Chapter 103

In the following days, the iron mines and forging workshops of Vanguard Valley entered an unprecedentedly busy period.

The Dwarf artisans, led by Bagelumu, worked day and night.

Human artisans also assisted from the side, learning the miraculous forging techniques of the Dwarf race.

The cooperation between the two sides became closer and more harmonious under a common goal.

Large amounts of ore were mined and sent into the furnaces.

The smelted Obsidian Gold ingots were then sent to the forging tables, gradually taking shape under the thousand-hammering of the Dwarf artisans.

Pieces of weapons and armor shimmering with dark gold light were produced one after another.

Although the output was still not high, every piece was the best of the best.

Hart, as the commander of the Storm Knights, ran to the forging workshop almost every day.

He looked at the brand-new equipment, his eyes full of longing.

He knew deeply what this equipment meant for improving the combat effectiveness of the Knights.

Finally, after more than two months.

The first batch, totaling one hundred sets of complete Obsidian Gold knight equipment, was successfully delivered to the Storm Knights.

When those Storm Knights, who were usually taciturn and strictly disciplined, put on that heavy and majestic dark gold armor and picked up that incomparably sharp Obsidian Gold longsword.

The fierce and sharp momentum on them instantly rose to another level.

Under the sunlight, the dark gold armor shimmered with a cold luster.

Every knight was like a moving steel fortress, full of oppression.

"Good! Very good!"

Hart touched the brand-new armor on his body, feeling the powerful strength contained within it, unable to contain his excitement.

He could clearly feel that this set of equipment could at least increase his combat effectiveness by more than half!

Roko stood on the high platform of the martial arts field, looking at the neatly lined up, brand-new Storm Knights below.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

This was the true ace army in his mind!

"Hart."

"From today on, strengthen the training intensity of the Knights."

"Be sure to let them become familiar with the new equipment as soon as possible and bring the power of this equipment to the extreme!"

"Understood!"

With the equipment upgrade of the Storm Knights, the military strength of Vanguard Valley achieved a qualitative leap.

This well-equipped and well-trained army was already enough to deter any forces in the surrounding area with ill intentions.

And Roko's cooperation with the Stone Hammer Tribe also entered a brand-new honeymoon period.

The Dwarfs' demand for strong liquor remained like a bottomless pit.

And Roko also returned the favor, not only supplying fine wine in sufficient quantities but also providing many conveniences and support to the Stone Hammer Tribe in other aspects.

The relationship between the two sides was increasingly consolidated.

The territory of Vanguard Valley, driven by the dual forces of a population surge and an increase in military strength, presented a scene of prosperity.

However, under this seemingly excellent situation, a new cloud began to quietly shroud the sky over Vanguard Valley.

On this day, Scout Captain Bake found Roko with a solemn expression.

"Young Master, there is urgent military intelligence!"

His voice carried an unusual urgency.

Roko's brows raised slightly.

"Speak."

"According to reports from our informants planted on the northern border, for some time recently, the Orc Wasteland in the Northland seems to have been somewhat restless."

Bake said in a deep voice.

"Many scattered Orc tribes have begun to appear frequently near the northern border line of our Xin Feng Province."

"They move secretly and often cross the border to conduct tentative harassment and looting of some remote small villages and caravans."

"Orcs?"

Roko's eyes instantly became sharp.

The Orc Wasteland in the Northland borders the northern part of Xin Feng Province.

Although there is a natural mountain barrier between the two sides, small-scale conflicts often break out.

Previously, the Orcs launched a large-scale attack but were defeated by the Obsidian Legion.

The Orcs within the Orc Wasteland in the Northland became slightly more stable.

Unexpectedly, not much time had passed, and the Orcs in the Orc Wasteland in the Northland had other ideas again.

"What is the specific situation?"

Roko asked.

"According to the intelligence currently mastered, the scale of these Orc tribes is not very large, with hundreds at most,"

"and dozens at least."

Bake replied.

"Their equipment is also relatively simple, mainly based on crude bone spears and stone axes."

"It seems more like some small tribes that have been expelled by large tribes or have been forced to take risks due to food shortages."

"However..."

Bake changed the subject, the expression on his face becoming more solemn.

"Our people discovered that behind these scattered Orc tribes, there seems to be a more powerful Orc force,"

"controlling and supporting them in the dark."

