Dynasty Rebirth Infinity

After confirming they were to be sent to Blackmere Pass to fend off the Northern Barbarian Horde, Ewan immediately volunteered to go in place of the Baron, his brother. His brother wanted to object, but Ewan was adamant about it, so he let him go. Of course, Ewan made him promise to take his current wife as his wife and adopt his children if Ewan died on the battlefield. Although uncomfortable with his wife marrying another man, he didn't want to leave her as a lonely widow. She didn't deserve it. It was better to leave her to his brother.

To Ewan, this brother was also his grandson. He wouldn't let his grandson march to his death.

During the month before departure, Ewan made several preparations.

First, he promoted his three other classes, knowing it would likely be his last chance to do so.

 

[Knight has advanced to Earth Knight]

[Gained Core Skill - Earth Aura(lvl 1)]

[Earth Aura- Raises Earth Affinity and Covers your body in an elemental aura of the Earth, increasing attack and defense. Effectiveness raises with Earth Affinity and Spirit.]

[2nd-level Wizard Apprentice has advanced to 3rd-level Wizard Apprentice]

[Gained Core Skill - Spellcasting Proficiency(lvl 1)]

[Advanced Farmer has advanced to Earth-Blessed Farmer]

[Gained Core Skill - Blessing of the Land(lvl 1)]

[Blessing of the Land - Raises Earth Affinity and makes the land you cultivate more magically active, increasing the chance of plants receiving magical properties. Effectiveness raises with Earth Affinity and Spirit.]

 

Just this wave gave Ewan 30 stat points and three Core Skills. Although he didn't care about Spellcasting Proficiency, the bonus to his Spirit and ability to practice the 17th to 24th lesser runes was welcome. He raised them to the 2nd level, which brought another eight stat points, and raised the 3rd-level Wizard Apprentice to lvl 2. He put the extra skill point in Earth Aura for the killing edge.

Incidentally, a 3rd-level Wizard Apprentice could cast level 3 Apprentice Spells, and 2nd-level spells like the Earth Spike that killed him were their typical attack methods.

However, the Basic Earth Magic booklet he got was- well, plain. It only recorded level 1 spells at most. Any more advanced spell modules were unrecorded. But even if Ewan had his hands on such spells, he wouldn't learn them now. He wouldn't trust his life in unfamiliar spells but with his trusty sword.

And, of course, Ewan spent some time with his family, fulfilling his role as a father, and sowed the Spring Seeds before departing. If he died, he would likely be reborn as his 6th son through a twist of fate or something, but Ewan couldn't do anything about it, so he let nature take its course.

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In an open field next to the Baron's Manor-

Fifty-odd men stood, their faces wary but determined.

Ewan inspected the men and nodded.

"Men, I won't lie to you. We are about to go to war to defend our homes and family. It would be a true meat grinder, and chances are that more than half of you would die there. If you don't wish to die, return and farm your land and plow your wives. You would damage morale if I take you." Ewan strictly said.

"Grand Elder of Knightledge, we stand with you." One of the leading knights thumped his chest.

The other knights also thumped their chests, showing their determination. The Yeomen were also determined, showing their resolve.

"Fine. Then ride with me to the battlefield and hope that lady luck blesses you." Ewan expressionlessly nodded.

And so, Ewan marched again to the north with his troops. But this time, he was not one of the lowly Yeomen or a regular Knight but a Lord.

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Two weeks later-

Ewan and his troops arrived at Blackmere Pass.

By this time, thousands of troops have gathered. By experience, there would be over 10,000 within the week, which would also likely be the moment when the barbarians attack.

They could tell the timing of the Barbarian's attack through seasonal changes, scouts, and magic, and it was likely correct since the barbarians were sending their troops to conquer warmer land and secure more food.

After several skirmishes, there would be a decisive battle with thousands of participants. Both sides couldn't sustain a long-term war, so that was the best option.

When Ewan and his troop arrived, some people spared them a glance but saw they were only 50-odd men and ignored them. But some people in the know recognized the banner due to one man.

"Grand Elder of Knightledge, your reputation precedes you! I am glad someone as prestigious as you came." A dignified man walked up to them with a friendly smile.

