This was because the Black Mountain bandits had enjoyed peace for so long that, aside from their own people, no outsiders had ever come here.
It had to be said that the Black Mountain bandits' base was truly well hidden.
Especially on this mountain with its high peaks and dense forests, it was easy to get lost.
Without Hans, this bandit leader, to guide them, Wulfrik and his men would never have found this place.
No wonder the Sowerbright family's previous attempts to suppress the Black Mountain bandits had all returned empty-handed.
Wulfrik stood on a concealed hillside, observing the distant bandit camp by moonlight.
The camp was built in a small valley surrounded by mountains.
A simple wooden palisade encircled it, several bonfires stood out clearly in the night, and bandits could be seen patrolling lazily.
"Looks like they haven't noticed our arrival."
Garcia said quietly, a cold glint in his eyes.
Wulfrik nodded, his gaze steady and sharp.
"Pass the word—everyone maintain silence and wait for the signal from the scouting team."
Meanwhile, Wagner's scouting team had quietly infiltrated the area near the iron mine.
The mine was located in a valley deep within dense forest, its entrance concealed by thick vegetation, nearly impossible to find without a guide.
By the weak moonlight, Wagner saw several bandits lounging lazily at the mine entrance, their torches flickering dimly.
"Looks like their defenses are not tight."
A knight whispered.
Wagner squinted, observing carefully for a moment, then gestured for everyone to withdraw.
"Go back and report to Young Master Wulfrik—the mine's defenses are lax. We can proceed."
As night deepened, Wulfrik received Wagner's message.
He took a deep breath, looking firmly at Garcia and the surrounding knights.
"The time has come. Execute the plan."
Garcia nodded and quickly issued orders.
Fourth Infantry soldiers silently spread out, forming an encirclement.
Archers took the high ground, sharp arrows nocked and aimed at bandits in the camp.
Wulfrik drew his sword, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
"Attack!"
At his command, archers struck first, a dense rain of arrows piercing the night sky toward the unprepared bandits.
Screams instantly shattered the night's silence as chaos erupted in the camp.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Bandits shouted in panic, fleeing in all directions.
Roll burst from his tent, and seeing the scene before him, his face instantly turned ashen.
"Damn it! Gather everyone and prepare to counterattack!"
However, the bandits were already in complete disarray, unable to organize effective resistance.
Fourth Infantry soldiers poured into the camp like a tide, and amid flashing blades, bandits fell one by one.
Wulfrik led the remaining guard knights straight toward Roll's position.
Roll roared and charged forward, swinging his great axe.
"Who are you? How dare you attack my camp!"
"Sowerbright family, Wulfrik."
Wulfrik replied coldly as his sword clashed hard with Roll's axe, sparks flying.
Roll had tremendous strength, but Wulfrik's swordsmanship was more refined.
After several exchanges, Roll gradually fell behind.
He panted heavily, fear flashing in his eyes.
"How... how did you find this place?"
"You can thank your subordinate Hans for that."
Wulfrik sneered and seized the opportunity to thrust his sword toward Roll's chest.
Roll barely dodged, but his shoulder was still slashed with a deep wound.
He staggered back several steps, roaring: "Hans, that traitor! I will not spare him!"
"You will not get the chance."
Wulfrik said no more, his blade pointing at Roll's throat.
Roll desperately closed his eyes, but the expected pain never came.
He opened his eyes to find Wulfrik's sword stopped before him.
"Surrender, Roll."
Wulfrik said gravely: "Your men are completely routed. Continued resistance will only increase casualties."
Roll looked around to find his subordinates either dead or fled, while the survivors had all thrown down their weapons in surrender.
He laughed bitterly as his great axe clattered to the ground.
"I... surrender."
The battle ended quickly, and the bandits were gathered under guard.
Wulfrik ordered soldiers to tally the results while sending men to take over the iron mine.
"Young master, we have achieved a great victory!"
Wagner said excitedly.
"Not only did we wipe out the Black Mountain bandits, but we got the iron mine too!"
Wulfrik nodded.
"The iron mine must be kept secret, or it will attract unnecessary trouble."
Garcia stepped forward, saying solemnly: "Young Master Wulfrik, please rest assured."
"The Fourth Infantry will keep the secret strictly and assist you in mining the iron ore."
Wulfrik smiled slightly.
"With you here, I can rest easy."
In this battle, except for a few bandits who escaped into the mountain forests under cover of darkness, most were either killed or captured.
This was unavoidable—after all, it was nighttime with limited visibility, and the surrounding vegetation was dense, making it difficult to form a tight encirclement.
On Wulfrik's side, casualties numbered only dozens, with just over ten killed in action.
With the advantage of surprise attacking the unprepared, plus it being a midnight raid, and the Fourth Infantry being Sowerbright family elite against a rabble of bandits, such results were not surprising.
...
Dawn's first light fell on the Black Mountain camp as Wulfrik stood before the captured spoils, his gaze sweeping over the mountainous pile of coins.
Over five thousand gold coins glittered temptingly in wooden chests, twenty thousand silver coins were neatly stacked in burlap sacks, and fifty thousand copper coins formed small hills.
This was the entire wealth accumulated by the Black Mountain bandits through years of raiding.
"Young master, these weapons..."
Wagner kicked at a pile of rusty swords and knives, his brow furrowed.
These crudely made weapons had uneven edges, some with loose handles, completely incomparable to equipment from Argentum Eagle Castle's armory.
Wulfrik picked up a notched sword, flicking the blade with his fingertip to produce a dull sound: "Send them all back to the castle for reforging."
He turned to the clerk tallying the spoils.
"As for these coins..."
The camp suddenly fell quiet as all soldiers unconsciously stopped their work, holding their breath and waiting for the young lord's decision.
Wulfrik looked around, a slight smile playing at his lips: "Distribute them all to the soldiers who participated in the battle."
These words were like a spark hitting dry grass, instantly igniting the entire camp.
Cheers shook the valley, the sounds of clashing armor and stomping boots merging into one.
Young knights flushed red with excitement, and even usually steady veterans could not help pumping their fists.
"Long live Young Master Wulfrik!"
"The Sowerbright family forever!"
Captain Garcia knelt on one knee, his iron gauntlet striking his breastplate heavily: "Young Master Wulfrik's generosity—the Fourth Infantry swears eternal loyalty!"
The soldiers behind him saluted in unison, thousands of eyes burning with fierce loyalty.
Wulfrik raised his hand for silence, his voice not loud but clearly reaching every ear: "This is the reward you have earned with blood and courage. The Sowerbright family never shortchanges warriors who fight for it."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over soldiers with bandaged wounds.
"Double compensation for the fallen, and their families will forever receive Sowerbright family protection."
These words made the cheers even more fervent.
Soldiers embraced each other, some even weeping with joy.
In this era, encountering such a generous and righteous lord was truly rare.
Wulfrik's actions not only solved many soldiers' family difficulties but also planted seeds of unwavering loyalty in their hearts.
Wagner quietly whispered in Wulfrik's ear: "Young master, this money could buy an entire estate..."
Wulfrik looked at the celebrating crowd, saying softly: "Do you know why the Sowerbright family has stood for seven hundred years?"
He pointed at those excited faces: "Because these people's loyalty is more precious than gold."