"They seem to be using these small tribes to test the reality of our Xin Feng Province's border defenses."

"A more powerful Orc force?"

Roko's brows furrowed involuntarily.

This intelligence made him feel a trace of unease.

If it were just some scattered small tribes looting due to hunger, it would not be enough to fear.

But if there was organization and premeditation behind it, the situation would be completely different.

"Can you determine which large tribe is playing tricks behind the scenes?"

Roko asked.

Bake shook his head, a trace of regret appearing on his face.

"It cannot be determined for the time being."

"Those large tribes act very secretly, and it is difficult for our informants to penetrate their core areas."

"However, judging from some clues, this movement is likely related to several powerful tribes in the depths of the Orc Wasteland."

"For example, the Blood Tooth Tribe or the Black Stone Tribe."

Roko's gaze became deep.

The Blood Tooth Tribe is known for its cruelty and bloodthirstiness, while the Black Stone Tribe is known for its cunning and expertise in guerrilla tactics.

No matter which one it is, they are not easy to deal with.

"It seems that our neighbors in the north are not as peaceful as they appear on the surface."

Roko's voice carried a trace of imperceptible coldness.

Martina had been listening quietly, and at this moment, her pair of snow-white fox ears moved slightly.

"The living environment of the Orc Wasteland has always been harsh."

"Every once in a while, they will try to go south to loot due to shortages of food or resources."

"This is nothing new."

"It's just that this time, the timing they chose is somewhat subtle."

Roko looked at Martina, his eyes filled with inquiry.

"Are you saying it's related to the current situation in the Kingdom?"

Martina nodded gently, the wisdom shining in her clear white eyes.

"The Black Kingdom is in chaos, and the major forces are too busy to take care of themselves."

"The power struggle in the Royal Capital has reached a white-hot stage."

"The major provinces have also fallen into a chaotic situation of governing themselves because the teleportation arrays were destroyed."

"At such a time, the border defenses of the Kingdom will inevitably be relatively weak."

"If the leaders of those Orc tribes are not fools, they will definitely seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Fula stood quietly behind Roko, her heterochromatic pupils, intertwined with deep blue and broken gold, staring at Roko without blinking at this moment.

She could feel the faint, solemn aura emanating from her master.

The thin sword at her waist seemed to feel her master's emotions as well, emitting a faint, almost inaudible sound.

Roko pondered for a moment and tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"Martina makes sense."

"The Orcs choosing to take action at this time is by no means accidental."

"They are likely testing; once they find that our Xin Feng Province's defensive strength is insufficient or internally empty, they will launch a large-scale invasion without hesitation."

His gaze swept over Bake.

"Bake, continue to strengthen intelligence gathering on the northern border."

"I want to know every move of those Orc tribes, especially the movements of those large tribes behind them."

"In addition, notify Hart to draw some elites from the Storm Knights to strengthen patrols and vigilance in the northern mining area and the border of the Red Leaf Forest territory."

"Yes! Young Master!"

Bake responded in a deep voice and then turned and walked away quickly.

The study returned to silence again.

Martina looked at Roko, her clear eyes filled with a trace of worry.

"Roko, how do you plan to respond?"

"If the Orcs really launch a large-scale invasion, it will be difficult for Vanguard Valley and Red Leaf Forest to resist on their own."

"Most of the other nobles in Xin Feng Province are currently sweeping the snow in front of their own doors, so I'm afraid we can't count on them."

The corner of Roko's mouth curled into a cold arc.

"Counting on others has never been my style."

"If our Vanguard Valley wants to stand in this chaotic world, we must possess sufficient self-protection power."

"The Orc threat, although tricky, is not impossible to deal with."

He stood up, walked to the window, and cast his gaze toward the vast northern land in the distance.

"Instead of passively waiting for them to come to our door, we might as well take the initiative."

Martina was slightly startled upon hearing this.

"Take the initiative?"

"You mean..."

【Line break】

Roko turned around slowly, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

"That's right."

"I want to lead the team myself, go deep into the Orc Wasteland, and probe the reality of those guys."

"For one thing, it can deter those restless Orc tribes and let them know that our Xin Feng Province"

"is not a soft persimmon that can be kneaded by anyone."

