192: Is the first generation not smart?

"Commander Hadusen, the reconnaissance of the Pioneer Territory ahead is complete."

"According to the captured human patrol knight, this territory is called Green Wave Ridge, and the lord is—"

The biting cold wind swept across the barren hilltop. A beastman resembling an anthropomorphic wildcat reported respectfully to the rhino beastman, whose mountain-like frame was covered in silver armor.

Behind them gathered an elite squad of about fifty beastmen, composed of various small tribes from the Beast Tribe.

They rubbed their hands and looked toward the small town in the distance, where smoke rose from cooking fires. Each of them exuded a foul stench of blood, like executioners who lived by killing.

Their large, scarlet eyes were filled with excitement for war and bloodlust, like a bottomless abyss that could never be filled.

Several days ago, after receiving orders from Gustat, the leader of the Beast Tribe, they had been led by Commander Hadusen, a mid-tier beastman from the Silver Rhino Tribe.

Starting from the border of the Pioneer Territory in the northwest, they had been continuously raiding southwestward.

Along the way, they had attacked five Pioneer Territories of various sizes. Apart from resources and women, they left nothing behind.

Now, their footsteps, like those of the Grim Reaper, had stepped onto this land called Green Wave Ridge.

As the wildcat beastman finished his report, Hadusen licked his thick lips and revealed a bloodthirsty smile.

"Two Silver Knights? They are much stronger than those previous Pioneer Territories."

"It's just a shame I don't know their specific strength; I hope they don't disappoint me."

Hearing this, the wolf beastman beside him looked puzzled and said, "Commander Hadusen, why must you attack these territories on the edge of the Pioneer Territory? Wouldn't it be better to attack the interior and kill more lords?"

"No, no, no, Troll, you are wrong."

Hadusen waved his hand and explained with a wild smile, "Compared to those Pioneer Lords near the interior, the Pioneer Lords in the border areas are mostly stronger."

"Rather than attacking those weak lords who only know how to enjoy themselves and are timid as mice, killing stronger lords with larger forces brings us more joy and prestige, doesn't it?"

"So that's it, Commander Hadusen is wise!" Troll realized in an instant and then praised sincerely, "I believe that under your leadership, we will definitely be able to sweep through all the territories in the southwest."

Hadusen laughed loudly, very pleased with Troll's flattery.

After the laughter dissipated into the wind and snow, Hadusen's expression returned to its original arrogance and contempt.

Turning to face the beastman Soldiers, he swung the fine iron mace mixed with a small amount of mithril in his hand, and a roar like a beast's battle cry suddenly erupted.

"My bravest beastman warriors, ahead is the Pioneer Territory of the Pedan Kingdom. Even the strongest among them are only two Silver Knights."

"This is another gift from the Beast God to us. Let us repay Him with blood and death!"

"Repay the Beast God! Repay the Beast God!"

Accompanying the exhilarating roars that shook the heavens, the beastmen rushed toward the peaceful town in the distance.

Although there were only about fifty of them, the momentum they exuded was like that of a thousand troops, and even the ground beneath their feet was trembling violently.

The massive commotion attracted the attention of everyone in the town. While shocked, the lord of Green Wave Ridge immediately ordered all knights and Soldiers to meet the enemy.

But with just one clash, the lord's forces were wiped out, and cries of extreme pain rang out one after another.

Regret, horror, and despair instantly spread among all the Serfs.

Soon, endless fire and smoke filled the core town of Green Wave Ridge, and the blood-soaked ground looked like a red lake.

"Brother, what is this?"

At night, in Christina's room, looking at the white crystal Lister took out from his storage ring, Christina looked confused.

Lister smiled gently and extended the white crystal toward her: "This is a snow-pattern crystal I obtained when I went to support the White Cat-Ear Tribe. It is a rare crystal that can help one comprehend the ice element."

"Besides that, it also has a chance to allow the user to awaken the ability to control blizzards."

"You have a strong affinity for natural elements, so I want you to take it and see if you can awaken it."

