Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords.

Chapter 442 Tea Party

Flina picked up her glass and took a sip, but even the strong Northern liquor couldn't dispel the weariness between her brows.

She put down her wine glass, her fingertips tracing the rough map on the table. "None of the letters sent to the royal court have received a reply, and the other provinces are too far from the North. Right now, here, besides my Northern Legion, are only the private soldiers of lords from all over the country and adventurers who have come in response to the call to arms."

"The rest are the warriors of High Cliff Fortress."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over Magus, who stood solemnly behind Li Wei, his aura as solid as a rock.

Although only a little over a thousand people came from Gaoyabao, they were all well-equipped elite warriors, each capable of taking on ten men.

“But I still don’t have the confidence to deal with those frost giants.” Frina stared intently at the lord with her beautiful eyes: “Livi, although I really don’t want to put all the blame on you, the reality is that with the strength of our current defenses, we can only deal with a portion of the ordinary frost giants at most, and we are completely unable to contend with them all.”

War is an information war. After numerous reconnaissance missions, the situation of the Frost Giants was no longer a secret to the defenders of the Laru Line.
It cannot be denied that the other side used the snowstorm to conceal some of their strength, but even the data they deliberately displayed on paper was beyond their ability to handle.

Frena may be proud, but she is definitely not arrogant. If she can't beat someone, she can't beat them. There is never any "maybe" or "if".

"If you can't defeat the leader of these frost giants, then the entire North and Wilderness will probably become their backyard and territory."

Frost giants are highly territorial and social creatures. Although it is not yet clear why they have gone south, it is not hard to see from their powerful frost abilities that they are changing the weather in the wilderness, and they definitely intend to make this place their future habitat.

"Then you, the high and mighty Duke of the North, will be reduced to a destitute noblewoman without any land," Li Wei joked, still having the leisure to do so at this moment.

“It’s still different.” Frina smiled slightly: “I still have White Harbor in the Southern Territory. At the very least, it’s enough for me to live out my retirement. But the Lord of High Cliff Fortress is really going to be a bachelor.”

"Then I'll go to your castle and become a swordsman, freeloading off you," Li Wei said nonchalantly.

The surrounding Northern nobles kept their eyes down, pretending not to hear the jokes.

"In short, any of these scoundrels who dare to come here shouldn't be leaving." The lord's smile vanished, replaced by an utterly calm tone. "I didn't travel all this way back just to watch a show!"

If anyone else said this, they would be accused of bragging, but only the lord has a ruthless streak that means whatever he says.

In any case, the arrival of the Lord of High Cliff Fortress greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers on the Laru defense line, and they breathed a sigh of relief.

This highly decorated lord of Gaoyabao had never been defeated in his life, and his resume was dazzlingly impressive.

Everyone had a blind trust in him, believing that as long as this dragon knight was present, along with that magnificent ice wall, even the most powerful frost giants wouldn't be able to get through.

……

It would take another day before the Frost Giants arrived at the Laru Defense Line, which made it a rare day of leisure.

That night, snow began to fall, but the camp at Gaoyabao was brightly lit and bustling with activity, bringing a touch of relaxation to the otherwise tense defensive line.

The main reason for the high level of enthusiasm was to celebrate the return of their leader, coupled with the enviable story.

Marinated sheep were tied to the campfire, the orange flames scorching hot oil droplets, the scalding heat making people's cheeks red and evaporating the snow falling from the sky.

The only downside was that, due to the impending war, drinking alcohol was naturally prohibited. Fortunately, Gaoyabao had developed a fruit juice, so that everyone would have a thirst-quenching drink.

One by one, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside lamb legs were torn off, and large buckets of juice were brought to the table. After a brief stay, they all went into the bellies of the centaurs, orcs, and gnolls—these big eaters.

After a round of clinking glasses and hearty eating, the lord recounted his journey to the Persian Gulf Empire, drawing countless envious glances.

