Starting as the Baron of the Lonely Island

Some of Duane’s soldiers came from the Kingdom’s Third Legion. Raymond, in particular, was a captain in the Legion.

As a result, their daily training, including their combat methods, followed the practices of the Kingdom Legion.

However, compared to Count Kais’s soldiers, while Duane’s men were just as courageous, their coordination and synergy were slightly lacking.

This was partly because they had limited time to train together, as many had been recruited recently.

It was also because they lacked battlefield experience. After all, fighting Demon Beasts in the mountain forests was different from coordinated warfare on a battlefield.

As Duane watched, he used magic like the Electric Shock Technique and Thunderstorm Technique to support soldiers in peril, saving them from dying on their first foray onto the battlefield.

The sounds of battle echoed relentlessly.

Under the combined assault of Cruz, Marles, and the others, the two remaining Celestial Tier Warriors were also captured.

With their top combatants defeated one after another, the morale of Red Earth City’s forces plummeted. Some soldiers simply dropped their weapons, covered their heads, and surrendered on the ground.

The fierce sounds of battle soon subsided. Amidst the overwhelming stench of blood, Red Earth City, which had held out for days, was finally taken!

"Haha, Duane, you’re just too powerful!"

Marles laughed heartily as he approached. "If it weren’t for you, these five would have been a real handful for us."

Including Count Kais, the Silent Shore only had three Celestial Tier Warriors. They would have needed the support of several Earth Tier Warriors just to keep Theodore and Liam occupied.

The slightest unforeseen variable would have put them at a disadvantage.

This just went to show the decisive role High-tier Warriors played on the battlefield.

Jick and the others also gathered around, sighing in admiration.

As expected, a Silver Moon Warrior could completely control the tide of battle as long as the enemy had no one to match them.

"You killed Liam," Count Kais said as he walked over, looking at the body on the ground.

"The fact that he tried to assassinate Natalia is public knowledge. As Natalia’s fiancé, I had every reason to kill him."

Count Kais nodded. Although killing a member of the Nobility could be troublesome, the other party was only a Knight and was at fault to begin with. What’s done was done.

’He wholeheartedly approved of Duane’s actions. He also secretly admired his own judgment for finding such a fine husband for Natalia.’

"Cruz, you three leave some men behind to clean up the battlefield. Take the rest into the city and capture all their families. At the same time, secure the main roads out of the city. Don’t let a single resident leave!"

"Yes, sir!"

Just as the men were about to leave, the Count added, "Don’t kill the residents indiscriminately. Duane is short on people."

The men paused for a moment, then understood.

The defeated side would naturally provide captives and Slaves.

"But the population you can transfer from Red Earth City to your Territory will likely be limited."

The Count said to Duane, "Red Earth City is only a Baron’s Territory. It doesn’t have many people."

Duane smiled. "It would be great if I could just occupy the city directly."

"That’s impossible!"

The Count shook his head. "His Majesty would never allow it. This city will have to be returned eventually. Isn’t that right, Baron Theodore?"

Theodore remained silent. Although it was true the city would be returned, his Territory and population, which he had managed for many years, were essentially gone. The Collins Clan would have to start over.

Just then, Kaelon walked over.

His Armor was stained with blood, and he exuded the aura of a killer fresh from a great battle, a stark contrast to Duane’s calm and composed demeanor.

"What are the casualties?"

Kaelon replied, "Two men sustained some injuries, but the rest are fine. My Lord, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in a battle like this. It’s... exhilarating!"

Duane smiled. "There will be more opportunities in the future. Go, take your men and clean up the battlefield. Any spoils from the enemies you killed, aside from valuable items, are yours to keep."

Kaelon had come over to ask how the spoils of war would be handled, but Duane had spoken first.

In practice, low-value weapons and equipment from slain enemies were usually claimed by the Warriors. This was one way to boost their morale.

However, high-value loot like Enchanted Weapons and other precious items had to be handed over to the Lord.

The Count waved his hand, and two Warriors led Theodore away.

"Duane, what are your plans now?"

Duane pondered for a moment before replying, "I suggest we first use Red Earth City as our base and hold this position. We should pay close attention to any movements from the direction of Silver Scale Port. If Viscount Ugo’s reinforcements don’t launch a surprise attack, then we’ll combine our forces and march directly on Fire Source Castle!"

Count Kais’s brow furrowed. "You want to continue the attack to force Ugo to come to the negotiating table?"

Duane nodded and asked, "What do you think?"

The Count hesitated.

His original plan had been to halt the advance here. If the enemy wanted to negotiate, that would be for the best. If not, he would simply strip the occupied area of as many resources and people as he could.

"Your choice has some merit. Viscount Ugo must have given up certain benefits in exchange for outside help. As for me, aside from your support and Baron Uriel’s, I have yet to publicly seek help from other Lords."

The Count continued his analysis, "If we wait for Viscount Ugo to gather more forces, the situation will turn against me."

At this, he turned and shouted, "Fulin!"

Sea Cliff Castle’s resident Mage came forward, bowed to them both, and asked, "My Lord Count, what are your orders?"

"Gather all the Crossbows, Magic Energy Arrows, and Spell Scrolls we have, and all the resources we’ve seized from Red Earth City. Prepare for the next offensive!"

Fulin the Mage was taken aback. He hadn’t expected them to continue fighting.

"I understand! I’ll see to it at once!"

...

「Fire Source Castle.」

"What? You’re saying Theodore and his men were defeated?"

Viscount Ugo shot up from his seat, dazed.

"Yes, Lord Viscount. Baron Theodore was reportedly captured, Knight Liam was killed, one of the three Mercenary Corps Leaders is dead, and the status of the other two is unknown. Red Earth City has been taken by the enemy!"

After Duane appeared on the battlefield, killed a Celestial Tier Mercenary Corps Leader in a single blow, and severely wounded Liam, someone had relayed the news to Fire Source Castle.

After the city fell, more people managed to escape. By the time the Silent Shore’s forces had occupied the fortress and secured the critical checkpoints, most of the battlefield intelligence had already gotten out.

"How could they have been routed so suddenly?" Viscount Ugo muttered, still in shock.

Just then, a possibility occurred to Martina, the Female Knight. "Was it Duane? Did he show up?" she asked.

"I heard... yes!"

The Guard said, "The word is that Count Kais feigned a retreat, luring Baron Theodore and all his men out of the city. Then Duane appeared and took control of the battlefield."

Viscount Ugo collapsed back into his chair. "No wonder... no wonder the defeat was so sudden!"

Martina cursed angrily, "I told Theodore and the others to hold the walls and not attack proactively, but they wouldn’t listen! Now look, the city is gone, and so are the men!"

Her complaints were rather pointless. If Theodore and his men hadn’t attacked, Count Kais’s forces would have withdrawn two days ago.

Viscount Ugo snapped out of his daze. "It’s too late for that now. Ewen, immediately deploy men to defend Fire Source Castle!"

"Martina, go organize the Mage squads to prepare for the siege defense. Joel, Curis, and Paul will be here soon, and especially Count Kudro!"

As he said this, he suddenly realized something and hurriedly shouted:

"Quick, send a fast boat to tell them not to circle around through Silver Scale Port! Have them come straight here through Fire Source Port!"