Pride and prejudice have always hovered over humanity.

Derek encountered the arrogant Harvey Garcia, representing the disdain that the capital's nobility holds for the country gentry. However, he himself was guilty of the same arrogance and prejudice. Everyone believed that the barbarians were backward, ignorant, and foolish, and that their defeat thirty years ago was merely a consequence of their own failings. The subsequent internal strife among the three nations had prevented any resolution to this issue. Perhaps the barbarians were indeed like that thirty years ago, fitting the nobles' impressions of them. But what was taken from them back then was not just land; it was also a large population.

In thirty years, how could the barbarians not have made some progress? A whole generation passed, and the barbarians established a rudimentary semi-feudal system, mastering certain technologies and military knowledge, with some descendants of the Kingdom of Locke even serving them.

It was only the remoteness of the Northern Lands, along with the buffer zone in between and the ingrained prejudices, that caused people to overlook the changes in the barbarians. They had voluntarily ceded some land back then, which had become an excellent barrier.

Even though there were always some nobles trading with the barbarians, they still fundamentally regarded them as ignorant and foolish.

Derek thought so too; how many of the Northern nobles were truly clear-headed? Therefore, when the barbarian army suddenly appeared, the unprepared Northern nobility was caught completely off guard.

Not only in the Kingdom of Locke but also in the neighboring Holy Cross Kingdom, the presence of barbarians was felt. Thirty years ago, they could still say it was by chance. Thirty years later, the barbarians boldly declared their arrival on the southern continent's stage.

Nobles and officials in the northern provinces were completely unprepared. In just a few days, the barbarians had rapidly captured four or five cities, and even an earl was beheaded. More nobles and royal troops suffered heavy losses, as if the events of thirty years ago were repeating themselves.

By the time Derek heard this news, it had already been ten days since the barbarian invasion. After many obstacles, the news finally spread. Only then did the Northern nobility realize that this was not a rumor. Many were unprepared for the swift arrival of war. According to the kingdom’s plan, there was still half a year for training to muster an army.

However, only two months had passed, and many farmers had picked up weapons for less than a month; how much combat power could they possess? The most critical issue was that these scattered farmers could not function effectively.

Even the stockpiled supplies had all been discounted for the barbarians. The Ferreira family urgently convened a meeting to discuss this enormous change.

“The vanguard of the barbarians has already reached Ironwall City. If anything happens there, the entire northern province will fall, and Watchtower City will be the next target.”

Baron Ferreira, having participated in wars, had a certain level of military knowledge. On the map, there were two clear dividing lines across the northern province. To the north of Ironwall City, they faced the barbarians and the Holy Cross Kingdom directly. To the south of Watchtower City lay the interior.

The Ferreira family was situated on the side of Watchtower City, not far to the north. Earl Perez's territory was right in the middle. If the intelligence was correct, small groups of barbarians had likely crossed Ironwall City, and Earl Perez's lands may already have been attacked.

But they could not be optimistic; if problems arose at the front, the Ferreira family would be the first to suffer, unable to escape. Hence, the head of the Ferreira family was extremely agitated, pacing back and forth on the map.

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“The governor’s orders should be arriving soon. According to royal tradition, a temporary army will likely be assembled nearby to support the front lines. Ironwall City must not fall; otherwise, the entire North will be lost.”

Baron Ferreira had a clear understanding that guarding his own little patch of land was of no use; only by securing Ironwall City could they catch a breath.

After initially being shocked, Derek had adjusted his mindset on the way there and asked a critical question: “What’s the situation at Ironwall City? Can it hold?”

“Uncertain. The current governor is a court noble with no military achievements. The Iron Lion Legion stationed in Ironwall City has a troop size of only three thousand. Although they have recently been expanding, it’s hard to say how many of them there are. Combined with the city guard and noble private armies, it should be able to hold, provided they don’t panic.”

Baron Ferreira felt a severe headache; due to a certain prejudice, he had no faith in the current governor.

Indeed, a governor of court nobility would inevitably be looked down upon by the military noblemen of the North. Derek did not expect the situation to become so dire, but he saw an opportunity within it.

“Regardless of whether Ironwall City can hold, we must prepare for two outcomes. Some people need to retreat immediately into the mountains. Father, you should personally hold down the fort here; with the castle here, we can at least last for a while if anything happens. My brother and I will prepare to march; we cannot stand by and do nothing.”

Derek understood the principle that if the Northern province’s organized military forces were annihilated, the nobles would certainly perish if left to fend for themselves. Thus, whether Ironwall City held or fell, a battle was inevitable.

“Derek is right, Father,” his older brother Marco agreed. “The second son is still serving in Ironwall City; we cannot neglect him. Let the fourth brother leave first; that’s the best strategy.”

From a rational standpoint, even if the worst-case scenario occurred, the Ferreira family would not be completely cut off from their lineage. Moreover, both the honor of the Northern nobility and practical considerations would not allow them to retreat.

The fate of those land-lost nobles thirty years ago was well-known to the Northern people. Many had severed their lineages and lost the glory of their ancestors.

Baron Ferreira recognized that Derek’s plan was sound. It was time to make a decision.

“Baron, there is a command from the governor.”

The knight captain burst in, bringing the kingdom’s orders.

“Let me see.”

Baron Ferreira took the order; it was a general notice.

“By order of the governor of the northern province, a temporary army is to be formed.

Earl Perez will be appointed as the commander of the Second Temporary Army, to assemble within three days of receiving the order and depart within ten days to aid Ironwall City. All achievements in this battle will be recorded, and rewards of titles and lands will not be lacking after the war.”

Clearly, this governor had not given up on resistance and was quite clear-headed. As the highest official in the northern province, he had the authority to issue such orders on behalf of the king.

The king would surely honor the rewards afterward; otherwise, it would mean a collapse of the kingdom's credibility.

Baron Ferreira finally made up his mind.

“Act according to Derek’s plan; leave behind some soldiers, and Marco, you take the rest.”

Having arranged everything, Baron Ferreira would entrust the family’s strength to Marco. Derek would be seen as an independent entity.

“I will accelerate the conscription of soldiers and speed up their training; I can help out if needed. Derek, please take care of your brother.”

The last sentence was merely a father’s instruction.

“I will.”

Derek promised that as far as he could, he would not stand by idly.