This was a valley untouched by wind and snow—a warm valley with many cultivated fields. It belonged to a landed knight under Viscount Dragon.
Over ten thousand troops were now stationed here, and within the manor house that had once belonged to a knightly lord, Viscount Dragon had convened a gathering of nobles.
He had shared news of the battle between Ryan and Artel with all those present.
"From this war, we truly learned something from that Baron of Frozen Soil. In war, one must never be hasty."
"Armies made of slaves collapse easily. Their combat strength is limited, and rushing into war only makes it worse."
The speaker was Baron Enzo. Viscount Dragon, of course, couldn't openly praise Ryan himself, but Baron Enzo had no such concerns.
"And so," he continued, "in our war with Viscount Miles, we must not rush either."
After finishing, Enzo turned to Viscount Dragon.
"My lord, do you have a good strategy in mind?"
Viscount Dragon cleared his throat, drawing all eyes toward him, and spoke seriously to the assembled nobles:
"Zero Crossing City—we cannot take it by force. Unless we fight like orcs—utterly fearless in the face of death—we won't be able to capture that fortress."
Though he said this modestly, everyone present knew the truth: even if they doubled or tripled their army, they still wouldn't be able to break through the city's defenses. Otherwise, why would both the Miles family and Viscount Dragon have fought so hard over the city for years?
Everyone remembered how the Cold Mountain County fortress had fallen—only after tens of thousands of orcs, including the mighty Blackhorn Goat Warriors, laid siege to it.
"So… I plan to force them out—to make them fight us in the open."
"But how?" a baron asked skeptically. "They surely won't come out willingly."
Viscount Dragon smiled confidently.
"Our goal is to secure more and better land—not to fight for the sake of fighting. Though they are holed up in Zero Crossing City, not all of the nobles under Viscount Miles are in the city. They each have their own territories."
The nobles exchanged uncertain glances.
"But, my lord… if we start looting other nobles' lands without cause, the entire Empire—especially the southern nobles—will condemn us. Our family names, our honor…"
One voiced their concern hesitantly. Viscount Dragon's face turned serious.
"Of course. A noble's honor and reputation must not be sullied. We cannot do what nobles should not do."
"Which is why—we must not raid any noble's land before war is officially declared."
Baron Enzo raised his head and addressed the nobles.
"So, we must start a war first."
"Wait… we haven't started the war yet?" a confused landed knight asked, clearly not following.
"Of course war has started," Enzo said, "but my dear noble lords, this is a war between the Dragon and Miles families—not a war involving you."
He turned to one of the knights.
"Sir Klaus, you are a knight under Viscount Dragon. But if I recall, your fief lies in central Zero Crossing County, between two mountain ranges. Your neighbor is Sir Hensley, yes?"
Sir Klaus nodded.
"That bastard Hensley has always been at odds with me. Now he's pledged himself to Viscount Miles."
"Exactly," Enzo smiled.
"So, based on your long-standing feud and noble protocol, why not declare war on him?"
"If he accepts, he'll be forced to leave Zero Crossing City and return to defend his land. If he refuses, you'll be free to take it in full."
"Then that land will be yours."
"He'll definitely come out to fight," Klaus said, realization dawning.
"If all of us declare war on the nobles surrounding Viscount Miles, then even he won't be able to stop them from leaving the city. But…"
"What about Viscount Miles himself? He's bound to stay holed up in Zero Crossing City."
"He doesn't have to leave," Viscount Dragon replied calmly, staring directly at Klaus.
"Klaus, you're one of my knights. If you go to war with another knight, how could I, your lord, not send soldiers to assist you?"
"I will support each and every one of you in your territorial wars. And if that old bastard Miles does nothing, soon there won't be any nobles left under his command."
"Now, tell me—do you still think that old fool Miles won't come out?"
One by one, the nobles' eyes lit up, filled with excitement.
"My lord, your strategy is so brilliant even the Spirits would praise it!"
"Hahaha!"
Once the nobles had left, Viscount Dragon turned to the still-seated Baron Roch.
"Baron Roch, if your plan succeeds, I will personally ensure your territory is rebuilt—on behalf of the Dragon family. I promise it will be greater than what you lost."
Baron Roch stood and offered a deep noble's salute.
"It would be my honor to serve you, my lord."
"Don't worry. Once we win this war, that Baron of Frozen Soil will be no concern. Everything you lost—your wealth, your dignity—will be returned."
Baron Roch looked up, eyes blazing with excitement.
"You are certain to succeed!"
Truthfully, Viscount Dragon's plan was incredibly effective.
Within the next few days, the 10,000 soldiers stationed in the valley dwindled to less than 2,000—all the rest had marched out, following their lords to declare war on the nobles allied with Viscount Miles.
Their troops began appearing directly in the territories of those nobles, throwing the local peasants into panic.
And under carefully planned instructions, that panic was quickly transmitted to the nobles holed up inside Zero Crossing City.
"My lord! That damn Klaus has invaded my land! He has betrayed noble honor—I must return immediately and take his head!"
Within the Miles family estate in Zero Crossing City, all the allied nobles had gathered. Their expressions were filled with rage and anxiety—enemy soldiers had appeared on their own lands.
"My lord, my steward says some of those soldiers even bear the Dragon family banner! I can handle that bastard Klaus myself, but against Dragon's troops, I don't stand a chance!"
The nobles all began shouting at once.
At the head of the room, Viscount Miles now had to remain lying down. His face darkened with anger.
"Damn that Dragon! Using such vile, underhanded tactics!"