[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela":3,"chapter-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-84":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Exiled from the Start and Dominating the Wasteland with an Intelligence System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1688684,2155,"Chapter 84 : Chapter 84","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>Chapter 84. Returning to the Nest\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning to Obsidian Territory, Eli pushed open the heavy wooden door of the lord’s keep, and a familiar atmosphere washed over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the fortress was unusually quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aila?” His voice echoed through the empty hall, but no one answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An inexplicable sense of disappointment quietly crept into his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Estor!” he called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost immediately, a side door opened, and Estor appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master! You’re finally back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurried forward, intending to help Eli remove his travel-worn outer cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is Aila?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli waved him off, indicating there was no need, while his gaze swept across the empty space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady went to Lucerne City,” Estor replied at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Brandon had several urgent documents concerning the planning of the new city that needed her personal review and approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My lady said that since you were away, she would go oversee things herself. She left with the guard the morning before yesterday, and she likely will not be back for a little while yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady was very worried about you. Before she left, she told me several times that the moment you returned, I was to send a raven to inform her that you were safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warmth stirred in Eli’s heart, and he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. I’ll have Coalball make the trip later. Tell me how things have been these past few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estor immediately slipped into the rhythm of a report. “Yes, Young Master. While you were away, everything has been operating according to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new section of the city wall under Old John’s supervision is still under construction. It uses a combination of rammed earth and stone, and it is extremely sturdy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Hadi reported that sowing on the newly reclaimed northern slope fields went smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spring seedlings are growing well. As long as the rains hold, the harvest should be promising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Vick also purchased twenty new packhorses from Thorne City. They have already been put into the stables, and they’re in excellent condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Scholar Alva’s schoolhouse has officially begun classes. There are a total of one hundred and twenty-one children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ve been divided into two classes by age. The scholar complains constantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but he teaches quite seriously. It’s just that those little mud monkeys are far too rowdy in class...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that every part of the territory was progressing steadily, a trace of satisfaction appeared on Eli’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Estor’s next words made his brows draw together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The last matter may be a little troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past few days, the patrols have caught several suspicious fellows around the outer edge of Obsidian Territory Valley, as well as near the trade road leading to Lucerne City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their clothing and accents, they do not seem to be local drifters. They look more like... scouts with some training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were stubborn under interrogation and insisted they were merely hunters who had lost their way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But... Lord Buck suspects they are scouts sent by Sabda of House Medici.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli’s gaze turned razor-sharp at once. “House Medici.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estor nodded gravely. “That is my guess as well, Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Sabda’s Runestone City is not all that far from us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has only just secured his footing, and yet he is already sending men to probe us. I fear... he comes with ill intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli’s brow furrowed tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That viper Sabda had barely been granted his barony before he began extending his claws impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he issued his order decisively. “Estor, go bring Aika to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, steady footsteps sounded outside the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure of Knight Captain Aika appeared at the doorway. “My lord, you summoned me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Eli’s voice was low and steady. “There may be movement on Runestone City’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Select several clever, reliable men at once, travel light, and scout the area around Runestone City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your priorities are to investigate the size of their garrison, their defenses, and their grain reserves...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything unusual appears, report back immediately. Do not engage them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord! I guarantee the mission will be completed!” Aika struck his chest in salute, then turned and strode away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Eli finished giving instructions to Aika than Buck’s broad frame filled the study doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was dark enough to wring water from, and in his tiger-like eyes was a rare, undisguised reproach fixed directly on Eli’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, you finally found your way back, did you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You went alone into a cursed place like the Forgotten Rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you have any idea what would happen to Obsidian Territory if anything happened to you? What would happen to Lucerne City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This little foundation you built with such effort would turn into loose sand in an instant without an heir to hold it together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why must you always be so fond of risking your life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That string of questions left Eli too embarrassed to lift his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his nose awkwardly, misery he could never explain welling up inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he supposed to tell this loyal, upright old knight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he had followed an elven princess who could casually crush a Gold Tier powerhouse to death with one hand into the Forgotten Rift to raid an ancient tomb— and then triggered a trap in someone else’s mausoleum and wound up in an absurd farce with Her Highness the Princess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Buck,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli drew a deep breath, his expression utterly sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I failed to think it through and took far too great a risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I promise you, there will never be a next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was resolute. “I swear it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buck stared fixedly into Eli’s eyes, as though trying to judge whether there was any falsehood in his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several seconds later, the oppressive force around him eased slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a heavy snort, apparently accepting the promise for the time being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, the two hundred new recruits you requested have already been enlisted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buck shifted back to business, as though the anger from a moment ago had been nothing but an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I selected them all according to your requirements. They are sturdy young men with decent foundations, and I have personally been drilling them for the past few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli’s eyes lit up. “Good! Captain Buck, you’ve worked hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those special longswords forged by Master Glenn...