- Stay in line! Raise your shields! - Following my commands, the militia trained. Although thanks to the connection with me, they began to learn faster, the results are terrible. If I had enough biomass, I would immediately absorb them.

In their brain, I created a creature that I called a "Connection Larva". It allows them to keep the connection with the nest.

I should move to another place. Local animals are not enough for the growth of the nest. I have been stagnating for a long time now. I have a feeling that there is a barrier inside that can only be broken by increasing the size of the nest. But which place I should choose? Nowhere is safe.

-Young Master,- Harrison said to me. - New shields and spears are ready. But the iron reserves are running out.

-I can ask Count Andre about the iron reserves, but I'm not sure who will come first, the coachman with the iron or the brigands. And what will you do if they attack the caravan? I don't think they will be able to accompany the caravan.

-But even so, it will be difficult to provide everyone with good equipment, even if I use all the supplies.

- Everything will be compensated. The main thing is that they get their equipment by the time of the battle.

Harrison gritted his teeth and said

-Since the Young Master wishes it, I will fuse one of my anvils. But the metal will be of low quality.

-It's not a problem. - Having said this, I turned my gaze to the militia. Most of them have no protection at all. 5of them get quilted armor. They are also known as under armor. They are very weakly protected from spear strikes, but they can protect from sword strikes. However, this is no different from throwing a die. It may lead and the sword will not cut the fabric, or it may not lead. But it's still better than no protection.

- Militia, you are free.

Hearing this, the militia bowed to me, and then went towards the *barracks*

Tornhelm's group is still on the way. Winter is coming. The harvest is coming soon. It is unknown when the Baron will attack us. We need to prepare. They can attack at any moment.

...

PoV Willy

-Kha! - having hit a tree hard, the brigand fell unconscious. Coming to it, with a wave of the sword, I freed the garbage from the weight of this world. - Listen to me. I am your master now. Does anyone have any objections?

When I examined the brigand, none of them dared to raise their heads. I smiled, that's what the lower creatures should do in front of the higher. To be afraid and to serve. They are lucky that I need their help, otherwise they would have already been hanged in the nearest village.

- Now listen up. Who knows where there is another brigand group nearby? As a reward, they will receive a part of the former leader's belongings.

-Master, I know one. -One of the rabbles came out of the crowd-They are hiding in a cave to the west. As I know, they are former hunters and very skillfully hide their tracks and keep an eye on their surroundings all the time. We are about 2 days from here to them

-Just what I need. Take everything of value and let's move out!

By order of Count Muller, I have already gathered 4 groups of brigands. The total number of fighters is more than 40. The first group was the most difficult to find, and then it was easier. In order not to give me away, I had to leave my armor at home, I was wearing the armor of the leaders of the brigands. The protective properties are terrible, and the smell is very unpleasant.

I hate the forest so much. Usually, if I go hunting, I always take a priest with me, but now I have to make do with simple amulets. I should use them myself when I feel that there is a spirit around. What I will do if an evil spirit attacks me suddenly?

I really want to go back to my estate and enjoy life, instead of hanging around here.

...

Two days later, we are almost there. But then a voice came from above.

-Who are you? This is our territory! Rob somewhere else!

How arrogant. I just have to take it alive and punish it. I signaled to the warrior next to me. He nodded and ran in the direction from which the voice came. He jumped into a tree and began to climb it carefully.

-What the hell? A warrior?! - In fear, the brigand showed himself and pulled an arrow and fired a shot. The warrior easily dodged. The brigand grabbed a rope that was hidden in the foliage and began to descend. However, the warrior was not going to give it a chance to escape, he grabbed the rope and began to descend directly on the brigand's head and forced it to fall from the tree with a strong kick. - Kha! Ooh…

Fortunately for it, it was able to descend low enough to survive. I approached it with a sword in my hand and said

-What, are you as brave now? Should I cut off your head?

-A nobleman? Ha! I'd rather die!

- Hey, you. - Not wanting to talk to this stubborn animal, I turned to the obedient one. it pointed a finger at itself and quietly asked

-Me?

- Yes, you. Cut off his tongue so that he can't speak. Don't cut with the root, it can die. Do it quickly.

-O-okay, Master.

Having lost interest in this, I helped people to move on. After some walking, we reached their base. A simple wooden reinforcement, I think I'm waist-deep. Considering that their base looks so good, they have lived as brigands for a long time.

The brigands looked at us with apprehension. The bows in their hands were pointed in our direction. One of them raised its hand and shouted

-What do you need!? This is our territory! Rob somewhere else!

I don't have the strength to mess with the lower beings, so I ordered one of them to be brought forward.

- Sam?

- Aah! Aaa! - The brigand wanted to say something, but the lack of tongue deprived him of this ability. The blood flowing from his mouth gave hints of what could have happened

-Bastards! What are you trying to achieve with this!?

-Subordination. Bow down before me or die. -I said in a measured voice. Dogs must obey their master, and do whatever he orders. So how can it dare to refuse me?

-Go to hell! Prepare the bows! Shoot! - The brigands began to aim their bows, we all immediately disappeared behind the trees. These idiots did not realize that it is necessary to cut down trees so that no one can hide.

