Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords

Zat squatted in front of the fireplace, adding firewood. With the cold weather and lack of entertainment, and not enough people for a game of cards, he could only stare at the crackling fire, listlessly brewing tea.

He had just poured a cup of the warmed tea for Beatrice when the door suddenly burst open, a gust of cold wind causing her to shiver. She was about to curse, but upon looking up, she tactfully changed her words: "Boss, is the banquet over?"

Having enjoyed a publicly funded feast and sporting a round belly, Levi lay back in his chair, looking content as he embraced the flying Booey, nodding.

Beatrice immediately pouted. She had already coaxed Booey into reluctantly staying in her arms with various flavored milk, but the moment the lord arrived, the little thing immediately forgot about her, offering those little milk bottles to the lord like treasures, clanging them one by one.

Truly an ungrateful wretch.

"So, how was the meeting?" Beatrice asked curiously, having composed herself.

She knew that the banquet wasn't just about eating and drinking.

"Things won't be as small-scale as before. We still need to remain humble, because only through humility can we improve."

After returning from the banquet, Levi hadn't learned anything else, but his ability to speak official jargon had become increasingly proficient.

Zat grimaced, turning his head to continue adding firewood.

"Speaking of which, where's Meer?"

Only then did Levi notice that two goat-person maids were massaging Beatrice's shoulders, and Zat was tending the fire, but Meer was nowhere to be seen.

"Sky said he'd take him to see some interesting things. They left right after you did," Beatrice explained, slowly knitting a scarf with wool.

She would always find something to do to pass the time when she was idle, and knitting, in her opinion, not only filled the time, but also gave her a sense of accomplishment whenever she finished a piece.

"I wanted to go too, but they wouldn't take me no matter what," Zat immediately seized the opportunity to complain, his tone somewhat aggrieved.

"A fledgling eagle with wings will eventually soar. Let him go," the lord said with a platitude, but in his heart, he wondered if Sky was leading Meer astray.

Before this guy got drunk, Levi thought that this middle-aged knight was indeed a rare example of someone who adhered to justice, humility... and so on.

But the truth is, a person often seems more honest than they really are, often harboring a deep-seated perversion that only needs a suitable trigger to unleash.

Meer returned late at night, but the kid's face was flushed, and he wouldn't say anything no matter what he was asked.

Sky, on the other hand, bid farewell in a hurry, looking embarrassed.

Beatrice thought the kid was sick, touching his forehead and asking questions with concern, making Meer even more awkward.

Only Levi knew what these two had done that couldn't be spoken of, and he watched the joke with amusement.

The next morning, as the sun rose, the Highcliff Castle convoy turned around and headed towards Highcliff Castle, while a lone figure went the opposite way, heading towards Whiteflow City.

Having finally come to Whiteflow City, it was impossible not to catch up with Leah, the liege lord.

Levi hadn't gone earlier due to time constraints, but left it for later.

Because he hadn't written a letter beforehand, he had to wait at the Duke's castle as usual.

But he didn't wait long before a maid led Levi towards the depths of the castle.

This was the second time Levi had entered the Duke's castle, but he still couldn't hide his envy.

This castle, with its rough Nordic style, had a unique ancient charm, full of stories. This was something that only countless time could create, also known as heritage.

Exquisite sculptures, unique fountains, and distinctive gardens could be seen everywhere in the castle.

Levi followed the maid through winding corridors and into a hall.

A beautiful figure was sitting by the window. The sun was in just the right position, gilding the figure with a golden edge, making her glorious and dazzling.

Like a canary trapped in a cage, unable to be free, she made people feel sorry for her.

"Long time no see, Miss Leah. How have you been?"

The maid left, and the lord waved to Leah.

"Good day, Levi," Leah turned around, walking over with a smile. "When I learned that you were coming to see me, my mood was like the sun suddenly shining brightly after ten days of heavy snow."

"I don't know how many times I've heard your name recently."

Levi opened his arms and gave her a light hug, then separated. "It's just the propaganda of some interested people."

