Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords

Watching Li Wei leave with the seven clergymen from the Church of Ice and Snow, Foggiero turned to Skye beside him. "Sir Skye, I would like to discuss something with you, regarding Duchess Frelina."

"I presume you've already guessed where the Duchess has gone."

"If it concerns the magic crystal mine, then I have indeed guessed something." Skye patted the sword at his waist.

"I apologize for keeping it from you until today, but this matter is of great importance. Aside from the two of us, no one knows the Duchess's true destination."

Foggiero sighed, pushed open the wooden door, and gestured for Skye to enter.

The two of them were not under each other's command. If it came to status, this Great Knight, who was once Duchess Frelina's guard knight, was clearly closer to her.

"When it comes to the magic crystal mine, one can never be too careful." Skye shook his head. "In fact, I only guessed that Duchess Frelina most likely left because of the magic crystal mine, but I'm not entirely sure why she left."

The two of them entered the wooden house together, sat down again, and discussed the matter.

"To be honest, when I first learned of Duchess Frelina's guess, I was very surprised, even incredulous."

Foggiero stroked his jade thumb ring, a look of reminiscence on his face.

It was a voice stone that Duchess Frelina had a military officer pass to him.

This was a common magical item that allowed the user to leave their spoken words on it.

It was convenient for passing on to others, conveying what one wanted to say.

Duchess Frelina left her guess and orders on it.

"The Duchess believes that this wilderness coalition army is premeditated, and not simply a southward looting."

Foggiero didn't beat around the bush and said it directly.

"How is that possible?" Skye said in disbelief. "If not for southward looting, what good is it for them to make such a big show of force?"

It was freezing cold now. Starting a war in this season was a huge challenge for logistics.

The Thorns Legion had White Stream City behind it, so it was fine.

But for this ragtag bunch, let alone anything else, just the number of goblins and kobold auxiliary soldiers freezing and starving to death every day was considerable.

If they continued to drag on, they might collapse on their own without being attacked.

But they still didn't care and weren't in a hurry to take the initiative to attack.

So Skye couldn't understand, if it wasn't for southward looting, was it necessary to waste time here like this?

"The Duchess guessed that there were others behind them directing them, with the goal of attracting our attention."

"This..." Skye was stunned, then suddenly realized and muttered to himself, "That's it, that's it, no wonder these wilderness natives' equipment isn't even worse than a ragtag army, and they don't have any urgency to loot southward. Instead, they're slowly setting up defensive works, preparing to fight a protracted war with us."

"In other words, their real purpose is the magic crystal mine?!" A flash of lightning crossed Skye's mind, and he was shocked.

If you look at it this way, everything can be connected.

Generally speaking, large tribes looting southward do so quietly, afraid of being discovered. As soon as they loot enough supplies, they immediately disappear into the depths of the wilderness.

But this coalition army, from the beginning, made its purpose clear, making it known to everyone.

Obviously, this was contrary to common sense.

It was clear that they wanted White Stream City to know that they were preparing to loot the border villages, or even attack White Stream City.

"Possibly." Foggiero said, "Duchess Frelina had this guess, which is why she secretly took the cavalry north to check the situation."

"If all of this is just a guess, then that would naturally be for the best."

"If the facts are as the Duchess thinks, then this wilderness coalition army will only be an appetizer..."

"This is also why the Duchess temporarily transferred more reinforcements than previously stated."

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with deep solemnity and helplessness.

It was precisely at this time of preparation to start a war southward that this kind of thing happened. If handled poorly, if too many losses were suffered in the wilderness, then it would obviously be detrimental to the southward military operations.

"No wonder these wilderness natives are too elite. If it weren't for Sir Li single-handedly turning the tide, our current situation might not be so leisurely." Skye said.

"Yes, he's inhumanly strong." Foggiero said with emotion.

"How can there be such an illogical person in the world?" Skye sighed.

"Fortunately, this Sir Li is on our side." The two of them said at the same time in unison.

They looked at each other, each with a look of rejoicing.

This Sir Li, wearing heavy armor, was completely like a meat grinder in the crowd. Any standing creature in front of him would become a pile of minced meat.

The minotaurs probably had the most to say about this.

