Chapter 44: One More Explosive Than the Next!

The return journey was smooth, and they reached Storm Domain in just over an hour.

Just as Gervas and the others were about to return to the castle, the ground suddenly trembled slightly.

Meanwhile, in the night sky toward the south, in the direction of the Death Mountain Range, strange colored lights erupted.

"This... this is the wrath of the gods descending!" The guards and servants, terrified and pale, immediately turned toward the south to pray devoutly.

But Gervas knew that was merely the earthquake mentioned in the intelligence, and those lights were earthquake lights.

And the earthquake's timely arrival also meant the Spirit Spring at Tianehu was secure.

"My Lord, we have searched. Except for the corpses of the Wild Wolf Brotherhood members, we found no trace of that woman and her daughter!"

"Damn it, how could this happen? Search! Turn every place upside down and find them for me! I want to see who dares oppose me, Farrio!"

Count Farrio flew into a rage, not only because of Rose's disappearance, but also because the Wild Wolf leader was a Bronze Knight he had invested great effort in cultivating.

The result was that he died inexplicably in the wilderness; he must find that bold murderer.

However, how could it be so easy to find clues?

When Gervas left, he had already ordered his subordinates to sweep away all traces on the ground using branches.

Nothing happened overnight; time arrived at the second day's dawn.

It was another day of sleeping until one woke naturally.

【Ding! Daily intelligence has refreshed...】

【Intelligence One: Count Farrio has learned of the Wild Wolf leader's death and the rescue of Rose and her daughter. In a rage, Count Farrio is frantically searching for the murderer in the border region; this morning, one of his search teams will arrive at Storm Domain!】

【Intelligence Two: Because of last night's earthquake in the Death Mountain Range, the spring eye, already loosened by excavation, expanded twentyfold and happened to connect with a branch of the Earth Vein underground, thereby forming a spring eye rich in elements and magic.】

The Rainbow-Winged Swans that left Tianehu last time were unable to find a suitable habitat; when they foraged this morning, they discovered the rich elemental and magical aura of Tianehu, and they will attempt to make this their habitat.】

As long as their life and habitat are not disturbed within three days, they will settle here completely and breed.】

【Intelligence Three: A second-order magic beast wolf, driven out of its pack, was forced to wander to the eastern side of Storm Domain to forage; because it is too close to Linhai Village, it will cause the deaths of two villagers this afternoon.】

If dealt with in advance, this disaster can be avoided; besides, this second-order magic beast wolf is a rare low-order magic beast possessing a magic crystal.】

【Intelligence Four: One week ago, a caravan departing from Iron Wolf City, preparing to head to the Chaotic Wasteland, was robbed on the main road between Viscount Beckett and Baron Kane!】

This caravan belonged to the Count Quirk family; the registered trade involved the buying and selling of grain, herbs, and ores.】

The Count Quirk family has offered a reward of fifty gold coins for the recovery of this robbed cargo.】

This extremely high reward amount attracted considerable attention, but because there were no clues, the cargo has not yet been found; some suspect the bandits and the cargo have already left the kingdom's border.】

But this cargo actually never left and has been placed in a cave on the border of Viscount Beckett's domain.】

Furthermore, because the cargo was so unexpectedly valuable, the bandits did not know how to proceed, for among this robbed cargo there was actually fifty grams of mithril.】

Mithril, this precious metal is ten times more expensive than gold; therefore, just fifty grams of mithril is worth at least five hundred gold coins.】

【Intelligence Five: Actually, in a valley nestled in the southeastern side of your Storm Domain, a hunter's village has been hiding; the village's total population reaches eighty people, comprising more than ten hunter families.】

They migrated from the Chaotic Wasteland over ten years ago; because they were too hidden, they were never discovered by the previous lords of Storm Domain, and thus paid much less tax.】

At noon today, these hunters will disguise themselves as ordinary serfs and travel to Baron Kane's domain to exchange beast skins.】

At that time, to avoid suspicion, they will secretly request to conduct a private transaction with the Tulip Caravan.】

【Intelligence Six: This evening, an injured bard will arrive at Wheat Town to rest, but his true identity is actually a three-star wizard apprentice, just one step away from breaking through to become a formal wizard.】

Unfortunately, his mentor, while appearing upright on the surface, is secretly a dark wizard; cultivating these wizard apprentices was merely to use them as test subjects.】

After witnessing other apprentice companions being used as test mice by his mentor, he still chose to escape.】

However, his mentor had previously placed a delayed poison within his body; now, having gone several days without the antidote, the poison has begun to corrode his body.】

If the poison is not removed before nightfall, he will die directly.】

And the unicorn is the only means to remove the poison.】

【Intelligence Seven: In a valley ten li to the left of the Shanfeng where you obtained the Snow Lotus Seed yesterday, there is a large area of scorched black earth, seemingly the site of a fierce battle.】

Among these ruins lie three pieces of golden soft armor from a giant dragon's neck.】

Giant dragon scales are materials all knights dream of using to make armor; they are not only tough but also possess strong magical resistance.】

The value of giant dragon soft armor far exceeds that of ordinary dragon scales, because each giant dragon possesses only three to five pieces of soft armor, which is the most important area protecting their throat and vital point.】

Unless in a life-threatening state, the soft armor cannot be knocked off; thus, it is known as the "reverse scale".】

【Ding! Today's intelligence update complete...】

Good heavens! Gervas exclaimed, "Good heavens!"

This morning's intelligence was more explosive than the last.

Mithril!

Wizard apprentice!

And giant dragon soft armor!

Any single one of these matters, placed in another barony, would be a huge event.

But here with me, they can all gather together.

As the bell chimed, Maid Caroline entered to attend to dressing and washing.

After smoothing out all the corners of Gervas's clothes, Maid Caroline had already assumed her customary pose.

"My lord, please punish me!"

Crack!

Waves churned!

Just like yesterday, it was only a single slap as punishment, but the duration lasted three to five seconds.

After the punishment was finished, Maid Caroline bowed and withdrew, carrying the copper basin and Mao Jin out of the bedroom.

However, Gervas felt something was off.

"Wait... today seems to have passed the three-day punishment deadline!" Gervas realized.

But since the beating had already happened, and the maid had volunteered herself, Gervas decided to pretend he knew nothing.

What he did not know was that after the maid Caroline left the bedroom, her previously calm and pretty face instantly turned red.

"Am I being too shameless by doing this..."