Chapter 66: 66 Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 66: 66. Unexpected Delight

On this journey through the woods leading to Mountainwood Town, Rowan spent five and a half days. To accommodate the condition of the slaves, he traveled remarkably slowly.

Along the way, he reached the twenty-eighth day since crossing over—which marked exactly one month in this world. Rowan finally received the fourth Warmhearted Gift from the monthly sign-in.

This time, the attribute points and energy essences in the Warmhearted Gift were naturally a bit more than the previous three, each offering 40 points.

Thus, the monthly sign-in cycle concluded, and with the arrival of September 1st, a new cycle began.

Rowan could now tally the amount of attribute points and energy essences he could obtain each month through monthly sign-in at the baron stage: 139 points and 115 points respectively.

It seemed modest, but accumulated over time, it was quite substantial.

Before arriving at Mountainwood Town, Rowan exhausted all the attribute points and energy essences obtained from sign-ins.

His current level progress was now:

【Level】：2 - Intermediate Knight (12/200)；2 - Intermediate Mage (251/300)

If nothing unexpected occurred, he could break through to dual-profession advanced level in over a month.

Elrond's level progress had also increased to Intermediate Mage · Light (131/300), and in over a month, he too could break through to become an Advanced Mage.

At that time, a small Mountainwood Town would have four advanced professionals. Imagining this was truly thrilling.

Additionally, although Rowan did not allocate points to Macken this time, the latter managed to increase his cultivation progress by two points through self-practice.

Compared to Elrond, Macken's aptitude was slightly inferior.

If both dedicated themselves fully to cultivation, the former might increase his cultivation progress by about four points per month, while the latter might gain around nine points.

For now, Rowan couldn't accurately estimate Redal's self-cultivation speed. However, considering Redal possessed Radiant Aptitude, it should be faster than Elrond's.

The only dissatisfaction Rowan felt was that once Macken and the other two reached advanced peak level, they would need him, as their master, to break through first before they could become Bronze Knights or Grand Mages.

If they could break through independently, that would be ideal.

"This is Mountainwood Castle."

Rowan pointed to the castle ahead and introduced it to Redal: "Currently, Macken, Elrond, and you are all arranged to live in the inner castle. Tom and David reside in the outer castle. Later, as the town's planning and construction proceed, I will build residences for you, and you can move there then."

The three seemed not particularly enthusiastic about this. Macken even remarked: "My lord, I am your guard officer and should accompany you at all times. I don’t need to live outside."

Redal and Elrond shrugged, seemingly expressing that they also didn’t require it.

Tom thought the lord's proposal was quite good, but since the others showed no interest, he didn’t express anything.

Rowan laughed heartily and teased: "Why? When you marry and have children later, will your entire family live here freeloading?"

Uh…

Macken was stunned by this remark and momentarily unsure how to refute. Honestly, he hadn’t considered this question.

"My lord, can we also marry and have children?" he asked somewhat uncertainly.

Rowan scrutinized Macken from head to toe, puzzled: "Why? Can't you? No fertility?"

He suspiciously glanced at Elrond and Redal nearby. If Tom weren’t present, he might have asked if they also lacked fertility.

Such a gaze evidently touched the souls of the three as men.

Macken flushed: "No, no, my lord, you misunderstand…"

Elrond shook his head repeatedly: "My lord, I should have no problem, indeed, no problem!"

Redal also waved his hands: "My lord, don’t look at me, I have no problem either."

Tom scratched his head; the topic had suddenly become uncomfortable for him. To prevent misunderstandings, he emphasized: "I… probably have no problem either? My lord, I can still raise the covers in the morning."

Rowan glanced at Tom; this guy was definitely boasting. Usually appearing honest and sincere, he didn’t hesitate when bragging.

Returning to the main topic, Rowan assumed a serious expression: "I never said you couldn’t marry and have children. On the contrary, I hope you can have many children for me, contributing to the growth and expansion of Mountainwood Town."

A few jokes actually made his relationship with his subordinates closer. As Rowan approached the castle, David strode out with guards.

"Welcome back, my lord!"

"Thank you for your hard work!"

Rowan acknowledged and simultaneously introduced to Redal: "This is 'David,' whom I mentioned—the only guard among those I brought from Umber Castle who became a professional knight."

David looked at Redal, unaware of his identity. But since the lord specially introduced him to this person, the red-haired young man must be extraordinary.

David performed a knight's salute to him and respectfully reported to Rowan: "My lord, when you left, I was the only one, but now I am not."

"Oh?" Rowan raised his eyebrows, eyes gleaming: "Someone else broke through?"

"Yes!"

David happily said: "Juwett and Sim both broke through."

Rowan was slightly surprised: "Two?"

"Yes, two!"

David explained: "Juwett broke through on the fourth day after you left. Sim broke through later, just the evening before yesterday."

"Excellent, excellent!"

Rowan was very pleased; thus, the number of supernatural beings in the territory increased again.

Regardless of their only primary strength, once they awakened the Seed of Fighting Spirit, their combat ability could visibly outpace ordinary people.

"Tom, later inform Chahar and the kitchen. Tonight, the castle will hold a banquet. All supernatural beings are to attend, celebrating Mountainwood Town gaining two—no, three professional knights!"

"Additionally, tomorrow morning, gather all guards and servants in front of the outer castle hall. All supernatural beings should also attend. I will settle your salaries for last month."

The first time paying employees, the occasion should be grand.

Later, such tasks Rowan would assign to Chahar.

Hearing the lord would pay salaries, everyone smiled. Receiving money—who wouldn’t be happy?

Especially the guards stationed at the castle entrance; hearing this, their hearts blossomed with joy.

It proved the lord was benevolent and trustworthy; all promises made to them at Umber Castle were being fulfilled.

To follow such a lord and become his trusted troops was truly a blessing bestowed upon them by the Seven Gods.

Meanwhile, they envied Juwett and Sim, stepping into the realm of professional knights, now different from them.

When could they also break through and become supernatural beings?

Ah, perhaps they really needed to train diligently every day, like Juwett and Sim.

Was there a way to break through without training?

The guards' thoughts drifted widely, soon returning to salaries. With this money, they wondered where to spend it.

Seems Mountainwood Town doesn’t even have a tavern?

(End of Chapter)