"This, this is too valuable." Christina's small face panicked, and she waved her fair arms repeatedly: "Brother, you should use it yourself. It is more important to you than to me."

Lister gently stroked her little head, a look of gratification appearing on his face: "I know you are doing this for my sake, but Brother obtained five of them this time."

"I already used one before, but it's a pity I don't have the talent for that awakening. But with your talent, there is a very high probability that you can."

"If you can awaken successfully, I estimate that your magic power will not be far from that of a High Mage, and you will be able to help me with some things then."

"Really? Can I help Brother too?" Christina asked excitedly. Seeing Lister nod seriously, she was overjoyed: "Mm-hmm, I will definitely practice hard and not let down Brother's trust."

"Hahaha, good, then I will keep my eyes peeled and wait for your good news." Lister laughed heartily.

Without staying longer, he urged Christina to rest early, exchanged a few words with the little ones like White Ze, and then stepped out of the room.

Just a few steps out of the room, a maid in a uniform with a pure appearance and a tall figure appeared before his eyes.

"Lord Lister, Lucina greets you!"

Nodding slightly in response, Lister sized up the beautiful girl in front of him.

Because of the many complicated matters during this period, he had almost forgotten about this future High Mage.

But he had to say that compared to when he first met her in Coridinglo some time ago, the overall feeling she gave people now had improved a lot.

He knew that the improvement in living conditions was certainly the biggest reason. Now, her entire demeanor had completely lost the gloom and pain from before.

Her bright and gentle temperament made him feel comfortable, and the hidden sadness and nostalgia in her eyes added a touch of vulnerability that made people want to protect her.

Her beautiful face hadn't changed much, but her figure had shed its former immaturity and become more plump and full.

If it weren't for that youthful face, others might have thought she was some beautiful young woman.

Seeing Lister staring at her intently, Lucina immediately lowered her pale purple eyes, unable to see her toes. Her small face flushed like a dragon blood fruit, and her breathing began to quicken slightly.

Why is Lord Lister staring at me like this? Could it be that he has...

For a moment, all kinds of unfounded reveries sprang from the depths of her mind. Her two white hands were twisted together in front of her, looking at a loss.

Noticing the change in her expression, Lister immediately realized he had been a bit impolite just now.

However, he didn't apologize or explain anything. After all, he was the lord now. Was it a crime to observe the external changes of his sister's maid?

Coughing lightly to hide his embarrassment, he said with an easygoing smile: "Lucina, looking at you, you must have adapted well to life in the Iron Thorn Territory Branch during this time."

"...Ah, yes, Lord Lister." After a moment of dullness, Lucina suddenly woke up: "If you hadn't helped me escape the clutches of the Slave traders, I definitely wouldn't have such a good life now."

"And Miss Christina has always been very good to me. I feel very honored to be able to serve her."

"Although my tribe is no more, I have felt the feeling of home here again."

The blush on her face faded. When she said these words, her expression was extremely sincere, which moved even Lister.

The comforting words he had just thought of were swallowed back at this moment, so he had to change the subject.

"Lucina, do you want to learn magic?"

Lucina was stunned, not knowing why he would suddenly ask this, but she still answered seriously: "Lord Lister, I have never learned magic before, I am afraid I don't have the talent for it."

"And I am already very satisfied just being able to serve by Miss Christina's side. I dare not have any other extravagant hopes."

"Haha, you don't have to worry, I'm not testing you."

Lister's eyebrows relaxed slightly, and he continued: "After my observation during this period, I found that your Spiritual Power is very deep, which is very helpful for the practice of magic."

"If you are willing, I can let you learn magic systematically."

"I have the talent to learn magic?" Lucina looked surprised, not knowing what to say for a moment.

It wasn't that she didn't believe in herself, but that although she used to be the daughter of the leader of a cat-ear tribe, her status was considered precious.

But to say she had anything to do with mages, that was really not the case. After all, the cultivation systems of all tribal forces in the Western Territory hardly had any mages.

The reason for this situation was not only that the tribal forces had their own gods they believed in and unique extraordinary cultivation systems.