He single-handedly beat hundreds of fully armed minotaurs, who had even gone berserk, into submission.

To be honest, Skye had once gone to the royal capital to see the Sword Saint, who was known as the number one swordsman master in Deber, and was easily defeated by him with just one sword.

From then on, he had an insurmountable mountain in his heart, but now, after seeing the terror of this Sir Li, he suddenly realized that the insurmountable mountain was actually just like that.

Perhaps in terms of martial arts alone, this Sir might not be able to beat the opponent, but once they fought, it would be difficult to determine the winner.

After all, no matter how superb the swordsmanship, it cannot bridge too much of a gap in strength.

Just like an ant, even if it learns battle aura, cannot kill an elephant.

This Sir Li's strength and speed were too terrifying.

The two were silent, sipping their hot tea.

...

"Sir, is it true that you've slain a dragon?"

On the way back to the High Cliff Stronghold, Maisha took off her hood, revealing her appearance completely, and asked curiously.

"Most people think I'm fabricating something that doesn't exist, but in fact, you can find out the truth with a little inquiry, but they often prefer to believe their own conjecture." Li Wei said ambiguously.

He took the opportunity to carefully examine this priestess.

The cultivation of divine arts gave this group of ice and snow priests an extremely strong resistance to the cold.

Even though the weather was freezing to the bone, they were still wearing thin clothes.

Maisha was wearing a blue and white priest's hooded robe, with a unique ice crystal pendant of the Church of Ice and Snow hanging around her neck. She was about one and a half 'ren' tall, which was quite tall, with long golden hair and a beautiful face, with an indomitable spirit between her eyebrows.

This kind of person tends to be persuaded with kindness rather than force.

Because the lord is this kind of person, he can see it at a glance.

Maisha nodded thoughtfully.

"Master Fugin, I'm actually very curious, are there many spellcasters like you in Deber?"

Li Wei asked the white-bearded old man who was wandering in the sky.

In the past three years, although he knew of the existence of spellcasters, he had only seen some spells that could only be regarded as tricks on the street.

Until he came to the wilderness, the first person he met who could barely be called a spellcaster was Sam, this wilderness shaman.

"Sir should know about the magic tide, right?" Fugin asked first.

Li Wei nodded. This thing wasn't a secret. Anyone with a little status knew about it.

"If you had asked me this question more than ten years ago, I would have said very few, but today, with the magic tide rising again, I can only say it's unpredictable." Fugin sighed. "More than ten years ago, I was still an apprentice struggling to condense a magic seed, and the number of spellcasters in the Church of Ice and Snow was also very few."

"But now, I have become an intermediate mage. Although I can't tell you the specific number of spellcasters in the Church of Ice and Snow, I can say that it definitely exceeds the past."

"Is that so." Li Wei couldn't help but think of Sophia.

Logically speaking, if the magic concentration is too low, even if the transformation technique is cultivated to a very high level, it can't be transformed, but Sophia's ability to transform into a human being has already explained everything.

It means that the current magic concentration has definitely reached the highest level in hundreds of years.

His heart was even more determined to trick a few spellcasters into joining High Cliff Stronghold.

And now, Li Wei felt that there was a great opportunity with Maisha.

This kind of girl who hasn't experienced the sinister nature of society is the easiest to trick... no, to trick into High Cliff Stronghold!

High Cliff Stronghold's garrison, all around at Li Wei's request, were piled with straw and sprinkled with water, frozen into four-sided ice walls four 'ren' high. Perhaps they couldn't stop a large army from attacking, but they were enough to stop sneak attacks, giving the people of High Cliff Stronghold enough time to respond.

"Sir, you're back."

Guarding the gate were two Feder archers about two 'ren' tall, wearing black armor.

"Yes, what's going on inside? Why is it so noisy?"

Li Wei frowned. Ever since he approached the High Cliff Stronghold's garrison, all kinds of shouting sounds had been constantly coming from inside.

High Cliff Stronghold, as a well-known strong army, was acting in this way, which was simply disorganized and undisciplined, too outrageous!

The two Feder archers looked at each other and said in unison.

"Captain Zart brought the entire Panta Warrior squad over to entertain them, and even took out the wine to entertain them, saying it was your order."

