Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The canyon that had been cleared up had gained a little more popularity.
Compared to the initial blockade, the mercenaries that came and went were still rare, but they still gave people a sense of security. At the very least, it was not as bleak and desolate as it had been in the past, where no one had been for nearly a decade.
Occasionally, a few braver hunters could be seen walking by in groups, holding short spears and hunting bows for self-defense. The quiver on their waist was also bulging, and they carried antelopes or peasants that they had hunted in the mountains on both sides of the canyon, looking at Kant and the others who were passing by on their majestic warhorse, their eyes were filled with awe and envy.
The soldiers at the Stone Pass were the most elite armed militia recruited from these hunters.
Ordinary peasant were just cannon fodder.
These hunters were good archers as long as they had longbows.
Kant did not have many thoughts about them. In his eyes, these hunters were actually just commoners who were making a living. Although they were better off than the most lowly serfs, they were not much better off.
The lives of the commoners in this world were severely exploited. Even if they wanted to live a better life, there weren’t much they could do.
There were many different types of taxes.
There were more than a dozen taxes waiting for them when they hunted.
For example, in the Senwaya range, when they hunted sand gazelle and wild hare and pheasant, they would be charged by the lord for mountain fees, hunting permit fees, four hoof tax, two hoof tax, feather tax, injury tax, mercy tax, spring, summer, autumn, winter tax, and so on.
In the end, to be able to feed the whole family, that would be considered a good day.
To this, the hunters were even grateful.
The peasant suffered even more exploitation!
Not only would they have to pay the Landowner’s tax, the Lord’s tax, they even have to pay the Dukedom’s tax.
If they were unlucky, they would have to take the simple weapons distributed by the Lord and directly go to the battlefield as cannon fodder, in close combat. From a peasant who only knew how to plow the land, they would become a moving target for the knights to harvest.
In short, as long as one was not a noble, their life would be miserable.
Kant understood this.
It was the standard rule of a feudal lord.
The people under their rule would be miserable, even worse than a unified, imperial, and dictatorial country.
Even if the dukedom was at peace, the daily friction between the lords and the various taxes would suck away the wealth of the people at the bottom. In the end, the food they have left would barely be able to fill their stomachs. In times of disaster or war, groups of people would go bankrupt.
This also meant that only the nobles had a sense of honor and belonging to the Lord. Commoners did not care much about who the Lord was.
Of course, they were most concerned about the new Lord’s tax policy.
Taxes were related to their livelihood.
As for the Stone Pass, the place that was already under Kant’s control was much better because of the tax reduction.
Fatis had removed part of the exorbitant taxes. This was also a result of a discussion with Kant. The various taxes on the hunters and peasants had been cut by this extremely benevolent policy.
In just two or three years, it was estimated that the commoners in this area would completely fall in love with him.
The same was true for those small landlords, merchants, and squires.
Only those who could be considered large-scale landlords, merchants, and noble families would have a faint resistance against Kant. If it were not for Fatis and those elite troops stationed here and firmly controlling the pass, they would probably have joined forces long ago, they intended to rebel and restore the rule of the Dukedom of Leo.
This point could be understood after some thought. Once the Stone Pass was seized, then this contribution would definitely be great. Whether it was Viscount Wayne who defected to the northern county territory or Kevin who had the backing of the Archduke, they would all be able to obtain great benefits.
In the northern county territory, Viscount Wayne wasn’t able to control everything.
And in order to balance the northern county…
Viscount Kevin, who was sent in by Archduke Cameron, also had a high position and power!
In the eyes of the many nobles in of Stone Pass, the background of these two was much better than Baron Kant, who had walked out of the Nahrin Desert and was lucky to even get help!
But even if questions were raised about Kant’s title, that was only a rumor.
For the sake of the salt mine.
Once Baron Kant’s salt mine in the depths of the Nahrin Desert was seized by other noble families, it was estimated that the Baron would not only not be promoted in his title, he might even die an even more miserable death.
It was too easy for the grand Dukedom of Leo to deal with a small baron.
That was their fixed mindset.
The Dukedom of Leo, which built its country by force and specialized in cavalry, was not weak.
This could be seen during the war with the Silver Platter Kingdom. Even the Silver Platter Kingdom, which had at least seven counties, was unable to crush the Dukedom of Leo, which only had three counties. Their northern county was still a barren land, and their southern and northern county were still in a state of Cold War.
With Kant and his companions, they might be able to take advantage of the situation for a short period of time.
As time went on.
They would be crushed by the combined forces of the noble families!
It had only been half a year since Kant’s rise, and the noble families and ordinary people had yet to react.
Moreover, the most important thing was that Kant had done a really good job of keeping secrets. Whether it was the secret agents or spies of the Dukedom of Leo, they were unable to find out his true strength.
It was inevitable that they would look down on Kant based on their habitual thinking.
They arrived at the city gate.
It was still a city wall and a city gate made of thick rocks and thick logs.
