Chapter 13

The carriage team set off again.

Having experienced a short battle, the vigilance of Hate and the guard knights clearly improved a lot.

They observed the surroundings more cautiously, not daring to have the slightest slack.

Protecting Roko's safety was their primary duty.

But the journey that followed was unexpectedly calm.

They didn't encounter any harassment from robbers or horse thieves again.

Perhaps it was the clean and decisive battle before that deterred the lurkers in the dark.

Letting them understand that this team was not easy to provoke.

Roko and his group no longer deliberately slowed down and began to advance toward the established goal at full speed.

The spirited horses ran tirelessly, and the carriage wheels rolled forward.

Time passed day by day.

About a month later.

When the continuous mountain ranges and dense forests gradually replaced the desolate plains and hills, and the air became humid.

Roko knew they were not far from their destination.

Here, it was the far northeast corner of Xin Feng Province.

Looking north, one could vaguely see the outline of a vast and boundless wasteland, that was the Orc Wasteland.

Looking east, it was a huge forest shrouded in mist that never dissipated all year round, the Mist Forest.

The so-called Northland usually referred to the Orc Wasteland and several small Orc kingdoms further north.

The Orc Wasteland was vast and boundless, with tribes standing like forests inside, many races, fighting each other endlessly, always in a state of chaos and disorder.

And those few Orc kingdoms, although their area was far smaller than the Orc Wasteland, their organization was relatively tight, and it was said they possessed power not to be underestimated.

As for the Mist Forest to the east, it was rumored that it was the territory of ancient Jingling and various powerful magic beasts, full of unknowns and dangers.

The area Roko chose happened to be in the buffer zone at the intersection of the Black Kingdom, the Orc Wasteland, and the Mist Forest.

Here, it was far from the central area of Xin Feng Province, and almost no human forces had set foot here.

Roko knew very well that according to the maps provided by Duke Auston or the family, he could have chosen those relatively safe pioneering points with clearer resources.

Such as the hills near the Dwarf mining area, or the plains near mature territories.

But the upper limit of development in those places was clearly visible, and they would inevitably be constrained by surrounding forces.

But here it was different.

Here, although desolate, dangerous, and having nothing.

It also meant absolute freedom.

It meant infinite pioneering directions.

As long as he had enough ability, in the future, incorporating the entire Orc Wasteland into his territory, or even exploring the mysteries of the Mist Forest, was not impossible.

The carriage team finally stopped at the edge of the selected region.

The air was filled with a humid scent mixed with grass, trees, and soil, carrying a hint of wildness.

Roko jumped off the carriage, his boots stepping on the soft land.

He looked around, his gaze sweeping over this vast and silent land.

No city walls, no roads, only rolling hills, sparse trees, and the mountain ranges and forests vaguely visible in the distance.

Here, there was nothing, but it also meant infinite possibilities.

"Hate."

Roko's voice broke the silence.

"Young Master."

Hate Gelin immediately stepped forward, waiting for orders.

"You take fifteen knights, explore to the north and west, draw detailed terrain maps, mark water sources, mineral deposits, and any valuable discoveries."

"In addition, five knights, scout to the edge of the forest in the east, pay attention to keeping a distance, do not go deep."

Roko's instructions were clear and concise.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Hate didn't hesitate at all, turned around immediately, and began to select people.

Soon, twenty guard knights were divided into two teams.

They galloped toward different directions, their figures quickly disappearing into the wilderness.

Roko withdrew his gaze and turned to the group of slightly bewildered farm slaves behind him, as well as those craftsmen and Dwarf blacksmiths.

"Set up camp on the spot, build temporary residences."

His voice was not loud, but carried unquestionable majesty.

More than three hundred slaves, plus the captured horse thieves.

Under the command of the remaining few knights, ten stonemasons, and twenty carpenters, they gradually began to get busy.

Cutting down trees, moving stones, digging foundations.

A piece of silent wilderness, because of the arrival of these people, began to inject a trace of vitality.

Roko didn't participate in these basic constructions.

He took Fula and walked into a simple wooden shed that had just been built.

This would be their temporary residence for a period of time in the future.

The light in the wooden shed was dim, with only some dry grass spread on the ground.

Fula stood in the corner, feeling uneasy, her tiny body curled up slightly, her silver-gray cat ears twitching uneasily.

She looked at those busy figures outside, and then looked at Roko, her eyes full of confusion and panic.

"Fula."

Roko's voice made her body tremble.

"Mas, Master..."

She lowered her head, her voice very light.

If one didn't listen carefully, one couldn't even hear what she said.

Roko walked in front of her and squatted down, looking at her levelly.

"From today on, you need to start cultivating."

Cultivating?

Fula lifted her head violently, those heterochromatic eyes filled with disbelief.

"I, I can't."

She shook her head in a panic, her eye sockets turning red instantly.

"I am so stupid, I can't do anything well, how can I cultivate."

Her voice was choked, full of self-denial.

Her experiences since she was a child told her that she was just an unlucky, useless existence.

Cultivating such a thing, to her, was simply a fantasy.

Roko looked at her appearance of being inferior to the bone, and his brows furrowed imperceptibly.

He patiently persuaded her.

"Your talent is very good, as long as you are willing to work hard, you can definitely become strong."

"No, it's not."

"Master, don't lie to me."

Fula shook her head desperately, tears swirling in her eye sockets.

"I have no talent, I will only bring trouble to Master."

Roko looked at her stubborn appearance and sighed slightly in his heart.

It seemed that gentle encouragement was of no use to this little guy.

He stood up, his face sank, and his tone became a bit cold.

"Since you think you are useless, why stay by my side?"

"This land is very dangerous, I don't need a burden who only knows how to hide behind me."

"If you are not willing to become strong, not willing to become useful..."

Roko deliberately paused, his gaze sharply sweeping over her.

"Then you can leave by yourself!"

Leave?

These two words were like a bolt from the blue, fiercely striking Fula's heart.

Her little face instantly turned pale, the blood draining away.

Her body trembled violently, and huge fear shrouded her.

Being driven away by Master?

This thought made her almost suffocate.

In this world, the only person who gave her warmth and recognition didn't want her either?

"No! Don't!"

Fula rushed over violently, tightly hugging Roko's thigh, and burst into tears.

"Master! Don't drive me away!"

"I'll learn! I'll learn! I'll learn everything!"

"Please, don't abandon me!"