Chapter 68: Visitors from Red Leaf Territory

"HUFF... HUFF..."

Thor was breathing heavily, his chest heaving like a bellows.

He shook his slightly numb arms and looked at his Contracted Magical Beast. There wasn’t a trace of fear in his eyes; instead, they burned with a fierce will to fight.

The Armored Rhinoceros had also stopped, two heavy plumes of white steam snorting from its nostrils. Its large, bell-like eyes were fixed on its master, as if awaiting the next command.

"Not bad, Thor. Your control over your Power has improved again."

The instructor walked over and patted Thor’s shoulder.

"The Earth Bear Bloodline must be constantly tempered like this to unleash its true potential. Your Armored Rhinoceros is also coordinating well with you. With its integrated offense and defense, you have a promising future."

"Once you advance to Tier Two Great Knight and awaken more of your Earth Bear Bloodline, you might awaken the Talent Ability ’Rooted in the Earth’. Then, you’ll be able to continuously draw upon the Power of the Earth, and your Power will undergo a qualitative change."

Thor grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth in a simple, honest smile.

"Thank you, Instructor!"

He turned to his Armored Rhinoceros, reached out with a hand as large as a cattail fan, and stroked the rhino’s coarse, hard Armor.

"Good job, Iron Bull."

The Armored Rhinoceros seemed to understand the praise. It gently nuzzled Thor’s waist with its enormous head and let out a low cry, appearing quite affectionate.

On the training grounds, the sun blazed down, but the Knights’ enthusiasm for their training didn’t wane in the slightest.

...

「Two days later, in the afternoon.」

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the castle study, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow.

Raylo was sitting behind a large oak desk, reviewing scrolls concerning the various affairs of his territory.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

The knocking was urgent.

"Come in."

Raylo didn’t even look up.

The study door was pushed open, and Bolin’s figure appeared in the doorway.

Compared to two days ago, his entire demeanor seemed to have settled, and his once-simple face now held an irrepressible excitement.

"My lord!"

Bolin’s voice was a few degrees louder than usual, carrying a slight tremor caused by his excitement.

"I... I succeeded! I’ve officially been promoted to Earth Knight!"

Raylo put down the quill in his hand and looked up, a gentle smile on his face.

"Bolin, congratulations. I knew you could do it."

He could clearly feel the denser, heavier aura emanating from Bolin.

Bolin grinned, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Hehe, it’s all thanks to the Breakthrough Potion you provided, my lord."

Just then, a castle guard strode in.

"My lord, a Knight from the Red Leaf Earl’s Domain is outside the castle, requesting an audience. He says he has an urgent matter to report."

"The Red Leaf Earl’s Domain?"

Raylo’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Let him in."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later, a Knight walked into the study. He was dressed in a dark red Knight’s uniform, with the emblem of a burning maple leaf embroidered on his chest.

He was about thirty years old, with a resolute face, sharp eyes, and a steady, powerful gait. He was clearly an experienced Knight.

As soon as he entered, his gaze fell upon Raylo behind the desk. He immediately dropped to one knee, placing his right hand over his chest.

"Marcus, a Knight of the Red Leaf Territory, pays his respects to the Lord Baron."

"Knight Marcus, please rise."

Raylo raised a hand.

"There’s no need for formalities. What is the urgent matter that brings you here?"

Marcus stood up, took a letter sealed with wax from his tunic, and presented it with both hands.

"My master, Lord Gao Wen Red Leaf, the eldest son of Count Red Leaf, has a personal letter for Lord Raylo."

Raylo took the letter. The wax seal was imprinted with the emblem of the Red Leaf Family—a maple leaf with clear veins, its edges traced with flame-like patterns.

He broke the seal, pulled out the paper inside, and his eyes quickly scanned it.

The handwriting on the paper was strong and forceful, but its contents made Raylo’s gaze gradually deepen.

Seeing that Raylo had finished the letter, Marcus said in a heavy voice, "Lord Raylo, everything described in the letter is true. The Lord Earl is gravely ill and likely doesn’t have much time left. My master, Lord Gao Wen, as the eldest son, should have inherited the title of Count smoothly. But his younger brother, Alan Rickman, is treacherously ambitious. He has colluded with outside forces to usurp the inheritance."

Raylo placed the letter gently on the desk.

"Outside forces? As far as I know, the internal affairs of the Red Leaf Earl’s Domain aren’t something outsiders should be meddling in, are they?"

A trace of resentment and helplessness flashed across Marcus’s face.

"Alan Rickman... he has obtained the support of His Highness Eliot. Baron Mengde of Ironthorn Territory, acting under His Highness’s orders, is already preparing to interfere with the Red Leaf succession by force."

"His Highness Eliot..."

Raylo’s pupils contracted slightly.

’So that’s why Ironthorn Territory has been so active lately. They intend to interfere in the struggle for succession in the Red Leaf Earl’s Domain.’

Marcus took a deep breath, his tone earnest.

"Lord Raylo, my master Lord Gao Wen knows this is a difficult matter. But if Alan Rickman succeeds, not only will the Red Leaf Earl’s Domain become a vassal to His Highness, but I fear the entire power structure of the Northern Border will be affected. Lord Gao Wen has heard that Lord Raylo is young and promising, that Black Stone Territory is thriving under your rule, and that your forces are strong. Therefore, he has sent me here to implore you to lend your aid, to help Lord Gao Wen stabilize the situation and take back what is rightfully his."

He paused, then threw out an extremely tempting offer.

"In return, if Lord Raylo is willing to send troops to help, upon success, Lord Gao Wen is willing to grant half the ownership of the medium-sized copper mine in the Black Stone Mountain Range within his domain to Black Stone Territory!"

Half the profits of a medium-sized copper mine!

Even with Raylo’s calm and steady disposition, his heart couldn’t help but stir upon hearing this offer.

Copper was a crucial strategic resource for forging Weapons and equipment. The value of a medium-sized copper mine was immeasurable, especially for Black Stone Territory, which was rapidly developing and expanding and in desperate need of such resources.

Gao Wen Red Leaf’s offer was nothing short of generous.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the study grew stagnant.

Bolin stood to the side, his heart in turmoil as he listened to the conversation.

Although he didn’t quite understand the complex territorial disputes, he knew this was definitely a major event that could affect the future of Black Stone Territory.

Raylo weighed the pros and cons.

Helping Gao Wen offered enormous benefits. Half the output from a medium-sized copper mine would be enough to significantly boost Black Stone Territory’s military strength and financial income in a short amount of time.

But the risks were also considerable. It meant risking direct conflict with His Highness Eliot.

However, if he didn’t help and allowed Alan Rickman to take control of the Red Leaf Earl’s Domain with His Highness’s support, a powerful potential threat would emerge to the north of Black Stone Territory.

A Red Leaf Earl’s Domain completely aligned with His Highness would undoubtedly be detrimental to the future development of Black Stone Territory.

’This cup is filled with honey, but it might also hide poison.’

"What is the military strength of the Red Leaf Earl’s Domain? How much Power does Lord Gao Wen have at his command? And Alan Rickman?" Raylo asked after a moment of contemplation.

Marcus’s spirits lifted. He knew that since Raylo hadn’t refused outright, there was still a chance.