The two sold out their captain without the slightest hesitation.

The main reason was that Captain Zart was, in their minds, someone who easily did foolish things, and perhaps this so-called entertainment was just his own decision.

But there was nothing they could do about the fact that higher ranks could crush people to death, and they didn't dare to say too much, but as soon as they saw their real boss, they immediately reported the matter without hesitation.

"I see."

Li Wei nodded, stroking his chin.

He didn't expect that this silly Zart could really trick the Panta Warriors over.

Frankly speaking, honestly speaking, it was impossible for the lord to say that he had no thoughts about this group of panda warriors.

This had nothing to do with the nostalgia or collecting habit of suddenly seeing familiar things from his previous life in another world.

It was purely because this group of natural monks were all born brave warriors.

They controlled the power originating from the heart - Qi.

This power was different from battle aura, holy light, and magic.

Its strength all depended on the strength of one's own heart. In short, this thing was a bit evil.

Whether it was strong or not, it was purely the power of 'I think so'.

If they had an epiphany one day and their hearts transformed, these monks would become top powerhouses.

Of course, nothing can happen for no reason. Everything has traces to follow. The so-called transformation of the heart also originates from the long-term spiritual practice of these panda people, accumulating to the minimum limit enough to transform.

Putting these aside, panda people are often mostly kind, yearn for peace, and are lazy but very loyal.

It can be said that this group of burly strong men can be regarded as enhanced versions of minotaurs.

Whether as subjects or warriors, they are excellent.

If he could trick a squad to join High Cliff Stronghold, it would obviously make High Cliff Stronghold's strength reach another level.

Although this panda squad most likely had no chance, it didn't prevent the lord from contacting them to build up a relationship, and then loving the crow on the roof as well.

And then contact their half-grown children who haven't left the mountain yet, and then trick them into joining High Cliff Stronghold.

Anyway, the lord takes one step and looks a hundred steps ahead. It seems that he has ideas about this Panta Warrior squad, but in reality, he is preparing to follow the vine and pack their entire tribe together.

Implement a sneak attack strategy.

At that time, even Frelina will not be able to criticize him for digging up the wall.

After all, this is everyone's willing affair. The tribe's new warriors are willing to come to High Cliff Stronghold, and I can't help it. I can't stop them, can I?

However, this matter cannot be completed in a short time. Li Wei is just taking this step in advance.

Anyway, make more friends and fewer enemies is the lord's code of conduct.

Walking into the camp, piles of bonfires had already been lit on the open space, roasting sizzling lamb legs. The fat and round Panta Warriors and orc barbarians were casually sitting on the ground, talking enthusiastically.

"Boss, you're here?"

Zart saw the lord walk in with his hands behind his back and quickly greeted him.

"This is the leader of the Panta squad, Panta."

"Panta, this is our High Cliff Stronghold's boss."

Zart introduced the two separately.

As soon as he saw this panda warrior, who was three and a half 'ren' tall and even stronger than Zart, the lord's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward and shook its furry big hand with both hands.

"So you're Handsome Pan, it's a pleasure to meet you."

The more the lord looked at it, the more he liked it, constantly touching it up and down. Look at this waist ratio, look at this arm that is thicker than a pillar, a punch down can definitely kill a minotaur.

It's simply a natural strongman!

Panda was slightly embarrassed, and unobtrusively tried to withdraw his hand from the human's hand, but as soon as he moved, he was stunned. He felt like he was clamped by iron pliers, and he couldn't pull it out at all.

He didn't believe in evil and added a few more points of strength, but the result was still the same as before.

This time he was even more embarrassed and didn't dare to continue struggling.

"Sir, your fame is far-reaching. Even the half-grown children in our clan have heard of it. Those deeds are worthy of everyone's praise."

Panda was a practical person and naively thought that these deeds that could be spread so widely were basically true.

He never thought that there was such a thing as false propaganda.

However, strictly speaking, it can indeed be regarded as false propaganda.

For example, it is all publicized that he likes to cut people in the waist, but in fact, he also likes vertical splits and cucumber-like moves.

Although the efficiency is not as high as the former, the shock it gives people is definitely terribly high.