Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

On the Highland, snow fell in flurries as a frigid wind howled. Normally, no one would choose to be here at this time of year.

Yet now, a force of nearly a thousand people waited silently, their hot breath seeming to scorch the falling snowflakes and shrink them in size.

From this high vantage point, the entire situation on the distant battlefield came into view.

A throng of figures moved about, locked in a chaotic struggle. Scalding blood splattered across the earth, dispelling some of the biting cold.

A Silver Armored Knight, mounted on an exceptionally magnificent Magical Beast, gazed out over it all.

"My lady, should we go provide support?"

After a long wait, an officer, seeing that the Minotaurs had launched a surprise attack on the Thorn Corps’ rear, could finally bear it no longer. He spurred his horse to her side and asked anxiously.

If such a large number of Minotaurs attacking the Thorn Corps’ rear were all to go Berserk, the scales of victory would tip!

"Something is very wrong with this Wilderness Alliance Army."

The Silver Armored Knight did not answer the officer’s question, instead murmuring to herself.

According to her original plan, Fujero was to act as the main force to draw the enemy’s attention, while she would lead this cavalry of nearly a thousand to raid their camp.

As long as they destroyed all the enemy’s supply lines, their army would collapse on its own without a fight in this frozen wasteland.

But after a period of observation, Fulina realized this Wilderness Alliance Army didn’t look at all like they were being forced south by the Minotaurs. Both the Centaurs and that pack of Pigmen were fighting fiercely, holding nothing back.

This was highly unusual. Neither of these Races were insignificant like Goblins or Kobolds. If they were truly enslaved and forced south to face a powerful army, it would be a blessing if they didn’t try to sabotage things at a critical moment, let alone fight so valiantly.

In other words, this Wilderness Alliance Army seemed to be acting on a premeditated plan. The coordination between these powerful warrior Races was exceptional.

It was impossible that they were just temporarily enslaved and driven south.

Furthermore, their true objective had now become shrouded in mystery.

Given their previous frantic rush south to plunder, they should have swarmed our corps at the first sign of obstruction, eager to crush us and continue on their way.

Instead, they were now calmly constructing a camp, looking as if they were settling in for a protracted war.

’The equipment on these natives is far too good...’

Fulina murmured to herself again.

Even though the Minotaurs were a powerful warrior Race, Debei and she had strictly forbidden merchant caravans from selling weapons and armor to the Wilderness. As a result, such equipment had always been scarce there.

But now, these Minotaurs were all clad in Iron Armor, wielding fine, standardized weapons.

For a single Wilderness Tribe, even if they had other channels to make purchases, selling off the entire Tribe would, at most, arm only half their forces.

’It’s as if... as if someone is backing them...’

’Wait...’

A bolt of lightning flashed through Fulina’s mind.

’If the Minotaurs’ southward plunder is just a feint, and their real goal is to sever Debei’s connection to the depths of the Wilderness...’ An unbelievable theory flashed through Fulina’s mind.

And severing Debei’s connection with the depths of the Wilderness was, in effect, severing the Northern Territory’s connection.

The unease in Fulina’s heart grew stronger. If all her deductions were correct, there was only one possible answer.

Some power was backing this Wilderness Alliance Army, deliberately sending them south to draw her attention and pin her down here.

She only had trade dealings with a single Elf Race in the depths of the Wilderness. Their true target was the Elf Tribe!

But what could a single Elf Tribe possess that was worth such a massive effort?

’The Magic Crystal Ore!!!’

Fulina’s heart sank.

The thriving development of the Northern Territory in recent years, which had allowed it to crush Debei’s other three Dukes in both finances and military strength, was largely thanks to the Magic Crystal Ore.

It was a mineral discovered by an Elf Tribe deep in the Wilderness. This crystal-like substance naturally contained Primordial Magic Power.

Primordial Magic Power could not be used directly. This form of Magic Power, which existed during the Titan Era, was now toxic. Whether it was crafted into Magic Items or absorbed by Mages, it would cause a person to contract a Magic Disease, transforming them into a misshapen, irrational monster.

This was because the people of the current era no longer had the constitution to withstand such highly concentrated Magic Power.

However, all things followed the principle of mutual generation and restraint. For example, among Magic of the same level, Water Elemental Magic naturally countered Fire Elemental Magic.

This Magic Crystal Ore could react with a mineral called Black Stone, automatically filtering it into a Magic Mineral that people of the current era could use.

As it happened, the Northern Territory possessed this very mineral. Through Miriel, who acted as an intermediary, Fulina had successfully formed an alliance with this Elf Tribe.

She provided the Elf Tribe with the Black Stone they needed, along with all other supplies, and in return, she claimed sixty percent of the mined Magic Crystal Ore.

If not for the fact that this Elf Tribe had past dealings with the Martel Family, and that their location was a half-month’s journey by swift horse from the Northern Territory, she would have long since led her army to conquer them.

Taking only sixty percent was already more than generous.

Without a doubt, the value of the Magic Crystal Ore was enough to make anyone who knew of it take a desperate risk!

"Char, you will stay behind with ten cavalrymen. Give this image Magic Stone to Fujero and tell him I’m giving him full command of this war. Afterward, I will ennoble him as the Baron of Maple Leaf Lake."

"I will dispatch reinforcements from Bailiu City..."

Fulina rattled off her orders, swiftly arranging everything.

If things were as she suspected, the Elf Tribe was likely under attack right now.

Fulina could not tolerate another power seizing the Magic Crystal Ore.

She didn’t care if she had to pay a small price for it!

She gave the battlefield below a cursory glance and was instantly stunned. The sight even suppressed the urgency in her heart, and she couldn’t help but cry out in astonishment.

"Since when were Holy Knights this strong?"

Her question wasn’t entirely accurate. To be precise, how could someone who had just begun to practice the 「Holy Word Treasure Manual」 be this powerful?

Even if this Lord was a once-in-a-generation genius who had reached the 「Firefly」 stage, he should still be a small fry whose power was only amplified twofold.

But what was she seeing now?

The Lord of High Cliff Castle swung that terrifying Giant Sword as if it were the Death God’s scythe, wantonly reaping the lives before him.

A single light swing could cut down a swath of Minotaurs as if he were reaping wheat. But these were Minotaurs! A group that required dozens of soldiers just to take down one!!!

They weren’t some worthless grunts, yet before this Lord, they were as helpless as wooden training dummies.

A full four hundred-plus Minotaurs were being held back by this Lord and his dozen or so Beastman Guards.

Fulina fell silent for a moment before speaking, "The Baron of High Cliff Castle will retain his autonomy. Tell Fujero not to provoke him lightly."