If they could, they would naturally want to join the war in the Persian Gulf Empire.

Pandaren, who knew the lord, somehow managed to sneak in and received special attention from the High Cliff Fortress warriors. After a round of drinking games, buckets of juice were emptied into their bellies. Although they didn't get drunk, the bears were getting quite fat.

Fortunately, these strong men were all very resilient, and no matter how much food they ate, it would be completely digested in no time.

In the midst of a lively atmosphere, Gus was persuaded to arm wrestle with the lord.

This guy is really reckless; he actually agreed. To avoid making the other party lose face, the lord released a vast expanse of water, even larger than the Gem Sea, allowing the other party to hold out for a full three pulses before finally losing.

Just as the atmosphere was at its most enthusiastic, a rabbit-man guard came bounding in, hopping and skipping through the snow.

"My lord, Duke Frena wishes to see you."

Looking at the burly men in front of it, who were two or three times its own height, it felt like a lamb that had wandered into a pack of tigers, and couldn't help but feel a little scared.

Although they knew that these brave warriors of Gaoyabao were all on their side, the timid rabbit-man could not change his weak nature.

"Coming to you so late, my dear master, it seems you're in for a memorable night." Sersney, who was drinking warm milk by herself, smiled teasingly at the sight.

"Why don't you come along too, and experience an unforgettable night with me?" Li Wei glanced at the ice queen and said without holding back.

"How could I possibly be with a damned human like you! I'd rather be condemned to the depths of hell!" Sersne said with a face full of resentment. "You've taken away my freedom, you've taken away my treasure, I wish you were sent to hell!"

"You haven't caused any trouble lately, and I thought you'd really become a good person. This is the Black Dragon I know!" The lord wasn't angry; instead, he chuckled. "There are plenty of people who want me to go to hell, but I'm still alive and well."

"I support you!" Frina appeared at the door, encouraging Sersni with ill intent. "Hmph~" Sersni snorted coldly and turned her head away.

Although she didn't want to say it, she might never be able to take revenge in this lifetime, because the human in front of her was simply abnormally powerful.

"Li Wei, it's said that offspring born from a night spent with a dragon will become dragon-blooded humans, possessing both human talents and the unparalleled strength and magical abilities of a dragon. Not to mention you are now a legend, possessing an incredibly powerful bloodline. If you were to have a child with Sersne, it would surely be a prodigy." The Duchess deliberately tugged at Sersne's sleeve: "Even if she disagrees, with your strength, she has no way to resist. Women, even if they are not satisfied now, will develop feelings for you later."

Clearly, the other party had overheard the Black Dragon Queen's words and was someone who would seek revenge on the spot.

“That’s a good idea. I’ve been worried about how such a large fortress like High Cliff Fortress has no son to inherit it.” The lord pretended to suddenly realize something.

Sersne broke out in a cold sweat, her face turning pale.

Even in her dragon form, she couldn't defeat him. Now that she's transformed into a human, she's lucky if she has one-tenth of his strength. If he really uses force, she'll have no way to deal with him.

"Give up your unrealistic fantasies. A toad trying to eat swan meat?" Unexpectedly, the lord changed his tone, sneered repeatedly, and belittled without any mercy: "There are enough beauties who want to get into my bed to stretch all the way to Gonda. Even if you took off your clothes and went to my bed, you wouldn't have a chance, because there are plenty of women more beautiful than you."

In fact, even the lord himself didn't believe these words. After all, if the other party really took off his clothes and climbed into bed, the result would only be that he would be taken advantage of. However, he was always very thick-skinned, so there was no sign of him being insincere at all.

Honestly, it's impossible for a man to see a stunningly beautiful, icy woman without having any thoughts. If someone could do that, they would be a eunuch!
However, the lord has never been one to indulge someone just because they are a woman.

“You…” Sersney’s face showed a variety of expressions, sometimes furious, sometimes relieved, and sometimes doubting herself.

No woman is not proud of her appearance, and neither are dragons.

