Chapter 226: Letters and Intelligence

Hum~

Before the cave of the eerie valley, the earth trembled, and several earthen walls surged upward, sealing the cave’s entrance completely.

Carlos, resting nearby, watched as the place that had imprisoned him for so many years was finally shut away—his heart stirred with uncontainable excitement.

Yesterday, inside the cave, Ronin had asked him whether he wanted the underground palace as his nest. He had rejected it without hesitation.

This place was the shadow of his dragon life—he would rather endure wind and rain outside than step inside again.

Once the entrance was sealed, the group turned back, concluding their unusual mission that had spanned nearly eight or nine days.

Ronin did not travel with them.

After a night’s rest and two hearty meals of roasted wild boar, Carlos had regained some strength. Ronin rode atop the dragon’s back all the way back to Woodland Town.

As the mountains and valleys blurred beneath his gaze, he felt a profound sense of peace.

On the way here, they had trudged through dense forests, taking nearly five days just to reach the outskirts of the eerie valley.

Now, perched upon the dragon’s back, Ronin could already make out the distant outline of the town within moments.

“There—that’s the Wushan Beast Mountain Range.”

Ronin pointed toward the endless, rolling peaks. “It teems with beasts. When you’re hungry, you can hunt there for food.”

Carlos let out a joyous roar, its voice piercing the clouds and sending flocks of birds scattering into flight.

His frostfire wings could finally soar freely through heaven and earth! He could choose his own prey at last!

Ronin continued giving instructions—no eating humans, avoid high-level beasts, and so on.

He also considered finding a suitable lair on the western edge of Woodland Town for the dragon.

High-level beasts each claimed their own territories—how much more so a dragon?

With his dragon aura alone, Carlos could terrify the beasts into staying away from Woodland Town.

Then, Macken and his men wouldn’t need to patrol the Black Iron Forest so frequently, nor would they have to live in constant dread that laborers at the Ironwood Workshop might be attacked.

Soon, the man and dragon landed on a hillside.

“Alright. Remember my warnings. Don’t give me trouble.”

He patted Carlos’s head. “I’ll summon you if I need you. Now, go on your way.”

“Yes, Master!”

Carlos unfurled his wings with eager haste, vanishing into the sky amid a gust of wind.

Judging by the direction, Carlos was heading toward the Wushan Beast Mountain Range.

“He’s off to feast, then.”

Ronin chuckled, shaking his head. He descended the small hill and soon reached the path.

This road connected Woodland Town to Green Bamboo Village.

Last winter, encouraged by Ronin’s push to harvest timber for the season, the villagers had carved out a long, winding trail.

And the felling continues even now—by year’s end, it should reach Green Bamboo Village.

“It’s the Lord!”

“Quick, pay homage to the Lord!”

As Ronin passed through a field of wheat, the villagers working the land spotted him.

Though the villagers’ living standards hadn’t dramatically improved, at least they now enjoyed a relatively stable existence.

Through village heads, the policies issued by Woodland Castle had become clear to every subject.

They knew their duties—and what they would gain in return.

Given the Lord’s kindness, generosity, and unwavering word, they trusted his decrees wholeheartedly.

Take, for instance, the recent policy concerning pregnant women: they eagerly embraced it.

Expanding their families meant applying to the Lord’s estate for three hundred bushels of grain and other privileges—many villagers now longed for children.

Some single men, unable to find wives in town, even turned their eyes toward slaves—after all, the Lord had said slaves could marry.

As for their slave status, they didn’t care. Ten years of labor for the Lord granted them the status of serfs; their children, too, would be freed—no fear of the Lord selling them off.

Ronin paused to greet the enthusiastic villagers, offering words of encouragement, urging them to live peacefully and prosperously, assuring them that life in Woodland Town would only grow better.

He walked slowly, stopping often, and arrived at Woodland Castle just before noon.

The castle was quiet now—Eileen and Black Tiger had both relocated to Marsh Town, living with Eileen’s mother, Jennie, under Elron’s tutelage in potioncraft.

Marsh Town’s environment also suited Eileen’s training far better.

“Lord, you’ve returned?” Steward Chahar happened to be at the castle.

“The mission is done. I came back early.”

Ronin said, “Have the kitchen prepare lunch. Also, has Rogner returned?”

“Sir Rogner is in town. He brought over five hundred people recruited by Baron Cona to Woodland Town—Wilson is settling them now.”

“Also, Piersen and his caravan have returned from Wushan City. They sold all the ironwood armor and weapons for 272 gold coins—all placed in the drawer of your study.”

The ironwood workshop’s output had increased; Galil’s order was completed ahead of schedule, and Rogner’s journey provided the perfect opportunity to deliver them to Wushan City.

“Additionally, the message bird brought a letter from Wushan Castle.”

Ronin’s eyes brightened. The message bird network had been operational for some time—finally, he could exchange letters with the outside world.

“Where’s the letter?”

“On your desk in the study.”

Ronin entered his study. The letter was enclosed in a linen sack. Unfolding it, he found a parchment covered in script—clearly written by Rulans.

The first part was warm greetings. Perhaps age, or the lingering backlash of the Soul-Devouring Surge, had made him verbose.

But then came the note: May 25th was approaching. He hoped Ronin would come to Wushan Castle for his birthday, and urged him to consider the possibility of becoming betrothed to Branci.

“I didn’t realize my birthday was so near.”

Ronin laughed softly—he’d forgotten entirely.

“If the old man can’t travel, then I’ll go. Consider it a visit.”

The affairs of his domain were progressing steadily. His absence for a while wouldn’t disrupt anything.

As for the betrothal to Branci—it seemed the Princess had finally shown positive interest.

Ronin didn’t resist such a union. Branci wasn’t unattractive, and her demeanor seemed agreeable.

More importantly, marrying a royal princess would grant him another status entirely.

He pondered, took out a fresh parchment, and began drafting his reply to Rulans.

He mentioned only that he would attend the birthday celebration—about the betrothal, he would wait.

*Knock. Knock.*

The door was tapped.

“Enter.”

Rogner pushed open the door and greeted with a smile, “My lord, it’s been so long!”

“I just heard from Chahar that you’ve returned, so I came to report.”

“You’ve worked hard, Rogner.”

Roning chuckled, “Klami is still on the way back—she’ll likely arrive at Black Earth Town in four or five days.”

“Thank you, my lord, for looking after Klami.”

“I didn’t look after her—she was on a mission in the woods, under terrible conditions.”

Roning smiled. “You’ve got a fiercely determined fiancée. When are you two planning to marry?”

Rogner scratched his head, clearly unprepared for the question.

“We’d planned for this year, but after discussing it with Klami, we decided to build a small courtyard in Marsh Town. Once it’s done, we’ll talk about the wedding.”

They’ve both left their families now—so the wedding will naturally take place in their own home.

“No problem. Just tell Wilson which plot you’ve set your eyes on—he’ll give it to you free of charge.”

Roning grinned. “Then hold the wedding right here in Marsh Keep!”

“Thank you, my lord, for your immense kindness!”

Rogner bowed with a smile, then grew solemn. “My lord, I’ve acquired intelligence on my recent journey that I must convey to you.”

Roning raised an eyebrow. Last time, Rogner brought news of Baron Raisen’s trial—what now?

“Speak.”

“I’ve heard that since April, the Polant Bandits have been growing restless in the southwestern reaches of the Wushan fief.”

Rogner continued, “Many suspect these thieves may be preparing to stir up trouble along the border.” (End of chapter)