Chapter 12

Besides buying slaves, Roko spent another five thousand gold coins to purchase a large amount of grain, seeds, cloth, and some basic tools and daily necessities.

The five thousand gold coins given by Duke Auston, plus the twenty thousand gold coins aided by the family and his father, were enough to support his early consumption.

Finishing all this, it was already afternoon.

Roko didn't leave immediately but went to visit the two uncles who had already pioneered Baron Territories here according to the information provided by the family.

Seventh uncle, Leo Raymond.

Twelfth uncle, Bane Raymond.

The territories of both uncles were in the southern area of Xin Feng Province, not too far from Pu La Da City.

Learning of Roko's arrival, both Barons appeared quite enthusiastic.

After all, they were relatives of the same clan, and also the son of the head of the family, Li Wei Si.

Although Roko was only the eighteenth son, the blood connection could not be severed.

In their respective mansions, both uncles gave Roko some assistance within their power.

Mostly some local specialties, a few squads of soldiers that were still usable, and some advice on the distribution of forces and unspoken rules in Xin Feng Province.

Roko frankly accepted the goodwill of his uncles.

At the same time, he also took out some magic potions and excellent equipment brought from Twilight City that were quite valuable to the two Barons from his Space Ring as a return gift.

Reciprocity, this was the basic principle.

Both Barons were quite satisfied with this and had a much better impression of this nephew, Roko.

After the brief visit ended, Roko didn't stay too much and directly left Pu La Da City with his people and supplies.

The carriage bumped forward on the rammed earth road leaving Pu La Da City, kicking up a burst of dry dust.

Inside the carriage, Roko leaned against the cushion that was still quite soft, his fingertips rubbing the map gifted by Duke Auston.

On the map, mountains, rivers, and several ownerless areas marked in red ink were marked.

The plain near the Orc Wasteland in the north, the land looked fertile, but the red skull mark hinted at frequent looting.

The hills of the foothills of the Dwarf Mountains in the west were marked with a tiny iron mine symbol, but the terrain was complex and rugged.

The river valley near the unknown forest in the southeast, the water source was abundant, the forest was lush, but next to it was drawn a ferocious beast claw mark.

Every choice was like a gamble, the stake being his future.

He needed a starting point, a foundation that could allow him to take root and expand infinitely outward.

Just as Roko was deep in thought, steady footsteps came from outside the carriage.

The carriage curtain was gently lifted by a corner, and Hate Gelin's firm face was revealed.

"Young Master."

Hate's voice was low, carrying a hint of imperceptible caution.

"We seem to have been targeted."

Roko's gaze moved away from the map and looked at Hate, his eyes without the slightest ripple.

Xin Feng Province, a place where chaos and opportunity coexist.

Being targeted was simply too normal.

Perhaps it was because they saw the large amount of supplies they purchased when leaving Pu La Da City.

Perhaps it was just simple malice.

"Understood."

Roko's tone was as calm as if he were talking about the weather.

"Pretend not to have discovered it, continue forward."

"Yes, Young Master."

Hate put down the carriage curtain, and his figure disappeared outside.

Inside the carriage, it returned to quiet, only the sound of wheels rolling over the road surface continued constantly.

Fula in his arms also seemed to sense that faint feeling of being watched, her tiny body trembling slightly, her silver-gray cat ears drooping uneasily.

She subconsciously shrank into Roko's arms, her little hand tightly gripping Roko's clothes.

Roko looked down at her and stretched out his hand, gently touching her furry cat ears.

The soft touch and warmth from his fingertips made Fula's body stiffen violently.

But what followed was not fear, but a strange sense of peace of mind.

Her tense body gradually relaxed, only her little face quietly stained with a layer of crimson.

The temperature on her body seemed to have risen a bit.

Roko didn't withdraw his hand, his fingertips unconsciously gently kneading that soft earlobe.

Time passed slowly.

About a few more hours later, the carriage had completely moved away from the outline of Pu La Da City and drove into a more desolate region.

On both sides of the road were sparse shrubs and rugged strange rocks.

Suddenly, a burst of urgent and messy horse hooves came from behind, breaking the tranquility of the wilderness.

Soon, dozens of figures riding inferior horses, wearing tattered leather armor, and holding long knives or bows and arrows appeared in front of and on both sides of the road, blocking the carriage team of Roko and his group.

They didn't look like they had unified equipment, but their eyes were fierce and their movements were skilled, clearly experienced horse thieves.

Leading them was a strong man with a scar on his face; he grinned and sized up this somewhat bloated and large team of Roko's.

His gaze finally fell on the several carriages filled with supplies, full of greed.

Two or three hundred farm slaves, dozens of walking soldiers, naturally couldn't cause any harm to these horse thieves.

The only ones that needed to be vigilant were those twenty-plus guard knights wearing armor.

Outside the carriage, the guard knights led by Hate reacted quickly.

They drew their weapons, lined up in a defensive formation, and firmly protected the carriage where Roko was in the middle.

The air instantly became tense, and an aura of killing permeated.

Roko still sat steadily in the carriage, not even lifting the curtain to take a look.

As if everything happening outside had nothing to do with him.

Fula's little face had already turned pale, her body trembling uncontrollably again.

Roko felt her fear and gently patted her back.

"Don't be afraid."

His voice was still calm, carrying a strange soothing power.

"Hate and the others are there."

Fula lifted those heterochromatic eyes, looking at Roko's calm side face, the fear in her heart seemed to have really been dispelled a bit.

She nodded vigorously, but her little hand still tightly gripped Roko's clothes.

The sound of shouting and killing outside didn't last long.

Hate was a peak Great Knight powerhouse, and the guard knights behind him were also knights who had undergone strict training.

Dealing with these horse thieves with simple equipment and uneven strength was almost an overwhelming advantage.

Sword light and sword shadows flashed, accompanied by a few screams.

That horse thief leader with a scar on his face didn't even last three rounds under Hate's hands before being beheaded by a sword.

The remaining horse thieves saw their leader die, and their sharpness was lost instantly; many people threw down their weapons and knelt to beg for mercy.

Hate didn't order them to be killed to the last one.

Soon, the battle ended.

Hate came outside the carriage and reported respectfully.

"Young Master, the horse thieves have been resolved, the leader has been beheaded, thirty-two captives have been taken, and the rest have fled."

"Mm."

Roko responded flatly.

"Tie up the captives first and bring them along."

"Yes, Young Master."

These surrendered horse thieves, although they were a mob, were also labor.

Reclaiming land, building houses, all needed manpower.

Couldn't waste them.