Transmigrated with a Demon-Refining Pot: Hehehe, Refine in an instant

Half an hour later, the atmosphere in the conference hall was heavy.

Ron placed the conscription notice on the table and looked around: "Pass it around and take a look."

Laun took it, his expression changing drastically. After reading it, he handed it to Hart and Perrin, who both frowned deeply after reading it.

"My lord..." Perrin looked up.

"This doesn't make sense. In previous years when the orcs marched south, they never summoned any frontline lords. We're at the forefront, supposed to be defending the territory, so why were we summoned to Ironrock Keep instead?"

Lauen said in a deep voice, "There's only one possibility: this year's orcs are far more ferocious than in previous years. So ferocious that the Marquis had no choice but to wager everyone on them."

Hart clenched his fist: "What about the territory? If we leave, what if the snake people to the north, or a small group of orcs launch a sneak attack..."

Ron raised his hand to interrupt him:

"What's been happening with the snake people lately?"

Hart truthfully replied, "It's quite a commotion. We've been keeping an eye on those snake people for several days."

"We discovered that they sent a small team to scout into the ravines. It didn't seem like they were looting; it looked more like they were looking for a place to move."

Ron pondered for a moment: "Were they forced down?"

Hatt nodded: "Possibly."

Ron didn't speak, but tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

The orcs are marching south, and even the snake people are fleeing. It seems this year's events are indeed quite significant; no wonder the marquis is even conscripting frontline lords.

In that case, the snake people are no longer a threat.

Ron was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "We definitely have to go when we're drafted. We have no choice!"

The room was deathly silent.

After a long pause, Laun said in a low voice, "Sir, this trip... is dangerous."

Ron nodded, stood up, and walked to the window.

As dusk fell outside the window, the north wind howled, whipping up withered leaves that slapped against the windowpane.

Although the duchy would provide some protection to newly established lords, it would not place too much importance on them, since only lords who successfully established new territories were considered true lords.

For the duchy, it's better if the lord succeeds; if he dies along the way, it's not a loss. They can just distribute more land next year and reap another harvest.

"I'm leading the team myself this time, and the number of people is kept to a minimum." He turned around, his gaze sweeping over Laun and Hart.

"Both of you, come with me."

Hart was taken aback: "My lord, what about that territory..."

"Let Gray and the others stay behind," Ron said.

"Three mid-ranking knight squires are enough to guard the manor. The snake people to the north pose little threat. Boris to the west also needs to leave; he doesn't have time to cause trouble."

Perrin panicked: "Sir, take them all? What if..."

"There's no 'what if'!" Ron interrupted him.

"Whether you come back alive this time depends on how tough your men are. We can buy more serfs if we lose them. Just guard the manor and the Fairy Insects for me. That's my requirement for you."

He paused, then looked at Palin:

"You stay and manage logistics. You know better than they do about food supplies and the allocation of serfs. If any foolish 'bandits' manage to take advantage of the situation..."

Ron sneered:

"When I get back, everyone, please don't eat spicy food!!"

Palin opened his mouth, then finally nodded:

"Understood."

"Alright, that's the arrangement. Perrin, go prepare the supplies for departure. We're leaving tomorrow morning, everyone go and get ready!" Ron gave the final instructions.

After his men left, only Ron and Liulichuan remained in the meeting room.

Liu Lichuan sat in the corner without saying a word, just watching him.

Ron walked over and looked down at her: "You stay too."

Liu Lichuan frowned slightly: "I am a magician, I can be of help."

"I know," Ron said.

"But the battlefield is too chaotic, I can't take care of you. Besides, the potion shop can't be left unattended. With Hart and the others gone, the territory needs you more."

Liu Lichuan pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but finally nodded.

Ron was silent for a moment:

"If you want to escape, take this opportunity. But if you wait for me to return, you'll never have another chance and will be my maid for life!"

Liu Lichuan's expression hardened: "Hmph!!!"

Ron reached out and put his arm around her waist. Liulichuan didn't say anything, but just pressed her head tightly against Ron's chest, feeling his burning heartbeat.

Late at night. In the conference hall, Ron was staring intently at the map of the frontier region, deep in thought.

Laun knocked on the door and came in, then stood aside and waited.

Ron didn't look up: "Speak."

"My lord, the list of fifty elite guards has been drawn up. They are all veterans who have been with us for a long time, and most of them have cultivated their fighting spirit quite well." Lao En paused.

"The weapons and armor are all ready, and Curry's new armor will come in handy."

"Good job, go and rest now, you won't have time to rest properly later."

Lauen acknowledged and left.

After Laun left, soft footsteps could be heard again in the corridor.

The door was pushed open a crack, and Liulichuan poked half his body in.

"Aren't you going to sleep yet?"

Ron looked up, smiled at her, and said, "Go to sleep now."

Liu Lichuan walked in, holding a cross necklace prop in her hand, and stuffed it into his hand.

"This is the shield alchemy item I used last time. It's out of energy. You can take it to the front lines and buy an energy stone, or a light-type magic crystal will also work." Liulichuan said, her head down.

"It's not very powerful, but it can block a few attacks from high-ranking knight squires when necessary."

Ron paused for a moment, then reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Liulichuan leaned against his chest, her voice muffled:

"You must come back!!"

Ron bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

"rest assured."

The next morning, the training ground was bustling with people.

Fifty elite guards stood in formation, each one sharp and alert, their standard armor gleaming coldly in the morning light. Laun and Hart stood at the front, conducting a final check.

Ron walked over, glanced at it, and nodded in satisfaction.

Perrin greeted him: "Sir, the provisions and supplies are all prepared, enough for ten wagons. Be careful on the road, it'll last for half a month."

