Chapter 73: The Border of the Kadro Province—Deermen Mountain

"It's just a count's family—what are you all afraid of?" Seeing himself instantly isolated, the low-ranked Silver Knight couldn't help but shout.

"That's because you're a fool who doesn't understand the situation. Do you think the Ex family is merely a count's household?"

"A baron family that rose to power suddenly—let me give you a piece of advice: report to your lord and get to know the world outside. Don't keep your eyes fixed on this small place of the Kadro Province."

"Now shut your mouth, or I'll make sure you disappear on the road, so you don't bring disaster upon us."

All the surrounding Silver Knights couldn't help but rebuke him, making the low-ranked knight realize how dire his situation was. He silently retreated to the very back, not daring to speak again, and resolved not to voice any opinions until his service in the Defense Corps ended, lest he bring trouble to his own lord.

The high-ranked Silver Knight cast a cold glance, then resumed his affable expression. "This area is at the northern edge of Kadro Province, near the border of the Dwarven Mountain Kingdom by the railway. Outside the cleared zones, there are still many centaurs active here. Gather round, everyone, let's discuss our plans carefully."

"Yes, if you think about it differently, our unit has the strongest high-level combat power. Compared to the other forces, we have an unmatched advantage."

On hearing this, everyone quickly realized it was true and began to discuss enthusiastically—except for the aforementioned fool.

...

At dawn the next day, according to the original plan, the Defense Corps split into five units and left their former base.

During the march, Flora called Veilin aside and asked, "Is there anything in your domain that needs to be taken care of? We can deal with it during this operation."

Veilin thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm not sure. My territory has only been established for a year, and our scouts haven't covered much ground."

"I see." Flora immediately summoned a messenger to call over the deputy commander.

A moment later, a knight rode up from the front of the column to the small hill, dismounted, and saluted Flora. "Captain, you called for me."

"Miller, how is the integration of the troops going?"

"Very smoothly," Miller replied, reporting to Flora. "The rank-and-file soldiers are not resistant, and according to the information from the unit commanders, most of the junior officers are cooperating with our command without issue. I've assigned the very few troublemakers to the 'Vanguard Battalion'—they'll be sent out in the first wave to wear them down."

"Good. Make sure they stay sharp and gradually get a grip on their units as we march, so we don't end up with slackers when the cleansing begins." Flora nodded, satisfied.

"Secondly, have the scouts expand their patrols beyond the original area, and mark every monster tribe with more than three hundred members."

"Understood, Captain."

Miller then rode away from the hill.

"Commander, I'll go back now as well," Veilin said to Flora after Miller left.

"Yes, go on. Take this chance to gain experience."

"Understood." Veilin mounted his red-phosphor horse and headed toward the rear of the marching column.

As a Silver Knight, he had command over a unit of a thousand men. To better control the troops, Veilin formed his two hundred infantrymen into the core and mixed them with the eight hundred men assigned to him. At the same time, he grouped twenty knight-attendants as overseers and messengers to help him issue orders and direct the unit.

Looking at the orderly column, Veilin nodded with satisfaction.

"My lord, should we send someone ahead to contact Lord Baird and the others?" Kael rode up beside Veilin and asked.

After some thought, Veilin instructed, "Send two people back to inform Baird and Orlando, have them assemble their troops and stand ready. We may need them."

"Yes, sir."

Kael's suggestion sparked a bold idea in Veilin's mind. If possible, after the Defense Corps withdrew, he could occupy the temporary earthwork fortress they constructed as a forward base for expanding into the Gray Ash Wasteland.

After five days of steady marching, the force of eight thousand arrived at their prearranged destination—Deer Gate Mountain, a location easy to defend and hard to attack.

Veilin followed Flora up the rocky slope of Deer Gate, gazing at the surrounding earthworks, now reduced to broken walls and rubble.

"Three hundred years ago, this was once a gnoll city," Miller, standing behind Flora, suddenly spoke.

"Here?" Veilin asked uncertainly.

"Yes, right here," Miller nodded. "Three centuries ago, my ancestor was an adventurer who visited this place. In the diary he left behind, there is a clear account of Deer Gate Mountain City—a small gnoll city with over six thousand gnolls living here at the time."

"I see. No wonder it's so ruinous now." Veilin could roughly guess what had happened to it.

"Miller, have the men clear this area and make camp. Tomorrow we'll begin assigning specific tasks."

"Yes, Captain."

Soon after, a thousand-strong company arrived and began clearing away rubble and earth, leveling the ground.

All one thousand were professionals, each worth three or four strong laborers, making the work highly efficient.

By afternoon, a large area was leveled, and rows of marching tents were quickly set up.

At night, in the command tent, the commander, deputy commander, eight company captains, and other officers gathered for a meeting.

"After discussing with Miller, the following orders have been established." Veilin, along with the other seven captains, stood forward to await Flora's commands.

"The first, third, fifth, and seventh companies will form the First Battalion; the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth will form the Second Battalion."

"Every fifteen days, the two battalions will alternate between cleansing missions and fortress construction."

"I now declare: the First Battalion will take on the cleansing tasks, while the Second Battalion will focus on building the fortress."

"Tomorrow I will distribute the operation assignments to each company captain. The day after, we begin the plan in earnest."

"Yes, ma'am!" the eight captains answered loudly, then returned to their ranks.

Flora looked around and continued, "The logistics team will ensure supplies and the safety of rations and military equipment."

"Yes, ma'am!" The logistics chief, a Silver Knight, stepped forth and answered clearly.

"Meeting adjourned. Now go back and get some proper rest."

"Yes, ma'am!"

One by one, the officers left the tent and returned to their assigned sectors.

As captain of the seventh company, Veilin headed for the upper left section of the camp.

"My lord, do you need me to summon the centurions?" Kael approached and saluted upon seeing Veilin return.

"No need. Let them rest well; we'll assign tasks tomorrow."

"Understood."

Kael withdrew, and Veilin entered his tent, collapsing on the carpet for some well-earned rest.