Chapter 206: Tender Sprout
The next morning, the Secret Realm’s Space Gate shimmered, and Duane and Kaelon emerged safely.
"We’re finally out safely!"
Kaelon went to one side and sat down. Ever since the strange incident during the night, he hadn’t slept a wink. He also hadn’t fully recovered from the exertion of their previous escape, so he was completely exhausted.
Duane also walked to the side and sat down.
Although his experience in the Secret Realm had been perilous, it had given him a better understanding of the place. The trip hadn’t been a waste.
"Kaelon, how is the fortress construction going in the direction of Thorn Valley?"
The fortress was effectively an outpost, just with crude resting quarters and the ability to store a certain amount of food for the garrisoned Guards to consume.
This way, the Guards wouldn’t have to return to the Territory every day for supplies.
"We’ve finished three wooden buildings so far, but they’re all located ten li south of Dawn Town. Construction hasn’t started in the direction of Hutou Village yet, which is why you didn’t see them on your way here."
Duane nodded.
"It’s fine as long as the Demon Beasts in the Secret Realm stay put. But if they come out, they’ll be a massive threat to the Territory."
"For one thing, we need to expand the range of our daily patrols, so the fortresses must be built deeper into Thorn Valley."
"Also, remind the Guards to pay special attention to large groups of Demon Beasts, as well as any individuals acting strangely. Any such sightings must be reported immediately."
Kaelon agreed. "My lord, how do you plan to deal with these Demon Beasts? Should we hire mercenary companies from the outside?"
"The cost is too high!"
Duane shook his head. A dangerous battle like that would cost a great deal of Gold Coins. If there were casualties, he would also have to pay hefty compensation and medical fees. The expense would be enormous.
"We’ll wait and see for now. If these Demon Beasts stay put in the Secret Realm, there’s no need to rush to eliminate them. But if they ever show signs of coming out, we’ll have to be ready to act."
At that point, no matter the cost, he would have no choice but to pay it.
As they spoke, Duane’s gaze shifted to the ground in front of the Teleportation Gate.
On the ground that had once been completely barren, a number of green shoots had now sprouted.
"Huh, what’s this?"
Duane walked over curiously.
The green shoot had a deep green, jade-like translucent skin. At its crown were three small, spirally coiled leaves, giving it a vibrant, lively appearance.
Kaelon came over as well, asking in confusion, "Why is there suddenly grass here?"
Duane touched the green plant and could feel the resilience of its stem.
"What does it look like to you?"
Kaelon got down on the ground to examine it closely. Suddenly, he remembered something.
"Is this the Black Vine from the Secret Realm?"
He quickly grabbed one of the Black Vines piled to the side. Upon careful comparison, the patterns were nearly identical.
"But this one is green."
Duane was quite surprised. ’Are Black Vines green when they’re young?’
’Or do they only turn black in the environment of the Secret Realm?’
With this suspicion in mind, Duane entered the Secret Realm.
Sure enough, he found identical shoots next to the Teleportation Gate, but these were black.
Moreover, when he touched them, the black shoots displayed a desire to feed, and the thorns on their crowns felt as if they were trying to pierce his skin.
"The same seeds grow into completely different things in different soil. It’s truly incredible."
Duane left the Secret Realm. He noticed that the crowns of the green shoots lacked the thorns found on the black ones.
’In other words, the green shoots aren’t aggressive?’
"I wonder if the Green Vine can be used as fuel?"
He picked up a Black Vine and, after careful study, discovered that its seeds were hidden inside the barbs.
If he simply broke them open, the seeds inside would spill out.
Duane decided to take some back and plant a patch to see what would happen. Coincidentally, his Basic Planting Skill hadn’t improved in a long time; it was still at the Skilled Level.
"Kaelon, take these Black Vines and green shoots and head back to the Territory in a bit."
"Alright..."
Kaelon asked in surprise, "My lord, you’re not coming back with me?"
"No, I’m going to keep exploring for another two days."
Duane needed to better understand the Heavenly Mountain Range and its surrounding environment.