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve already been distributed,” Buck cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They were given first to the veterans of the Black Crow Knights and the thirty best-performing recruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those lads got their hands on the new weapons, they started howling like wolves. Their enthusiasm for training has risen quite a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rare trace of satisfaction appeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!” Eli praised him, then abruptly changed the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, our neighbor, Baron Sabda of Runestone City, may now also have Gold Tier strength under his command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buck’s thick brows rose. “Oh? Is the intelligence reliable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buck stroked the stubble on his chin, cold light flickering in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Gold Tier powerhouse... that is indeed troublesome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Buck’s words, Eli’s thoughts drifted back to Shadow Vale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should have dealt with Sabda back then and spared himself this nuisance now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck, and a bold thought surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned slightly forward. “Captain Buck, what do you think... if we were to send someone to Runestone City right now and speak with enough sincerity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>say that we are willing to acknowledge him as the Alliance Lord of the Southwestern Pioneer Alliance and invite him to Obsidian Territory to convene a meeting...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and then, when he arrives for the banquet...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli made a crisp chopping gesture across the air with the side of his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“End it once and for all. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Eli’s previous life, there had been no method simpler or more effective than this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, countless great men had fallen to exactly this move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hold a meeting. Kill the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corner of Captain Buck’s mouth twitched uncontrollably several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt as though his knightly code had suffered an unprecedented blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took several deep breaths before finally speaking in a tone of near helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord... your idea is certainly... original.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is a good idea. Though somewhat... despicable. The problem is that Sabda is not a fool, nor is he reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has already suffered at your hands once and lost face because of it. And now we have captured his men. He will be more wary than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you truly think he would believe in our sudden submission and step onto your territory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli fell silent under that question, and the heat in his head quickly cooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the muddled, disordered mind that had been thrown into confusion by Irene and Aila alike, and gradually calmed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, you’re right. It was only a wild thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The urgent matter now is still to strengthen our defenses and wait for Aika’s intelligence before deciding anything further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his lord return to his usual calm, Buck nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. I will continue watching over the recruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the scouts, I will have the patrols double their manpower and expand the warning perimeter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said no more. After striking his chest in salute, he turned and left, his heavy footsteps gradually fading into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending Buck off, Eli returned to his desk and began handling the accumulated documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aila had clearly taken on most of the work while he was away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained for him to decide were relatively important matters, though none were urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A draft setting the dividend ratio for the Lucerne City merchant guild,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a decree exempting freefolk who reclaimed wasteland from taxes for three years,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>an approval request from the mines asking for increased food rations for the miners...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli handled them swiftly, his pen flying across the page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the last scroll of parchment was rolled up and tied shut, the study fell completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire in the hearth flickered, casting its glow across Eli’s contemplative face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then an indescribably complicated wave of emotion rose within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was he supposed to face Aila?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the study door was suddenly thrown open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slender figure rushed in like a gust of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Aila.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had clearly ridden all the way back from Lucerne City at full speed. Dust clung to her clothes, and her hair was slightly disordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not even have the breath to speak. In a few quick steps, she rushed straight to Eli—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and threw her arms tightly around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She buried her face deep against his neck, her warm breath brushing his skin with a faint tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli stiffened for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then all his conflict and unease\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>seemed to be scattered, at least for now, by the force of that desperate embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So be it if that made him a scoundrel...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his arms and wrapped them tightly around the faintly trembling body in his arms as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chin rested lightly atop her soft hair as he breathed in the familiar scent of grass and leaves in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m back,” Eli said, his voice calm and steady beside her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aila did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only held him more tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That silent embrace said more than a thousand words.\u003C\u002Fp>",1901,"2026-06-06T13:50:45.844Z",1,"novelbin.me","8f16d66cb58831ebe60f53d5e3ed70fc7c0bb6e2000276d86e8b6f4ee753b498","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-85","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-83",112,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fexiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-cover.jpg"]