When marching, Luo Lin would take his two dogs for a morning run whenever he found an opportunity.
Since he didn't have the money to unlock the 'Metamorphosis' talent, he would first complete the prerequisite of running three kilometers every morning for 30 days.
At this moment.
Stepping on the barren land with weeds growing between the broken stones, one could already glimpse the natural boundary between Cold Ridge Land and Frost Land in the distance—the Transverse Mountains.
The highest peak was no more than 1000 meters, with an average elevation of around 600 meters.
Although not high, its existence still blocked some of the cold currents from the Roaring Sea to the far north, making Cold Ridge Land, south of the ridge, not as cold in winter as Frost Land to the north of the ridge.
"After winter sets in Frost Land, the Barbarians don't even dare to pee outside," Bill gestured vividly.
"You know, when the cold wind blows, what they pee out are yellow ice shards."
Luo Lin smiled.
He knew this was a corny joke, but it vividly illustrated the severity of winter in Frost Land.
After winter set in, heavy snow sealed the mountains.
The Barbarians, who primarily relied on gathering, fishing, and hunting, would inevitably face food shortages and would cross the Transverse Mountains before winter to plunder the Looi people's villages and towns during the autumn harvest to supplement their winter food supply.
As for the punitive expeditions against the Barbarians, the principle was that if human power couldn't eliminate them, then let heaven do it.
In summary: drive them north before winter, the further the better.
This was to ensure a smooth autumn harvest, primarily to ensure that the taxes belonging to the nobles smoothly entered the castles.
Stopping and going.
On the fifth day of the march, the army finally joined forces with Marquis Karen Walker of Cold Ridge City, the initiator of this expedition.
The Marquis personally led this expedition:
30 directly subordinate Dorn Knights.
50 family knights.
Nearly 100 squire riders.
Over 200 family archers/infantry.
Over 400 free civilian archers/infantry.
Over 100 mercenaries.
And what was brought by the eight barons under him:
Over 40 directly subordinate Dorn Knights.
Over 80 family knights.
Over 150 squire riders.
Over 200 family archers/infantry.
Over 400 free civilian archers/infantry.
In addition, there were:
Horse handlers, baggage transporters, weapon maintenance blacksmiths and apprentices, food supply cooks and apprentices, noble servants, medical and church personnel, and other miscellaneous workers, totaling nearly 1000 people.
Of course, during the march, the attendant soldiers would also be responsible for logistical matters, serving as both laborers and cannon fodder.
This was the entire military force of an upper-middle Marquis within the Looi Kingdom's circle of great nobles; in special circumstances, a large number of serf soldiers would also be conscripted.
Finally, there were dozens of war dogs.
The main purpose of war dogs was vigilance and reconnaissance, and they would also join the battlefield at certain times.
And at the very rear of the army, there were accompanying merchants: merchants who bought spoils of war, slave merchants who bought captives, and merchants who provided pleasure services, among other diverse types.
After a brief rest, the army set off to cross the Transverse Mountains.
They finally descended the mountains the following day at noon.
The campsite was chosen very carefully; in front was a wide-open wasteland, to the left and right were bare low hills, and at the foot of the Transverse Mountains behind them, there was a mountain spring stream.
The surroundings were woodlands, used to conceal the camp.
Standing on high ground, looking north.
As far as the eye could see, there was a patchwork of barren land, low hills, and woodlands, plus a few abrupt low ridges, looking very much like a tattered and somewhat wrinkled dry rag.
At this time, the military order was issued: campfire control.
"Damn it," Bill grumbled while setting up the tent.
"Now we're going to gnaw on hardtack, and my teeth are unlucky enough to suffer with me."
"I'm going to get water."
Luo Lin, carrying a wooden bucket and leading Little Black and Little Gray, went to a nearby stream to fetch water for the mules and horses to drink.
After all, only the knight himself and his squire could touch the knight's horses.
As for the people under campfire control, they would drink 'liquid bread', which was barley wine (beer) to replenish their water.
Upon returning with the water, he found that the Dorn Knight's tent curtain was drawn and tightly closed, with Squire Pemon and another unfamiliar page boy standing outside, looking like a pair of exquisite door bolts.
'Something is happening.'
Luo Lin immediately confirmed this in his mind; normally, the Dorn Knight's tent curtain was always open.
He also saw Bill cutting and slicing a smoked ham, along with a few fruits from the south.
Several silver trays were arranged nearby.
This confirmed that it was definitely not for their attendants to eat.
"Laotie," Bill waved to Luo Lin, and when the latter approached, he whispered, "Baron Bruner is inside. Later, no matter what you see, pretend you didn't see it. This is for your own good."
"...Okay, I've noted it."
Luo Lin knew that Baron Bruner was the Dorn Knight's liege lord.
He was just a little curious, what unspeakable secret was inside?
After a long while, the Dorn Knight's voice finally came from inside the tent: "Is everything ready? You can bring it in now."
"Everything is ready, my lord."
Squire Pemon stood sideways, gestured to the two with his chin, indicating to serve the food.
Luo Lin followed behind Bill, holding the neatly sliced ham, fruit platters, and so on, standing at the tent entrance.
The unfamiliar page boy took them and carried them into the tent.
Through the lifted curtain, Luo Lin glimpsed that inside, besides the Dorn Knight, there was another man of similar age.
The man was wearing a silk top from the south, his beard was exquisitely trimmed, and the face beneath his golden hair looked even smoother than Pemon's.
Moreover, his complexion was rosy, clearly having undergone strenuous exercise and sweated.
