Volume One: Forest Knights Chapter 55: Dog Eat Dog (V)

At that moment, Berion rode into the encirclement from outside, looking at these two figures who had dominated the southern banks of the Karl River for years. With a smile, he asked, “So, chieftains, will you lay down your arms and surrender, or do you wish to make a final stand?”

Upon hearing Berion’s question, Gu Huiyang wanted to burst out laughing, but having just taken a heavy blow to the chest, he was seized by pain and broke into a fit of coughing before he could even manage a sound.

Seeing his old rival in such a state, Boyd struggled forward and pulled him to his feet. The two locked eyes for a long moment before sharing the same bitter laugh. Not long ago, they had been fighting to the death, and now, they found themselves united in adversity. The transformation in their relationship over the course of this night was almost too much to comprehend.

Leaning on his weapon, Gu Huiyang gazed at Berion, his eyes filled with complicated emotions as he stared at the young lord, who appeared no older than twenty. With deep unwillingness, he said, “To lose to someone as young as you—no matter how I look at it, I can’t accept it.”

“On the battlefield, there’s not a single loser who doesn’t feel wronged,” Berion replied, unflinching. “Even those who lost their lives feel more aggrieved, but no one hears their voices anymore.”

Boyd roared with laughter at Berion’s words. “You’re right! Only the victor has reason, the defeated have none.”

Berion couldn’t help but feel a trace of admiration for this notorious bandit chief, who could still laugh so heartily in the face of utter defeat. Still, he reminded himself that even the most cunning fly was still just a fly, while a true warrior remained a warrior, faults and all. With a grave tone, he pressed, “So, chieftains. You haven’t answered my question.”

Coughing, Gu Huiyang countered, “Young lord, can you first tell me how you came up with this plan? Whether I surrender or die, I’d like to understand before the end.”

“Very well,” Berion replied with a smile. “After I sent someone to offer you terms of surrender and he returned to report, I knew you’d bought him off. And I knew you wouldn’t surrender so easily—you’d set a trap, hoping I’d walk into it, so you could rescue your captured men and collect a hefty ransom.

But what you didn’t realize is that after rescuing that merchant caravan, I resolved to wipe out every last bandit in these southern woodlands. I thought I’d have to root you out one by one, but you gave me the perfect chance to eliminate both major gangs in a single stroke.

You know, the second-in-command of the Blood Wolf gang, Lyle, defected to my side. From him, I learned that your Hounds had little contact with the brutal Gray Bears—in fact, there was bad blood between you.

So, I decided to have someone impersonate Billy, your subordinate, to deliver a message to Boyd in Bellringer’s Field, suggesting a partnership for a big job. Boyd wouldn’t trust you, but he certainly wouldn’t stay out of it.

First, with the Blood Wolves destroyed and my reputation for prowess spreading after the Battle of Maple Manor, you two—though you’d never admit it—were anxious, fearing I’d come after you next. This was your chance to take me out.

Second, Boyd wanted to use the opportunity to eliminate you, Gu Huiyang. If our two gangs clashed, he’d wait until both sides were bloodied, then finish us off and become the sole ruler of these lands.

Third, with autumn’s harvest just in, he hoped to raid Nolanburg and make off with money and grain. Isn’t that right, Boyd?”

Boyd nodded without hesitation. “I did want to take you both out at once.”

Gu Huiyang sighed. “We were both too greedy.”

“Not just greedy—you also underestimated your enemy,” Berion explained. “You had no idea how many troops I have at Nolanburg. The Nolanburg Infantry Regiment numbers a hundred well-trained, well-armed men. Plus, I have three hundred militiamen, all skilled with bows, spears, and battle axes—more than enough to handle ordinary bandits.”

Coughing again, Gu Huiyang lamented, “Had I known those numbers, I’d have led my brothers across the river long ago.”

Berion only smiled. “Unfortunately, there are no ifs in this world.”

Gu Huiyang nodded in reluctant agreement.

Berion continued, “Once I was certain Boyd would join the fray, I knew my ‘dogs bite dogs’ plan would succeed. I’d already set an ambush near Red Fox Ridge. I knew exactly when you’d arrive, where you’d camp, and how many men you brought. I ordered the opening arrow fired to spark the fight—without it, Boyd wouldn’t have rushed in.

While you two fought tooth and nail at Red Fox Ridge, I sent two detachments to seize your undefended camps, taking all the money and provisions and relocating your families. Knowing your tempers, I figured you’d return, see the devastation, and, in a rage, blame each other. Unable to travel the forest paths by night, I waited here with my men, sending scouts to track your movements.

Truth is, I arrived just as your fight began, but seeing you determined to settle things between yourselves, I let you be. Only when you’d exhausted yourselves did I step in.

Now, is there anything left you don’t understand?”

Gu Huiyang let out a heavy sigh, tossed his weapon aside, and knelt to Berion in formal surrender. Seeing their leader yield, the Hound gang members saw no reason to continue fighting; one after another, they laid down their arms and knelt.

On the other side, Boyd and his men sneered at this display. With a contemptuous laugh, Boyd said, “Gu Huiyang, I’ll use the very words you spoke to answer your first question. I’d rather die as a wild bear fighting for my freedom than live as a hound wagging its tail before its master. Brothers, charge with me—tear this pig of a lord to pieces and avenge our fallen!”

With that, Boyd and his men charged Berion, shouting for blood. The encirclement was now filled with a hundred militiamen and the entire Nolanburg Infantry Regiment. Seeing the ferocity of Boyd’s attack and hearing Berion’s order to shoot, they unleashed a hail of arrows.

