Chapter 109: Barcas Loses His Confidence
Novalon Empire, northern frontier.
Inside the local lord's castle hall, the fire in the hearth crackled, its dancing light barely warding off the bitter chill seeping through the stone walls.
A middle-aged man with curly brown hair and mysterious black eyes sat by the fireplace, reading newspapers that his subordinates had brought back from the distant Royal Capital and Benalu City. His brow furrowed occasionally, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
With a sudden howl of wind, the freezing northern air rushed inside.
The baron glanced cautiously at the middle-aged man reading by the fire and quickly ordered his attendants to close the castle doors.
"Lord Barcas," the baron walked up to the man and bowed his head humbly. "Regarding the recruitment of soldiers, we have encountered some trouble..."
"Oh?" Barcas looked up slightly, fixing his gaze on the master of the castle.
Despite being the lord here, the baron appeared more like a servant. His tone was nervous as he hurriedly explained, "The number of soldiers we have recruited has reached the absolute limit for a barony of this size. Furthermore... Count Karl to the south has grown uneasy. He has sent messengers multiple times to question me..."
"Do not worry about Count Karl, or any other noble lord for that matter," Barcas said dismissively. "I will handle any lingering concerns for you. You only need to focus on expanding your territory."