Lord: I can see loyalty.

In the days leading up to their departure for the capital, the village of Bordeaux operated at a rapid pace beneath a calm surface. In addition to Vio, nearly thirty militia captains organized a team.

On the eve of his departure, Vio stood alone atop the foundation of the nascent castle, overlooking the brightly lit village of Bordeaux below, even at night, and the majestic city walls in the distance.

"Lord Vio, everything is ready." Gina's figure appeared quietly behind him, her voice calm.

Vio simply nodded, his eyes fixed on the territory.

The following morning, the carriage procession, watched by villagers who had spontaneously gathered, drove out of the gates of Bordeaux village and gradually accelerated along the road leading north.

Vio sat in the middle of the large carriage, along with Gina and Cohen.

He wasn't wearing his usual Southern Armor, but rather a magnificent outfit, making him look more like a composed young nobleman going to attend an ordinary gathering.

At the front of the group were Ansque and Jimmy, and several other captains. Their atmosphere was obviously much more lively, with occasional hushed laughter and conversations coming from inside the car.

The wheels rolled on, and the convoy had entered the uninhabited area of ​​the southern border. Once they crossed this area, they would reach the heart of the Kingdom of Rovia, the northern border.

"I never expected this..." A captain kept rubbing his longsword beside him, his voice laced with barely suppressed laughter. "Ansquie, to be honest, when my wife was packing my things before we set off, our hands were shaking!"

"She kept asking me, 'Is the master really going to take you to the capital to see the king?' I couldn't believe it either. I, a former farmer, was about to meet His Majesty the King!"

Seeing his friend beside him, who was quite excited, Ansquie appeared more composed. He patted his shoulder and laughed, "Relax. Don't embarrass the lord. Who would have thought that one day we would be going to the capital as heroes of the Southern Territory to receive our rewards?"

A former hunter's captain standing nearby couldn't help but sigh, "That's right! My biggest thought used to be to hunt a few more sand hares before winter, to earn more money so my family wouldn't starve. Kings, capitals... those are just stories from poets! What do they have to do with me?"

"Isn't it here now?" Xavier chuckled, patting his brand-new sword at his waist. "We'll have to remember this story well and tell those newbies about it when we get back."

Jimmy, who was at the very front of the carriage, didn't say a word, but just smiled and kept his eyes fixed on the distant northern border.

"Speaking of which," Ansquie nudged Xavier beside him as if remembering something, "I heard you've gotten together with that magician's kid from Broadbridge Village?"

The other captains immediately let out a low chuckle, talking about the past and the future, while also suppressing their unease about the capital.

But this relaxed atmosphere came to an abrupt halt with the approaching sound of rapid hoofbeats. Not far away, the hunter Gertrude, who was scouting ahead, was crouching low and speeding back towards the caravan. His expression was so tense that it made one feel uneasy.

"Whoa—!" Gertrude reined in his horse in front of Jimmy and the others' carriage at the front, the horse's front hooves kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Galeto? What's wrong?" Jimmy poked his head out, his heart tightening as he immediately spoke.

"Stop the convoy! Something's wrong!" Gertrude spoke quickly, his voice low but clear enough to be heard. "We're about 500 meters from the Black Forest, the iconic region of the North... but it's too quiet."

Gertó squinted slightly, recalling the details he had noted: "There were no traces of birds or beasts on the outskirts of the Black Forest. I touched the edge and looked around, and there were some traces that didn't seem to be left by wild animals. Although they were concealed, there were still quite a few remnants."

He took a breath and glanced at the militia captains who had become serious. "That place is an excellent ambush location. I suspect it's dangerous, and the quality and number of them are not low."

"An ambush?" Ansquie's eyes sharpened. "Are you sure they're coming for us?"

"At this time of year, we're the only ones passing through the Black Forest of the North. There are no villages around here." Gertó nodded. "If anyone doesn't want us to reach the capital, this is the best place to make their move. It's on the edge of the South and the North, beyond the reach of either side, and afterwards we can blame it on bandits..."

"Damn it!" the captain, a hunter by trade, cursed under his breath, his hand already on the longbow behind his back.

Jimmy exchanged a glance with Ansque and Xavier, then spoke first:

"Gertor, please go to the rear and report the situation to the lord." Then he looked at Ansquie: "Ansquie and I will take some men to check it out first. Xavier, you stay here and command for me for now."

"Understood!" Without hesitation, the group immediately split up and took action.

Jimmy and his companion mounted their warhorses and, with several elite soldiers, rode towards the Black Forest ahead. Before long, the entire caravan stopped on Vio's orders after receiving the news.

The initially somewhat loosely organized force quickly contracted, but the elite militia members who accompanied them remained calm and began to exercise vigilance as usual during training.

After advancing a short distance, Jimmy and the others arrived at the edge of the Black Forest. They dismounted and disappeared into the forest.

Everyone placed their hands on their weapons, their eyes scanning their surroundings, wary of a sneak attack.

Outside the Black Forest, Vio had already ordered the reorganized caravan to continue towards the Black Forest. He knew in his heart that it seemed the first gate before entering the North would be knocked on with swords.

The convoy, resembling a clenched fist, was defended by several elite militiamen holding shields, and slowly drove along the only road in the dark forest.

Inside the car, Vio's gaze was also fixed through the window on the tangled woods, the branches swaying in the wind, as if the enemy were hiding among them.

Just as the convoy had passed nearly halfway through the Black Forest, a rustling sound came from all directions!

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

A piercing sound suddenly erupted from the depths of the surrounding woods, and a barrage of arrows, mixed with thrown daggers and short knives, rained down on the convoy!

"Enemy attack! Raise your shields!" Xavier's voice rang out almost simultaneously with the whistling of arrows.

The well-trained militiamen were also prepared, and almost instinctively raised their shields to protect their horses and bodies.

A series of impacts immediately rang out, sending wood chips flying, which lasted for a short while.

"Everyone, pick up your weapons and prepare for battle!" Just then, Ansquie's voice came from the side.

The moment the enemy made their move, he and Jimmy also located the enemy's position.

Without hesitation, the militiamen raised their weapons and rushed to both sides. A commotion arose in the forest, and then a group of enemies appeared before them!

They were well-equipped, each wielding a brand-new, sharp weapon; without a doubt, they were a group of seasoned warriors.