Chapter 115

Roko loosened his grip and let out a long sigh of relief.

His body swayed, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

The act of saving him just now had exhausted almost all of his Battle Qi and energy.

His gaze remained fixed tightly on Tain, who lay motionless on the ground.

"Tain?"

Roko called out tentatively.

Tain did not react at all.

Roko's heart couldn't help but rise into his throat.

Could it be that he had failed after all?

Just as a sliver of despair rose in his heart,

"Mew."

An extremely faint moan, carrying a hint of grievance, escaped Tain's mouth.

Immediately after, Tain's tightly closed dark red eyes slowly opened a crack.

It looked weakly at Roko, its eyes filled with dependence and affection.

"Great! You're okay!"

Roko's tightly strung nerves finally relaxed.

A look of relief appeared on his face.

"Meow!"

Fula and Mike also ran over cautiously at this moment.

Upon seeing that Tain was still alive, tears instantly welled up in Fula's eyes.

She threw herself beside Tain, reached out with trembling hands, and gently stroked Tain's body.

"Tain, you scared me to death, boo-hoo."

Tain seemed to sense Fula's concern as well.

It weakly rubbed against Fula's hand, emitting low, whimpering sounds like a spoiled pet.

Mike stood to the side, watching this scene of survival after a catastrophe, feeling a lingering fear.

The look he gave Roko was filled with awe.

That kind of courage and strength made him feel inferior.

Roko ignored Mike.

He simply checked Tain's status silently.

【Name: Tain】

【Race: Ancient Bloodline Heterogeneous Orc (Juvenile Stage)】

【Level: Juvenile Stage (Extremely Weak)】

【Talent: S+ (Bloodline Initially Stabilized)】

【Status: Vitality weak, bloodline power temporarily dormant】

【Favorability: 100 (Life and death bond)】

【Loyalty: 100 (Never betray)】

【Ability: Primary Flame Control (Stabilized)】

Bloodline initially stabilized!

Primary Flame Control (Stabilized)!

Seeing these two key pieces of information, Roko felt completely at ease.

Although Tain was currently extremely weak, it had at least managed to save its life.

Moreover, as a blessing in disguise, its control over its own flame power seemed to have stabilized as a result.

Just then, Roko suddenly felt that the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 within his body seemed to have undergone some miraculous changes.

The efficiency of the breathing method's operation had increased by a fraction compared to before.

Although the increase was small, he could feel it clearly.

Furthermore, a deeper connection seemed to have been established between him and Tain.

This connection transcended a simple master-servant relationship; it was more like a resonance of bloodline connection.

He could faintly sense Tain's emotions, and Tain seemed to be able to sense his intentions as well.

"Could it be..."

Roko's heart stirred.

"Tain's ancient bloodline power not only didn't repel my 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】, but instead generated some kind of positive interaction with it?"

"And it can even, in turn, promote the cultivation of my breathing method?"

This discovery left Roko both surprised and delighted.

If this were true, then Tain's value was not so simple.

It would become a unique partner on his path of cultivation, capable of mutual advancement!

Roko looked at Tain, who was lying weakly in Fula's arms, rubbing its little head against her chin, and his gaze became increasingly gentle.

"Fula, take Tain back to get some good rest first."

Roko said to Fula.

"Find some nutritious food for it to help it recover its strength as soon as possible."

"Meow."

Fula nodded and carefully held Tain in her arms.

Tain also seemed to know it was safe now; it found a comfortable position in Fula's arms and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Watching Fula's retreating figure as she carried Tain, a gratified smile appeared on Roko's face.

However, this smile did not last long.

A burst of hurried footsteps came from the entrance of the backyard.

Scout Captain Bake appeared before Roko, looking travel-worn.

His face carried a hint of undisguised anxiety and gravity.

"Master Roko!"

Bake knelt on one knee, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Your subordinate has urgent military intelligence to report!"

