143: Improvement of forging technology

"Blackstone Territory was destroyed, and Clarkson abandoned his territory and fled?"

Ren looked at the Magic Wolf that had rushed back to deliver the message, learning from its mouth news that was quite good for Ren personally but bad for the human kingdom.

Blackstone Territory was breached by the Dragon Legion a few days ago. Viscount Black Stone led his retainers and fled, while the people of Blackstone Territory were either killed or enslaved by the Dragon Worship Cult. The entire Blackstone Territory has completely fallen.

The Dragon Legion continued its assault southward, having already breached several noble territories.

"With the strength of that Gold Peak-level Dragon-blooded Monster, how could ordinary Baronies and Viscounts Territories possibly hold out? Even a Count's Territory might not withstand it."

"The nobles of the Northern Frontier are in for trouble this time!"

While the Dragon Legion's sweep through the Northern Frontier was a disaster for other nobles, for Ren, it was currently all good news.

Ren had essentially gained the populations and vast resources of the three Baronies: Bright Moon Territory, Black Iron Territory, and Rye Territory. Red River Territory had grown immensely in one go, with a population exceeding one hundred thousand and abundant reserves of various supplies.

Ren waved his hand, allowing the Magic Wolf to go rest, while he himself went to the castle's high platform to overlook Red River City.

Today was January 17th, 1239 of the golden calendar. More than half a month had passed since the Dragon invasion of the Northern Frontier.

Red River City, with its population of one hundred thousand, had developed rapidly over the past half-month. Numerous six-story residential buildings had sprung up, and one red residential district after another filled the city.

Red River City was now divided into several large zones: residential areas, Forge Workshop areas, cultivation areas, and breeding areas.

The busiest and most bustling were the residential areas and the Forge Workshop areas. Compared to the lively residential areas, the cultivation and breeding areas were much quieter.

Although several heavy snowfalls had occurred recently, all the snow within Red River City had been cleared and piled into the cultivation areas, leaving no trace of snow elsewhere.

The tall city walls had been repaired several times with basic spells, and many defensive installations had been added to the walls, greatly enhancing their defensive capabilities.

Red River Fortress, where Ren resided, had also been renovated. The castle was now taller than before and had gained two additional auxiliary towers.

This was the result of the combined efforts of Alistair, Cecilia, Melissa, and Ariya.

The four ladies residing in Red River Fortress, led by Alistair, had carried out beautification and enhancement renovations on the entire fortress.

Alistair was originally a Silver Peak mage and had recently broken through to Gold Rank, greatly increasing her strength and renovation abilities. As for Melissa, a Gold Peak mage, her capabilities went without saying.

Under the renovations of these four ladies, Red River Fortress saw significant improvements in both its aesthetic appearance and comfort.

Not only that, but the mage ladies also set up many Spell Traps and Warning Magic within the castle, further enhancing its defensive capabilities.

Alistair also decorated Red River Fortress with a large portion of her collection, adorning various parts of the fortress with beautiful, luxurious furniture and other artworks.

The two fairy ladies planted many exotic flowers and trees, adding much vitality to Red River Fortress.

From a distance, Red River Fortress now appeared as a majestic crimson castle, with flowers and ancient trees dotting its corners.

Ren allowed them to proceed with the renovations of Red River Fortress as they pleased. After all, he didn't have to contribute any effort, manpower, or resources, and the results were indeed excellent. He now lived much more comfortably than before.

Apart from these changes, the most significant developments were the creation of a moat and a small lake.

To increase the water supply, Ren tapped into an underground spring in the eastern cultivation area of Red River City. He then excavated a large pit on-site, forming a sizable artificial lake, and dug a water channel that circled around the high slope of Red River Fortress before crossing through Red River City.

The development of this water source met all of Red River City's water needs, greatly facilitating people's lives.

"Lord!"

Ross came to report to Ren, his strength having now broken through to High Silver Rank.

"It seems the dragon blood potion provided by Master Capdo is quite effective."

Ren was pleased to see Ross's breakthrough in strength.

After the corpse of the Gold Peak-level Dragon-blooded Monster, which Kapdo and Anatolis had ambushed and killed, was recovered, Kapdo processed it and refined dozens of Silver Rank dragon blood potions.

These Potions were distributed by Ren to the Professionals of the Guard Army, further boosting their strength.

"Yes, Lord. The Potions refined by Master Capdo are highly effective, especially in enhancing the physical strength of warriors. This time, three more warriors have broken through to Silver Rank."

"Additionally, over twenty warriors have broken through to Bronze Rank. I came here to report and request the allocation of a batch of Magic Wolves as their combat partners."

"Follow the old rule: let these warriors who have broken through to Bronze Rank choose their own partners from the Wolf Pack."

After Anatolis brought a large number of Magic Wolves, Ren was no longer short of Magic Wolf mounts. All warriors who met the requirements could go to the Wolf Pack to select combat partners.

However, this selection process was now two-way rather than one-way.

Warriors chose Magic Wolves, and Magic Wolves also chose warriors—a mutual selection.

With the provision of many Warrior Potions and Brave Potions, the number of Magic Wolf Knights in Red River Territory continued to grow, now exceeding one hundred.

As the number of Professionals increased and their strength improved, the demand for various types of Enchanted Equipment grew, making Ren place greater emphasis on the Forge Workshop.

Ren knew that Ross had come not only to request the allocation of Magic Wolves but also, more importantly, to inquire about Enchanted Equipment.

Sure enough, Ross's next sentence mentioned Enchanted Equipment.

"Lord, I heard that the Forge Workshop has forged high-quality equipment capable of being enchanted, and some of it has already been enchanted by Master Capdo?"

Ross rubbed his hands together. Most of his newly promoted Magic Wolf Knights lacked suitable Enchanted Equipment.

Upon hearing that the territory could produce Enchanted Equipment, they surrounded Ross, urging him to approach Ren and inquire if it was true.

"Hahaha!"

"You're quite well-informed. Master Capdo just successfully enchanted a batch of equipment, and here you are."

"Really?"

"Lord, can the territory really produce Enchanted Equipment now?"

Ross was overjoyed upon receiving Ren's confirmation. He had thought the earlier rumors were exaggerations by the blacksmiths, but it turned out to be true.

"Yes, but the quantity is limited!"

"Master Capdo has been experimenting with enchantments these past few days and has already produced a few finished items. However, further adjustments are needed. I believe good news will come in a few days."

"Go back and tell the warriors not to worry. The territory producing Enchanted Equipment is a certainty—there won't be any issues. The Enchanted Equipment produced will definitely be prepared for them and won't go anywhere else."

"Tell the warriors to focus on their training, defend the territory well, and not worry about anything else. I'll handle everything."

"Yes, Lord!"

Ross happily went back to deliver the good news.

Watching Ross's departing figure, Ren thought again of the Forge Workshop.

Thanks to the addition of the Lair building, the Blacksmith Shop, Red River Territory gained ten master blacksmiths. These ten blacksmiths could all forge high-quality weapons and equipment, meeting the standards required for mages to perform enchantments.

Additionally, Holland and Walt's strength and forging skills had improved rapidly. They could also produce high-quality ordinary equipment, their craftsmanship nearly matching that of the Lair blacksmiths.

Both were now attempting to forge transcendent equipment—a technique not even mastered by the Lair blacksmiths. If they could master it and successfully forge transcendent weapons, Red River Territory's forging technology would advance to a new level.

Coupled with Kapdo's enchantments, Ren could then replace several of his weapons and equipment, further boosting his strength.

While Ren was diligently enhancing Red River Territory's strength, the situation on the Northern Frontier's battlefield took a sudden turn.