"But it's not tax season yet, my lord," a peasant cried out in distress.
Wildcat remained expressionless. "Because of the ghoul invasion, protecting you requires great effort. We need more supplies. If you object, we can send you straight to hell."
Baron Feld had tasked him with collecting taxes. If discovered, it didn't matter—they could simply plunder. After all, these weren't Nightfall Territory's people. Who would recognize whom?
Tax collection was still the safest approach. The slaves had weak combat capabilities; clashes with militia could lead to disastrous accidents.
"We'll pay! The full amount!" The village chief gritted his teeth, immediately ordering villagers to bring out livestock and grain. With an ingratiating smile, he added, "And the maiden the baron requested—I'll present her as well."
A maiden?
Wildcat frowned. Baron Feld hadn't mentioned this—clearly it was something Baron Bull desired.
A slave soldier beside him started to refuse, but Wildcat swiftly stopped him. Wouldn't refusal expose their ruse?
"Fine. Bring her back with us."
Soon, Oxhorn Village erupted like boiling water poured into an anthill. Seething chaos spread everywhere.
Two oxen, four sheep, numerous chickens and ducks, five cartloads of grain, seven gold coins, twenty-three silver coins, and fifty copper coins—the village had been scraped clean to the bone. Wails and pleas echoed everywhere. A year's worth of accumulated wealth had vanished overnight.
"Nobles are terrifying," Wildcat muttered inwardly. He too had become a slave after failing to pay taxes.
Whether villagers had evaded taxes didn't matter. This was pure, unexpected gain.
"Holy hell, so much livestock?"
Feld, still directing slaves to move weaponry and magical artifacts, gasped at Wildcat's haul. In another bunker, he'd found three fog-repelling lamps—long coveted by the bearded officer—along with copious healing potions. Their total value was incalculable, certainly exceeding 200 gold coins.
Even with such windfalls, Feld still exclaimed at the taxes Wildcat brought back.
Feld himself hadn't imagined a small village could yield so much. The tax rate must be horrifyingly high. Wildcat's twenty men could barely carry the spoils from just one village.
They even had oxen and sheep. It seemed meat wouldn't be scarce in the Cursed Lands anytime soon.
The only discomfort gnawing at Feld was the realization he'd essentially pillaged a village.
*Don't be a saint now. Survive.* Feld rapped his own head. His modern Hua nation morality had no place in this dog-eat-dog medieval world.
When survival hung by a thread, scruples were a luxury. Only by living could he achieve anything. Besides, Nightfall Territory now served as a buffer before Bull Barony. This "support" was his due.
Feeding his own people came first!
"Excellent. Each of you earns a silver coin," Feld encouraged Wildcat with a smile, generously redistributing others' wealth. "Earn one gold coin for me, and I'll grant your freedom. Become freemen of Nightfall Territory."
Slaves erupted in a roaring cheer like a tidal wave. For the first time, they felt true hope.
"My lord, let's collect taxes from other villages!" Inflamed by Feld's "motivational pay," Wildcat's eyes gleamed with fervor. All prior sympathy vanished as he fully embraced Feld's cause.
*Why should we Nightfall folk pity Bull Barony's plundered villagers?*
"Absolutely!" Feld clenched his fist. "Plunder their gold coins! Finish by tomorrow morning—we're pressed for time. Keep impersonating Bull Barony soldiers. Rewards await you."
Speed was essential. Other imperial cities wouldn't be led by weaklings like Richard. They'd soon notice Bull Barony's crisis and dispatch armies to purge the corruption. Feld couldn't afford to be caught.
"Uh, my lord... and this young girl." Wildcat presented a plainly dressed child, roughly twelve years old.
*Do I look like some pedophile? Bringing me a loli!*
Feld's brain froze for a second. He nearly cursed, but seeing Wildcat's apprehensive expression, he swallowed his anger. "Explain. Why bring back a child?"
"The villagers offered her to Baron Bull. Nothing good, I'm sure. I didn't want trouble, but refusing might have aroused suspicion. I took responsibility and brought her. Punish me, my lord."
"No punishment. That was quick thinking, Wildcat. You'll command the guard from now on." Feld thanked his own patience.
The girl was unremarkable, just somewhat delicate-featured. After brief questions, Feld took her in. She knew his secrets now—returning her was impossible. Besides, she'd likely suffer if sent back.
Dawn broke gently the next morning. Ashena stirred at the cacophony of chickens, ducks, and oxen outside. Her lashes fluttered as she stretched with a lazy yawn.
Yesterday's battle fatigue had vanished. She'd slept deeply, cushioned by soft bedding carrying a faint scent of gardenias—utterly unlike the cold, wet iron cage.
*Ah, thank the gods Lord Feld chose me as his Chosen. He truly is a magnificent man.*
Her long, muscular legs rubbed together with a seductive *swish*. She longed for another hour of sleep, but Ashena rose quickly. Feld had said they'd enter the gray mist at dawn.
"Rest well last night?" Feld asked as the mature beauty bounded toward him, rabbit ears bouncing playfully. He nearly lost composure. "No need to rush. I'm still planning our route."
"Very well, my lord." Ashena nodded, only half-understanding, and stood obediently nearby.
The Northern Province was vast. Once including prosperous cities and villages like Nightfall Territory, it now lay corrupted and monster-infested. At its heart stood a once-thriving manor belonging to Baroness Sophia Starnight, whose Starnight City loomed within its sightline.
"With my current strength, building a castle from scratch is pure fantasy. Our best path: seize the great manor, then use it as a foothold to slowly reclaim Starnight City."
Feld's map was seven years out of date.
Back then, many pioneering knights—dreaming of reclaiming the Northern Province—had marched north with servants and vassals, brimming with confidence. Few returned. Those who remained forever in the north had undoubtedly become monsters.
"Probably evolved into bosses or something. Just perfect," Feld grumbled inwardly. "So the strategy sounds solid, but the risks? Enough to make one's scalp tingle with dread."