sylvia placed down a letter written by the Marquis to her, smiling gently.

Her splendid fiery red hair was casually tied back, her exquisite face radiating an enchanting smile. Her luscious red lips against snow-white skin were irresistibly alluring. From any angle, Sylvia’s beauty was flawless.

Yet in Vincent’s eyes, behind this beauty lurked a power capable of destroying him. He spoke with growing reverence, “The Marquis has allied with two counts, a viscount, and Duke Neo, determined to support Count York’s restoration to ducal rank in the Senate.”

As a Silver Knight, Vincent need not bow so deeply, but the York family was in grave danger, and this princess before him was like a volcano about to erupt—no one knew when or where her fury would be unleashed. The Som family, as neighbors, would bear the brunt.

Sylvia nodded slightly, emphasizing, “I appreciate Marquis Som’s goodwill, but it’s not enough. Surely you have witnessed the Ant-men’s destructive power. Our York family needs greater support.”

Vincent’s heart was heavy. Indeed, a swarm of Ant-men had invaded the family lands. The family army had helplessly watched them ravage the farmlands, but Marquis Som had decreed not to provoke them. The misfortunes of the Chebman and Briart families were well-known—these monsters came in waves: kill one, and more would follow. If not for the York family attracting vast numbers of Ant-men, Marquis Som’s lands would have suffered devastating destruction. The York family could not retreat.

Marquis Som had contacted other lords in the kingdom’s west to fully support the York family in quelling the Ant infestation, hoping to persuade the York family to hold Horseman Hill. Family scholars believed the Ant-men, with their insect traits, likely had a queen behind the swarm, meaning the assault would not come in a single wave.

“Your Highness, we will dispatch troops to help you exterminate the Ant-men!” Vincent declared firmly.

Sylvia shook her head. “A decisive battle in the wild is not the best option. The optimal strategy is to use the fortress to weaken their numbers before sending the army to eradicate them. The York family can hold Horseman Hill but requires material support. By the way, Bishop Pero endorses our plan.”

Vincent was overjoyed. Support and supplies were minor matters. His only fear was the York family accepting aid only to turn eastward. Now, with the Church’s backing, that risk was diminished.

“We will wholeheartedly support the York family!”

Sylvia smiled with satisfaction. Everything was proceeding as planned—only Victor remained to be dealt with.