"Lord Count Reginald, you must be jesting. Like every brave man and woman here, I am a farmer defending his family." Ewan replied, showing the bare minimum of courtesy to a higher noble.

"Hahaha! And my missis and children would be glad that you are here!" Count Reginald laughed.

"Hm. If you don't mind, me and my men would set up camp now. They are travel-wary and need rest." Ewan replied.

"Fair enough. I won't disturb you. Let's catch up later." The Count said, walking away.

"The Grand Elder knows the Lord Count?" One of the knights whispered to another.

"Yes. Lord Count Reginald is a famous duelist and Peak Knight. Ten years ago, he challenged the Grand Elder to a match. The Grand Elder effortlessly defeated him." Another knight whispered back.

"Is the Grand Elder a Grand Knight?" The first Knight warily asked.

Ignoring the men's banter, Ewan spoke, "Set up camp in the designated zone. Every moment you waste in one moment less to rest." Ewan spoke.

"Yes, Grand Elder!" The men saluted and quickly went to set up camp.

After giving the order, Ewan looked in a direction. He felt a gaze locked on him. Looking over, Ewan saw a young hooded woman holding a staff approaching him, accompanied by two powerful-looking female knights. There was also a third man, but he looked like a stooge beside them.

"A Wizard and her two Grand Knight bodyguards, along with Marquise Blackmere," Ewan noted, sensing the dense power in their bodies.

A Grand Knight was a pinnacle existence to most, but to a Wizard, they were henchmen. Wizards were curious creatures, and some didn't even consider them human. And Wizards lived long lives. This woman could have lived well over 100 years, using elixirs to retain her youth.

"And yet, I don't feel that same pressure I did when I met the strong. This woman doesn't feel like a different creature at all." Ewan thought.

Soon, the Wizard and her entourage arrived three meters from Ewan. And then, the Wizard spoke.

"I am a 1st-order Wizard of Gaxarths, Magical Academy for sorcery and witchcraft, and the general of this army, Fladrinne Streng. From which school did you come, apprentice?" The Wizard spoke in a clear bell-like voice, full of authority and arrogance.

But Ewan didn't blame her for this. The strong had the right to be arrogant.

"I am Ewan of Knightledge, just a humble farmer. I studied under no master, only using two booklets my grandfather purchased from a war veteran of the previous war." Ewan replied.

"Just a humble farmer? A 3rd-level apprentice with the body of a Grand Knight, a farmer? That isn't even funny." Fladrinne raised her eyes under her hood, gem-like eyes clear and emotionless.

"I am not joking," Ewan replied with equally clear eyes.

Hum*

A pressure emanated from the woman, pressing on Ewan. And yet, Ewan stood there, unflinching, maintaining his gaze on the beautiful monster under the cloak. Half a minute later, the pressure vanished.

"You, do you know of any Ewan of Knightledge?" Fladrinne turned to the stooge they had forgotten until now.

"Mistress, this man is the Grand Elder of Knightledge, a highly reputable man. He is famous for his kindness and martial prowess and lives a humble life as a farmer." Marquise of Blackmere quickly said.

"Truly?" The female Wizard raised an eyebrow.

"I dare not lie." The Marquise, a Peak Knight himself, trembled.

"Then I apologize for my earlier suspicion. I couldn't rule out that you were a spy." Fladrinne gave a curt bow, something that Wizards seldom do for non-Wizards.

"Apology accepted, Mistress Fladrinne. I came here to kill barbarians and protect my family and territory, nothing more, nothing less. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to set up camp." Ewan returned a curt nod before walking away under the gaze of the three women and one man.

"Cheeky bastard..." A hint of a smile appeared on Fladrinne's lips.

"Mistress, would you like us to punish this rude man?" One of the female Grand Knights beside her asked.

"Forget it. If I can get a hundred more cheeky men like him, I would gladly endure their disregard. I merely hope he can hold up his word." Fladrinne shook her head and returned to her command tent.

Marquise Blackmere, who saw the entire thing, looked at Ewan's back. "Now that is a man of steel."