After Ronin’s departure, the administrative affairs of Mountain Forest Town were entrusted to Wilson, the castle’s internal matters to Chahar, the training of the new Guards to David, and the managent of all Transcendents to Elron.
So, Elron had been very busy lately.
For one, he had a large number of Magic Scrolls to create, which were due for delivery during the trip to Pasture City in December.
For another, he had to give Erin early Magic lessons, familiarizing the young girl with the principles and requirents of creating Magic Scrolls.
Additionally, he occasionally had to check on the work status of the few who had surrendered and recently joined Mountain Forest Town, in preparation for their upcoming evaluations.
But recently, sothing even more infuriating had co up—a Magical Beast might have appeared near the pastures northwest of town.
"Are you sure another sheep is missing?"
That evening, Elron stood outside the sheep pen behind the castle, looking at the three shepherds trembling before him.
They had all been recruited when Ronin first arrived in Mountain Forest Town and had worked for Mountain Forest Castle for a long ti. They were trustworthy, and it made no sense for them to steal their own sheep only to report it.
"Didn’t I tell you to graze them in a different area? How did you still lose one?"
Elron rubbed his temples forcefully. They had lost one or two sheep almost every day for three days straight!
He had already sent David and his n to search the mountains there. But aside from discovering a suspicious pool of blood, they hadn’t found any valuable clues.
’Does this Magical Beast devour the sheep without even leaving the bones?’
"Venerable Mage, we followed your instructions and moved the flock to a different hill. The three of us have also intensified our patrols these past two days, but we still have no idea why the sheep are disappearing!"
The three shepherds were terrified.
’The Mage before them was very benevolent. Whether it was a bedridden patient or an injured farr, he would always lend a hand, using his sacred light to ease their suffering. But they had already lost so many sheep. Even if their lives weren’t at stake, a hefty fine was probably unavoidable, right? They wondered what kind of punishnt the Lord would impose when he returned.’
"Mr. Elron, what should we do now?"
Chahar was getting anxious. The castle had just over a hundred sheep to begin with. Several banquets had already consud a good number, leaving fewer than a hundred. If they kept disappearing at this rate, there would soon be none left.
Elron said thoughtfully, "If a Magical Beast is truly responsible, then it must be one that is skilled in concealnt!"
Everyone grew fearful at the ntion of a Magical Beast.
It wasn’t even winter yet; why would a Magical Beast co down from the mountains so soon?
"Fortunately, it has only dared to attack the flock, and hasn’t hard any people."
Elron felt a small sense of relief.
’He knew how much the Lord valued his subjects. Losing a few sheep was far better than losing a strong worker.’
But no sooner had he said this than chaotic shouts erupted from outside.
"Lord Elron, quick! Save David!"
Elron jolted. He recognized the voice—it was Tomasz, the burly one from the Grey Soil Three Knights.
He turned to look and saw a group of Guards rushing over, carrying David.
"What happened?"
Elron’s expression changed as he rushed forward. The sight made his heart skip a beat.
David’s face was ashen, the clothes on his chest completely soaked with blood. The horrifying wound instantly drained all the color from Chahar’s face.
David was one of the first people to follow Ronin. He had distinguished himself from among the Wushan Castle Guards to beco a Professional Knight and had earned Ronin’s deep trust.
’If David died, Elron had no idea how he would ever explain it to the Lord.’
"What happened?"
Elron asked, casting a Healing Skill as he spoke.
As several rays of milky-white light fell upon the wound, the bleeding gradually stopped.
"Sir, we found the Magical Beast that was eating the sheep!"
Dandy said, his face a mask of terror, "David and I were searching to the west and had just reached the Forest Land north of Wushan Lake. We were checking the bushes when the creature, which had been hiding inside, suddenly lashed out. David had no ti to react before it struck him with its claw!"
The mood grew heavy. Although the territory still had four Professional Knights, they were all only Basic Level Knights.
And while there were two Mages, Erin was only a Basic Level Mage who had just mastered the Water Gathering Skill. It might be good for giving the Magical Beast a bath, but it was completely incapable of inflicting any real damage.
