By the time the sun began descending toward the western mountains, Ashveil was starting to regret purchasing so many construction materials.
The two carts had become considerably heavier after their visit to the Western Valley Lord’s Market, forcing the group to travel at a slower pace than before.
Although he was satisfied with their purchases, he couldn’t help wondering whether it would have been better to bring additional soldiers to help transport everything.
"Next time, we’re bringing more people," Ashveil muttered.
"Or perhaps you could simply purchase fewer things, little lord," Ria suggested.
"That’s not happening. We still need to finish the defenses, expand the workshop, and prepare for the Monster Tide. Honestly, I’m starting to think we should’ve bought more."
Ria chuckled at his response.
Ashveil glanced toward the supplies piled onto the carts.
Their expedition had been worthwhile, especially after selling the carapace-reinforced shields. However, everything they had learned about the Pioneers and the dangers of Eryndor had also made him painfully aware of how much Ashen Hollow still lacked.
Even with Seraphina and Ria accompanying him, his territory was nowhere near strong enough to compete with the more established Lords.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much he could do about that until they returned home.
"How much farther?" he asked.
"We still have quite a distance to cover," Seraphina replied.
"Wonderful."
Ashveil sighed and continued walking. He glanced toward the forest behind them.
Ria’s warning still bothered him. Another Lord had been following them since they left the marketplace, and he doubted it was a coincidence.
"How many soldiers did you say were following us?"
"Eleven soldiers and their Lord, little lord. Six spearmen, four crossbowmen, and what appears to be their commander."
"Eleven against four?"
"You’re forgetting about us, little lord."
"Yeah, but I’d prefer not to make you do all the work."
Ashveil frowned as he considered their situation. The enemy had followed them for several hours without approaching, which made their intentions rather obvious.
Even if they didn’t attack immediately, allowing them to discover Ashen Hollow’s location would be far more dangerous.
His territory was still developing, and the six spearmen guarding it would hardly be enough to repel a larger army.
They needed to deal with the pursuers before returning home.
"Ria, can you get close enough to find out what they’re planning?"
"Of course."
"Then stay hidden for now. I’ll handle the rest."
The succubus smiled before disappearing into the trees.
Ashveil continued walking with the others, quietly examining their surroundings. The road followed a shallow stream, with thick forest covering one side and a steep embankment rising along the other.
It wasn’t an ideal place to fight, but the narrow terrain would prevent the enemy from surrounding them.
More importantly, the carts could be used to obstruct the road.
"Everyone, stop for a moment," Ashveil instructed.
The spearmen halted.
He directed them to move the heavier cart toward the embankment, leaving only a narrow space between it and the stream. The second cart was positioned farther behind, creating a small defensive area between them.
Seraphina watched the preparations with a puzzled expression.
"Are we expecting an attack?"
"Probably. I’d rather not find out while we’re still walking."
Before she could respond, several figures emerged from the forest ahead.
Ashveil stopped.
Apparently, their pursuers had already sent men around to intercept them.
A soldier wearing a dark leather cuirass stepped onto the road, followed by several others carrying spears. More figures appeared behind the group, blocking their retreat.
Within moments, Ashveil and his companions found themselves surrounded.
"Well, that’s unfortunate," he muttered.
A man riding a large gray horse emerged from behind the soldiers. He wore a neatly maintained coat, and a curved horn protruded from the forehead of his mount.
The man looked at Ashveil with an amused expression.
"You’re the Lord who was selling those monster-material shields yesterday, aren’t you?"
Ashveil raised an eyebrow. "Depends who’s asking."
"Someone interested in making a business arrangement."
"Does your business usually involve surrounding customers with soldiers?"
The man laughed. "Only when they’re particularly difficult to find."
Ashveil glanced toward the crossbowmen taking positions behind the spearmen.
"So what do you want?"
"Your workshop. Or rather, the territory producing those shields. I’m willing to offer you a position under my command if you surrender ownership of your territory."
"You’re asking me to surrender my territory?"
"Naturally. Your territory is clearly too weak to protect its own assets. Under my leadership, its resources could be put to considerably better use."
