Lord: I Grind EXP with Warband Panel

’How cold-blooded,’ Robson thought, taking it all in.

In truth, Robson knew what was happening the moment he saw the enemy forces weren’t being pulled back.

He even had his men set up the Magic Crystal Cannon again, but unfortunately, the enemy showed no intention of rescuing them.

Robson shrugged. ’It doesn’t matter. If the enemy dares to act this way, it’ll be an even bigger blow to their morale.’

’With such cold-blooded leadership, how could the soldiers below them possibly fight with any conviction?’

"Pack it up. This time we’re really pulling out. Clean up the area, leave no trace," Robson ordered.

"As you command."

....

The cavalry unit arrived quickly and left just as fast. The Beastmen, having lost their Centaurs, had no way of catching up to Robson’s troops.

In fact, the Beastmen didn’t even bother to give chase.

They just watched as the enemy withdrew right from under their noses. The human cavalry looked so relaxed that if it weren’t for the Beastmen blood splattered all over them, one might even suspect they were out for a picnic.

And so, Robson led his troops back to the fortress at a leisurely pace.

At this time, the fortress gates were closed, and the soldiers were on high alert.

It was a good while after Robson’s figure was sighted that the gates were finally opened.

The one who came to welcome him was Bo Yang, whom Robson had left behind to defend the fortress. Beside him was an old man.

"My lord!" Bo Yang came before Robson and saluted.

After dismounting and returning the salute, Robson looked curiously at the old man.

"And this is?"

Unexpectedly, the old man took the initiative, stepping in front of Bo Yang with a kindly smile on his face and extending his hand.

"Sir Robson? I was sent by Count Valentino to pay you my respects. Ah, and my name is Durand. I am a servant of the Fengman Clan," Durand said with a smile.

Robson was puzzled. ’What’s this all about?’

Although he didn’t know why the Countess had sent him another messenger, Robson still extended his hand out of respect.

"Are those Sir’s spoils for the day?" Durand asked, frowning at the Beastmen corpses behind Robson, his expression one of deep concern for the nation.

Now Robson was truly at a loss. ’What the hell is this old coot here for?’ But soon, his confusion was cleared up.

"One look at these enemy corpses, and at the warriors behind you, Sir, tells me that today’s battle must have been brutal.

It seems the edict from His Highness the Prince is not one you’ll be able to answer," Durand said with a sigh.

Now Robson understood.

’The time has probably come. Calculating based on the gossip from the past few days, Prince Noah should have arrived at O’Neil Castle by now.’

’He will be clashing with the enemy very soon.’

’With things having developed to this point, it was obvious that Prince Noah was getting anxious.’

’No matter how large the King’s reinforcements were, at this rate, it was impossible for them to reach the battlefield before the first snow of winter.’

’And the first snow of winter was probably just a week away.’

’The Beastmen’s third offensive—it sounded distant, but it was really just a week away.’

’By then, it would be impossible for Prince Noah to achieve any merit on the Western Front. The Beastmen’s low-tier troops would be depleted, and what came next would be Beastman Infantry, Ogre Berserkers, and Centaur Elite.’

’It was questionable whether the Siriel Defense Line could even hold, let alone anything else.’

’That was why Prince Noah had chosen to act early.’

’But acting early meant facing the current awkward situation: not enough manpower, forcing him to seek support from other nobles.’

’Right now, everyone is just scraping by, using their own resources to defend the front lines. How could they possibly join Prince Noah’s campaign?’

’From the looks of it, Valentino was decent enough not to submit Lord Robson’s name just to fill a quota.’

’Of course, the main reason was surely that Valentino didn’t want to go herself.’

’Since she wasn’t planning to answer the Prince’s call, she’d need a reason. So now, he, Lord Robson, had to be the one who had suffered grievous losses against the enemy.’

’In any case, all the nobles and soldiers in Qimo Fortress were his people. And even if they weren’t his, they were Valentino’s.’

’As for the numbers that needed to be reported to the higher-ups?’

’Valentino was his higher-up. And now, the higher-ups were making it clear: Sir Robson and all the officers and soldiers of Qimo Fortress have suffered heavy losses in battle with the Beastmen and are unable to answer the Prince’s call.’

"It is all for His Majesty the King. Alas, it is just a pity for these brave soldiers under my command," Robson said, his face also twisting into a pained expression.

There was indeed a hint of genuine unwillingness in his voice.

After all, he had just achieved a great victory, and now it certainly couldn’t be reported. It would probably have to be suppressed.

’So be it,’ Robson thought. ’Compared to marching out of the fortress to die, a little bit of lost glory is nothing.’

Durand nodded. He was just here to deliver a message. Since Robson was so perceptive, he had nothing to worry about.

"The Countess, considering the difficulties our compatriots at Qimo Fortress are facing, has specially dispatched me to inquire, um, whether you, Sir, require any assistance?" Durand said directly.

It was framed as help, but in reality, it was because Valentino didn’t want to go either. When the Prince’s side asked, she could say all her efforts were focused on Qimo Fortress.

After all, the number of enemies at Qimo Fortress was indeed absurd.

Robson certainly wouldn’t ask Valentino for reinforcements. He had several thousand new recruits who were waiting for the enemy to feed them experience points.

Once the Beastmen got serious, the Siriel Defense Line might take a while to collapse, but a small fry like Qimo Fortress would fall in a matter of minutes.

Not to mention, it seemed the Beastmen had their sights set on Robson now. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

So these new recruits were extremely important to Robson. He had to try and get them to the third tier before it was time to run for it.

But it was also impossible to ask for nothing. His men had earned their glory in battle. Even if Robson himself didn’t care for the rewards, that didn’t mean his subordinates felt the same.

’A leader who doesn’t fight for his subordinates’ interests can expect to face the iron fist of the masses.’

"The other things don’t matter. What I need are two thousand crossbows, preferably with some Magic Crossbows mixed in.

I’m sure the Countess is aware that my soldiers are not fully equipped...

Of course, the most important matter concerns my colleagues. They’ve been facing some... troubles recently, but the fortress’s affairs have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to deal with them. Perhaps Mr. Durand can ask them about it," Robson said.

Durand’s expression visibly darkened.

’Damn, this guy is really shameless!’

’Two thousand crossbows? Why don’t you just go rob someone?’

"My Lord, COUGH COUGH, perhaps you are unaware of the current situation on the front lines. Ahem, what I mean is, these supplies would be a great strain even for the Countess," Durand said.

"Everything is negotiable, Mr. Durand. You’ve seen it yourself, the situation at Qimo Fortress is critical. I’m only thinking of the front lines.

If Qimo Fortress falls to the enemy, the consequences will be immeasurable," Robson said with great conviction, as if anything significant would actually happen if Qimo Fortress really fell.

"Sir..." Durand still looked troubled.

"COUGH COUGH, you can take some of these, Sir, to report my... achievements... to the Countess," Robson hinted.

Hearing this, Durand felt a stir of interest.

In the end, after some haggling, they settled on a price: two thousand crossbows, and helping the nobles of Qimo Fortress resolve some of their "troubles."

Although Robson didn’t know the specifics of what transpired, judging from the newfound respect everyone showed him afterward, they must have been very satisfied.