25: Chapter 25: A Sign of Chaos? The Crimson Knights' Carnage!

On the way home, Rowan was also thinking about his plans for the future.

During this trip, everything he had seen and heard confirmed that the North was sliding into an unknown chaos.

In Ice Lake City, the gates of the merchant associations were now guarded by armed men, and the prices of goods were skyrocketing, especially those related to combat and protection.

On every street and alleyway, the number of refugees had clearly increased; they curled up in sheltered corners, their eyes either hollow or wary.

Well-informed adventurers and mercenaries often spoke of "so-and-so's manor being breached again" or "how many suspected fallen ones the Church's Inquisition had captured."

Any noble with a sharp intuition was already as jittery as a bird startled by a bowstring, beginning to desperately bolster their own strength.

They recruited more private soldiers, stockpiled food and weapons, reinforced manor walls, and even secretly sought the protection of the Church or other powers.

Rowan gazed out the carriage window at the scattered villages in the distance, his eyes growing deeper.

White Cliff Territory was in a remote location: to the east was the North Sea, to the north were the Mess Mountains, and not far to the south was the vast Mist Forest. Only the main road to the west led to the outside world, and the territory had no special local products.

This had once been the reason for its poverty and neglect, but now it served as a temporary barrier.

But barriers would eventually be broken.

When widespread unrest spread, a remote territory like his would not be able to remain unscathed.

Furthermore... after his father died in battle years ago, the family lost a portion of the Mist Forest territory that was rich in Silverleaf Grass and a small amount of Magic Crystal ore.

This fertile land was still in the hands of that Viscount Gladstone.

That was once the glory of the White Cliff family, and it was ancestral land he had to reclaim.

Personal strength, territory, peerage, resources, connections... these thoughts were clearly arranged in his mind.

The core of the [Succubus Many Children, Many Blessings System] lay in "offspring" and "high-quality partners."

Siring offspring with women rated 90 or higher would not only yield generous system rewards, but the children's innate potential would also far exceed that of ordinary people.

However, raising offspring also required a massive amount of resources.

White Cliff Territory's current output was already stretched thin just to support the existing seven children and the three increasingly large Frost Sea Giant Bears; he was already using income from alchemy to subsidize them.

Moreover, a higher rank of nobility meant a larger fief, a larger population, more tax revenue, and a broader social network.

Only by stepping into that circle could he possibly come into contact with more "high-quality partners" who met the system's requirements.

A lady with an 80+ rating like Lady Lillian was already the limit of what one could encounter in a frontier county town.

He didn't even have the qualifications to receive an invitation to the top-tier balls hosted by Duke Witton in the capital of Will Province.

That was where the true power and resources of the North converged, and it was a high-level hunting ground with more abundant "prey."

Of course, nothing could be rushed.

Ambition needed to be watered by strength, and strength required time and opportunity to accumulate.

"Right now, there are three most important things," Rowan organized them silently in his mind, his thoughts as clear as ice.

First, refine secret medicines to enhance his strength.

The Radiant Griffin heart was already in his possession. Combined with the other auxiliary materials he had prepared, the successful refinement of the "Lionheart Dawn" secret medicine was within reach.

This was the key to solidifying his foundation as a Knight and breaking through to a higher level.

Personal martial prowess would always be the most direct source of confidence in a chaotic world.

Second, smelt new techniques to expand his path.

The scroll of the "Shadow Wolf Breathing Method" he had taken from Jeremy contained unique qi-circulation techniques for stealth, bursts of power, and short-range maneuvers.

The core trait of his "Myriad Furnace Breathing Technique" was "inclusivity," allowing him to safely Drain the [Traits] of other Breathing Techniques to smelt and enhance himself.

If he could successfully integrate the eerie agility of the "Shadow Wolf" with the extreme deep cold of "Winter's Oath," his combat capabilities would reach a new level.

Third, contact Aria to sow the seeds for the future.

Aria Windsor, score 91, Chief Priest of the Church of Dawn, from the main Inquisition, her will as firm as ice.

She was the only qualified target he could currently reach.

There might be difficulties, but the value was also extremely high.

Initial contact had established a reasonable entry point through "discussing doctrine." It would require patience, skill, and... a suitable opportunity?

Perhaps some "troubles" occurring in the territory could be used to seek "guidance" from the Church?

The carriage entered the boundaries of the White Cliff Territory.

The familiar grey-white cliffs came into view, with the castle perched on the cliffside like a grey giant eagle with folded wings.

Seeing that the farmland in the territory was still relatively orderly and smoke was curling from the village chimneys, the tension in Rowan's heart relaxed slightly.

However, as the carriage approached the castle gates, Rowan keenly noticed something unusual.

The drawbridge had been lowered early, but there seemed to be more guards than usual, and each had a solemn expression, constantly gazing down the road leading toward the forest.

The pace of the soldiers patrolling the castle walls also seemed hurried.

Just as the carriage came to a steady stop on the courtyard flagstones, the door was urgently pulled open from the outside.

"My Lord! You're finally back!"

Butler Henry's face, usually calm and rigid, was now filled with anxiety and relief.

His steps were a bit disorganized, clearly having rushed over.

Rowan's heart sank as he stepped out of the carriage carrying his luggage. "Butler Henry, what happened? Is there something wrong with the territory?"

"My Lord," Butler Henry took a step forward and said, "On the seventh day after you left, Old Buck's family near the Black Pine Forest... something happened."

"Speak clearly!" Rowan's gaze suddenly became sharp.

"It's the people from the Crimson Fallen Knights! At least... it looks like their handiwork."

Butler Henry spoke faster, his face filled with anger. "Old Buck, his son, and two freemen who were helping out—four people in total—were all killed at their forest cabin."

"When the bodies were found, their chests had been ripped open and their hearts were missing! Beside them, that Twisted Sun Symbol was drawn in blood!"

The Crimson Knights!

They had actually stretched their tentacles into the White Cliff Territory again!

Although it was only the most remote forest area, this was the first time a subject had clearly died from an attack by these lunatics, and in such a cruel and bizarre manner!

Anger flared in Rowan's heart, but his face remained calm as he said, "Let's go. We'll talk more inside."

Just a moment ago, he had been thinking about how to proceed slowly and plan for the future. But the cruelty of reality had already crashed into his territory, bringing with it the smell of blood.

Strengthening himself was a matter of extreme urgency.

And the reason to contact the Chief Priest of the Church of Dawn... seemed to have delivered itself to his doorstep.

...