Lord Lei Luo watched Bishop Augustus and his entourage depart in a grand procession, not exhaling until the banner representing the Holy See disappeared over the distant horizon.
The pressure brought by this Lord Bishop was far greater than he outwardly displayed.
“We finally sent this plague god away, at least for now.”
Lei Luo breathed a sigh of relief.
In the following days, the Blackstone Territory returned to its usual busyness and tranquility.
Various affairs within the territory progressed in an orderly fashion under Lei Luo’s planning.
What pleased him most, however, was the growth of the two Ironclad Rhinoceros calves.
The little ones, stolen from the Blackwater River, were now magnificent.
Their bodies had surged to over two meters long and nearly one and a half meters tall, their once slightly tender bluish-black thick hides now gleamed with a hard metallic luster, as if they had donned a true layer of Ironclad.
Their four limbs were thick and powerful, each step on the ground accompanied by a dull thud.
The single horn on their heads, once short, had grown to half a foot, its tip glinting coldly.
On the training ground opened in the territory, they ran like small whirlwinds.
Even a typical Great Knight would not dare to match them in strength; it was preliminarily estimated that the two little ones already possessed the combat power of a Tier 2 magical beast, becoming one of the Blackstone Territory's foundations.
This afternoon.
After Lei Luo finished his official duties, he thought for a moment and had his attendant invite Bolin.
Soon, Bolin appeared at the study door.
Lei Luo looked at him; the frustration and unwillingness that had been etched on his brow when he first arrived at the Blackstone Territory had long since vanished without a trace.
“My Lord.”
Bolin bowed.
Lei Luo motioned for him to sit down and personally poured him a mug of ale.
“Bolin, you must have complained a lot in your heart, following me to this godforsaken frontier to open up new land, didn’t you?”
Bolin’s old face flushed slightly, and he picked up the mug and took a sip, seemingly trying to hide the momentary embarrassment.
“My Lord, it is my duty to follow you.”
He spoke grandiosely, but his slightly lowered eyelids clearly indicated his agreement with Lei Luo’s statement.
When he first arrived at the Blackstone Territory, he was indeed full of complaints, and even started with some passive resistance.
“Duty?”
Lei Luo raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
“I remember someone’s face was longer than the stones of the Black Stone Mountain when he first came, finding fault with everything, almost making me think I was going to sell him to a mine to dig for black iron ore.”
Bolin was a bit sheepish at being exposed and coughed dryly.
“My Lord is joking. This subordinate… was just a little unaccustomed at the time.”
Lei Luo laughed heartily and stopped teasing him.
“Alright, no more jokes. I’ve seen how much you’ve done for the Blackstone Territory these past days.”
His smile receded a bit, and his expression became serious.
“From the initial camp construction to the maintenance of territorial security, you have been diligent and never slacked off for a moment. The Blackstone Territory has suffered multiple invasions, and you have always charged to the front, never falling behind. For the Blackstone Territory to have its current scale and stability, Sir Bolin, your contributions are indispensable.”
Hearing Lei Luo’s solemn evaluation, Bolin’s heart warmed.
“My Lord overpraises me; these are all within this subordinate’s duties.”
Bolin said in a deep voice, his tone even a little choked up.
Lei Luo waved his hand: “Merit is merit, fault is fault. I, Lei Luo, have always been fair in rewards and punishments.”
He took out an exquisite wooden box from his In arms and placed it on the table, gently pushing it towards Bolin.
The wooden box was rustic, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.
Bolin’s heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed something, his breathing involuntarily quickening.
“Open it and see,” Lei Luo said with a smile.
Bolin extended a slightly trembling hand and slowly opened the wooden box.
A crystal-clear glass bottle lay quietly on a red velvet cushion, containing a pale golden liquid that emitted strange energy fluctuations and a refreshing fragrance.
“This… this is…”
Bolin’s voice was a little dry, his eyes filled with incredulous shock and desire.
As an experienced Great Knight, how could he not recognize the origin of this potion!
“Earth Knight Breakthrough Potion.”
Lei Luo clearly spoke its name.
“You’ve been stuck at the Great Knight realm for many years, haven’t you? This bottle of potion might help you break through the bottleneck and step into the ranks of an Earth Knight.”
Earth Knight!
Bolin felt his heart pounding violently in his chest.
He was forty-four this year, and had originally thought there was no hope of promotion in this life.
