Chapter 178: The Rising Watchtower
Yet none of them had done so.
Luke wasn’t angry. Merely curious. Then he recalled another detail.
Before the recent renovations. He was fairly certain there hadn’t been anyone stronger than a Silver-ranked official managing those branches.
"So that was the reason." Luke’s eyes flashed with understanding.
"No wonder for all these years."
"Hardly any bandits dared to openly attack the territory."
He folded his arms while quietly organizing the information in his mind.
"And Roland also never made a move either."
Everything finally clicked together. The four major organizations.
They still possessed four Silver-ranked experts.
If anyone recklessly provoked them. The consequences wouldn’t be pleasant.
Even Roland would’ve had to think twice before offending four continent-wide organizations simultaneously.
Luke slowly nodded. "Makes sense now."
Still his eyes narrowed.
"Business is business. They can renovate. They can expand."
"But..."
"If they think they’ll quietly profit from my territory without paying anything."
A faint smile slowly spread across his lips. "Then they’re dreaming."
His smile became noticeably more cunning. "Free benefits are expensive in Blackstone."
"I’ll deal with them after I finish today’s work."
Giving the four headquarters one last glance. Luke beat his massive silver wings.
FWOOOSH!!
His figure instantly shot across the sky.
Only a short while later. The towering main gate of Blackstone came into view.
And also the surrounding defensive wall had already taken shape.
Hundreds of workers moved back and forth with remarkable efficiency.
Some transported massive stone blocks. Others mixed mortar.
His Earth mage also continuously reinforced the foundations.
Judging from the current pace. The walls would likely be completed within just a few more days.
"Faster than expected." Luke nodded in satisfaction.
Then he descended toward a spacious open area near the gate.
The giant silver wings folded slightly behind him.
THUD!!
His feet landed firmly on the ground. Which brings a wave of dust as its spread outward.
Fwoosh!
The sudden arrival immediately attracted everyone’s attention.
Passing merchants stopped their wagons. Adventurers lowered their mugs and looked over.
Even ordinary citizens paused what they were doing.
Children pointed excitedly toward the silver wings behind their lord.
"LORD!!!" Cheers erupted throughout the area.
"Our Lord!"
"Baron Luke!"
"Long live Lord Luke!"
Smiles bloomed across every faces. Some workers immediately put down their tools.
Even several elderly citizens bowed respectfully toward him.
Their eyes were filled with gratitude.
After all ever since Luke had become the Lord of Blackstone. Their lives had changed dramatically.
Food was no longer scarce. Construction was happening everywhere.
The roads were being repaired. Gangs had disappeared.
And just yesterday their Lord had even defeated a Mid-Golden Knight.
To them Luke wasn’t merely their Baron anymore. He had become the hope of the Blackstone Highlands.
Watching everyone’s enthusiastic expressions. Luke smiled helplessly.
’Popularity has its own problems.’
Still he didn’t dislike it.
With a gentle flap his enormous silver wings slowly folded behind his back before disappearing into particles of silver light.
The crowd watched with amazement.
"So cool."
"I wish I could fly too."
Luke simply chuckled.
Then he reached into his Spatial Ring.
A rolled blueprint appeared in one hand. Which looked like magic scroll.
Of course they were merely props.
The real construction would be carried out by the system.
The scrolls existed only to provide a reasonable explanation in everyone else’s eyes.
Luke calmly looked toward the gathered crowd.
"Everyone step back." His gentle voice echoed.
And the citizens immediately obeyed.
"Move back!"
"Give Lord Luke some space!"
"Quick!"
The guards also stepped forward to maintain order.
Within moments a wide open area appeared before Luke.
Among the crowd an adventurer scratched his chin while staring at the scrolls.
"That’s an Earth Magic Scroll?" His eyes widened slightly.
"Baron Luke is sure wealthy. As those things cost a fortune."
The female adventurer standing beside him crossed her arms.
"I’m more curious about, what exactly is he planning to build?"
A nearby merchant nodded repeatedly.
"Knowing Baron Luke. It definitely won’t be something ordinary."
Because everyone already saw his earlier summoning of Warwalker fortress.
Which spread curiosity among the crowd. So everyone fixed their eyes on Luke.
Then Luke slowly unrolled the blueprint.
He gave it one final glance. "Let’s begin."
The next instant—
RIPPPP!!
The magic scroll tore apart in Luke’s hand. And a brilliant yellow radiance instantly erupted from within.
FWOOOOOM!!
The dazzling light swallowed the entire area. People instinctively covered their eyes.
"W-What is that?!"
"So bright!"
"My eyes!"
The ground beneath Luke suddenly began to tremble.
RUMBLE!! RUMBLE!!
"What-what’s happening?!"
"The ground is shaking!"
Several horses neighed in panic, while merchants hurriedly grabbed their reins.
The adventurers immediately became alert.
"Everyone, stay back!"
The guards shouted, escorting the citizens farther away.
Then the earth itself began to rise.
GRRRR!!
Huge chunks of dark stone erupted from underground.
One layer after another the huge structure rapidly assembled itself before everyone’s eyes.
Walls connected. Floors formed. Iron doors locked into place.
Blue runes carved themselves across the stone surface.
At the summit a gigantic mana crystal {Purest of Aether is Mana. same for mana crystal.} slowly emerged, pulsing with a gentle azure glow.
Hummmmm...
Within only a few moments a huge watchtower stood proudly before everyone.
It stood nearly 15 meters tall, equivalent to a five-story building.
Its circular base measured roughly 8 meters across.
The entire structure was built from reinforced enchanted dark-gray stone, giving it an imposing and sturdy appearance.
Faint blue magical runes glowed along every edge of the walls.
Narrow arrow slits lined the lower floors, while spacious observation windows overlooked the surroundings from the highest level.
The ground-floor entrance consisted of a large reinforced iron gate.
Above crenelated battlements surrounded a central mana crystal beacon, whose soft blue light rhythmically pulsed into the sky.
The detection runes embedded across the exterior quietly shimmered, giving the entire tower an otherwordly aura.
For a long moment nobody spoke.
"..."
"..."
The entire area fell deathly silent.
An elderly merchant’s walking cane slipped from his trembling hand.
Clack his mouth remained wide open.
Nearby adventurers stared upward in disbelief.