85: Fort Overlook

Chapter 85 Lookout Fort

Arthur, after hearing the young man's name, said nothing and simply ordered him to help Catherine.

After Paul left, Godwin looked puzzled and asked, "My Lord, aren't you going to learn more about the situation?"

"Since you believe he is a capable talent, that is enough. Arrange for him to start working as soon as possible."

Arthur replied while taking out the information he had acquired.

Godwin smiled slightly, then bowed and thanked him, "Thank you for your trust, My Lord."

"Alright, alright, there's no need for us to be so formal," Arthur waved his hand. "Come, help me look at these documents."

Godwin took the documents from Arthur's hand and began to read them carefully.

After a quick browse, he selected a few important documents and handed them to Arthur, saying, "My Lord, in my opinion, these documents are quite valuable.

"One of them is a border map of the Bull Earl's territory and the Kalinshan Remnants.

"The rest are all research materials about Night Mist.

"They include eyewitness testimonies, survivor accounts, and research conclusions from priests of various temples."

Arthur took the documents and looked at them, then said, "It seems this so-called mist is more like a moving plague.

"Once inhaled, one becomes infected and transforms into an undead creature."

Godwin nodded and asked, "Do you need me to inform the others of this information?"

"Go ahead," Arthur replied.

After Godwin left, Arthur got up and paced the room, a surge of irritation rising within him.

If the Night Mist problem wasn't resolved quickly, the Pioneer Group's entry into Qingfeng Valley would be indefinitely delayed.

Just then, a knock sounded, and Vanka entered.

She reported, "My Lord, you have a letter."

"A letter?"

"Yes, it's from your mother."

Arthur took the letter, opened it, and read it.

The first half of the letter contained Matilda's heartfelt greetings.

The latter half recounted some events that had occurred in Wolf Den City.

His father, Evil Wolf Earl, in order to appease the public and gain the support of the Mother Earth Church, had decided to send Richard to the chopping block.

This decision caused Matilda immense grief.

In the letter, she earnestly pleaded with Arthur to write back and assure her of his safety.

A silver coin was also tucked inside the envelope.

Arthur couldn't help but smile. He put away the letter, his mood slightly calmer.

"Things will work themselves out," he murmured.

"What did you say, My Lord?" Vanka asked.

"I want to write a reply to my mother." Arthur gestured, "Come here, it's a good opportunity to teach you some words."

Under the setting sun, the wooden fortress lay sprawled on the gentle slope at the end of the hill, like a chewed-up piece of beeswax.

The crooked fence was made of half-logs and dead tree trunks.

Many wooden stakes were riddled with holes from wind and rain, their pointed tops long since worn blunt.

Only the tattered rags stuffed into the gaps fluttered in the wind, like dirty bandages covering wounds.

"My Lord, we're almost there," Newt reminded the lord lying in the covered wagon.

Arthur poked his head out from the front of the wagon and looked ahead.

Iron Shovel, who was driving, spat to the side and grumbled, "Can that thing even be called a fortress?

"My son's treehouse when he was little was better than this."

"Not everyone is as good at building as you dwarves," Arthur said. "What is that?"

Newt cupped his hand over his eyes, looking ahead, and replied, "I think it should be a lookout tower."

"A lookout tower with only half of it left!" Iron Shovel corrected.

"Great!" Arthur said with a wry smile, then ducked back into the covered wagon.

Three or two sentries huddled at the entrance of the fortress.

Their leather armor was torn, and their unmaintained spears leaned against darkened wooden posts.

As expected, the soldiers of Lookout Fort were not very welcoming to their group of outsiders.

It wasn't until Arthur revealed his identity and a pass from the two great families that Commander Jafar of Lookout Fort allowed the Pioneer Group to enter.

Arthur and Jafar rode side by side.

The open space in the center of the fortress was full of mud puddles, and several piles of horse dung glistened in the setting sun.

In a corner, a broken-down carriage leaned, two of its wheel spokes snapped.

Half a basket of blackened potatoes was piled on the carriage board, and several crows were pecking at the insects in the potatoes.

"You'll have to be responsible for your own food," the Commander said. "You can use any of those empty rooms.

"There's a tavern to the north, not hard to find.

But let me tell you now, don't let your people cause trouble here.

"I don't care if you're a Baron, on my territory, you follow my rules."

"I will restrain my subordinates," Arthur said. "I also hope your people won't provoke us."

The Commander raised an eyebrow, "You are outsiders, Baron. We don't like outsiders.

"Especially at a time like this, with all sorts of monsters roaming outside the fortress.

"We took down three werewolves two days ago, and I lost two men for it.

"So we have to wonder if you pose a threat, if there are any Beastmen among you, if you carry infectious diseases..." Arthur nodded in understanding, then changed the subject, asking, "Is there a Mother Earth Church here?"

"Of course there is, right next to the barracks," Jafar replied. "You'll definitely find it."

"How many priests are here?" Arthur asked again.

"Not many, five in total, and two of them can cast divine spells." Jafar looked at Arthur, "Are you also a priest of Mother Earth?"

Arthur nodded.

"Very good, we have another helper. How long do you plan to stay here?" the Commander asked again.

"That depends on when I figure out what the Night Mist is."

The Commander's expression visibly changed. "The Night Mist you're talking about, is it that mist that appears at night and attacks villages?"

"Uh-huh. I can only send my people to Qingfeng Valley once I figure out what this thing is."

"Which means you'll be staying here for a long time."

"I'm afraid so."

"Baron, this isn't a town, it's more like a fortress.

"As you can see, the environment is harsh, and the garrison consists of short-tempered, over-energetic soldiers.

The longer you stay, the more resentment people will have towards you.

"I can restrain my soldiers, but I can't restrain them forever, do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand, Commander."

The next day, Arthur woke up on a hard wooden bed. He opened his panel, full of anticipation that today's intelligence would bring some useful information.

Blue Intelligence: There are residual Leyline powers in the Hearthfire Village temple that can be absorbed by the Sacred Tome.

Blue Intelligence: Leylines are hidden beneath the Whispering Place and can be ignited by the Sacred Tome.

Green Intelligence: The Black Goat Caravan can freely enter and exit Qingfeng Valley; establishing good relations with them can yield intelligence.

White Intelligence: The Night Mist will appear near Lookout Fort in two days.

White Intelligence: Commander Jafar is troubled by food shortages; helping to solve this problem can improve the locals' goodwill.

After browsing, Arthur quickly washed up and found Catherine, instructing her to try and contact the Black Goat Caravan to gather information.

Then he took Philip and walked directly towards the Commander's residence.