Leah was wearing a white, gold-embroidered dress today. The form-fitting, padded dress not only didn't hide her alluring figure, but also highlighted her charming curves.

An exquisite pearl necklace added just the right touch to her snow-white swan neck.

If in Coln, the Grand Duke's granddaughter revealed the temperament of a top-level aristocrat in every way, making people feel a distant sense of class and self-abasement with just a glance,

then now, she was like a princess who had fallen into an ordinary noble family. Although still beautiful, she no longer had that untouchable sense of class.

The last time Leah came to Highcliff Castle, although she didn't show it, Levi could feel the worry in her heart. This time, however, she was much better, and her brow was no longer furrowed, obviously much more cheerful.

"Compared to last time, this time you finally let me see some of the style you had back in Coln," Levi joked.

"In fact, I have to thank you for this," Leah smiled slightly. "Your ten guards have made it much easier for me to do some things."

"Levi, are you passing by or did you come specifically?"

"Don't you know that the commander of the Thorns Legion is holding a banquet at Maple Lake?" Levi had just opened his mouth when he realized he had asked a stupid question.

After briefly telling Leah about the banquet, the two exchanged glances and fell silent.

Obviously, Leah had not only not been invited to the banquet, but she wasn't even aware of it.

But on closer thought, it made sense.

Frankly speaking, Leah's identity was equivalent to a vase that could be used to launch military operations in the Southern Border for Frulina.

She only needed to stay obediently in Whiteflow City. She would basically not be informed of military matters.

And to be honest, if it weren't for her only vassal—the lord of Highcliff Castle—rising up suddenly and possessing a military strength that couldn't be ignored in a very short time,

she would probably have been completely at Frulina's disposal.

Both were smart people, so they naturally understood these things.

But these words weren't suitable to be said here. They were just tacit understandings.

"Speaking of which, have you contacted those vassals in the Southern Border who are still loyal to the old Duke?" Levi asked, not wanting to delve too deeply into such a heavy topic.

"Yes, yes, several nobles have explicitly stated that they will give us assistance when we head south," Leah said, a smile returning to her face.

In fact, most of these nobles had taken the initiative to contact her, saying that they were loyal to the old Duke and only recognized the heir appointed by the old Duke.

"Not bad. It seems we won't have to hold meetings with only the two of us," Levi winked, feeling much better.

He didn't ask questions like whether there would be a trap. The Southern Border wasn't a monolithic entity. There would always be nobles who wouldn't submit to Damon, and this would become their help.

"Levi, I have to thank you," Leah looked at the lord with sincerity.

If this lion-hunting knight hadn't intended to save her from the beginning, then the most likely outcome for her and her mother would have been to spend the rest of their lives in a water prison, or die in some unknown corner.

And now, because she was still alive, her mother would certainly not be abused.

Although this baron had saved her for the sake of Kink, in Leah's view,

this pioneering lord was only one person at the beginning, and he had only just been ennobled. To be honest, his status was pitifully low.

Faced with Damon, whose power was so unequal, ordinary people would have proactively offered her up to get more rewards.

But what did the other party do?

For just a few thousand Kink, he fought through the encirclement and brought her safely to the Northern Border.

Leah knew that this fallen baron had been a mercenary, and that escorting employers to earn commissions was their source of income.

There was nothing to criticize about what he did.

Without his secret support, she probably wouldn't have been able to leave Whiteflow City.

"I guess you want to know why," Levi picked up a piece of pastry from the table and threw it into his mouth. It was soft, glutinous, and sweet, quite delicious. He couldn't help but eat a few more pieces.

It had to be said that Frulina hadn't mistreated Leah in terms of life, only preventing her from getting involved in military and political affairs.

"I do want to know," Leah nodded honestly.

It was precisely because she had special feelings for the baron in front of her that she wanted to know what he was doing all this for.