However, the ones guarding the city gate were the Swadian infantry wearing chain armor and linen robe. They held heavy military spears and formed a team of 20 people in front of the city gate. They were very majestic.
On the top and sides of the city gate, there were also Swadian infantry standing guard with military spears.
It was obvious that they were on high alert.
After all, this was not their true power.
It was still an occupied area. If they were not careful, it would be a huge mess.
The Swadian Infantry on top of the city walls had obviously noticed Kant and the others. They quickly called for their subordinates to control the city gate and disperse the mercenaries and hunters who were still coming in and out. They deliberately left a passage for people to enter and exit.
The surrounding mercenaries also stood quietly at the side, not daring to even touch the handle of their weapons.
There were Swadian infantry soldiers coldly watching them from the side.
Their gazes were extremely terrifying.
If the situation was not right, these infantry soldiers would not show mercy. Even if there was a misunderstanding, they would not take the slightest responsibility.
As for the safety of the Supreme Lord Kant, no one could let down their guard. Moreover, they had come to the occupied area and had yet to completely subdue this place. There were many spies and secret agents inside. Perhaps even assassins who were waiting for an opportunity to strike were present.
Some of the noble families were displeased with Baron Kant’s rise.
For example, the group of people who had assassinated Princess Sofia.
Kant rode his horse forward.
Thirty Lion Knights surrounded and protected him, ensuring his safety.
The wide fan-shaped heater shield was firmly placed on his left arm. The Lion Knights scanned their surroundings vigilantly. They looked carefully at every corner and dark place to ensure the Supreme Lord’s safety.
On both sides, in front and behind, there were 20 Swadian infantry leading the way and separating the crowd.
However, the situation was still alright.
Most of the people looked at Kant and the others in a daze.
Whether it was the commoners or the poor, they all looked at Kant and the Lion Knights with envy and awe.
At the same time, their eyes also revealed their eagerness for the exquisite linen robe and fine armor. After all, in their eyes, the appearance of the Lord Kant and the Knight Lord was even more dazzling than that of Baron Dylan and the Knight Lords!
Especially the warhorse they rode, which was even more majestic and awe-inspiring.
In a dark corner.
Many people wearing regular black hoods were standing there.
Sensing the cold gazes sweeping over, they all chose to stand where they were and did not act rashly.
That was the double inspection of the Swadian infantry and the Lion Knights. Even though they were wearing linen hoods and long gowns that ordinary people liked to wear, they were still standing at the corner of the street and in the dark, attracting the scrutinizing gazes.
They were not afraid. After all, their mental qualities were there. Turning around and running away would instead alert the enemy.
The basic qualities of spies and secret agents were especially important.
For example, they were well-trained.
Since they could be sent to the Stone Pass, it meant that they were indeed elites.
Most importantly, they did not have the intention to assassinate Kant. Of course, they also did not receive orders from their superiors. If they really wanted to carry out an assassination, then a military heavy crossbow or longbow would definitely be the best first-class weapon.
It would be wishful thinking if they wanted to rely on their bodies to assassinate Kant with a dagger.
Not to mention whether the guards would let them pass.
Even if they were to pass, they would not be able to easily assassinate a target that was disturbed and vigilant.
Even if they were to assassinate him, the target would definitely be wearing a full set of armor. It would not be able to pierce through him in a short period of time. It was likely that he would only suffer minor injuries and be slightly frightened. There was no threat to his life at all.
As they continued to move forward, the Stone Pass did not change much. It was just that the pedestrians were in a hurry, and their expressions were much more serious.
Although Baron Dylan said that he was inviting Baron Kant’s troops as guests to the outside world.
In reality.
Many people had guessed it.
Even if they did not guess it, they could sense that the atmosphere at the Stone Pass had changed.
At the very least, the once arrogant and despotic knights were now obediently hiding in their lairs. Even the soldiers who used to patrol the streets were led by three infantrymen who looked like knights.
A patrol team consisting of three swadian infantry and 10 lance-soldiers from the Stone Pass.
A mixed force.
Fatis’s strategy in this area.
Basically, he now controlled the financial and military authority of the Stone Pass.
Even if the lower-level knights and the country gentry were not completely loyal, there were no objections now. They had tacitly agreed to Kan’ts occupation of Stone Pass and the holding of Baron Dylan as hostage. They chose to remain silent and obey.
Without the ability to resist, they would not easily start a rebellion that was enough to make them lose their heads.
They tacitly agreed, but at the same time, they were also waiting.
Or instead, watching.
Whoever could win the final battle would be able to obtain their loyalty.
Whether it was Baron Kant, Viscount Wayne, Viscount Kevin, Grand Duke of Leo,, Cameron, or Countess Agatha of the Eastern County, they were all people they could choose to serve.
The barren northern county, the even more barren Stone Pass, was now an important node of the table salt trade.
They could enjoy everything here.
Which was why they were at ease.
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