Chapter 48: 48 Surprise Discovery

Chapter 48: A Surprising Discovery

Accompanied by three professional knights, Ronin began a new round of inspecting his territory.

With yesterday's disappointing experience, his expectations for today were significantly diminished.

Today, he had no intention of continuing his assessment of farming; instead, he headed west, eager to gain a clear understanding of the western geography before the onset of winter.

Unlike the east, traveling westward revealed rolling hills, with flat areas being relatively scarce.

As Ronin walked, he recorded distinct landmarks on a piece of parchment, bestowing names upon them.

Take, for instance, the naturally formed lake before him, cradled amidst three mountains within a natural depression, spanning an estimated five to six hundred square meters.

According to Tom, several species of wild fish thrived in this lake; Pulinster had even dispatched men to catch them, a task far simpler than fishing in the eastern forest lakes.

Because of its proximity to the Black Mountains, Ronin named it "Black Mountain Lake."

Following Black Mountain Lake further west, one began to enter the territory of the Black Mountain Range, which, theoretically, did not belong to Ronin's domain.

However, no noble harbored any desire to reclaim land in this place, so there was no issue with Ronin utilizing its resources.

"Before coming to Forest Town, Holwart, the steward of Black Mountain Castle, once told me that the previous baron of this place took his family out for an excursion in the winter and died beneath the talons of a magical beast!"

Gazing at the increasingly dense woods, Ronin shared what he had heard. "Macken, when winter arrives, the matter of the magical beasts will be entrusted to you. At that time, you must secure a few more magical beast pelts for me!"

Macken, now clad in armor, struck his chest heavily. "My Lord, I have great confidence!"

Ronin laughed aloud.

It was only just past the fifteenth of August, with four months remaining until winter. By then, Macken would not only be a high-ranking knight but should also rank in the upper-middle tier among them.

Such strength was sufficient to contend with ordinary magical beasts, unless a truly massive creature appeared, much like what had happened to the previous Baron Green of Lake Town.

"Tom, do many magical beasts invade the town during winter?"

As a native born and raised in Forest Town, Tom possessed a significant voice in this matter.

"Some magical beasts do indeed come down the mountain in winter to forage for food, but please rest assured, My Lord, it is not as exaggerated as that steward claimed. Most are wolves, boars, and the like

McKen growled fiercely and swung with extreme violence toward the trunk.

Bang!

The tremendous impact shook the black iron tree violently. McKen’s longsword was not repelled but instead split through the bark of the black iron tree, cutting in about thirty centimeters before it could no longer advance.

An intermediate knight in the mid-late stage, using a sharp longsword and delivering a full-power strike, had failed to sever the tree—this alone demonstrated its extraordinary hardness.

McKen flushed with shame at having lost face before his lord, but Ronin clapped his hands joyfully.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

Such sturdy wood was rare, and its value was considerable.

"Is it called the 'black iron tree'?" Ronin asked.

Tom bowed. "No one has named it, my lord. We refer to this place as the black forest and simply call them 'black trees.'"

"Then from today onward, it shall be known as the black iron tree."

Ronin was pleased. "Come, knights—cut down a tree and bring it back so I may study it."

(End of chapter.)