Therefore, the lord's words made the Black Dragon Queen wonder if she was too ugly, which was why she had no appeal whatsoever.

After dealing with the black dragon, Li Wei ignored her and instead took the beautiful duchess into his tent.

The other party must have something important to tell him since they came to see him so late at night.

"My esteemed and most beautiful Lady Frena, may I ask what brings you to see me so late?" Levi leaned against his desk, gesturing for Frena to sit on the bed opposite him, and then asked with a smile.

"Can't you come to see our mighty and powerful Dragon Knight unless it's something important?" Flina rolled her eyes.

This was the first time Li Wei had heard the duchess speak in such a tone, and he got goosebumps all over. "You can come if you want, no one is stopping you."

“Livi, actually, I’m not worried about the Frost Giants this time because you came,” Flina said, getting down to business. “I’m more worried about Gonda’s situation.”

Li Wei raised an eyebrow and pulled up a chair to sit opposite Flina.

“Ever since I learned of the Frost Giants, I’ve sent a letter to Gonda asking for help, but there’s been no response. I even sent a messenger to Gonda, but he never returned.” Flina’s face became very serious. “I suspect that something unknown has happened in Gonda.”

"Either there has been a coup or something else, but whatever it is, it means we need to be more prepared."

“It’s not that I’m overly worried, but rather that this is the kind of instinct a lord should have.”

“I understand.” Li Wei nodded.

The fact that Flinna is in her current position proves that she is no ordinary person. If she didn't even have this much political acumen, she probably wouldn't be in this position.

“If, and I mean if, Harland were dead, then it wouldn’t be hard to understand why things are like this now. Those guys in the royal court would definitely be busy fighting for power, and they wouldn’t have time to care about what’s happening in the North.” Flina shrugged. “After all, Harland was a heavy drinker, and his poor health was known to everyone a few years ago. It wouldn’t be hard to believe that he would suddenly become seriously ill.”

"And once the king changes, it will have a significant impact on both of us."

“Our northern provinces and wilderness are like wolves and jackals on this northern land, supporting each other. Even if the king changes, with his dragon heart, would he dare to bare his teeth at us?” Li Wei smiled.

“Let me explain slowly. If Harland dies, it won’t be a simple matter of a change of king. The power network of Debe is extremely complex. Besides the four provinces, Gonda has three other power networks. You surely know the Noble House; they’re all a bunch of incompetent old men who can only use their positions to skim some profits and demonstrate their power through paper documents.” Frina laid bare Gonda’s power structure before the lord: “Secondly, there’s the Roganres family, who support Harland. These guys are the masters of the West and Harland’s strongest supporters. You should know a secret: the woman Harland deeply loves is the daughter of the Duke of the West.”

"Next is the Queen's side. She is the eldest daughter of the Eastern Territory Lord Hailong family, and she has a son. She is a strong contender for the throne."

"At worst, the queen's son will just succeed to the throne." Li Wei had already vaguely guessed what Florina was going to say.

“If only things were that simple.” Frina sighed. “Because these two forces have been vying for power in Gondar for years. On the surface they seem to be on good terms, but in reality they are already bitter enemies.”

“If Haaland were to die suddenly, the Roganres family would not stand idly by and watch the Queen’s son ascend to the throne, because that would certainly cost their family. Therefore, it is obvious that they would choose one of Haaland’s illegitimate sons to support.”

"You can tell from the fact that they have been sending young and beautiful women from their family to the palace all these years."

"Similarly, the Hailong family will also fully support that prince's ascension to the throne."

"At that time, a bloody massacre for power will inevitably break out in the city of Gonda. It's an unimaginable bloodbath."

"Every ruler wants to hold power in their own hands, so it's normal for power struggles to arise," the lord said casually. "We just need to mind our own business and let them fight it out."

"Li Wei, don't you understand?" Frina looked at the lord with pitiful eyes: "You and I have long been involved in this power struggle."

(End of this chapter)