Ashveil couldn’t help laughing. "You followed me all this way just to tell me that?"
The man’s expression darkened.
"Consider this an opportunity. Refuse, and I’ll take what I want."
Ashveil sighed.
He had already encountered enough destroyed territories to understand what happened when stronger Lords decided to prey upon weaker ones.
Unfortunately for this man, Ashveil had no intention of surrendering.
"One question," he said.
"What?"
"Did you really think four spearmen were all I had?"
The man frowned.
Before he could answer, a scream suddenly erupted from the forest.
One of the crossbowmen collapsed as a crimson flash passed between the trees. The remaining soldiers immediately turned toward the disturbance.
Ashveil moved at once.
"Now! Push the cart!"
The four spearmen threw their weight against the heavier cart, sending it rolling down the slight incline toward the soldiers blocking the road.
The men scattered to avoid being struck.
One stumbled into the stream, while another was knocked backward when the cart clipped his shield.
"Seraphina! Stay behind us!"
Ashveil drew his weapon as the spearmen advanced through the opening.
The enemy commander shouted for his soldiers to regroup, but the narrow road prevented them from organizing their superior numbers effectively.
Ria emerged from the forest behind the crossbowmen, forcing them to abandon their positions.
Without their ranged support, the enemy spearmen struggled to contain Ashveil’s advance.
The fighting lasted only a few minutes.
Two soldiers fell beneath the spearmen’s attacks, while several others threw down their weapons after witnessing Ria overwhelm their companions.
The enemy Lord finally realized that the situation had turned against him.
"Retreat!"
He pulled on his mount’s reins, attempting to escape through the forest.
However, the horse suddenly reared as a burst of crimson magic struck the ground before it.
The man lost his balance and fell from the saddle.
Before he could stand, Ashveil’s spearmen surrounded him.
"Wait! We can negotiate!"
Ashveil approached with his weapon drawn.
"Didn’t you already offer me a business arrangement?"
"I’ll pay you! Gold Coins, Source Stones, whatever you want!"
Ashveil shook his head.
"You followed me from the market, tried to seize my territory, and threatened to kill my soldiers. Why would I believe you wouldn’t come back?"
The man opened his mouth, but no answer came.
Ashveil looked toward Ria.
"Finish it."
The succubus obeyed.
A moment later, the hostile Lord lay motionless on the road.
The surviving soldiers surrendered. Ashveil ordered them to surrender their weapons and leave the area.
Once they had disappeared down the road, his spearmen began collecting the abandoned equipment.
Fortunately, none of his own soldiers had been killed, although two had suffered injuries during the brief confrontation.
Once the fighting was over, the spearmen retrieved the cart they had pushed into the enemy formation.
It had suffered little damage, though several supplies had fallen off and needed to be loaded again.
Seraphina immediately began treating the soldiers.
Ashveil watched her work before glancing toward the defeated Lord.
He had been willing to surrender his soldiers’ lives merely to acquire a small workshop producing monster-material equipment.
Apparently, some Lords considered robbery a perfectly reasonable method of developing their territories.
A familiar notification appeared.
[Ding! You have defeated a hostile Lord!]
[Rewards: Source Stones ×3, Gold Coins ×200, Tier 1 Troop Recruitment Voucher ×1, Assorted Equipment.]
Ashveil examined the rewards with satisfaction. The Source Stones alone made the encounter surprisingly profitable, and another recruitment voucher would allow him to strengthen Ashen Hollow’s defenses.
However, as the soldiers finished gathering the equipment, something else caught his attention.
The enemy Lord’s gray horse had remained nearby.
Unlike an ordinary warhorse, it possessed a large curved horn and an unusually muscular body.
Ashveil approached cautiously.
The creature snorted and stamped its hooves.
[Grey-maned Horned Horse]
[Tier: 2 Magical Beast]
[Status: Unclaimed]
Ashveil’s expression changed.
"A magical beast?"
He looked toward Ria.
"Well, I guess we got ourselves a horse."
The succubus chuckled.
"Assuming it allows you to ride it, little lord."