Roko's heart sank abruptly.

Seeing Bake's appearance, he knew the matter was of great importance.

"Get up and speak."

Roko's tone returned to his usual calmness.

"What exactly happened?"

Bake stood up and took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions.

"Master Roko, our men have discovered a secret stronghold of the Light Temple deep in the Mist Mountains in the east of Xin Feng Province!"

A secret stronghold of the Light Temple?

Roko's brow furrowed immediately.

"Tell me in detail."

Bake nodded and said in a hurried tone, "The location of this stronghold is very hidden, built in a steep valley, easy to defend and hard to attack."

"Our scouts risked getting close to investigate and found that the internal defense of the stronghold is extremely strict, with a large number of patrolling Temple Knights, and their strength is not weak."

"The scale of the stronghold is also far beyond any ordinary church we have discovered before."

"More importantly, our scouts observed traces of large-scale material transport on the outskirts of the stronghold."

"It seems the Light Temple is secretly hoarding something in that stronghold."

Roko's gaze turned somewhat cold.

The Light Temple—these guys really wouldn't give up.

After all, they hadn't let go of the deaths of Father Chris and Knight Carlo.

Before, it was just suspicion, but now it seemed they had already begun substantial deployments in Xin Feng Province.

But what exactly were they trying to do by building such a large-scale stronghold in such a remote and hidden place?

Just for revenge on Vanguard Valley?

I'm afraid it's not that simple.

"Has the specific location of that stronghold been found?"

Roko asked.

"It has been found."

Bake took out a simple map from his bosom and handed it to Roko.

"This was drawn by our scouts at the risk of their lives."

"The approximate location of the stronghold is right here."

He pointed to a marked spot on the map.

Roko took the map and looked at it carefully.

That location was indeed very remote, situated in a chaotic area at the intersection of Xin Feng Province, Sunset Province, and the Dwarf Mountains.

The terrain there was complex and rarely visited, indeed a good place to build a secret stronghold.

"Bake, you've done well."

Roko put away the map and said to Bake.

"Pass the order down immediately: have all our scouts closely monitor the movements of that stronghold."

"I want to know what the Light Temple is up to."

"At the same time, strengthen the vigilance around Vanguard Valley to prevent any accidents."

"Yes, Master Roko!"

Bake took the order and left.

Watching Bake's hurried retreating figure, Roko's gaze became increasingly profound.

It seemed the peaceful days were coming to an end again.

He had to improve his own strength and the strength of the entire Vanguard Valley as soon as possible.

Only then could he have a glimmer of survival in the coming storm.

He looked down at his burned right hand.

Although it was painful, his heart was filled with fighting spirit.

Tain's bloodline resonance had given him a new hope.

Perhaps, the next time he faced the enemies of the Light Temple, he could give them a big "surprise."

Mike stood to the side, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Although he didn't know what the Light Temple was, he could feel a tense atmosphere of a coming storm from the conversation between Roko and Bake.

He suddenly felt how ridiculous his previous idea of living a lazy life was.

In this chaotic era, without strength, one could only be slaughtered.

"It seems I have to work hard on my cultivation too."

Mike secretly made up his mind in his heart.

He didn't want to be like before, trembling and doing nothing when danger arrived.

He also wanted to become strong!

At the very least, he needed the ability to protect himself.

After resolving the matter with Tain, Roko returned to the council hall of the Lord's Mansion.

At this moment, a huge sand table of Vanguard Valley was placed not far away.

Roko sat in the main seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a dull sound.

Martina stood before him, her snow-white long hair fluttering gently in the breeze, and those white eyes, which always carried a hint of coldness, were now flashing with sharp light.

"Roko, the new administrative management system you asked me to implement has already begun to show results."

Her voice was like ice, carrying a unique chill.

"Currently, the people I have selected have taken office one after another, and various affairs in the territory..."

"For example, household registration, material distribution, and small dispute mediation are all more orderly than before, and efficiency has also improved significantly."

