If Xue La, the transmigrator, could witness this battle outside Grinno City, she would definitely say that one line.
“We workers have strength.”
Although the name “Stonemasons Brotherhood” only includes masons, the group actually includes blacksmiths and carpenters as well.
When they get into a fight, they truly wear helmets, and under their clothes are sturdy plate armor or chainmail.
The remnants of the Shadow Thieves are in for a big loss.
One slash down, can’t break through the defense!
What awaits them is the merciless hammer of the workers.
Large hammer, eighty! Small hammer, forty!
Outside the city, a one-sided battle took place.
The Shadow Thieves either fell down never to rise again, or scattered and fled like stray dogs…
Easy, but not simple.
Luo Yi didn’t understand what these people chasing from behind intended to do.
And Bali Saihe couldn’t quite remember either.
Until the leader of this group, the head of the Stonemasons Brotherhood, stepped forward.
This man called himself Mason, and said that in the past he had received a great favor from Old General Bali Saihe.
“What favor, General Bali Saihe?”
The old man shook his head.
“I’m just an unknown old man.”
“Which old man could casually teach a kid who can take down Ke Lun?”
Mason laughed heartily.
“There are many people in power in Grinno City, and we’ve been openly and secretly fighting him for years. Never expected this surprise at the end…”
“The similarities between you and Ke Lun far outweigh the differences. We thank you for your help, but please do not block our path.”
Bali Saihe reiterated, planning to leave quickly and prepare again.
The old man’s worry was not without reason.
Grinno City was different from other cities in the Kingdom of Norsenia.
Most other cities had local nobles, churches, or even autonomous rights recognized by the king.
The Baldwood Town under House Linde was the best example.
House Linde produced fine wool and large amounts of wheat waiting to be sold.
It would be a great pity not to open a ferry town on a tributary of the Seine River.
Thus, several hundred years ago, the ancestors of House Linde knew to turn the forest into a town (the name Baldwood Town probably came from this—they cut down all the trees), build large water mills, boat docks, and markets to create useful financial resources for the family.
Under Count Brian’s generation, governance was especially outstanding… to the point of gaining the favor of the head of the Lyoncotte family and marrying his daughter…
But Grinno City was an accident.
Its founding was itself a mistake from the old man’s past—a stronghold set up to unite an expedition against the Southern Demons.
A dozen years later, it transformed into a nest for gray-zone organizations.
Such was the Shadow Thieves Guild, and wasn’t the Stonemasons Brotherhood the same?
Could a construction monopoly that unified the planning of craftsmen and material flow be said to be completely clean?
Mason understood Bali Saihe’s implication and naturally admitted it readily.
“I suppose so. On personal and public grounds—personally, this Shadow Thieves Guild doesn’t learn anything good, always fond of petty theft and snooping into business secrets. Naturally we want to beat the dog that’s fallen into the water and make friends with the young man who bravely eliminated Ke Lun.”
Mason changed the subject.
“But on public grounds…”
The middle-aged man’s eyes looked at Bali Saihe.
“General, we are deeply grieved by your tragic experience. No matter how heavy the defeat was back then, the people of Armenia will not forget you…”
As soon as Bali Saihe heard that word, he instantly could no longer maintain the facade of a “hermit sage.”
Luo Yi could feel it.
“The people of Armenia, like everyone else in the Southern Kingdom, have become displaced and homeless. If you can not hate me, that is the best outcome.”
“It’s more than that, General.”
Mason spoke.
“Compared to those from the Southern Kingdom who couldn’t escape and became demon fodder or slaves, we are already very lucky.”
He vividly described the last few battles Bali Saihe fought before he returned to the Kingdom of Northern Nosenia in disgrace.
The greatest loss from that campaign was the destruction of the Southern Kingdom Sothnia.
If not for that damned defeat, perhaps the Crown Prince who did not die on the battlefield would have smoothly married the Princess Knight and sole heir of Sothnia, uniting the Northern and Southern Kingdoms into one.
Even rebuilding Emperor Frank’s territory in the future was not out of the question…
But the pity lay in that defeat.
The Crown Prince was killed in action, and his fiancée chose to commit suicide for love.
The Southern Kingdom was left without a leader and became a hell overrun by demons.
Bali Saihe’s decision at that time was not to retreat and preserve the allied forces’ combat power, but to conduct an orderly withdrawal.
Only after ensuring the refugees safely entered other kingdoms for shelter did he slowly announce the dissolution of the allied forces.
Undoubtedly, this morally commendable action was worthy of criticism militarily.
Indeed, many soldiers died in the final battle, protecting only the displaced people of Sothnia…
In the royal court, this inevitably led to another round of accusations.
Losing so many elite soldiers just to save these useless civilians?
Therefore, in the trial that determined Bali Saihe’s fate, “incompetent command leading to the death of the Crown Prince” was only one of the charges.
There were even more crimes…
All borne by this old man, Bali Saihe.
“Without your help, General, we couldn’t possibly be standing here breathing fresh air…”
Mason spoke from the heart.
“Regardless, you are our great benefactor, the people of Armenia!”
Armenia was a province within the Kingdom of Southern Sothnia, bordering the Eastern Kingdom of Istania…
The folk were rather tough and straightforward.
So it was not surprising that someone like Mason became a person of influence in Grinno City and was even willing to beat a dog that had fallen into the water and help Bali Saihe.
“No matter where you go… relying only on two legs, how far can you travel in a day?”
Mason extended his hand.
“Our brotherhood has carpenters and stablemen. We’ll arrange a carriage for you. You’ll get anywhere quickly!”
Bali Saihe was silent for a moment.
Mason’s words made sense.
They were originally planning to take the frail Asuna to Maisonlogi for recuperation…
But the journey was not very safe—traveling through the harsh winter in the snow.
Could the children endure it?
Moreover, Norsenia was not peaceful.
Since that defeat, the demon forces had swept in unimpeded, using the ruins of the Kingdom of Sothnia as their base, and invaded the other three kingdoms.
The traces of monsters were just the appetizer.
Some rumors even included descriptions of the whereabouts of intelligent monsters like orcs…
That was even worse.
With a carriage…
Bali Saihe was hesitating, but Luo Yi was clearly tempted by another pie from Uncle Mason.
“Your heavy sword is powerful, and your strength is immense. No wonder you cut Ke Lun in half with one slash…”
Mason’s flattery made the red-haired youth a little giddy.
“But since ancient times, a precious sword matches a hero. Has your sword received the best care?”
“Only barely repaired at House Linde’s blacksmith about two months ago…”
“That’s it!”
Mason pointed out.
“A true warrior must maintain his sword every day.”
“I will teach Luo Yi in the future. Thank you for your kindness.”
Bali Saihe was about to retort.
“We can provide the best service right now—after all, he is Bali Saihe’s disciple… Think about it, this sword has cut people, stained with blood and grease.”
“Just washing it with well water won’t clean it. You need a whetstone and other tools.”
Mason displayed the skill of a craftsman.
“We are willing to help—consider it thanks for saving our lives in the past!”
The old man couldn’t insist, so finally he let the children vote by show of hands.
Of course, Bali Saihe’s opposition was useless, because Asuna unhesitatingly chose her beloved Brother Luo Yi.