Chapter 55

Isabella woke again to find herself lying on a clean bed.

The bed was clean and soft, so comfortable and warm for her, who had not lived in a fixed home for years.

But wasn't she supposed to be dead?

Could this be heaven?

Yes, it must be heaven—only heaven could be this comfortable, and she had never done anything wicked!

"You're awake!"

A voice came, and Isabella realized someone was beside her bed.

"It's you!"

She immediately recognized him—the noble who had tried to save her just before she died.

"Let me introduce myself—I am Gervas Gale, Lord of Stormhold. I'm glad to see you awake."

Now Isabella was certain she had been saved.

But she had been poisoned by Blue Vein Toxin…

"It was the unicorn. You said before you lost consciousness that a unicorn could cure your poison, and I happened to have one!"

Isabella's expression was complex—such luck had somehow fallen to her.

She tried to rise and thank him, but found herself weak and limp.

"Don't move. Though your poison is gone, your body still needs time to recover!"

"And in my castle, you need not worry about safety—everything can wait until you're healed!"

Isabella's eyes softened. "You are the most benevolent and kind noble I have ever met. Thank you, Lord Gervas!"

Gervas nodded. "While you were unconscious, you kept calling out for your mother, and shouting 'Lina, run!' If you can, could you tell me what terrible thing happened?"

If it had been anyone else, Isabella would never have revealed these things.

But before this kind noble, Isabella held nothing back—even how she had been captured by the slave hunters.

"So you were planning to flee to the Chaos Wastes, wait until your strength improved, then return to find your homeland and your mother?"

"Yes, Lord Gervas!"

"Do you know exactly which kingdom or duchy your homeland lies in? Five or six years have passed—you've crossed many lands. Finding it won't be easy."

Isabella grew somber. She had traveled with her mentor through city after city and small and great duchies, crossing deserts, hills, grasslands, and more.

And since she had been so young then, she could not remember where her homeland was, only that it lay to the west.

Because they had always marched toward the rising sun.

"Here's what I propose, Isabella: stay with me in Stormhold for three years, serve me, and grow stronger. That journey is so far—even a junior wizard might not survive it safely!"

"During these three years, I guarantee your safety and will pay you a salary. After three years, when your strength has improved, you may leave freely."

"Moreover, I know people at the Tulip Trading Guild—their caravans travel to every duchy and kingdom on the Glory Continent. I can ask them to inquire about the city you remember as 'Solar' or 'Flame.'"

Isabella was moved. The noble's offer was made entirely for her benefit.

After all, she had not yet fully broken through—three years from now would be when she truly stabilized her junior wizard realm and could be most useful.

"Thank you, Lord Gervas… my lord!"

Isabella vowed in her heart: even if she truly left one day, once she found her mother, she would return to repay this noble.

Isabella did not know that Gervas was not worried about lacking wizard subordinates in the future.

On the contrary, at this early stage, wizards were what he lacked most.

For example, the Dino Body-Refining Elixir—the materials had already been procured from the caravans; now he only needed the final piece.

And Isabella was that final piece.

…

Soft sunlight fell upon the bed; the air was so fresh!

Last night had not been peaceful—it rained heavily all night long.

But all was past; a beautiful day was about to begin.

【Ding! Daily Intelligence System has refreshed…】

【Intelligence One: The Scorpion Bandits will assemble a force of six hundred today and march toward Stormhold, preparing to attack Wheatfield Town!】

Of course, the Scorpion Bandits have not discovered that you stole their silver—nor have they even learned of Old Carlo's death.

It is because Kunto's death has reached the Scorpion Bandits.

As one of the most notorious bandit gangs on the border, you killed Old Kunto and delivered three of their members to Ironwolf City—in the Scorpion Boss's eyes, this is an outright provocation and insult.

That is why the Scorpion Boss has ordered the attack on Wheatfield Town—it will come at dusk.

Be wary: the fact that the Scorpion Bandits received news so quickly from Ironwolf City suggests they have deep ties with certain individuals inside the city.

Rumors say the Scorpion Bandits may be secretly funded by certain nobles—but this has not been confirmed.】

【Intelligence Two: In the western apple orchard of Stormhold, apple trees have been wilting for three consecutive days, and the condition is spreading at a rate of three to five trees per day.】

The serfs tending them are terrified, for they cannot determine the cause—no pests, no disease—and they plan to report this to you.】

But misfortune may turn to fortune—the wilting of the apple trees is because a rare and magical seed has begun to sprout on the hill where they grow.】

It is a War Tree seed—the legendary tree guarded by the elves.】

Buried underground for countless years, it finally stirred due to yesterday's earthquake, as the earth's qi leaked into Stormhold.】

But Stormhold is not the Verdant Forest—the leaked earth qi is too scarce; the magic is insufficient to make the seed fully sprout.】

Thus, the surrounding apple trees have been starved of nutrients and died; if the magical elements continue to go unreplenished, the War Tree seed will also rot without ever breaking through the soil.】

Solving this problem is simple: daily, transport three carts of Swan Lake Spirit Spring water to irrigate the War Tree—then the apple trees' wilting will stop, and the War Tree seed will fully sprout and grow!】

【Intelligence Three: Today is the final day the mists over Death Mountains will clear. At the place where you found the Golden Reverse Scale yesterday, another precious object lies buried deep underground—a dragon egg!】

This dragon egg was hidden underground by a Golden Dragon after she was gravely wounded; to avoid detection by her enemies, she even sacrificed her reverse scale as camouflage.

The aura of the dragon egg has already been sealed, but if one perceives it carefully with the strength of a Bronze Knight, a trace of oppressive pressure can still be felt, indicating the location where the dragon egg lies.

Remember, only a Bronze Knight can perceive it; any existence above the Bronze Knight realm can already fearlessly withstand the dragon's majesty after it has been sealed, and thus cannot capture the location of the dragon egg.

Furthermore, the opponent of the Golden Great Dragon is an evil Black Dragon; he is actually also searching for the hiding place of the dragon egg, so after obtaining the dragon egg... do not draw attention! Do not draw attention! Do not draw attention!】