Roko nodded, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face.

"Very good."

"Martina, I have always trusted your ability."

"This batch of new management personnel is like fresh blood, capable of bringing vitality to Vanguard Valley."

The corners of Martina's mouth lifted imperceptibly, but she quickly returned to calm.

"This is just the first step."

"I am still further perfecting the subsequent training, assessment, and promotion mechanisms."

However, she changed the subject, her tone carrying a hint of gravity.

"The implementation of the new policy has not been all smooth sailing."

Roko's brow raised slightly.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Martina's gaze turned somewhat cold.

"Some old grassroots managers, those who once relied on local minor nobles or used some local forces to throw their weight around, are very resistant to the new system."

"They don't dare to oppose it openly, but situations of paying lip service while secretly causing trouble happen from time to time."

"Especially in some newly built refugee settlement areas, the situation is even more complex."

"Those areas have high population density and mixed composition, making management more difficult."

"Recently, I received reports that some bad signs have appeared in those areas."

"Someone is secretly spreading rumors, saying that Vanguard Valley's food reserves are about to run out and that the Baron will soon abandon us refugees."

"Others say that the new officials are all cronies of the Lord's Mansion, who will only exploit us and won't care about us at all."

Roko's gaze turned cold instantly.

"Food?"

"Our trade with Earl Adrian and the stable supply from the Red Leaf Forest territory are enough to support current consumption."

"Although the population has surged and pressure does exist, it is by no means to the point of 'running out'."

"This kind of rumor is clearly being incited by someone on purpose."

Martina nodded.

"Yes."

"Moreover, I also discovered that some old management personnel originally responsible for material distribution are still secretly withholding the refugees' rations."

"Although the quantity is not large, the impact is very bad."

"These behaviors are exacerbating the refugees' anxiety and confrontational emotions."

"I am worried that if this situation is allowed to develop, it may lead to unnecessary trouble."

Roko's fingertips stopped tapping, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Martina, how do you intend to handle this matter?"

A confident light flashed in Martina's white eyes.

"I already have some preliminary plans."

"The newly promoted head of the Civil Mediation Office, Lindsay, and Old Morris, who is responsible for security patrols in the newly built residential areas, are both trustworthy people."

"Lindsay is meticulous and good at handling details; I can let him secretly verify the situation of material withholding."

"Old Morris has a certain prestige among the refugees and is fair; I can let him assist in maintaining order and collect clues about those spreading rumors."

"As for Captain Bake..."

Martina paused.

"His intelligence network should be able to help us dig out deeper things."

Roko stood up and walked to the sand table, overlooking the miniature of Vanguard Valley.

"Martina, I give you full authority to handle this matter."

"No matter who it is, anyone who dares to disrupt the stability of Vanguard Valley at this time will not be tolerated."

"When necessary, you can take some thunderous measures."

"Vanguard Valley does not raise parasites, and it certainly does not tolerate spies."

Martina's body trembled slightly, and a strange luster flashed in her eyes.

Roko's trust and delegation of power made her feel an unprecedented sense of responsibility and also stimulated the decisiveness in her bones.

"I understand, Roko."

"I will not let you down."

Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible firmness.

Over the next few days, Vanguard Valley remained calm on the surface; merchant caravans came and went, busy figures were everywhere in the farmland, and the newly built residential areas were also under construction in full swing.

However, beneath this prosperous scene, an undercurrent was quietly surging.

The newly built refugee settlement area was located on the edge of Vanguard Valley.

Here, dense temporary shacks were built with wooden boards and canvas, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The air was filled with the smell of damp earth, mixed with the complex odor of food scraps and household waste. Children ran barefoot, chasing and playing in the muddy aisles; although their faces were a bit sallow, their eyes were filled with longing for a new life.

The adults gathered in twos and threes, whispering about something.

Most of their faces carried confusion and anxiety.