Besides, he could use this opportunity to raise the Skill Level of his remaining Combat Techniques.
Especially his trump card, Sword Rain Storm. If he could get it to the Perfection Level sooner, his odds against that Black Bear would be much better.
Kaelon had wanted to offer to stay and help, but then he remembered the sorry state they were in while fleeing the day before.
He suddenly realized that the Baron’s strength had already surpassed his own.
If they encountered danger, he might actually become a burden.
"Very well, my lord!"
Kaelon felt a little dejected. ’How did the gap in our strength get so wide all of a sudden?’
"You must be extremely careful!"
he urged. "The Territory can’t lose you. If it does, everything is over!"
"Don’t worry."
Duane smiled. "With the Scale Transformation ability from my Celestial Python Bloodline, ordinary Demon Beasts won’t be able to break through my defense, even with a sneak attack."
Kaelon agreed wholeheartedly. He had already witnessed the power of Scale Transformation firsthand.
"Give a message to Julian for me. Tell him that the spring planting is almost upon us, and that he, Haien, and Ralph are to oversee all related matters."
"Building roads and houses must not delay the tilling of the fields!"
Spring planting on Black Forest Island wasn’t until the end of March, and it was only mid-February now. It seemed like there was over a month left, but there was far too much to prepare.
Some of the residents, eager to make quick money, might throw themselves into building roads and houses, letting their fields go fallow. That was the last thing Duane wanted to see.
No matter the time or place, food was the foundation of a territory.
Moreover, he had already promised to sell three million jin of grain to the Scorching Wind Territory annually.
Regardless, this trade maintained his connection to the Starfall Islands, and he would not give it up easily.
「Silent Shore.」
The ships and warships of the Akutas Kingdom were already sailing for home. From the grim expressions on the faces of Freddy, Ashman, and the others, it was clear they had come out on the losing end.
Before arriving, their bottom line had been to cede ten percent of the Secret Realm’s exploitation rights to the Pruck Kingdom to resolve the conflict.
However, during five or six days of intense negotiations, a massive Elemental Secret Realm appeared at the border of the Fidun, Asando, and Akutas Kingdoms.
In the ensuing struggle, fierce conflict erupted between the three kingdoms, with each side suffering casualties equivalent to no less than three Legions.
The Regent King, His Highness Howard, sent a message to Ashman, ordering him to de-escalate the conflict as much as possible.
The Pruck Kingdom naturally caught wind of this news as well. Green with envy, they began to unscrupulously intimidate, threaten, and raise their demands.
In the end, Freddy was forced to concede thirty-five percent of the exploitation rights before both sides signed an agreement to resolve the conflict.
Freddy was so furious he flew into a rage on the spot. A seemingly trivial matter had ultimately caused him to suffer a disastrous loss!
He was also resentful of the Regent King’s secret letter. ’The Akutas Kingdom is in a bind, so why should my interests be the only thing used to compensate for it?’
But he could not voice his grievances.
Thus, the very moment the ships set sail and left the Silent Shore, Freddy’s Longsword pierced the hearts of Garrot and Blake.
All the others were demoted to Slaves.
Selena and Brison were lucky to survive. It was confirmed they had not been involved in the decision-making for the assassination, and Baron Torre had also indirectly pleaded on their behalf.
The former, being a Baroness, received little punishment.
Brison had it worse; he was whipped dozens of times.
Fortunately, both of them survived.
Now, all that remained was to see what actions they would take upon their return.
Meanwhile, the nobility of the Pruck Kingdom had erupted into a fierce war of words in the most opulent reception hall of Sea Cliff Castle.
The subject of their dispute was, naturally, how to divide the enormous profits brought by the thirty-five percent of exploitation rights.
However, this affair had nothing to do with Simone.
After the negotiations, he met with Natalia and the others, learned about the progress on the Time Closet, and then prepared to depart for Black Forest Island.
Just before his departure, however, Moer, the butler of Sea Cliff Castle, brought him a secret letter from the Count.