Chapter 56: The Unspoken Understanding Between Master and Servant!

{Information Four: This morning, the southwestern pasture of Stormhold will once again welcome a group of foraging monsters—these are Swift Gray Rabbits.

Although they are only Tier-One monsters, their pelts possess an enchantment effect of "Lightness," making them the finest material for crafting archer boots and hats,

and wearing them greatly reduces an archer's burden, increases agility, and improves survival rate on the battlefield. }

{Information Five: Due to last night's storm, a ghost ship that had drifted aimlessly at sea for an unknown duration will be washed ashore on the southeastern coast of Stormhold; though its hull was punctured upon striking reefs during landing,

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

More importantly, the Sea God Stone aboard remains intact, granting it immunity to attacks from nearly all sea beasts and sea spirits below Tier Four. }

{Information Six: At the border between the Chaotic Wasteland and the Mountain of Death, dark creatures' teleportations are increasing, accompanied by increasingly dense Dark Death Aura.

Wherever the Dark Death Aura passes, plants, trees, snakes, insects, rodents, and ants all wither and die, and even the earth itself is corroded.

Yet precisely because extremes beget their opposites, within the areas corrupted by the death aura, a rare continent-wide plant—the Holy Light Flower—is now growing.

The Holy Light Flower is a blossom that feeds on Dark Death Aura; the more aura it absorbs, the faster it grows!

Upon maturity, the Holy Light Flower bears Holy Light Fruit; consuming the fruit grants beings resistance to Dark attributes and increases affinity with Light attributes!

Currently, the Holy Light Flower is still growing rapidly and is expected to bear fruit soon! }

{Ding, today's intelligence has been refreshed…}

"So it's coming after all? And linked to certain nobles?"

Gervas had not anticipated that the Scorpion Bandits, whose strength he had only just uncovered yesterday, would launch an attack on Stormhold today.

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

Ding-ding-ding!

"Good morning, my lord Gervas!"

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

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

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—ah, very well!" Gervas immediately adopted a solemn expression and stepped close to Carolyne.

Slap!

Waves churned—the daily punishment was complete.

Maid Carolyne, having "grown accustomed" to it, carried the bronze basin out of the bedroom after completing today's punishment; only when she reached the corridor did her lovely face flush crimson once more.

Clearly, the unspoken understanding between master and servant was known only to them.

…

"What? The Scorpion Bandits are launching an assault on Stormhold? Six hundred men? My lord, is this true?"

In the castle's war council chamber, Gervas had summoned all his knights, the 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 Captain Lei Meng remained composed and calm: "My lord, is this intelligence reliable? If so, we must prepare fully."

"According to the confession of last night's Scorpion Boss, nearly all core members of the Scorpion Bandits wear leather armor—something we currently cannot match; they are already stronger than a baron's domain in the kingdom's heartland."

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

"My lord, could we seek aid from Iron Wolf City?" Thomas asked.

Gervas rejected it outright: "Iron Wolf City is too far—two days' ride one way. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. We must rely on ourselves!"

All faces grew solemn. Defending against six hundred fierce bandits by themselves was an immense pressure.

Yet after brief panic, the group steadied, especially seeing their lord remain so composed.

"My lord, tell us what to do—your servants swear to defend Stormhold with our lives!"

"Good. This crisis is not as dire as it seems. Though we cannot yet defeat the Scorpion Brotherhood, we can still secure the safety of Wheatfield Town."

"Thomas!"

"My lord, your servant is 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, your servant is here!"

"Order all guards: Cease training this afternoon. Rest and conserve strength for the bandits' evening assault!"

"Additionally, select one hundred strong male serfs, issue them wooden spears, and integrate them into our defenses…"

Under Gervas's orders, Stormhold mobilized swiftly.

All serfs had to complete essential tasks before noon.

Once done, men, women, and children began felling timber and binding ropes to reinforce the town's walls.

Of course, the Scorpion Bandits would not arrive until evening; before then, the other matters in the intelligence were equally vital.

Not long after Lauren and Thomas departed, Old John arrived with a serf whose face was filled with worry.

This man was Bick, the orchard overseer of the apple grove.

He had previously served under Codon as orchard overseer—a skilled technician in apple cultivation.

Gervas had previously asked Thomas to investigate; Bick had not participated in any of the misdeeds committed by Codon and his men, so he was allowed to continue managing the orchard.

Now, Bick trembled as he recounted the orchard's recent ordeal to Gervas.

Bick was deeply afraid. }

He knew very well what had become of Kedo and the others.

Therefore, although this lord was often merciful, he was also extremely strict with those who erred.

His own mismanagement had caused the loss of dozens of apple trees, and even now the cause of the blight remained unknown—this was a grave dereliction of duty.

Thus, Bick felt his crime was so severe that he might be reduced to slavery.

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

"Hmm, I've heard about this. Bick, don't worry—I already know it wasn't your fault!"

"I will go with you to the apple orchard and resolve the cause of the apple trees' withering!"

What Bick had not anticipated was that the expected punishment never came.

Not even the mildest reprimand.

The lord gently placed his hand on Bick's shoulder, his words and expression filled with comfort and warmth.

"My lord!"

For some reason, Bick—who was already a father of two children—felt his nose sting.

With a thud, Bick knelt to the ground and burst into loud sobs.