Ron hummed in agreement.

Just then, a small figure emerged from the crowd and grabbed his clothes.

"Brother-in-law!"

Ron looked down, while Cecilia tilted her little face up, her eyes sparkling.

"Brother-in-law, when are you coming back?"

Ron crouched down and patted her head: "Soon. We'll be back after the war."

Cecilia said seriously, "Then don't forget my kitten."

Ron laughed: "I won't forget. Brother-in-law promises."

Liulichuan couldn't get up this morning; the two of them played on the rocking horse all night last night.

Ron got up without a second thought, but Liulichuan suffered terribly and would have to stay in bed for at least two days.

Ron stood up and mounted his horse.

"Set off!"

The procession slowly began to move, the sound of horses' hooves echoing, kicking up a trail of dust.

Cecilia stood there, waving vigorously. Anna pulled her along until the group disappeared from sight.

The group walked for half a day, and it was almost noon.

Lao En rode forward and whispered, "Sir, at the fork in the road ahead, it seems to be the people from Linshui Territory."

Ron looked up and saw a group of about a hundred people coming from another road, their banners embroidered with the familiar potato emblem.

Boris Johnson.

The two teams met at the fork in the road and both slowed down.

Boris rode on horseback, dressed in dark leather armor, a warm smile on his face. He was accompanied by Locke and several unfamiliar knights.

"Baron Ron, what a coincidence," Boris said with a nobleman's bow.

Ron also bowed: "Baron Boris, what a coincidence."

The two rode side by side, while the group tacitly spread out, leaving only a few trusted confidants to follow beside them.

Boris glanced at Ron's group, his gaze lingering on Laune and Hart for a moment, before he smiled:

"Both high-ranking officials have been brought along? Baron Ron has staked everything on this."

Ron chuckled, "Isn't Baron Boris similar? Those knights look unfamiliar; are they newly recruited?"

Boris chuckled and said, "Don't mention it, we're all old brothers."

The two rode side by side for a while without either of them speaking first.

After a long while, Boris suddenly sighed, "This call-up is strange. We've never been called up from the front lines in previous years."

Ron nodded. "Yes. It seems the orcs this year are much fiercer than in previous years."

Boris was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice:

"Why don't we neighbors help each other out? We're all neighbors, so we won't get bullied on the front lines."

Ron's expression froze, and he looked at Boris with a strange expression.

Boris seemed to know how ridiculous his suggestion was, but he still looked at Ron expectantly with a thick skin.

Damn! This guy selling hooks!

He's truly shameless; no wonder he managed to win over Earl Bauhinia.

Mutual support and assistance? You're quite good at coining words!

If you don't use me as a shield, I'll crawl back to my territory on my head.

Ron looked at him strangely: "I think it's unnecessary. Thank you for your kind offer, Baron Boris."

Seeing Ron's firm denial, Boris chuckled and showed no embarrassment: "That's fine then. I was just being kind. Baron Ron, we'll meet again at Ironrock Keep."

The two teams walked in silence for a while longer.

The road ahead forks, with two paths leading in opposite directions.

After walking a short distance, Laun rode up and whispered, "Sir, what did Boris mean by that?"

Ron shook his head and sneered, "Never mind, they're not going to let it go anyway."

"Remember the recruitment and intensive training of soldiers in Linshui Territory a few days ago? Boris probably knew about the recruitment of lords in advance."

Lauen frowned: "Then we..."

"Ignore him," Ron waved his hand.

The procession continued onward.

When we set up camp at dusk, Hart came over to report: "Sir, we have traveled 120 li today. If we continue for another day, we should reach Iron Rock Fort by the evening of the day after tomorrow."

Ron nodded, sat down by the fire, took out a potion, and continued to diligently cultivate his battle qi.

Ron packed up almost all the potions in his territory and stored them in his spatial bracelet along with the gold coins. He left only a few thousand gold dragons for the territory, carrying the rest with him.

It could be said that, apart from the elf insects and serfs, the only other thing of value in the territory was the land itself.

The next day, Ron encountered many more lords' entourages on the road, but he didn't greet any of them. That is, until he met an acquaintance.

"My lord, look, that banner belongs to the Blackrock Territory's troops," Laun said, riding forward.

Ron exclaimed excitedly, "Let's go! Let's go say hello to our neighbors!"

Ron stepped forward: "Baron Hosen, it's an honor to meet you! We're neighbors, but this is the first time we've met."

Hosen: "It's Baron Ron! Same here. I've heard that Baron Ron is a promising young man."

The two chatted for a while and finally got to the recruitment notice.

Ron: "Brother Hosen! I see the orcs are coming on strong this time. As the saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Why don't we merge our two families and help each other out?"

Ron finished speaking without changing his expression.

The old man Hossen across from him gave an embarrassed smile: "My legs aren't very good, so I won't trouble you, Baron. That's enough, I'll be going now."

After saying that, Baron Hosen hurriedly ran away, carrying his lame leg.

Watching the old man Hossen's retreating figure.

Ron lamented, "The world has changed so much; people's hearts have grown cold!"

Blackstone leads the convoy ahead.

Subordinate: "Sir, what is the Baron of the Reach?"

"Don't mention that pretty boy, he's up to no good."

"I bet that pretty boy is some kind of hook seller. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that he's the one who saved the marquis's heir, and that the man needed his help?"

"Hossen said indignantly."

"Oh! Really?"

"Definitely!"

Two more days passed, and as they approached their destination, they could see several other teams moving forward in the surrounding area.

The somber atmosphere in the air grew even stronger.

It was approaching evening.

Ahead, the outline of distant mountains can be vaguely seen; we have arrived at Iron Rock Fortress.