He was currently holding a silver goblet, sipping grape wine in small sips.
He understood; these two had just finished their 'mutual combat of love'.
Serving was complete.
Squire Pemon and the page boy once again stood outside, acting as door bolts.
After all, it was a world for two.
Inside the tent.
"My dear, I have good news for you," Baron Bruner said sweetly, holding a silver goblet and looking at his knight.
"The King's Prime Minister has already accepted the gift, and your name will definitely be on next year's pioneering order. Then you will be Sir Dorn. How will you thank me?"
"You know, I am willing to do anything for you," the Dorn Knight was overjoyed but kept a calm expression.
This was the kind of man the Baron liked.
Calm and composed, unflappable, and of course, physically robust and magnificent were indispensable.
He had sacrificed too much, too much, over the years to obtain the pioneering order and the chance to become a noble.
Before he got that paper order, there could be no mistakes.
He detested himself at this moment, but he still reached out to caress the Baron's tender, smooth cheek, saying gently and firmly, "You know, for you, I can dedicate my life."
"Heaven knows if you're telling the truth," Bruner said, but he was secretly very pleased, feeling the warmth of the other's large hand.
"However, you can start preparing. Pioneering new territory is very difficult, and your squire Pemon can't help you, but I've already found a more suitable personal attendant for you."
"Thank you, you are always so thoughtful."
The Dorn Knight stepped forward, reached out, and pulled the Baron into his embrace, gazing deeply into those sapphire blue eyes.
He knew clearly in his heart that this was far from just a 'suitable personal attendant'; it was actually an inserted pair of eyes, used for surveillance.
To monitor his loyalty, to monitor his words and actions.
But for the funds to pioneer new territory, he still accepted this kindness.
Then he lowered his lips, rubbing his beard against the Baron's, exchanging saliva, conveying the love that maintained their interests.
In his heart, however, he was planning for the future.
How could a new noble remain forever behind others?
How could he continue to be controlled by others?
How could he forever be a toy?
To pioneer new territory, he must be as fierce and flexible as a leopard, but that alone would not be enough.
A fierce and flexible leopard also needed its own sharp claws.
Outside the tent.
Luo Lin swung the dagger in his hand, smashing a piece of black bread with the hilt, and threw the crumbs into an oak bowl filled with beer, waiting for them to soften.
He then took out a piece of jerky, cut it into several pieces with the dagger, and fed them separately to Little Black and Little Gray, who were squatting on his left and right.
"After those Barbarians were sold to the gladiatorial arena in the Southern Free City, they fought and killed in the arena during the day," Bill took a sip of beer and began to tell the dirty joke he had heard, "and at night, they engaged in close combat with noblewomen in bed, filling the noblewomen's empty hearts with their strong physiques."
Luo Lin always just smiled when he heard these things.
The sun was setting in the west.
Baron Bruner finally emerged from the tent; one could tell from his hesitant steps that he was thoroughly satisfied.
The Dorn Knight, who followed behind, was a bit unsteady on his feet, indicating he had exerted himself quite a bit earlier.
After seeing the Baron off, the Dorn Knight turned and returned to the tent.
Just as he was about to duck inside, he suddenly turned his head again and waved at Luo Lin. Only when the latter came closer did he say, "Lord Marquis's scout infantry team is still short a few men. Since you have war dogs with you, you could try out. Are you willing to go?"
"If you allow it, I am willing to try."
Luo Lin responded, feigning hesitation.
It was obvious that the other party, who was just about to enter the tent, had a sudden thought to specifically ask this, wanting to hear the answer 'yes'.
Otherwise, why bother?
"Very good, this is also a rare opportunity for experience."
The Dorn Knight nodded, and before ducking into the tent, he added, "It's getting late. You can go find Captain Ike of the scout infantry now; he might already be assigning tasks."
"Yes."
Luo Lin nodded slightly.
"Laotie," Bill, seeing the Dorn Knight enter the tent, leaned over and looked at Luo Lin, who was packing his gear.
"You dare to take on such a dangerous task? You're really easy to talk to. Lord Dorn asked if you were willing, which clearly means you could refuse."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Luo Lin was well aware of the danger Bill spoke of.
At this very moment, they were already in Frost Land, the territory of the Barbarians.
If they were discovered first during reconnaissance, they could basically pray that their heads wouldn't be turned into chamber pots by the enemy.
As Bill said, this task could be refused.
However, Luo Lin also had reasons not to refuse.
"I know, you must be after that 20 silver coin bounty."
"That's right."
Luo Lin didn't deny it and continued to pack his belongings.
It was precisely because of the Barbarians' nomadic lifestyle that they didn't have fixed villages and towns like the Looi people.
So before fighting them, they first had to find them.
The Marquis stipulated that a bounty of 20 silver coins would be given upon discovering a Barbarian tribe.
20 silver coins was definitely a huge sum for him at the moment.
If he couldn't obtain a special grace through merit this time, then he could only save more money to buy his freedom.
Of course, earning money was only one aspect.
This was also an important accumulation of experience.
Luo Lin always believed that two things were essential for achieving great things.
First, accumulation.
Second, opportunity.
When opportunity arose, without sufficient accumulation, one would surely miss it.
However, when accumulation was sufficient, one could create opportunities even without them.
"Laotie," Bill once again imparted his 'cautious approach' experience, "After you go out, find a nearby safe place to sleep. No one will know."
"That would require a good mattress."
Luo Lin smiled, bid farewell to his companion, and left with Little Black and Little Gray for the scout infantry camp.