Chapter 168: Mountain Ape

After testing her physical capabilities and combat strength, the group finally returned to the inn.

Gogris was essentially similar to Charlotte—both were responsible for logistics.

She couldn’t effortlessly crush a Tier Three knight like combat-type Divine Chosen. In fact, she couldn’t even defeat Phield.

However, her displayed talent in research and craftsmanship held tremendous potential.

"My lord, we’ve found what you were looking for."

Phield had just sat down when two soldiers returned to report.

"My lord, this is the missing bounty for Miss Grolova. It was posted a month ago at five hundred gold coins, and later increased to two thousand."

The soldiers respectfully handed over the bounty notices from different dates.

"You’ve done well."

Phield scanned them twice and rewarded each of them with two silver coins.

"Much lower than I expected."

He had thought it would be tens of thousands of gold coins, but it had started at only five hundred. After being a lord for so long, he had subconsciously begun treating gold coins as mere numbers.

"Inform everyone. Prepare to depart—we’ll escort Miss Grolova back home." Phield tapped his fingers lightly on the table, producing a dull knocking sound. "I’m curious about what exactly happened in the Mountain Ape territory."

"D-d-d..."

Just as the two soldiers left, Gogris, who had been standing beside him, suddenly began trembling uncontrollably.

"What’s wrong? Are you okay?"

Phield noticed the shock in her pupils, her legs shaking so badly that, to an outsider, it might look like she was playing some kind of "master’s command" game.

"I... I’ve seen her." Gogris struggled internally for a moment, then pointed at the portrait on the bounty notice, her voice trembling. "My lord, I shouldn’t speak carelessly about nobles, but..."

"You don’t need to have any concerns here."

Knowing her mindset wouldn’t change overnight, Phield gently stroked her head, patiently comforting her.

"It’s like this..."

The memory resurfaced, and Gogris began to tremble uncontrollably.

Her tribe had been invaded by slavers. With no one to rely on, she had naturally been captured. Because of her frail body, no one wanted to buy her.

Most people bought slaves for labor. Although fox beastfolk were beautiful, they were regarded as an "unclean race born of humans and livestock." Even men buying female slaves would prefer those with curvier bodies or fuller chests.

With both the conditions of being a beastfolk and a young girl, no one would buy a useless little fox girl just for her looks.

After changing hands multiple times, she was bought by Simon. Still unwanted, she was eventually used for beast fighting.

"When I was imprisoned, the human companion locked up with me... she was bought by that woman."

Phield pondered for a moment. "Was she also a girl?"

"Yes. Even younger than me. But she only buys humans. I overheard the guards saying... she buys girls to... become more beautiful."

"Become more beautiful?"

Phield was completely confused. He couldn’t make sense of it at all.

What did buying young girls have to do with becoming beautiful?

"Don’t be afraid. It’s all in the past. With me here, no one can bully you. That woman has nothing to do with us—I’m only escorting her back for the reward."

Phield understood why the little fox was trembling.

She feared he might be connected to Grolova. After all, he held her portrait and intended to escort her home—anyone would overthink that.

"Mm."

The little fox nodded obediently, her eyes misty as she leaned into Phield’s arms.

"Don’t be afraid." Phield patted her shoulder.

Her soft, gentle breathing brushed against his skin through the fabric, ticklish.

After comforting Gogris, Phield said thoughtfully, "Since you’ve seen her, we need to be cautious in case she recognizes you. We’ll proceed carefully and avoid unnecessary trouble."

He handed Gogris a mask. "The world probably believes you’re dead, so disguise yourself. No need to attract unwanted curiosity."

"I’ll follow your instructions."

Once the army was assembled, Phield led them toward the Mountain Ape territory.

The Mountain Ape territory lay at the border between High Castle Province and Rick Province, not far from the Maple Leaf territory.

The common explanation for its name was that a type of monkey lived there, whose eyeballs were valuable magical materials, and people made a living by raising them.

But among nobles, it was known that the grandfather of Baron Mountain Ape had been a notorious bandit, nicknamed "Mountain Ape." He had commanded a guerrilla force of raiders, amassed great wealth through plunder, and then, through unknown means, obtained a barony.

After becoming a baron, however, he faded into mediocrity. Without strength or lineage, the family struggled to gain a foothold among the nobility.

As a result, the Mountain Ape family had no allies and no Divine Chosen. If not for the defensibility of Mountain Ape City and its lack of wealth, it would have been annexed long ago.

They marched swiftly. After two days, Phield arrived within the territory.

As they traveled, the environment changed noticeably. The Maple Leaf territory was filled with flowers and maple trees, while the Mountain Ape territory was rich with untamed nature.

Dense forests. Deep mountain paths.

"The vegetation is so dense—and there’s plenty of mountain produce."

At a glance, everything looked edible.