Unexpectedly, in this remote frontier, when he was no longer young, there was still such an opportunity!
He suddenly stood up, knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
“My Lord! Such a generous gift, this subordinate… how can this subordinate be worthy!”
He knew the value of this potion all too well.
In Lei Long City, a bottle of Earth Knight Breakthrough Potion was enough to make knights fight tooth and nail.
And now, Lord Lei Luo had actually bestowed such a precious potion upon him!
“Get up, Bolin.”
Lei Luo helped him up.
“You and Aide followed me to the Blackstone Territory, and your contributions are immense. Whether it’s Aide or you, since you pledge allegiance to me, your efforts will all be rewarded.”
Bolin’s eyes were a little red, and he took a deep breath.
“Please rest assured, My Lord! Bolin, in this life, will surely not fail My Lord’s high expectations! I am willing to die for My Lord, for the Blackstone Territory!”
At this moment, there was no longer any lingering attachment to the past in his heart, only anticipation for the future and boundless gratitude towards Lei Luo.
Lei Luo nodded with satisfaction.
“Very good. Go now, find a quiet place, and break through with peace of mind. This breakthrough potion is a masterpiece personally crafted by Master Barnaby; the success rate of breakthrough is higher than that of ordinary potions. Take it after you are well prepared, and strive to succeed in one go, letting things take their natural course.”
“Yes, My Lord!”
Bolin tightly clutched the wooden box in his hand, bowed solemnly again, then turned and strode away.
Watching Bolin’s retreating figure, Lei Luo picked up his mug and drained the ale in one gulp.
The next morning.
【Daily Intelligence Refresh】
【1: A medium-sized mercenary group from Lei Long City has arrived in the nearby Iron Thorn Territory. This mercenary group is named “Iron Skull,” and its composition includes one Earth Knight, three Great Knights, twenty-six Knights, and over a hundred Knight Squires. The financial backer behind this mercenary group is First Prince Elliott.】
【2: It is rumored that the Baron of Sunset Territory’s youngest daughter eloped with a stable boy, and the Baron has offered a reward of fifty Silver Dragons for her return, becoming a laughingstock among the nobles of the surrounding territories.】
【3: South of the Blackwater River, Baron Philip, the “Drunkard” of Red Stone Territory, has driven his territory’s finances to the brink of collapse due to excessive feasting, and is now selling off his family manor and several mining rights at low prices.】
【4: The Viscount of Grayrock City has announced an additional “war surcharge” on all merchant caravans within his territory, causing widespread dissatisfaction and protests among merchants.】
【5: The unmarried Countess “Isabella,” renowned throughout the Principality for her beauty, wealth, and romantic escapades, recently made a high-profile announcement through bards, offering a generous annual remuneration of one thousand Silver Dragons and a private lakeside manor as compensation to recruit a “personal advisor who must be handsome and dashing, witty and humorous, and possess profound knowledge and powerful strength.” As soon as this news broke, it immediately attracted countless self-proclaimed extraordinary rogue mages and young Knights eager to achieve instant success.】
【6: The succession struggle in the Earl of Red Maple Territory has reached a fever pitch, with both heirs contacting supporting lords, gathering Knights, and preparing their horses and weapons; a war is imminent.】
【7: In the eastern Black Stone Mountain Range, the newly established young Black Dragon has become increasingly active, recently destroying multiple monster lairs. Some surviving monsters, awed by its dragon might, were forced to submit. A Tier 4 magical beast, a Twin-Winged Bat Dragon, and a Redfire Demon Raven clan have become the Black Dragon’s new vassals.】
【8: The border conflict between the Blazing Sun Kingdom and the Thunder Dragon Principality is escalating, and Duke Lei Long has dispatched a thousand-strong detachment of the Lei Long Knight Regiment to assist in border defense.】
【9: Territory Knight Bolin, after receiving the bestowed Earth Knight Breakthrough Potion, is fully preparing for his breakthrough. He will successfully break through to an Earth Knight two days later. Thanks to this, the training enthusiasm of the territory’s Knights and apprentices has significantly increased.】
【10: Your Dou Qi Seed is becoming increasingly perfect, having reached the bottleneck for breaking through to a Tier 2 Great Knight. Due to your contracted Silver Dragon Moonlight’s talent, your physique and mental strength far exceed those of ordinary Knights, greatly increasing your breakthrough success rate.】