105: visit

The cold wind swept through the exposed skeleton of beams and pillars, and I stopped at the edge of the half-meter-high platform.

“Very good. I trust the reputation of Flame Fist, and I trust you. I, Lion Black, accept your allegiance during the period of your employment!” The yet-to-be-sealed dome cut the moonlight into rhomboid light spots, which fell precisely on the already laid floor behind me. “Now, the highest commander in the territory, besides myself—the Minister of Defense, Holy Knight Randall, will read the Territory Law to you.”

The parchment Randall unrolled was as long as an arm span. “…Elite Guard Titan Evonwood, please receive it.” The Holy Knight held up the parchment with both hands.

Titan Evonwood stepped forward and knelt on one knee, holding the parchment as if receiving a sacred object. “I swear, I and my subordinates will strictly obey the laws of the territory, and at the same time, we will supervise all the people of the territory to obey this law, and firmly execute the will of the Lord.”

Randall nodded and handed the parchment, filled with laws, into his hands.

“I heard that the Lord has just inherited a new territory, how can there be so many new and curious laws?” Some soldiers began to whisper among themselves.

Kovenreid cleared his throat, and silence immediately fell. Titan Evonwood’s Adam’s apple was bobbing up and down under my gaze.

When Old Hather led a group of laborers with twenty-one snowfield steeds, all the officers and soldiers’ eyes instantly lit up.

“These warhorses are assigned to each of you by the Lord during your employment,” Randall said loudly, “Please take good care of them on a daily basis. If there is any damage, there will be no second free horse for you.”

The Flame Fist officers and soldiers immediately burst into excitement, and the thrilled crowd eagerly took the reins from the laborers.

“Silence!” Kovenreid shouted like thunder.

The officers and soldiers on the ground immediately straightened their backs and silently led their horses back to their positions.

I cleared my throat and said, “According to reliable information, Gnolls are spreading towards the northeast of Quagmire Fortress. Eileen Village is in their path. I want you to set off tonight, arrive as soon as possible, and relieve the three Amn guards in the village!”

I paused, then continued, “If there are many Gnolls arriving at Eileen Village, Titan Evonwood.”

“Here!” The Elite Guard responded.

“You inform the village chief of Eileen Village to lead all villagers to retreat into the underground bunker. The passage there is long and narrow, which is convenient for your defense,” I continued, “If you are trapped, you let my animal companion, the magical beast Black Panther, come to find me. It has a way to bypass the enemy.”

“Yes, Lord!” Titan replied.

“Everyone, please mount!” I shouted loudly.

“Yes, Lord!” Twenty-one Flame Fist officers and soldiers flipped onto their horses.

“The defense of Eileen Village is entrusted to you! If any villager is lost, I will know immediately.” I raised my hands high, making the passage in the mist wider, and said loudly, “The lives of 82 villagers are entrusted to your protection! Warriors! Depart!”

The silver glow of the full moon illuminated the winding Wan'an Highway to the south. The Flame Fist officers and soldiers, riding their steeds, formed a single file and began to gallop south, one after another.

Phew… I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Lord Lion, what’s going on with the Gnolls? How do you know they are advancing in this direction?” Watching the Flame Fist Soldiers depart, Kovenreid turned to look at me.

“Lord Fuel Flame,” I looked at him steadily, “Let’s talk in private.” I led him and Randall towards the backyard.

After I surrounded the three of us in a circular space with thick fog, Kovenreid continued to ask, “Is the source of the information reliable?”

“Absolutely reliable!” I said sternly, “But I cannot tell you the source of the information.”

“This…” Kovenreid was a bit speechless.

“The information I received is not limited to this,” I continued, “There is a planar rift leading to the Bottomless Abyss within Quagmire Fortress, and Gnolls are continuously entering the Prime Material Plane through the rift.”

“What!” Randall and Kovenreid exclaimed simultaneously.

“I need to meet Lord of Gorebest, Cedas Ohmri, as soon as possible.” I looked at the two firmly, “As the Lord of Cloud Mist Mountain Northern Foothills, I wish to discuss the formation of a joint army with Lord Cedas Ohmri.”

“Form a joint army!” Kovenreid’s eyes widened, “If we want the Lord to believe, we must provide evidence.”

“I believe in the Lord!” Randall said firmly.

I sighed, “I cannot provide any evidence. If the Lord does not believe it, he can send scouts to investigate. I can bear the cost of the scouts, but it must be fast.”

Kovenreid pondered for a moment, then looked up at me and Randall, “The Lord has been cultivating in Morning Song Temple recently. I will take you up the mountain tonight.”

The Holy Knight and I exchanged glances and nodded, “Randall, please trouble you to bring the horses over. We will go on horseback.”

Before departing, I instructed Old Hather that he would be in charge of all matters during my absence; and I handed all the architectural blueprints to Wesley and Lucy, telling them to consult Old Hather if they encountered anything they didn’t understand.

While waiting for the team to assemble, I asked Kovenreid, “Lord Fuel Flame, if, and I mean if, Gorebest does not agree to send troops, how many more troops do you have that I can hire?”

“Less than twenty people.” Kovenreid frowned tightly. “If we were to transfer troops from the north, Baldur’s Gate would probably not easily transfer troops to a newly appointed Lord like you. Even if Baldur’s Gate itself sent troops, it usually takes several months of discussion, and even if they agree to send troops, it would take three or four months of marching from Baldur’s Gate to Quagmire Fortress.”

“Understood.” I looked at the hills to the east in silence.

A few minutes later, I, Randall, John, George, Kovenreid, and two Flame Fist Soldiers, a group of seven, rode on horseback, lightly equipped, along the Wan'an Highway, galloping southeast.

Morning Song Temple is dozens of miles south from here, then east up the mountain.

When the full moon rose into the night sky, we reached the mountaintop. The golden roof of Morning Song Temple shone brightly under the moonlight.

Cedas Ohmri is the Lord of Gorebest town and also a priest of Morning Song Temple.

When he just walked out of the prayer room, the hem of his priestly robe was still stained with dust.

This ruler, known for his frugality, had a silver-wrapped oak staff in his hand, full of repair marks.

“Ah, young Lord Lion, I have heard of you,” the Lord said unhurriedly.

“Finally, I see you, Lord!” I bowed to him.

“Visiting late at night, do you have something urgent?” Cedas asked.

Kovenreid stepped forward half a step and repeated the information about the Gnolls and the planar rift that I had mentioned earlier, as well as the idea of forming a joint army.

“Planar rift? No wonder they can’t be completely eliminated!” Lord Cedas asked, “Lord Lion, where did you get this information?”

“I cannot reveal the source of the information,” I said, “But there are quite a few Gnolls coming in our direction now. If Gorebest sends out scouts now, the number of Gnolls can be easily detected.”