Baron Monde's face was ash-gray. He slumped down dejectedly, his longsword hitting the ground with a sharp clang. He knew it was over. Ironthorn Territory was finished. And so was he.
"My Lord, I will escort you back to the castle. If we rely on the fortifications, there may still be a chance," his personal knight captain said, helping him steady himself on his horse.
These words gave Monde a sudden spark of hope, and he nodded immediately. The captain let out a roar: "Orders from the Lord! Retreat to the castle!" With that, the personal guards surrounded Monde and turned back toward the city.
The moment the Baron retreated, the already wavering Ironthorn troops fell into utter chaos, turning to flee in every direction. Seeing this, Leylo immediately ordered the attack. If Monde were truly allowed to retreat behind the walls of Ironthorn Castle, taking the city would become far more difficult.
With no will left to fight, the Ironthorn army was practically hunted down by the Blackstone forces. Along the way, soldiers surrendered in droves; almost no one dared to resist. Though Monde fled quickly, he was ultimately one step too slow.
About three hundred meters from Ironthorn Castle, Ed and thirty Pegasus Knights descended from the sky, blocking their path. Baron Monde gave up all resistance and willingly became a prisoner.
The Occupation
A short while later, the heavy gates of Ironthorn Castle slowly creaked open under Baron Monde's command. Leylo, riding the Storm Griffin, led the way. Behind him were the Blackstone knights led by Bolin and the fierce infantry phalanxes, marching into Ironthorn in a grand procession.
Along the streets inside the city, Ironthorn soldiers who had laid down their arms and terrified civilians knelt in rows. They kept their heads low, not daring to look directly at this young and powerful conqueror. Bolin directed his knights and soldiers to swiftly take over key defensive positions, seize weapons, and suppress any potential resistance.
Soon, Leylo arrived before the Lord's Manor. Baron Monde, looking like a defeated rooster, was escorted by two Blackstone soldiers to kneel before Leylo. His former majesty had vanished, replaced by a face full of despair and resentment.
"Monde, do you confess your crimes?" Leylo looked down at him, his voice ice-cold.
Monde gave a tragic laugh. "It is nothing more than the winner taking all."
"Stubborn to the end," Leylo shook his head. "Conspiring with the Blood Wolf Bandits, pillaging neighboring territories, and oppressing the people... do you think the laws of the Duchy are merely for show?"
Just then, Hogg and his dejected Iron Skull mercenaries arrived outside the manor under the "escort" of Blackstone soldiers. The moment Hogg saw Leylo, he hurried forward to explain himself. "Baron Leylo, about that 'Scarface Jon' business, I really—"
Leylo didn't even spare him a glance, simply giving Bolin a calm instruction: "Take Baron Monde into custody for now. Inventory and seal all of Ironthorn's stockpiled resources and tax records. Additionally, interrogate the prisoners—especially Monde's confidants. Dig out every letter between him and the Blood Wolves and identify every person involved."
"Yes, My Lord!" Bolin bowed.
Monde's face paled further, a flicker of terror crossing his eyes. He hadn't expected Leylo to actually dig into the Blood Wolf affair so deeply. Hogg, listening nearby, felt a chill run down his spine, especially at the phrase "dig out every person involved." He opened his mouth to speak but ultimately closed it in defeat. He realized that Baron Leylo was not just militarily superior but possessed a deep, calculating mind. He had truly stumbled into a pit today.
Leylo's gaze swept over the disheveled Hogg. "As for you, Captain Hogg, and your Iron Skull Mercenaries—I will give you a chance to prove your innocence. It depends on whether you are willing to take it."
Without another word, Leylo turned and entered the manor. Hogg bit his lip, called over a few of his men, and headed back toward the camp. "These damn nobles... if I don't bleed a fortune this time, I'm afraid I won't get away."
The "Just" Report
Inside the manor's study, candlelight flickered. Leylo sat behind the broad desk where Monde used to issue his commands. Bolin walked in with a steady pace, holding a thick stack of parchment. He placed the documents on the desk with a soft rustle.
"My Lord, they've all confessed," Bolin said with a hint of relief. "Thirteen confessions in total, all signed by core members of the original Blood Wolf Bandits. They've detailed how Baron Monde bought them off, supplied them with weapons and grain, and ordered them to attack Blackstone's caravans and villages to weaken our strength."
Leylo picked up the top sheet, his eyes scanning the lines. The handwriting was crooked, clearly the work of unrefined men, but the content was crystal clear and filled with heinous details. Every confession ended with a bright red thumbprint—a blood-colored brand pinning Monde's crimes to him.
A cold smile touched Leylo's lips. Attacking a direct vassal of the Duke was a crime that could be large or small; if someone caught him without a valid reason, it would lead to trouble from Thunder Dragon City, or even severe punishment—especially with First Prince Elliot looking for an opening.
But with this evidence, everything changed. Leylo was the victim, acting in self-defense, and ridding the people of a menace.
He put down the confessions and took up a fresh sheet of parchment. Dipping his pen in ink, he began to write vigorously. In the letter, he first expressed his infinite respect for the Duke, then shifted his tone to denounce Monde's atrocities—specifically his conspiracy with the Blood Wolves which brought disaster to Blackstone. He detailed how, faced with undeniable evidence, he was forced to strike back and ultimately "liberated" the people of Ironthorn.
His words were earnest yet sharp, placing himself on the moral and legal high ground.
"Baron Monde disregarded the Duke's laws, kept bandits as pets, and attacked his neighbors. He is a parasite upon the Duchy. To protect the peace of my territory and the glory of the Duke, I, your servant Leylo, had no choice but to take this thunderous action..."
Once the letter was finished and the ink dried, he rolled it up with the thirteen confessions, sealed it with wax, and stamped it with the Blackstone crest.
"Someone!" he called out.
An attendant entered and stood ready. "Take this urgent dispatch. Send it through the Magic Post Station immediately. Get it to Thunder Dragon City as fast as possible."