- Get ready to attack after command! -Having given the order to the rabble, I took up a sword. People should do everything. Looking in the direction of the warriors, I said -I rely on you.

-Yes, Sir Willy. The warriors nodded and went to the battlefield. They easily blocked the arrows with their shields. -What are you doing?! Attack!

His shout woke up the brigands and they began to attack hunters. However, these former hunters shot very accurately, every few seconds one of the brigands fell to the ground, and a second later he achieved another arrow.

But in the end, with blood, they approached a distance of a couple of meters from their fortification. The former hunters dropped their bows and picked up their spears.

- Attack! We'll get them soon! -Shouting this, the warrior began to attack, but then suddenly fell to the ground, the brigands behind also fell. Their defenseless backs were exposed, the hunters took advantage of this chance. They were the first to target the warrior.

Fortunately, the warrior didn't lose his head and grabbed the nearest brigand and covered his body with it, the brigand was pierced in the next second. Grabbing the brigands by both hands, he stood up and began to break through to the hunters.

- Don't let him pass! - Shouting this, the hunter made a lunge with a spear, but it was blocked by a * shield*. The warrior immediately released the brigand who had already done its duty and grabbed the spear and pulled sharply in his direction, the hunter fell and loosened his grip on the spear, which the warrior took advantage of. - Kha!

- *Spit* Dirty rabble, not a bad move. -Having said this, he began a massacre in the ranks of the enemy. With well-aimed attacks, he pierced the enemy through and then took the dead man's weapon and did it in a circle.

-I give up! -The hunters began to drop their weapons and kneel. The warrior looked at me. I nod to him then look to the closest hunter

-Who is your leader?

-He's ... dead.

- What a pity. Explore the area!

- No! -Hearing this order, the hunters stand up but didn't try to raise their weapons.

-What's the matter?

-Uh… we will show you where our treasures are. No need to send people.

I frowned, they are trying to hide something. How dare they?

- Inspect the area carefully! If you find anything, report it immediately.

- Sir! Please have mercy! The hunter fell to knees and began to beg me. Not wanting to communicate with this garbage, I pulled my sword out of its scabbard and hit the neck with all my strength, the head easily separated from the body.

-Does anyone want to repeat his fate? - There were no takers and everyone sat quietly, clenching their fists tightly.

- Aaa!! Who are you! Let me go!

- Mom!

-Sir, we have found them. There are women and children here. -The brigand held a woman by the hair with one hand, and held a boy with the other-There are many of them here. It looks like their families. What do you want us to do?

Hmm ... women and children? They could be used for blackmail, but there are few hunters left, there is no need to force them. But the rabble has worked hard, they need to be rewarded so that they serve faithfully.

-The women are yours. Do whatever you want with them. The same applies to children.

-Understood, sir. -The brigand smiled and walked away with the woman in his arms. The brigands nearby smiled and went to the side where the hostages were.

- No! Please, sir! Pity them! We will serve you faithfully!

- Oh, yes. Don't forget to execute them. - After ordering the execution of these hunters, I looked at the warrior. -Are you alright? There are no wounds?

-No, Sir Willy. I'm fine, just scratches.

-That's good. But I wonder how you fell right in front of them?

-They ran the rope through the trees and hid it behind the leaves. And when they were close, they pulled on both ends. If I hadn't reacted quickly then, I would have suffered serious injuries or could have died.

-Fortunately, you were able to get out unharmed. Go have fun, you deserve a rest.

- Thank you. -The warrior turned and walked away.

- Baron Willy. - Suddenly I heard a familiar voice behind me, turning around I couldn't help but be surprised

-Count Muller? -The Count was standing in front of me, his noble clothes in sharp contrast to the corpses lying on the ground.

- Yes, it's me. We need to talk about something. It is very important. Seeing the Count's serious face, I did not dare to refuse him. If he gives an order, the warriors will immediately stop listening to me.

- Okay, let's go. -I followed the count into the forest. When we had already moved away from the camp, the count turned his back to me

-Look, here's the thing. - After these words, the count fell silent.

- In what? Did something important happen?

After hearing these words, the count turned to me. The count was already dressed in a black robe that covered his entire body, and a long collar hid his throat. His face was evil, his hair was curly and his eyes were burning with fire. He abruptly pulled his hand to my throat and lifted me into the air and began to strangle me.

- Haha! *Ding* *Ding* *Ding* -He had bells on his hands that rang when he strangled me. Damn! It's an evil spirit!

Convulsively, I tried to touch the amulet. I grabbed the cross and squeezed it tighter, the light that came out of the cross made him let me go

- Kha! Kha! - Having inhaled the precious air, I turned around and began to run away. One on one, I have no chance against this spirit.

-You can't run away! *Ding* *Ding* *Ding* - The sound of the bells indicated that I was being chased. As soon as I get to the base, I will be saved. Fortunately, I was not too far from the camp. As soon as I entered the camp, the sounds of bells stopped. But I heard it out of the corner of my ear.

- We'll meet again. Hahaha!

-Damn it!

-Baron Willy, is everything okay?

Another warrior that controls the environment asked me.

-Stay close to me. I'm afraid an evil spirit wants to kill me. Hope you can protect me from it.

-You can rely on me.