C9 - Border War, Proposal!?

...

Meanwhile, Alden was at home, talking with his wife.

"Alden, you're back! Were you hurt during the hunt?"

Jennifer's face was full of worry.

She had been anxious the entire time he was away, knowing how dangerous demon beasts could be. If Alden hadn't insisted on going, she would never have agreed to let him undertake such a risky task.

"Of course not!" Alden said, feigning confidence.

He didn't want Jennifer to worry unnecessarily. Stress was the last thing she needed, especially with the baby growing inside her.

To avoid giving her any reason to doubt him, he quickly diverted the conversation.

With a mix of truth and embellishment, he recounted the events of the expedition. Jennifer, who had little experience with the world beyond their territory, listened with rapt attention.

Lying against Alden's chest, she remained silent.

The two of them stayed close, sharing this peaceful moment.

The day passed swiftly.

After dealing with the Flaming Storm Gorilla, Alden's life returned to its usual rhythm.

He spent his days playing with his children, supporting Jennifer, and attending to his duties. When time allowed, he went hunting in the nearby forests, earning some extra gold coins.

Life felt good.

As for the territory's development, Alden had already laid a strong foundation.

The Nightbloom Brewery was steadily gaining renown, with its shipments increasing by the week. Trade flourished, drawing more visitors to the village.

The prosperity began to reflect in the lives of the villagers, who now lived more comfortably than ever before.

This newfound prosperity also brought in a wave of settlers.

The village's population, which had been just over four thousand, had grown to more than seven thousand and continued to rise steadily.

By mid-next year, projections suggested that Nightbloom Village would officially evolve into Nightbloom Town.

Of course, Alden had ways to accelerate this growth.

The knowledge he carried from his previous life could help establish new business ventures in various fields.

The knowledge he carries was nothing short of a gold coing mint.

But such actions came with risks.

In this world of magic and power, a pot full of gold without sufficient strength to protect it could invite trouble.

Alden wasn't willing to jeopardize his family or his territory due to his greed.

For now, his priority was Jennifer's health and the safe arrival of their child.

...

Time passed, and Jennifer's due date approached.

The Ashleigh family began preparing to welcome the new member of their household.

But just as they were settling into this joyous anticipation, an unexpected event disrupted this calm.

Three nobles, accompanied by over a dozen guards, arrived in Nightbloom Village.

The visiting nobles were Lukas, of the Cardis Baron family; Ivan, of the Tan Baron family; and Cinders, from the Mint Baron family.

The Ashleigh family shared strong ties of mutual benefit with the Cardis, Tan, and Mint Baron families. They worked together on beer distribution, and their cooperation over the years had fostered a close relationship.

"The development here is remarkable," Lukas said, looking at the hustle and bustle.

Nightbloom Village had changed drastically since his last visit.

Half a year ago, he had come to negotiate beer distribution rights. Back then, the village had been little more than a collection of rundown thatched cottages and wooden shacks, connected by uneven dirt paths.

It had looked like an unassuming, impoverished mountain settlement.

Now, the scene was entirely different.

The old, ramshackle houses had been replaced with sturdy stone buildings that looked both functional and elegant. The dirt roads were gone, replaced by smooth cobblestone streets.

Public facilities like toilets and market areas were visible, and bustling commercial streets were alive with activity.

Street vendors called out their wares, while villagers moved about in cheerfully.

Prosperity.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think I was in the wrong place," Lukas murmured, still taking in the sights.

"Admire it later," Ivan said, in a steady tone. "We should focus on visiting Baron Alden first."

Lukas and Cinders nodded in agreement. They weren't here for sightseeing.

Arriving at Ashleigh Manor, the group handed over their calling cards.

The butler, understanding the significance of their status, wasted no time and promptly led them to the reception room. He then went to inform Alden of their arrival.

A few minutes later, Alden entered the room.

"Baron Ivan, Baron Lukas, Baron Cinders," Alden greeted them, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "I didn't expect to see the three of you today. What brings you here unannounced?"

Ivan's expression was serious. "We have come to discuss an important matter, Baron Alden."

Alden's curiosity was piqued. "What matter might that be?"

Ivan exchanged a glance with Cinders before speaking. "Have you heard about the tensions of war brewing on the western border, Baron Alden?"

Alden's brow furrowed slightly. "The western border?"

He had been so focused on Jennifer's impending delivery that he hadn't been keeping up with the latest political developments.

Skipping recent noble gatherings had left him somewhat out of the loop.

Cinders, stepped in to explain. "Two months ago, a massive iron ore deposit was discovered on the western border. Both our Kingdom of Frosthaven and the Kingdom of Tusea are claiming the deposit as their own."

"The situation has grown increasingly volatile," Ivan added gravely. "Our kingdom believes the vein lies within its territory, and the Tusean Kingdom thinks the same. Both sides are refusing to back down."

"And now," Cinders continued, "it seems our king is preparing for war."

Alden's frown deepened as he absorbed the news. "And how does this affect us here?"

What did the western border conflict have to do with smaller nobles like them in the southern region?

Unless this was going to escalate into a full-blown war of annihilation, it was unlikely to affect them directly.

"This war presents an excellent opportunity!" Ivan said, his tone charged with excitement. "We came here today to propose a alliance, Baron Alden. Lets join in and take part in the war."

He paused briefly before continuing, "By combining the military forces of our four families, we can surely achieve significant military merits. Such achievements will not only elevate our noble titles but expand our fiefs."

Both Lukas and Cinders nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting the same enthusiasm.

Listening to their plan, Alden quickly pieced everything together.

However, Ivan's enthusiasm left him unmoved.

As a former soldier of the Goldenshield Legion, Alden had firsthand experience of what war truly entailed.

He knew better than most that war was not a game—it was a merciless grinder that consumed lives without hesitation.

And when it came to wars between nations, the stakes were even higher.

The combined forces of their four baronies would be a mere speck in the grand scale of such a conflict. A single unlucky encounter could lead to catastrophic losses, wiping out their entire armies in an instant.

He was not too eager to die an early death.

As for elevating his title, expanding his feif?

Once he became a Transcendent, he would be eligible for promotion anyway.

So why take the risk?

"Such a large scale war carries far too much danger. I'm afraid I must decline your proposal," Alden said politely.

He wasn't willing to gamble his future or the safety of his family on the battlefield for the sake of something he didn't even need.

His path to prosperity was already clear to him.

...