Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 230 - 230 122 Age of Disputes

230: Chapter 122: Age of Disputes 230: Chapter 122: Age of Disputes The gates were tightly closed, and guards adorned with Sword Wing badges stood outside.

Gathering his companions around the table, Leon spread out a parchment map on the large table, his finger pointing at a location on the southwest side of Farolis City, west of Platon, northwest of Longka, near the border of Baron Domain.

Previously, that area had been blank, but now, Leon had redrawn it with a small triangle marked “Wacht”.

“This place houses a small fortress completed by Baron Eriv the year before last.

It is an outpost of Farolis City to defend against Wolf Territory.

At present, Sir Marcello leads two hundred soldiers there, and they will likely send someone to contact us in Longka soon.

Lokhak, when the time comes, you will lead people to Wacht Castle to note down the route so that if either of us is attacked, we can support each other,” Leon instructed his companion.

“Understood, leave it to me,” Lokhak nodded in response.

“Azeryan, return to Selva today, halt the military camp construction, and gather all craftsmen and Selva’s labor to reinforce Longka.

We must establish sufficient defensive measures before the threats materialize…”

After assigning tasks to his two companions, Leon and Mr.

Brian Sr.

discussed the terrain around Longka to devise strategic plans for possible attacks from various directions.

Most tactics were planned by the old knight, self-proclaimed to have leadership experience, while the younger ones listened quietly.

Leon merely recalled historical battles he had encountered in his past life and occasionally offered some suggestions to Mr.

Brian Sr., showing little doubt in his Centurion’s expertise.

Wood walls, arrow towers, barriers, trenches, horse barriers…

Leon was cautious about discussing the details of arranging fortifications.

Any future conflicts might not be large, but they equally concerned the safety and wellbeing of thousands of subjects around.

Should Gunnar’s army charge into Farolis’s territory, even if the Wolf Family did not intentionally slaughter the civilians, merely by pillaging, the harm caused and the casualties among the subjects would far surpass the number of victims during the initial attack on Selva.

…

The lengthy military council ended, and everyone dispersed to implement their respective tasks.

The atmosphere in Longka became tense and somber, with all villagers being mobilized on a compulsory basis, while the men stayed behind, and the frail, women, and children evacuated to Selva.

Leon surveyed the terrain surrounding Longka, searching for likely positions the enemy might advance through and spots suitable for ambushes.

Standing atop a hill to the northwest, Leon gazed out at the plains in the direction of Wolf Territory.

He turned his head, noticing the worry in the eyes of a young girl nearby.

“You have many questions, Olivia,” Leon approached her.

The girl withdrew her gaze from the distance, turning to look at her lover.

“Leon, even if we return the villagers to the Gunnar Family and explain the origins of the Undead, can’t we clear the misunderstanding and prevent possible bloodshed?” Olivia asked hesitantly.

Leon shook his head regretfully, “Those villagers aren’t the real problem between Gunnar and Farolis; they’re just the catalyst for the dispute between the two lords, no longer important to them.

But if we explain to the Gunnar Family where those ancient Undead actually come from, trying to resolve the so-called misunderstandings and let them discover the anomalies within Nightmare Forest, or even the true reason behind the disappearance of Cursed Land…”

He sighed helplessly, looking toward the forest to the south, “Then the minor conflict that might occur now will indeed turn into a bloody battle over masterless land.”

Leon pointed in the general direction of Avalon Castle, carefully explaining to his lover, “Do you remember the Forest City we visited more than a month ago?

It is situated directly south of the current Gunnar Family’s territory, a crucial location that can serve as a base for Baron Eriv’s southern expansion and a stronghold to curb the Gunnar Family in the future.

With the deep-seated resentment and conflicts between the Wolf Family and the Thorny Flower Family, Baron Grey Wolf would neither let our Lord Eriv expand southward for his family’s resurgence nor miss out on the chance to seize Nightmare Forest, even the enemy lands to the south.”

Seeing Olivia’s complex expression sinking into contemplation, Leon gently rubbed her golden hair, reminding her, “Baron Eriv faces hostile neighbors, striving for revival and seeking a way out for his family, while Baron Gunnar has been eyeing the Thorny Flower Territory for years, wanting to annex its land, with irreconcilable differences between them.

As a vassal of Farolis, I must prioritize the safety and interests of my domain and Thorny Flower Territory.

Olivia, when the forces of Wolf Territory attack, they will not be much more merciful than the Kantadar people.

You must not hesitate when you take up your sword to face danger.”

“I will do my best to protect everyone and the subjects, Leon, but…”

Olivia asked melancholically, “Why can’t those important Orland people unite and collaborate to fend off the southern foreign enemies instead of persisting in fighting each other?”

Leon looked at the still confused and innocent girl with affection, unable to resist drawing her into his embrace.

Confused Olivia did not resist her lover’s embrace but simply closed her eyes reassuringly, tilting her head against Leon’s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.

Leon knew that Mr.

Brian Sr., in the secluded corner of Selva, had raised Olivia for sixteen years, teaching her martial arts for self-defense, the proper etiquette of a dignified demeanor, and guiding her values along a path of integrity and kindness.