Field was completely dumbfounded.
What kind of person is this?!
"Damn it."
Field's mood instantly soured.
Steward Kao shrank his neck slightly. Back then he had wanted to say something but held himself back.
Both Baron Bull and his son were notorious for being unpleasant people.
"Wait! You're the new baron of Nightfall Territory? That's perfect!"
The man on the wall suddenly sounded pleased.
"Finally someone can serve as a buffer for my fortress."
"I hope you survive for at least a couple of days."
"But when those Rot Corpses start chasing you, don't come begging at my gate. I won't open it."
After hearing a reminder from his advisor, the young noble had finally remembered who Field was.
Unfortunately, the only thing he thought about was using Field as a strategic buffer for Kasha Fortress.
Steward Kao leaned closer and whispered quietly,
"That's Richard Bull, the only son of Baron Bull."
"He's famous for being a coward. We should probably stop talking to him."
Field nodded slowly.
"You're right."
"There's no point arguing with idiots."
Veins bulged on his forehead as he slowly stepped back.
"So this is how everyone wants to play, huh?"
"Fine."
"I won't be polite anymore either."
"The gate to Nightfall Territory is right there. You can open it yourselves."
Richard waved dismissively before retreating behind the walls.
"Now get out of my sight, you filthy outsiders."
Beside him, an advisor wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Young master… deceiving them like this… isn't that a bit—"
"Shut up."
After retreating a safe distance, Field ordered everyone to wait.
Then he sighed.
"I think I understand why Rot Corpses appeared here."
He adjusted the sword at his waist.
"Fortunately the gray fog blocks the orcs as well, and there's still a peace treaty."
"Otherwise the Empire's proudest defensive line would become a complete joke."
"Um… respected lord… we'll be leaving now."
The villagers gathered awkwardly, pushing each other forward.
They clearly didn't want to stay near an angry noble.
In the end they pushed one unlucky man forward to speak.
"Thank you for saving us."
Field lowered his eyes slowly.
The expression on his face looked like a wolf ready to devour prey.
"I allowed you to leave?"
His voice was cold.
"Your lord abandoned you."
"You are now leaderless."
"So you've been taken in by me."
After all—
He could always use some free labor.
"W-What?! No, no, no, my lord!"
"We're free citizens!"
The villagers looked horrified.
From what Richard had said earlier, Nightfall Territory was a cursed land full of death.
Anyone who went there was basically signing their own death warrant.
Field calmly drew his sword.
"Fine. I can let you go."
"Five gold coins each as redemption payment."
"I saved your lives. That's what I deserve."
The sword gleamed coldly.
"Either come with me to Nightfall Territory…"
"Or pay."
"Otherwise I'll chop you into pieces and feed you to dogs."
"Understood?"
Ashina, who had been standing nearby, suddenly relaxed.
"Ah… good."
She let out a quiet sigh.
Field's recent kindness had made her uncomfortable.
It almost felt like she was living in a dream.
Now that he was acting like a proper ruthless noble, everything finally felt normal again.
Just like Ashina, the villagers seemed strangely relieved.
Once threatened, they immediately behaved themselves.
One by one, they dropped to their knees and agreed to go to Nightfall Territory.
After all—
Going meant possible death.
Refusing meant certain death.
Better gamble.
"Pathetic."
Field sheathed his sword and covered his face.
Sometimes fists really were more convincing than words.
"My lord… please don't be upset."
Ashina carefully approached and tried to comfort him.
Field glanced at her.
Then suddenly froze.
He stared at her for several seconds.
Ashina slowly began to look frightened.
Only then did Field snap out of it.
"Ah—sorry."
"I'm fine."
"Just lost in thought for a moment."
They continued forward.
When Field approached the fortress gate again, he suddenly froze.
On the system's small map—
A large cluster of skull icons appeared.
Right behind the gate.
Field's expression darkened.
"So this is what Richard meant by 'very safe'?"
That idiot had taken the money and still tried to trick him.
If Field had walked straight through the gate earlier, the Rot Corpses hiding inside could have ambushed them.
Field snorted.
But then a new thought appeared in his mind.
He slowly stroked his chin.
"If Baron Bull's idiot son is hiding inside the inner fortress…"
"And he abandoned all the outer strongholds…"
"Doesn't that mean…"
A grin appeared.
"…I can make a huge profit out here?"
"After all, nobody's watching."
Field had never been a saint.
He shook his cloak.
"Kao."
"Do you remember the slaves who fought back against the Rot Corpses earlier?"
"Gather them."
"If there aren't thirty, fill the rest with strong men."
Kao might be cowardly, but he worked efficiently.
Soon, thirty slaves of different backgrounds were assembled.
Field glanced toward the distance.
Connor was still nearby with his cavalry, looking unhappy.
"Before we begin," Field said lightly,
"there's someone who's rather… in the way."
Field walked toward Connor with a polite smile.
"Brave Knight Connor."
"Although this isn't my territory, as a noble who values honor, I intend to help the local farmers eliminate the Rot Corpses."
"Would you like to join me?"
Connor stared at him like he had just heard something insane.
Is this idiot serious?
He had already lost one man fighting the Rot Corpses earlier.
He was still worrying about compensation for the soldier's family.
And now this foolish baron wanted to go hunt more monsters?
With a bunch of slaves?
Connor couldn't believe his ears.
"No."
"I've already escorted you to the border of Nightfall Territory."
"There's only one gate left."
"I need to return and report to the Count."
As he spoke, he suddenly burst out laughing.
"Sorry, but honestly…"
"Taking this group of rabble to fight Rot Corpses…"
"…might as well bring a herd of pigs."
"At least the monsters would get full."
Field looked disappointed.
"What a pity."
"I thought you might want to share the glory."
Connor waved dismissively.
"Just don't forget the Empire's laws and your family's orders."
"Arrive at your post on time."
With that warning, Connor led his cavalry away at full gallop.
Field didn't even get the chance to remind him about the horse manure he promised to eat.
Steward Kao trembled as he asked,
"My lord… we're really going to provoke those Rot Corpses again?"
Field waved his hand.
"I'm not expecting you to fight."
"Stay here and guard the slaves."
"If anyone tries to run—"
"Use the slave contract and burn them to ashes."
He said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
The slaves shivered in fear.
Kao, on the other hand, looked like he had just been pardoned from execution.
After forcing the slaves to arm themselves with sickles, pitchforks, and logging axes, Field set off with Ashina.
Ten minutes later, they entered a quiet forest.
Field carefully checked the small map provided by his lord ability.
Once he confirmed that nobody was nearby, he reached into the bag hanging beside his warhorse.
Then he took out a beautiful crystal sphere.
Ashina's status panel had changed.
That moment earlier—when Field seemed distracted—
He had been confirming that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.