Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

How many enemies did the Hesse Territory capture at Rapids Castle?

Marshal Orstein’s excitement was evident: "My Lord, in this battle, our captive count is immense. Due to Baron Grant abandoning his army, we captured over 20 nobles, thousands of knights, armed attendants, priests, and so forth in Rapids Castle! Among them are at least 300 elite knights, and over a hundred of Manann Church’s warships, Cao ships, and more."

Su Li glanced over the rough list Orstein presented, the cold numbers revealing the astonishing forces put in by Blue Mirror Territory and its allies at Rapids Castle. "Over 20 nobles, thousands of knights, 300 elite knights..." His fingertips tapped the list gently, a cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth, "It seems Baron Grant pulled all his ’friends’ into the fray to hold this Rapids Castle."

Relying solely on the Baron’s Territory, it surely wouldn’t have gathered so many Kingdom Knights. Baron Grant must have contacted numerous territories and knight clans.

However, considering they have always been focusing on building a large network of interests around the Light-Scaled Fish, all this is understandable.

Orstein grinned, the dried blood on his warhammer glaringly visible in the sun: "My Lord, wise indeed! The ’friends’ we caught carry significant weight! Besides the few knight lords from Blue Mirror Territory, we captured pirate lord Harald Broken Lance from Rusted Anchor Bay, lizardmen Beastmaster Zetak Scale Hide from Gray Swamp, and even the heads of several large knight clans from Blue Mirror Lake and the heads of mercenary corps funded by wealthy merchants around Central Sea! Grant emptied his chest of personal connections and promises!"

Hilude added, "These nobles and elite knights, especially those 300 elite knights, are truly the backbone of the Alliance Army of Blue Mirror Territory and its allies. Now that their backbone is broken and held within our grasp, their families, territories, and ally networks are in turmoil, surely a chaotic mess."

The Divine Chosen Knight emitted the Sun Goddess’s radiant golden light, dispelling the lingering Sea God’s stench in the air, heroically saying, "My Lord, these captives, especially the nobles and knights, are both significant war trophies and vital influence. How we handle them will directly affect our upcoming conquest of Blue Mirror Territory."

Su Li stood with his hands behind him, eyes fixed on the battered yet majestic main castle of Rapids Castle, and further onto the expansive land of Blue Mirror Territory. The summer breeze ruffled his vermilion cloak.

How to handle them?

Su Li spoke sternly, "Demand ransom from knights with family, double their ransom within a month, or else sell these knights as slaves! Then separate and identify among the captives the nobles, knight commanders, mercenary leaders, and important priests, and execute all not from Blue Mirror Territory. I want everyone to understand the cost of meddling in our war!"

Hiss～

Hiss～

Everyone took a sharp breath; although executing nobles is not unusual in the Border Prince’s Territory.

Executing over twenty nobles at once is enough to cause a sensation, even shock the Empire’s upper ranks.

After all, these are nobles with official titles formally endowed by the Empire. The slaughtering of twenty to thirty at once makes one’s scalp tingle, virtues plummet, infamy soar.

Rong’en Priest hesitated for a long time before breaking the silence, softly suggesting: "My Lord, this may not align well with our doctrines. These nobles await basic treatment fitting their status."

Su Li waved his hand, interrupting the suggestion, saying, "I believe this aligns with our glorious wartime values. Regarding our war with Blue Mirror Territory, we did not slaughter prisoners nor treated Manann Knights inhumanely. But these people weren’t part of the warring sides, yet involved themselves in this war, so they are unworthy of enjoying glorious warfare courtesies! If our wars are intervened by so many every time, our path to conquering the Border Prince’s Territory will be especially difficult! For our great enterprise and considering our soldiers’ destiny, these meddling outsiders shall be spared none!"

Upon hearing Su Li’s words, Hilude bowed in acceptance, determined to execute, the battle marks on her golden armor unblemished in her vigor: "At your command, My Lord. I shall personally oversee all of this!" Even facing Divine Punishment from the Sun Goddess, this High-tier Attendant Chief chooses unwaveringly to stand by the Lord’s side.

Killing these nobles might reduce Su Li’s wealth by thousands, even tens of thousands of Golden Crown, but its meaning for the territory’s future conquest and development is immeasurable!

Secular lords and religious priests always have some contention, precisely manifesting in situations like these. The secular lord’s interests cannot always align perfectly with church doctrines.

However, Su Li’s prestige is at its peak now, even if some harbor dissent and grievances, they dare not voice them openly.

Especially with High-tier Attendant Lord, Divine Chosen of the Sun Goddess, War Saintess, Hilude firmly supporting every decision of the Lord, knights have no choice but to remain silent.

Afterward, Su Li turned to the Dwarf Commander: "Dorglin, the defensive system of Rapids Castle, especially the river portion, is severely damaged. I need you to lead your engineers to immediately evaluate and formulate repair and reinforcement plans. This fortress shall be our foothold on Brionne River, overlooking all of Blue Mirror Territory! Meanwhile, inventory Manann Church’s ’treasures’, see if besides those desecrated items, there’s anything truly valuable like... maps, letters, ledgers."