"For another, we can also take this opportunity to hone our Storm Knights and let them truly witness the cruelty of war."

"Most importantly, I want to figure out what the situation is like inside the Orc Wasteland now."

Martina's brows furrowed tightly.

"But the Orc Wasteland is full of crises and is too dangerous."

"As a Lord, you are taking risks yourself, what if..."

Roko waved his hand, interrupting Martina's words.

"I know there are risks."

"But some things must be done."

"Vanguard Valley seems to be developing rapidly now, but its foundation is still shallow."

"We cannot afford the consumption of a large-scale war."

"Therefore, we must block the flames of war outside our territory as much as possible."

His gaze was firm and unquestionable.

"Martina, I leave the affairs inside the territory to you."

"During the time I am away, be sure to ensure the stability of the territory and the normal operation of all affairs."

Martina looked at Roko's firm eyes and knew that he had made up his mind.

She sighed softly, her snow-white fox ears drooping slightly.

"Alright."

"Since you have already decided, I will not persuade you anymore."

"However, you must promise me to ensure your own safety."

"Vanguard Valley cannot do without you."

Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible concern and reliance.

Roko smiled slightly, walked to Martina, reached out, and gently rubbed her pair of soft fox ears.

"Don't worry."

"I'm not that easy to die."

"I still want to lead you all to carve out a world of our own in this chaotic world."

Martina's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her head away unnaturally.

"Hmph, who wants you to lead."

"I'm just worried that if you die, no one will pay me gold coins."

Roko laughed, and his mood relaxed a lot.

"Fula."

He turned to look at the cat-kin who had been standing quietly.

"Yes."

Fula responded softly, her heterochromatic eyes intertwined with deep blue and broken gold looking at Roko attentively.

"This time, you come with me."

"Okay."

Fula's answer was simple and direct, without any hesitation.

For her, as long as she could follow by her master's side, it didn't matter where she went or what she did.

Three days later.

On the square in front of the Lord's Mansion in Vanguard Valley.

An elite knight team was ready to set off.

Leading them was Roko, clad in dark gold Obsidian Gold armor and riding a magnificent warhorse.

Behind him, Fula was also dressed in a tight outfit, with a long, thin knight's sword at her waist, and her silver-gray cat ears twitching slightly in the morning breeze.

Those unique heterochromatic pupils flashed with a cold and sharp light.

Hart, Falco, and Mike also led a team of Storm Knights each, lined up on the left and right.

What they were wearing was all Obsidian Gold equipment newly forged by the Stone Hammer Tribe.

The dark gold armor shimmered with a cold and majestic luster under the morning sun.

Every knight's face carried a firm and murderous expression.

Their gazes followed Roko at the very front tightly.

Martina stood at the edge of the square, looking at the team about to embark on the expedition, her snow-white fox ears drooping somewhat disappointedly.

In her hand, she tightly clutched a magic communication rune given to her by Roko for emergency contact.

"Roko, be careful with everything."

She whispered, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

Roko looked back and gave her a confident smile.

"Don't worry, Martina."

"Wait for me to come back."

After speaking, he pulled the reins sharply, and the warhorse under him let out a magnificent neigh, galloping toward the north first.

"Set off!"

Hart shouted in a deep voice.

"Storm Knights, advance!"

One hundred well-equipped Storm Knights roared in unison, their voices shaking the wilderness.

They followed closely behind Roko, turning into a torrent of steel, moving toward the Orc Wasteland in the Northland.

Mike gripped the reins in his hand somewhat nervously.

This was his first time truly leaving the relatively safe territory and going deep into the legendary Orc Wasteland, which was full of crises.

Although he already had considerable confidence in Roko's strength and wisdom.

But at the thought of those legendary cruel and bloodthirsty Orcs, his heart still couldn't help but beat a little.

He secretly glanced at Falco beside him.

Falco's face, however, was filled with an excited expression of eagerness to try.

It was as if what they were about to face was not a cruel enemy, but an adventure full of excitement.

"Mike, don't be nervous."

Falco seemed to notice Mike's strangeness, grinned, and revealed a mouthful of white teeth.

"With the Young Master here, those Orcs are nothing to fear."

"We are going this time to give them a taste of our power and let them know that Vanguard Valley is not to be trifled with!"