Another reason was that the human kingdoms that mastered the mage cultivation system, or more accurately, the church, controlled the path of mage cultivation very strictly.

Compared to the knight Breathing Technique, which was rarely circulated on the market, magic books were even scarcer, and almost all of them were low-level or incomplete magic books.

To learn magic by relying on one's own ability without the systematic guidance of a magic teacher required at least medium or higher magic talent.

But under these circumstances, the future development of self-taught students would not be very high, which is precisely why mages were so precious.

Seeing that Lucina was not only unhappy but also showed a look of self-doubt, Lister couldn't help but be amused.

He estimated that if he said this to someone else, that person would probably jump up with joy.

It was probably only this dull little maid who would show such a silly look.

He affirmed it to her again: "My judgment of people is never wrong."

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Lister." Lucina expressed her gratitude immediately, but still looked hesitant: "But... wouldn't that mean I can't serve Miss Christina anymore?"

"Lister laughed out loud and teased: "So you were worrying about this. I really don't know whether to say you are loyal or not smart."

"Don't worry, it's just letting you learn magic. You are still Christina's maid."

"Thank you, Lord Lister." Lucina bowed elegantly and thanked him with a beaming smile.

Shaking his head with a smile, telling her to wait a few more days, Lister walked toward his room, leaving behind the girl's admiring gaze.

Returning to his room, Lister didn't rest directly.

After organizing his actions and gains during this period in his mind, he summoned the white ancient book and started today's divination.

Looking down the divination information one by one—

[Divination 1: The blizzard will weaken significantly late tomorrow night and will recover five days later.]

Finally weakening!

He felt a little happy. During this period, most of the northwest area of the Pioneer Territory had been suffering from the blizzard.

It not only affected the normal development of the Pioneer Territory but also caused great inconvenience to travel.

Now that the momentum of the blizzard is weakening, he can take advantage of this time to organize the Serfs to clear the snow around Blackwood Town with the town as the center.

This will not only facilitate the travel of the territory but also provide convenience for the next war.

His eyes moved slightly downward.

[Divination 2: Earl Theodore, who received Tiffany's letter, sent a message to Montgomery and Wells in time, allowing them to successfully avoid the joint ambush of the Beast Tribe.]

Phew, fortunately, it was delivered in time.

He had been worried about this matter these days. Now that he had the exact information from the divination, his heart was at ease.

As long as the situation on the northwest front is not too bad, he can still sit firmly in his own little acre of the Iron Thorn Territory Branch.

As for Earl Theodore's subsequent response, he could only wait and see.

Two consecutive divinations in his favor made him feel much more relaxed, and he continued to look down.

[Divination 3: The Grand Deacon of the Black Witch Church stationed in the Western Territory, Gran Ferguson, will pass through the northern edge of Primo Territory the day after tomorrow evening to go to the Giant Elephant Tribe.]

The look of ease on his face gradually faded. The speed of the Black Witch Church's actions was somewhat beyond his expectations.

As for why they chose the Giant Elephant Tribe, he guessed there might be two reasons.

One is because they are close to the Pioneer Territory, and the other is because the Giant Elephant Tribe is relatively strong.

If they can successfully provoke a conflict between the two sides, it can greatly contain the forces of the Pioneer Territory, and at the same time, it will undoubtedly be more favorable to the Black Witch Church's planning in the interior of the Western Territory.

Of course, he estimated that the Black Witch Church was definitely not just going to instigate one tribe; he was afraid that the surrounding tribes were all within their targets.

But fortunately, the location where this Grand Deacon passes is not far from his Iron Thorn Territory Branch, otherwise, it would be really out of reach to intercept halfway.

As for the Grand Deacon's strength, he wasn't very worried. After all, he had already seen a Grand Deacon of the Black Witch Church in Aetheria last time, and his strength was only Silver Mid-Tier.

He thought this Gran Ferguson, even if stronger, certainly wouldn't be much stronger, otherwise, he would have become a bishop long ago.

However, he was not arrogant enough to think he could take him down easily. When intercepting, he would still spare no effort.

Without thinking further, he looked at the last divination—