"Three reasons. First, I had already become your vassal at the time, and I was naturally labeled as being on the old Duke's side. Oath-breakers are often the most hated. I had no choice," Levi stretched, looking blankly at the dome of the hall. "Second, I thought I had some strength. If it was just rescuing you, I could still do it, and... there was money to be made. Why not earn it?"

"What's the third?" Leah asked curiously, subconsciously thinking that the last one must be the most important.

"I think that any knight on the scene probably wouldn't sit idly by and watch a beautiful lady like a delicate peach blossom in early spring being crushed into the mud. The imperfection of beautiful things always makes people feel sorry, and I'm no exception."

Levi spread his hands, staring at Leah's overly beautiful eyes, and said with a smile.

"Pfft!"

Looking at the serious-looking Levi, Leah couldn't help but laugh, her smile as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum.

To be honest, the words of praise that Leah had heard since she was a child were enough to compile a book for scholars who liked to use words and sentences to study.

But she had never been as happy as she was today. Her heart was like she had eaten candied fruit, and all the gloom seemed to be swept away.

She also knew that it was difficult to say how much of the truth was in the words of this baron who liked to talk glibly, but she was genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.

"Levi, if you attended the banquets of noble ladies, I don't know how many noble girls would be drowned in your words," Leah revealed two small tiger teeth.

"Presumably, no noble girl would like a brute called the Bloody Butcher," Levi said casually, his attention falling on the pastry in front of him.

He had been in a hurry to come over in the morning, and he hadn't had breakfast yet.

As for the words he said, the first two reasons were indeed his original thoughts, as for the last one?

It could only be said that he understood how to make this "Highland Tulip" happy.

"I don't think so," Leah said meaningfully.

Unfortunately, the lord, who was wholeheartedly focused on food, didn't hear it.

After that, they chatted about some family matters and told some interesting stories until the sun was high in the sky before Levi went to see Orak, the shaman orc who had been sent to protect Leah.

When Levi saw Orak, he was practicing magic in a small courtyard. Two winding dragon horns shone brightly in the sunlight, while the other ten orc guards were training on their own.

Even after leaving Highcliff Castle, they hadn't neglected their training and were still strict with themselves.

The lord nodded in satisfaction.

"Lord, why are you here?" Orak was surprised by the lord's arrival.

"I happened to be passing by Whiteflow City, so I thought I'd come and see you."

Levi walked over and gave the shaman orc a light fist bump.

"It's been a few months. You've gotten even stronger," Levi joked, looking at Orak, who had obviously gained weight.

"Apart from occasionally needing us to deliver letters, we're just here eating and drinking," Orak shook his head.

"What, do you regret coming here?"

It seemed that Leah was treating them very well, not skimping on the food, Levi thought to himself.

"It's not that, but I feel it's a pity that I didn't participate in the northward war with you, Lord," Orak said with envy.

No one could appreciate how famous Highcliff Castle was now more than him, who was in Whiteflow City.

Not to mention the lord of Highcliff Castle, even the other big and small leaders had names, such as Zat the Giant Axe Warrior, the number one warrior under the lord of Highcliff Castle, and so on.

Only he still had no reputation, which made his already restless heart even more agitated.

"Haha, don't worry. There will be plenty of battles to come. There will be plenty of opportunities," Levi didn't expect this to be the reason, but he naturally supported his subordinates wanting to fight, so he comforted him with a few words.

Finally, the two reminisced for a while before Levi turned to bid farewell to Leah.

Before leaving, Leah also gave him a meaningful hint, saying that she had sought assistance from the royal court, saying that this assistance would definitely be unexpected, and repeatedly emphasizing that it was absolutely unimaginable.

This made the lord, who had returned to Highcliff Castle, feel suspicious for several days and even had trouble sleeping.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he was worried about what to do if Leah sought the assistance of a dragon. Highcliff Castle already had a freeloader dragon. Then he thought that a Grand Duke's granddaughter didn't have that kind of face, maybe it was just some special things.

He couldn't help but start to worry.

In the past, Levi had always kept others in suspense, but he didn't expect that one day he would fall on his own head, which made him depressed to death.