Chapter 416: Return

Time flew swiftly, and before he knew it, the end of May had arrived.

Luo Ning celebrated his second birthday in Zilei Territory since crossing over.

“My lord, you summoned us!”

Macken and Saimon entered, weary from their journey, dust still clinging to their boots.

On the third day after Luo Ning’s arrival in Zilei, Macken had ridden a griffin ahead to take charge; the two knight squads he’d recently assembled followed slowly under their respective captains.

In the days that followed, with Saimon’s help, Macken familiarized himself with local affairs and gradually assumed control of daily governance.

Luo Ning could see clearly—Macken was deeply enthusiastic about serving as governor, throwing himself into every task with vigor.

Beside him, Saimon, initially assigned merely as an assistant, had been awed by Macken’s strength. Being earth-aligned like Macken, he had received much guidance and insight.

One revelation after another convinced Saimon that his gamble had not only paid off—it had triumphed beyond imagination.

“June is nearly here,” Luo Ning said. “I’ll soon make a trip to Goldenfeather City. Today, I return to Wubei Territory.”

The fourteenth of June marked the decennial Founding Ceremony of Ordoin Kingdom—both he and Rulans would attend.

“Zilei has over seventy-eight thousand souls. Beyond maintaining current farming and horse breeding, you must select more young, strong recruits for training. The standing knight corps here should grow to three full regiments—you’re still far from that goal.”

Though the number three seemed small, the pressure behind it weighed heavily upon him.

He currently commanded only three knight squads—seven short of even one full regiment.

Yet, thanks to Lord Luo’s growing reputation, many professional knights from other cities within Haidre County had begun arriving. He had already tasked Saimon with vetting them.

Saimon jotted down the figure silently.

For mere defense of Zilei, two or three squads would suffice—why form entire regiments?

But Luo Ning’s military buildup wasn’t aimed at the beasts of Blackpine Mountains, nor at rival nobles within Haidre. It was directed eastward—at Vela Duchy.

Saimon suspected this, though he couldn’t tell whether his lord intended only defense—or if he dreamed of marching eastward when the moment came.

Either way, the lord’s ambitions ran deep.

This was Saimon’s chance to rise. At the thought of reclaiming his own fief one day, his heart burned with resolve.

After further instructions, Luo Ning announced that Wilson would soon arrive with experienced hands to guide crop cultivation. Then he called forth Carloz and soared into the sky.

“Master, Blackpine holds no fearsome beasts—nothing compared to the Wushan Wilds,” Carloz rumbled. Since being elevated to late-stage Level Six, his voice had grown bolder.

“When Zilei flourishes, we’ll expand into Blackpine,” Luo Ning replied with a smile, opening his attribute panel.

Over a month’s accumulation had granted him 645 stat points—all invested into his mage level.

Now, he poured another 555 energy essences into Carloz. The dragon’s progress bar advanced: Level Six (10,203 / 12,500).

This trip to Goldenfeather required a dragon—and the stronger Carloz, the better.

“Ow~”

Feeling his power surge once more, Carloz let out joyful cries, darting through the air like an ecstatic child.

Luo Ning laughed, reclining on the dragon’s back, legs crossed, gazing at the drifting clouds.

No achievements beckoned at present. To elevate Carloz to Level Seven would take seven more months.

As for himself—breaking into Radiant Knight or Archmage ranks—would take over two years.

“The monthly marquis-level sign-in reward feels insufficient now,” he mused.

“If only I could become a marquis…”

His brow furrowed. That title might take longer than two or three years.

Currently, he held only the rank of Baron of Jiliu Island in the kingdom’s records.

Baron, Viscount, Count… each step demanded mountains of battlefield merit.

“They say Trisia Kingdom grows restless lately—border defenses shifting. War between our nations may ignite soon.”

To Luo Ning, this was good news. Only in chaos could one fish in murky waters.

Yet there were other paths to marquis, even duke—such as declaring oneself king.

Given the chance, he could found his own duchy, crown himself sovereign.

But such dreams belonged to fantasy. In reality, declare yourself king today, and by tomorrow you’d be surrounded and crushed from all sides.

“For now, focus lies in stockpiling grain and expanding the army.”

Per Luo Ning’s initial plan, he envisioned four knight regiments near Shore City, three in Zilei, three each in Wubei and Stonefort, four on Jiliu Island—eight regiments total.

Only then would his power be unshakable.

Carloz flew smoothly, and lulled by the rhythm, Luo Ning drifted into peaceful sleep.

When he opened his eyes again, he was above Marsh Town. Garen and Bella, having sensed his arrival, had already come to greet him.

News of Wushan Fortress’s victory had spread across every city in the territory. Wilson, Chakhar, and others at Marsh Keep had heard it too.

They rejoiced for their lord—and longed for his swift return.

After savoring a hearty family meal, Luo Ning plunged into work.

First, he questioned Wilson about spring planting, then inspected rice paddies and potato fields—both thriving, promising abundant seeds this harvest.

“My lord, Elderlon has arrived,” Garen announced.

Elderlon hadn’t come to report on potion research—but to deliver news.

“My lord, a foreign vessel has docked at Wubei Port.”

He reported, “A woman named ‘Sophia’ leads them. From what I observed, her faintly radiating spiritual aura matches my own level.”

Luo Ning set down his report, stunned. “Are you certain?”

“Yes,” Elderlon affirmed. “She sought me out, wishing to meet you—to speak with you. And the three knights beside her… they are no ordinary men.”

Luo Ning’s brow darkened. A strange ship in Wubei was troubling enough—but visitors of such terrifying strength?

“A Mage Master… who could she be?”

He could draw no conclusion. “Where are they now?”

“They came by two days ago, asked around, then left on a magic carpet back to their ship at Wubei Port. They said to send word when you returned—they’ll come to pay respects.”

Luo Ning turned sharply. “You said… magic carpet?”

He’d never heard the term outside games.

Elderlon nodded. “Yes, my lord. A magic carpet.”

He added, “It resembles the ones from my memory. I suspect…”

Luo Ning sucked in a breath.

Could it be? Had people from *that* continent finally found him?

He frowned, pondering for a moment, then said, "Since they wish to speak with me, send someone to inform them that I have returned." (End of chapter)