Leisurely days always pass quickly, especially for the servants in Eagle Fortress.
The assassination from a month ago had long faded from their memories. The housekeeper, Jess, provided a very reasonable explanation—the assassin had been dealt with by Lord George, and the crisis was resolved on the very night of the incident.
Though they marveled at the frequent drills of the soldiers on the training grounds, they paid little attention to it, simply assuming it was part of some new arrangement by Lord George.
One afternoon, the gentle sunlight bathed the entire land, making it a perfect time for a nap.
A figure, covered in blood, rode a fast horse toward the castle.
He was quickly stopped by the gate guards.
"Stop! Please state your identity."
The rider, still with arrows embedded in his body, pulled on the reins and halted at the gate.
"Troop of Cavalry, Aimer. I have urgent news to report to Lord George."
Seeing that the rider indeed had urgent news for the Baron, the guard verified his identity and allowed him through.
Riding through the castle grounds, the rider, under the gaze of many servants, finally met Lord George.
With great difficulty, he saluted and reported, "Lord George, our cavalry patrol encountered a goblin attack near Meiko Village."
Lord George, puzzled, asked, "Goblins? Tell me what happened." He then noticed the arrows still lodged in the rider's body and quickly ordered his housekeeper, "Jess, go fetch Lim."
Lim was the only doctor in the territory and also the Baron's personal physician. Though his medical skills weren't extraordinary, the situation was urgent, and there was no choice but to try.
Soon, Lim and his assistant arrived, carrying a large bag of medical supplies. The rider, Aimer, was helped to a shaded corner by Lord George.
Despite his severe injuries, Aimer continued, "My lord, at noon today, our cavalry team was patrolling the area around Meiko Village when suddenly, a group of goblins rushed out from the surrounding forest and collided with our squad."
"Not only were they in greater numbers, but the leader of the goblins was also an extraordinary being. Our team was no match for them, and the captain sent me to report. I fear that the rest of the team..."
Upon hearing about the fate of the squad, George sighed deeply, "Ah... Aimer, did you get a good look at the weapon used by the extraordinary goblin?"
"Yes, my lord, it was a wolf-tooth club."
George nodded, "Good, I understand the situation. Rest well and recover as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lord George."
After comforting the rider, George turned to the doctor, Lim, and instructed, "Treat his wounds, and try not to leave any lasting complications."
Lim, who had no choice but to take on the difficult task, swallowed nervously. He had already assessed the rider's condition— injuries covered his body, with the most serious being the shoulder where the arrow had struck.
If not treated immediately, there was a risk of tetanus, and that would be beyond anyone's ability to save him.
"Yes, my lord, I will do my best to treat him," Lim replied, and hurriedly took the rider with his assistant inside for treatment.
The sudden situation left George with a headache. The matter at Wenlai Fortress had yet to be resolved, and now, a group of goblins had appeared outside his territory. More importantly, he had lost a cavalry patrol.
It wasn't easy to train a cavalry soldier, and the costs of horses and armor alone were significant, not to mention the time spent.
Calculating the losses in his mind, George walked to his study. He first instructed his housekeeper Jess to notify Catherine and Marcus to come to the study.
Then, he began to ponder the situation outside his territory.
Regit Territory, the full name of George's domain, includes a castle and several villages.
From George's impression, there should be no orcs or beastmen around the Regit Territory, and even extraordinary beasts were few and far between.
Now, a goblin tribe with an extraordinary leader suddenly appeared, which was puzzling. Could they have escaped from the Orc Empire to the south?
"Knock, knock, knock."
The knock on the outer door interrupted George's thoughts. It seemed Marcus and Catherine had arrived.
At George's gesture, they pushed the door open, saluted, and then looked at George.
They had heard some news on their way.
"Just had a rider report that goblins have arrived outside the territory."
Catherine, who seemed more excited, asked, "My lord, I heard there is an extraordinary being among them?"
George nodded, "It seems you've heard. Yes, their leader is an extraordinary being. His rank is unclear, but it shouldn't be higher than a first-tier high position."
The experienced Marcus suggested, "My lord, we cannot delay. They may attack Meiko Village at any time. We need to act quickly."
"Yes, that's what I think too." With that, George opened the map on his desk.
He raised his hand and pointed to the southern forest: "According to the rider Aimer's report, the goblins collided with our cavalry team here."
Marcus glanced at the terrain and said, with some concern, "My lord, this forest is very dense. It may not be suitable for immediate combat. We will need to enter the forest on foot."
"There's no other choice." George had no better solution.
George then turned to Catherine and instructed, "Take all the scouts from the territory. We need to investigate their numbers and positions."
"Yes, my lord."
Once the plan was settled, George stood up: "Time is of the essence, let's move out. Gather outside Eagle Fortress."
"Yes, Lord George."
The two hurried out of the study to assemble the soldiers.
George also headed to his bedroom to put on his armor.
Soon, the soldiers in the territory were moving quickly, gathering at the assembly point under Catherine's command. Cavalry riders sped through the fortress, and the castle servants watched anxiously from the outside, hoping for a smooth operation.
Before long, George, riding his white steed, arrived outside the castle. He was clad in finely polished armor and wielded his family's heirloom sword.
At this moment, the soldiers and cavalry from the territory had gathered. Marcus and Catherine came forward from the ranks and stood by George's side.
"Lord George, the 24 cavalrymen are all here."
"Lord George, the 42 armed infantry and 3 scouts are also here."
Aside from the 6 soldiers lost from the cavalry patrol and the castle guards, all the military forces of Regit Territory had assembled here.
George nodded, then shouted, "Let's go! We'll avenge our fallen brothers and eliminate the goblins!"
"Yes!!!"