Nearly a hundred feathered shafts struck down Boyd and his nine men, leaving their bodies bristling like porcupines. With nine arrows in his back, belly, and legs, Boyd fell, eyes wide with rage and unwillingness. Even dying, he glared at Berion, his thirst for vengeance blazing.

But Berion did not witness Boyd’s final look. After giving the order, he left—he was exhausted from the past days, and now that it was over, he only wanted a good night’s sleep.

Though it had been a modest stratagem and a minor victory, for Berion, it was the first time since arriving in this world that he had manipulated so many forces to his will. The past few days had left him anxious—afraid of making a mistake, of sacrificing his men, of losing control should something unexpected occur.

But in the end, his fears proved unfounded. He was the ultimate victor, and this campaign had made him keenly aware of his own growth. For a man, it is through risks and trials that he pursues his ideals.

The three great bandit gangs on the southern banks of the Karl River had been wiped out; only scattered small-time bandits remained. Berion already knew how to handle them: let them bite each other as well. This time, though, he would use a leashed hound to hunt down the weaker strays.

Two nights after the Battle of Red Fox Ridge, as dusk fell by the forest lake, the cool breeze of early autumn in the Northland rippled the water, setting the sunset aglow like a silk ribbon fluttering in the wind—breathtakingly beautiful.

On a wooden bench by the lake, two men sat side by side. Behind them, people busied themselves preparing for the evening’s barbecue feast, but these two paid no mind to the scenery or the prospect of good food. They were Berion and Gu Huiyang, now a captive and former leader of the Hound gang.

Berion shot a sidelong glance at Gu Huiyang, amused by his unease. “Chief Gu, tell me, has it been long since you last enjoyed such a view?”

Gu Huiyang was startled, then quickly responded, “You’re right, my lord. It’s been years since I’ve quietly savored a scene like this.”

Lifting his gaze to the sunset, Gu Huiyang sighed. “If only I could live unburdened by daily needs—fishing, watching the sun set each day—that would be my dream life.”

Berion understood the hint: Gu Huiyang was declaring that he no longer wished to be an outlaw, but would gladly live as an ordinary subject under Berion’s rule.

Hearing this, Berion said nothing at first. He rose, stepped forward, and gazed at the dusk. “For a brave warrior to lay down sword and shield and take up a fishing rod—what a waste of talent. You know, I’ve not been in Nolanburg long myself. This land was little more than a wooden outpost before. If Nolanburg is to become a true domain, it needs capable people.”

“My lord, simply give the word. I, Gu Huiyang, am at your service.” As he spoke, Gu Huiyang moved to kneel in allegiance.

Berion caught him by the arm. “When I first offered you surrender, it was as sheriff of Nolanburg—but you surrendered after defeat, not of your own accord, so my terms have changed.

Here’s my plan, and if you see any problems, tell me. Now, only small gangs of bandits roam the southern banks of the Karl. They’re not much threat, but they’re a nuisance. I need someone familiar with their ways to lead the fight against them—and you’re the perfect choice.

The court has made me a chief inspector, and I must fulfill my duty. I want to form a patrol, with you as captain. I’ll pick some of your men, add others of my own, and you’ll lead them to root out these bandits hiding deep in the woods.

Of course, I won’t have you do this for nothing. Besides a regular wage, for each campaign, three-fifths of the spoils go to the treasury; you distribute the remaining two-fifths among your men.

Most of your brothers, apart from a few with skills, know nothing but robbery and killing. Now, as subjects of Nolanburg, they’ll need to buy homes and land. How else will they earn money, if not through honest work?”

Gu Huiyang pondered, then replied, “My lord, I’ll gladly hunt down those bandits, but I cannot accept your division of spoils.”

“Oh? Why not?” Berion asked, puzzled.

“All the spoils should belong to you, my lord. We are captives, who might have been killed or sold as slaves. Instead, you’ve spared us and given me office—that’s a kindness I can never repay, not even with my life. We cannot ask for a share of the loot.”

“You’re a sensible man,” Berion said warmly. “But I never make my followers risk their lives without reward. So, let’s not split the spoils, but there will be prizes.

For every wanted bandit you kill or capture, there’s a ten denar bounty. For bringing back a healthy woman, one denar; for a child, fifty soldi. For valuables over five hundred denars, you’ll get one-twentieth as a bonus in silver; for over a thousand, one-tenth. Anything especially valuable—or any important prisoners—will earn special rewards.”

Grateful, Gu Huiyang declared, “Thank you, my lord. I will never let you down.”

With that, Berion beckoned his squire, Tur, who was busy skewering meat. Tur wiped his hands on his clothes and hurried over.

Berion slung an arm around Tur, introducing him to Gu Huiyang. “This is my squire and captain of my personal guard. I now appoint him vice-captain of the Nolanburg patrol, under your command.”

Gu Huiyang instantly understood: Berion did not fully trust him. Tur might be nominally his deputy, but in truth, he was there to keep watch. Still, for a bandit caught by a lord, escaping death was already a miracle—being made an officer was beyond imagining. If Berion hadn’t sent someone to monitor him, Gu Huiyang would have found it strange.

“Well met, Brother Tur. From now on, we’ll serve our lord together,” Gu Huiyang said with a smile.

“I’m young and inexperienced—Captain Gu, I’ll be counting on your guidance,” Tur replied with equal warmth.

Seeing their courteous exchange, Berion laughed heartily, then threw his arms around their shoulders and led them toward the bonfire. “Enough—this wild boar is cooked. Let’s eat, drink, and get to know each other better!”