Phield dismounted and took a deep breath. Such scenery couldn’t be found in the Nightfall Domain. With a casual glance, he spotted clusters of mushrooms, deer occasionally darting through the woods, and even sensed the presence of weak magical beasts.

"In the mountains, I can hear all kinds of animal calls," Phield said seriously, spouting nonsense. "That’s a snow leopard. That’s a lynx."

"This one’s a fox."

He patted Gogris, who was clinging to him.

Gogris lowered her head shyly.

Rosalia, hidden within the greatsword, looked confused. "Why can’t I hear anything?"

"Ahem. I can identify cute creatures at a glance."

After teasing the two bewildered women, Phield couldn’t help but sigh.

"The natural resources here are truly abundant. Compared to this, my territory is practically barren."

Rosalia refused to accept that. "Nightfall Domain has me—and my kind."

Phield perked up. "That’s true. The greatest resource of the northern province is actually groups of adorable Divine Chosen—just a bit unfriendly."

As dusk approached, to avoid falling off cliffs in the mountain terrain, Phield decided to set up camp early.

"Head to the flat ground near the stream. We’ll rest there for the night," Phield ordered loudly.

Taking in the surrounding scenery, he enthusiastically chose a good spot and began setting up a temporary camp.

As the army settled, Grolova, hearing the commotion outside, opened the small door of the carriage and immediately complained, "This carriage is terrible—creaking nonstop. As a noble, can’t you even afford a better one?"

"Please bear with it a little longer, miss. You’ll be home soon enough."

Phield didn’t bother saying more. He leaped onto a large rock and used his divine artifact telescope to scan the surroundings.

Grolova rolled her eyes. Seeing his indifferent attitude, her irritation was obvious. Under her breath, she muttered, "Useless backwater lord... and he dares use the surname Ross. Probably an impostor."

"This is already Mountain Ape territory—my family’s land. I’ve tolerated you long enough. How dare you speak to me like that."

Grolova stepped down from the carriage and strode toward the rock, intending to scold him. But when she met Phield’s cold, indifferent gaze, she suddenly recalled how he had slaughtered corpses in the Nightfall Domain without blinking. Her tone shifted instantly.

"My knight, you should provide proper treatment to a noble lady. I believe anyone of noble blood would do the same."

"Oh? And what do you require?" Phield raised an eyebrow.

"Your maid." Grolova showed no restraint. "Her will do. Just a lowly beast anyway—hand her over to me."

Gogris’s ears twitched, and she immediately became tense and uneasy. Fortunately, she was wearing a mask, or her teary expression would have been obvious.

Despite gaining extraordinary power, her fragile heart couldn’t change overnight.

Phield didn’t hesitate. "No. She’s mine—closely attached. I can’t sleep without her."

"Phew..."

Gogris hid her hands behind her back, letting out a long breath of relief, secretly delighted.

"So what if she’s close to you? She’s just a toy. How much? Name your price." Grolova rolled her eyes. "If not, sell me your human maid. I’ll pay five gold coins—that’s enough to buy a better-looking slave."

Sitting on the rock, Phield rested his chin on his hand, his tone completely flat. "I won’t repeat myself. Return to your carriage, or I can’t guarantee your safety."

"This is Mountain Ape territory. No one dares touch me! This is my family’s land!" Grolova snapped sharply.

"Oh? I’ve heard there are plenty of bandits nearby. They might not recognize you."

Phield’s eyelids lowered slightly as his left hand rested on his sword hilt. This steel blade had already cut down countless creatures—he clearly wouldn’t mind adding one more.

He might as well kill her, raise the black raven banner, and loot the entire Mountain Ape territory.

In this era, physical solutions worked especially well on unreasonable fools.

"You...!"

Cold sweat broke out on Grolova’s back. She glared at Phield, then turned and hurried back to the carriage without another word.

"Forget it. I’ll take the baron’s money first, then plunder."

Direct looting wasn’t efficient enough. Better to visit the baron’s castle first.

"Squad One, gather fresh fruits and vegetables. Squad Two, go hunting. Don’t stray too far—return before sunset."

"Yes, my lord!"

The soldiers were thrilled, knowing this was a chance for a feast. They set off eagerly.

The mountains were considered private noble property—sacred and untouchable. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare disturb them.

But as a noble himself, Phield didn’t care in the slightest.

Not only was Baron Mountain Ape of equal rank, he also had no backing. At the very least, Phield could still leverage the Ross family name. Most crucially, the baron had no Divine Chosen.

Soon, the soldiers returned with piles of game.

Warm campfires were lit, and mountain bamboo shoots simmered in pots.

The maid Meg worked hard to skewer meat and roast it over the fire. The aroma quickly spread through the air.

The soldiers imitated her clumsily, trying their hand at cooking.

"The Mountain Ape territory is too quiet... did urbanization go a bit too well?" Phield felt something was off. He released a black raven. "Go take a look from above."