Chapter 56: The Unspoken Understanding Between Master and Servant

Intelligence Four: This morning, the southwest pasture of Stormhold will once again be visited by a group of foraging beasts—these are Swift Gray Rabbits.

Although they are only first-tier beasts, their pelts possess an enchantment effect known as “Lightness,” making them the finest material for crafting archer boots and hats.

Wearing items made from this material greatly reduces weight burden, enhances agility, and significantly improves survival rates on the battlefield.

Intelligence Five: Due to last night’s storm, a ghost ship that has been drifting at sea for an unknown duration will be washed ashore on the southeastern coast of Stormhold; although its hull was damaged upon hitting reefs, leaving holes.

Yet it is indeed a genuine seafaring vessel capable of navigating coastal waters.

More importantly, the Sea God Stone aboard the ship remains intact, granting it immunity to nearly all attacks from sea creatures and sea witches below fourth tier.

Intelligence Six: At the border between the Chaos Wastelands and the Mountain of Death, dark creatures’ teleportations are increasing, accompanied by a growing concentration of dark death energy.

Wherever the dark death energy spreads, plants, trees, snakes, insects, rodents, and all life wither and die, and even the earth itself is corroded.

But precisely because things tend to reverse when they reach their extreme, a rare plant on the continent, the Holy Light Flower, has already begun to grow in the area corrupted by deathly energy.

The Holy Light Flower thrives on dark death energy; the more energy it absorbs, the faster it grows!

Once mature, the Holy Light Flower produces Holy Light Fruit; consuming these fruits grants resistance to dark attributes and increases affinity with light attributes.

Currently, the Holy Light Flowers are growing rapidly and are expected to bear fruit very soon!

Ding, today’s intelligence updates are complete…

“So it’s finally coming—and linked to certain nobles?”

Gavis hadn’t expected that the Scorpion Bandits, whose strength he only just discovered yesterday, would launch an attack on Stormhold today.

Fortunately, the intelligence system warned us in advance; otherwise, Stormhold’s current strength would have been severely crippled by the Scorpion Bandits’ surprise assault.

Ding! Ding!

“Good morning, Lord Gavis!”

Maid Carolyne entered the bedroom carrying a basin of clean water.

Whether it was his imagination or not, Gavis noticed that Carolyne’s gait had become more graceful over the past two days.

Of course, it might also be because he hadn’t “eaten meat” in too long.

Soon, after being attended to by Maid Carolyne, he finished his morning ablutions.

“My lord, please punish me!”

“Cough, cough, alright!” Gavis immediately adopted a serious expression and stepped closer to Carolyne.

Splash!

The waves churned—the daily punishment was complete.

Maid Carolyne, having “grown accustomed” to it, carried the bronze basin out of the bedroom; once in the corridor, her cheeks flushed crimson once more.

Clearly, this unspoken understanding belonged only to the two of them.

……

“What? The Scorpion Bandits are attacking Stormhold? Six hundred strong? My lord, is this true?”

In the castle’s war council chamber, Gavis gathered all the knights, centurions of the guard, and the civil administrator.

Upon hearing the news of the Scorpion Bandits’ approach, everyone nearly leapt from their seats in shock.

Only Knight Commander Raymond remained calm, “My lord, is this information reliable? If so, we must prepare fully.”

“According to the confession of the bandit chief Kado, nearly all core members of the Scorpion Bandits wear leather armor—something we currently cannot match. They are stronger than even a baron’s domain in the kingdom’s heartland.”

“The intelligence is confirmed. After learning of the Scorpion Bandits yesterday, I sent Moonchaser to monitor them—this is the report Moonchaser brought back this morning!”

“My lord, shouldn’t we seek aid from Ironwolf City?” Thomas asked.

Gavis rejected the idea, “Ironwolf City is too far—two days’ ride one way. Remote help won’t save us now; we must rely entirely on ourselves!”

All faces grew grim. Defending against six hundred fierce bandits on their own was an immense burden.

Yet after a brief moment of panic, they steadied themselves, especially seeing their lord’s calm demeanor.

“My lord, tell us what to do—we swear to defend Stormhold with our lives!”

“Good. This crisis isn’t as dire as it seems. Though we cannot yet defeat the Scorpion Brotherhood, we can certainly secure the safety of Wheatfield Town.”

“Thomas!”

“My lord, I’m here!”

“Issue orders: All serfs must cease farming this afternoon and devote themselves entirely to reinforcing the town’s wooden walls.”

“Additionally, gather all serfs from the three villages under our domain and bring them to Wheatfield Town…”

“Yes, my lord!”

“Lauren!”

“My lord, I’m here!”

“Order all guards to suspend training this afternoon—rest and conserve strength for the bandits’ evening assault!”

“Also, select one hundred strong male serfs, issue them wooden spears, and integrate them into our defenses…”

Under Gavis’s orders, Stormhold mobilized swiftly.

All serfs had to complete essential tasks before noon.

Afterwards, men, women, and children alike began felling timber and braiding straw ropes to reinforce the town’s walls.

Of course, the Scorpion Bandits wouldn’t arrive until evening—before then, the other intelligence matters were equally critical.

Shortly after Lauren and Thomas departed, Old John arrived with a serf whose face was etched with worry.

It was Bick, the orchard overseer.

He had previously served under Kodo as an apple orchard manager and was a skilled horticulturist.

Gavis had previously inquired through Thomas and confirmed that Bick had not participated in any of Kodo’s misdeeds, so he retained him in charge of the orchard.

Now, Bick nervously recounted the orchard’s recent troubles to Gavis.

Bick was terrified.

He knew full well what had happened to Kodo and his men.

Though their lord was often merciful, he was also unforgiving toward those who failed in duty.

His mismanagement had led to the loss of dozens of apple trees, and he still hadn’t identified the cause—this was a grave dereliction of duty.

He feared his punishment might be as severe as reduction to slavery.

After speaking, Bick trembled violently, like a condemned criminal awaiting judgment.

“Hmm, I’ve heard about this, Bick. Don’t worry—I know this isn’t your fault.”

“I’ll accompany you to the orchard now and resolve the cause of the apple trees’ decay!”

To Bick’s utter surprise, the expected punishment never came.

Not even the mildest reprimand.

Lord Gavis gently placed his hand on Bick’s shoulder, his tone and expression filled with reassurance and warmth.

“My lord!”

Somehow, despite being a father of two children, Bick felt his nose sting.

With a thud, he fell to his knees and burst into tears.