Chapter 132: The Ruthless Ulyanov

Standing together on the wooden steps outside the main hall, Ulyan briefly recounted the "constructive suggestions" Nelson had put forward.

Leo was so infuriated after hearing only three sentences that he couldn't help but laugh. Watching Nelson’s receding figure, he asked in confusion, "Does this man have no brain at all?"

Ulyan felt the same way. "When you stay in the city for too long, you forget the rules of the wilderness."

The struggles of the city are about human schemes, deceit, and political maneuvering. The struggles of the wilderness are about who bites the other’s throat first, or who splits the other’s skull with an axe first. Nelson had attempted to lure Ulyan into his own arena, hoping to crush his opponent with social status and pedigree. He hadn't expected Ulyan to reject that game entirely, opting instead to clean up the trouble once and for all.

Even Olivia, the kindest of them all, saw nothing wrong with it. Should you just chase away a wolf that comes calling? Of course, you beat it to death to be at peace.

Ulyan’s kindness was only reserved for his own people; as an Imperial sergeant, he was never a pushover. When he turned ruthless, even Leo was caught off guard. His usual way of doing things made it clear: if the development of Riverbend failed, Ulyan wouldn't sit by and watch his kin starve. He would simply transform into a bandit chieftain, leading his militia to pillage for survival.

The moral baseline of the Northern people is nowhere near as high as that of modern people. Never mind times of hardship—even now, if Ulyan were to raise his arms and call for the Riverbend infantry and wildland hunters to go out and rob, at least eighty percent would agree gladly, and fifty percent would cheer.

Leo, however, was somewhat concerned. "It was too rash. He died just after coming to Riverbend; his family won't let this go."

"What choice did I have? I couldn't exactly let him go back, could I? Besides, Sir Nelson came to inspect my territory, gave high praise to the public security and livelihood of Riverbend, and then encountered bandits on his way back to the city. That sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn't it?"

"After all, with war looming, there are bandits everywhere. Anyone traveling at a time like this should be prepared for the possibility of an attack."

Though he said this, Ulyan knew it was merely self-comfort. Reasoning with a noble is inherently unreasonable. The wrath of a noble descends upon you regardless of whether you have done anything wrong. But a man like that had to be slaughtered; he was not just an endless source of future trouble, but if he were to become a lord anywhere else, it would mean disaster for the people. Consider it a service to the public.

Ulyan watched Nelson’s party leave Riverbend before turning back, sighing wearily, "First a monk, then a knight. Who knows what’s next."

"Sigh, the days ahead won't be easy!"

Leo felt equally somber. Threats from the wilderness are like blades in plain sight—block them, and you’re safe. Threats from human society are like hidden daggers or vipers, striking when you least expect it. There are some "soft" blades you cannot even fight back against, because to resist is to be in the wrong.

As Riverbend grows, these types of enemies will only become more numerous. With the influx of outsiders, there are frequent spies masquerading as merchants or refugees. Nearby bandit gangs want a bite of this fat piece of meat. Local knight-lords are weighing whether to trade or extort. The Church of Holy Light and other bizarre sects have also emerged, vying for a monopoly on faith and even demanding the demolition of the village shrine.

When the peaches were being planted, it was all due to the villagers' hard work and their ancestors' inspiration; when it came time to eat them, every monster and demon appeared.

Fearing that the young militiamen might be intimidated by Nelson’s noble status or tricked halfway, Ulyan specifically called upon two of his trusted veteran soldiers. He had them put on Legion chainmail—disguised as armed guards—to see Sir Nelson on his way.

Nelson had escaped a brush with death at the manor, only regaining his composure once he was shoved into the carriage. "Too barbaric! Too bloody! This is no development territory—it’s a bandit’s nest!"

Nelson ranted, "Once I return, I will gather my troops and wipe you all out!" He then remembered the bag of gold coins he had forgotten in his panic—enough to arm a Pennant Knight.

Nelson couldn't go back himself, so he quickly called over an armed guard, intending to have him return and retrieve it. The guard leaned in, revealing a face Nelson had never seen before. Nelson suddenly choked, falling silent.

Silence wasn't enough, however. Fearing an accident, the veteran leaned in, drew a hand axe, and smashed the pommel into Nelson’s forehead, knocking him unconscious.

Ivan and a group of Riverbend infantry, happily wearing their newly acquired Legion chainmail, rode on horseback, escorting the carriage away. The party even passed the Western Watchtower, proceeding toward Isonpol under the eyes of the sentries. Five miles past the tower, they "encountered an attack" and scattered in all directions.

Leo returned to the manor to find Olivia pouring a bag of gold onto the wooden table, counting the new coins happily, looking like a little miser who had fallen into a hole of money.

He grabbed a handful of coins, feeling their weight as they slipped through his fingers, clinking together with a crisp sound. He couldn't help but click his tongue. "To be fair, Nelson’s offer wasn't low. I thought he was just here to skim a little off the top, but I didn't expect such big ambitions."

Imperial Gold Solars are large, round, and exquisitely crafted, with high gold content and immense purchasing power. Buying a village for fifty gold coins is, of course, impossible—unless it is a tiny, natural village of a few dozen or a hundred people, formed spontaneously by refugees or wildlings.

A village worthy of being called a knight’s fief never has a population of fewer than three hundred; usually, they are at the hundred-household level, and larger ones can exceed a thousand. Some knight’s fiefs, in addition to farmland, have their own sawmills, pastures, hunting grounds, and even mines. A year’s output can not only support a knight’s family but also leave a considerable surplus, with enough supplies to handle years of famine or defend against foreign enemies.

However, the purchasing power of fifty gold coins is not trivial; it equals the total value of all the material aid the Petukhov family had provided over the past two months.

Leo was also dazzled by the shimmering Imperial Gold Solars. Thanks to Sir Nelson for the tip!

Nelson had clearly thought this through: a small village that had been developing for less than six months was unstable, its people’s hearts not yet fully pledged, and it was still two and a half years away from becoming an official knight’s fief. That time was enough for him to carry out many schemes—not just economic sanctions or mercenary raids, but also pressure from the higher nobility. If the price were high enough, he could even have Ulyan’s right to develop the land revoked.

Once successful, Riverbend would be nothing more than an illegal refugee camp or a wildling tribe. At that point, a little show of force would make the villagers grateful for his takeover. By that logic, Ulyan taking fifty gold coins and retiring to Isonpol or elsewhere was clearly the best outcome. In the face of a Pennant Knight family’s hostility and a large bag of gold, a smart man would make the right choice.

Unfortunately, these threats were never implemented; they hadn't even been voiced before Ulyan shoved them back down Nelson’s throat with a barbaric retort.

This incident also made Leo feel the urgent need to increase their strength. Once Riverbend had an Awakened among them, the covetous eyes would diminish significantly.

Seeing that it was getting late, Leo stepped outside, looking around for Freya and the little mouse.

Time for dinner! Time for meditation and practice! Where is my charging station?