Elron, on the other hand, possessed Advanced Level strength, but unfortunately, he only knew support Magic. If this Magical Beast was a high Level, they would be in serious trouble.
After a few more Healing Skills, the bleeding from David’s wound stopped completely and a scab ford. However, due to severe blood loss, he still hadn’t regained consciousness.
Elron examined him and said with lingering fear, "Fortunately, the Magical Beast only attacked once, and it doesn’t look like it used its full strength. Otherwise, David wouldn’t have gotten off with just two broken ribs and a few scars. Tomasz, take him back to rest."
He looked at Dandy. "Dandy, did you get a clear look at what kind of Magical Beast it was?"
"I just got the impression that it was quite large, with grayish-black fur." Dandy tried his best to rember, but then shook his head. "It was too fast. By the ti I turned around, all I saw was its retreating back."
’Large, fast, and judging by the claw marks on David’s chest, it was probably a tiger- or leopard-like Magical Beast.’
’Those types of Magical Beasts are usually very difficult to handle.’
"Tell the people to stay away from that area. Tomorrow, we’ll drive a few sheep over as bait and see what happens."
Elron thought for a mont before continuing, "If my Light Binding Skill can trap it, we’ll kill it. If not, we’ll retreat imdiately. We can either go to Grey Soil Village to get Commander Ridder or wait for the Lord to return."
’Elron’s brow furrowed. It was already November third. According to Ronin’s plan, he should have been back for a day or two already. Has sothing delayed him?’
「At that mont, Ronin had already made camp in the mountain forest, still a dozen or so miles from Mountain Forest Town.」
Tents of all sizes were pitched throughout the woods, with campfires burning both within the camp and along its periter to keep the temperature from dropping too low.
Unlike sumr, the temperature had dropped significantly, especially in the mountains. Without tents and campfires, if they had to huddle together for warmth, people could easily freeze to death during the night.
Fortunately, the grueling journey was almost at an end.
"Baron, once I’ve escorted you to Mountain Forest Town tomorrow, my Knight Team and I will head back."
Knight Galier explained by the campfire, "The weather will turn even colder in a few days. If we’re unlucky enough to be caught in rain or snow, the journey back will be much harder."
Ronin nodded. "I was hoping to invite you to stay in Mountain Forest Town for a few more days, but since you insist, I won’t press the issue."
With the escort of Galier’s Knight Squad, Ronin’s journey had been completely uneventful. Not even the wild beasts of the wilderness had dared to harass them.
After eating so at and drinking so wine with the others to warm himself up, Ronin retired to his tent.
The return journey had started on October 18th, and it was now November 3rd. He had accumulated 180 Attribute Points, and after spending them all, his Mage Level had reached (318/400).
Soon, he would be able to raise his Mage power to the Advanced Level Peak.
If he could complete a few more achievents and gain enough Attribute Points in the interim, he could very well beco a Bronze Knight by the ti he returned to Wushan Castle in December.
’The combat strength of a dual-class Bronze Level Transcendent was not to be underestimated. At that point, he wouldn’t have to worry too much even if he revealed a fraction of his true power.’
’What’s more, by then he would probably have accumulated nearly 800 Energy Essence. Spending all of that at once would be enough to create a Silver-level Knight, wouldn’t it?’
’At that point, Mountain Forest Town’s top-tier strength would be sufficient. He would just need to build a Knight Squad, and outside enemies wouldn’t dare to provoke them lightly.’
As for Sain Territory...
’Knight Philton, who could have taken his life with a re flick of his sword back then, would now only rank third or fourth if he were to join Mountain Forest Town.’
’He wasn’t even intimidated by Baron Reisen, who was rumored to have advanced to a Bronze Knight.’
On the journey, whenever Galier got bored, he would spar with Macken. Even though Galier was a Bronze Knight, Macken wouldn’t be defeated instantly; he could still last for three to five rounds.
’If Macken could do that, then Ridder could surely last even longer.’
’Honestly, in his eyes, Sain Territory was no longer much of a threat.’
’If they made another rash move against him, it would just give him the perfect excuse to launch a righteous crusade.’
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