"There must be gatherers ing to collect oil in this forest. You know, the price of tree oil is still..."
Listening to Mok’s somewhat verbose words.
Heller frowned and glared at Mok.
Mok promptly closed his mouth obediently.
Heller said nothing, continuing to scan ahead.
Despite some sense in Mok’s words, there remained a bad premonition in Heller’s heart.
Just as Heller was pondering in his mind.
A shout from ahead reached Heller’s ears.
"Captain Heller! Ahead... dense smoke is ing towards us."
Heller snapped back to attention, eyes wide open.
Echoing the scout soldier’s words with horror in his voice.
"Smoke?!"
Heller’s sudden change in color and shouting startled Mok into trembling.
Mok was about to inquire.
Heller shouted loudly to the group of scout soldiers.
"Everyone, immediately turn around and go back the way we came!"
"Quickly inform Viscount behind us! Fire attack! It’s a fire attack!"
"Lord Lynn of Morgan Town intends to burn down Viscount Jon Zuck’s entire army in this forest!"
Listening to Heller’s shouting, Mok and the scout soldiers changed color.
Without any hesitation, they all tugged at their reins, turning their horses around.
Amidst the urging of horses, the scout soldiers returned the way they came.
Riding the horses in a gallop, Heller looked back.
Indeed, as the scout reported to him.
Dense smoke with a burning odor was rapidly spreading toward them.
Heller even saw the flames burning within the smoke.
The speed of the burning startled Heller.
Only now.
Heller naturally understood.
The air was filled with the smell of tree oil.
It was not left by gatherers seeking to make a profit.
But rather, Lord Lynn of Morgan Town used a large quantity of tree oil as a bustible to ignite this vast forest!
With the night wind blowing, aided by the tree oil, and the dense leaves on the old trees’ canopy...
It won’t be long before the entire forest bees a sea of fire!
And those in the forest, they’d be burnt to ashes!
Is this Morgan Town Lord Lynn’s scheme?
To have such a cruel heart?
You must know.
Viscount Jon Zuck led an army into the forest, numbering over ten thousand.
And Lynn wants to burn everyone to ashes!
Despite the urgent situation.
Fortunately, they still have the chance to survive.
As it’s late August, the weather is extremely hot.
But due to the Karedi Empire’s temperate maritime climate.
The heat is far from drying this forest.
Plus, the ancient trees’ thick trunks, with their moisture, are enough to slow the fire’s spread.
As long as they quickly exit from the forest entrance.
They can escape this forest unharmed!
Even though they have ventured deep into the forest, there’s still quite a distance to exit.
But everything is still timely!
Thinking of this.
Heller swayed the reins again, urging his horse to speed up the gallop.
Mok and the group of scout soldiers, faces filled with fear, quickly followed.
In the forest’s center.
Jon Zuck, riding his horse, swayed back and forth with the horse’s stride.
The somewhat bored Chambers beside him, curiously looked at Jon Zuck and asked.
"Viscount Jon, I remember you don’t have supporting Manor Lords in Morgan Town."
"How do you know there are three major mineral deposits in Morgan Town?"
The five Manor Lords riding behind wore equally curious expressions.
Jon Zuck turned to glance at Chambers and spoke.
"Viscount Chambers, certain information isn’t known just by spies and scouts reporting."
"More often, it’s by wisdom!"
Chambers’ face changed slightly; he wanted to speak.
Ultimately, he chose to remain silent.
Seeing Chambers’ hesitant expression, Jon Zuck felt fortable inside.
Jon Zuck spoke calmly.
"Fine salt is known by the city’s entry and passage tax from traveling merchants."
"That’s not wisdom."
Chambers remained silent, waiting for Jon Zuck’s continued explanation.
They were already on the path to attacking Morgan Town.
Jon Zuck naturally didn’t want to conceal anything anymore and continued.
"Without other Great Lords providing equipment aid."
"For a remote, impoverished town to suddenly have a large scale of armored soldiers..."
"I think, anyone with a bit of reasoning ability can deduce the existence of iron mines?"
Chambers raised an eyebrow, still silent.
Jon Zuck continued speaking.
"Given an iron mine, to smelt and forge it into armor naturally requires a large amount of fuel."
"Timber in the forest can indeed be an effective smelting and forging fuel."
"But such a large amount of armor, relying on the high temperatures from wood charcoal, is far from enough."
"This implies there’s also a coal mine!"
"And more than that."
"To forge the smelted iron ore into metal armor and weapons, a large number of blacksmiths are needed!"
"Meaning, there’s not only an extractable salt mine, coal mine, and iron mine in Morgan Town."
"But also a large number of blacksmiths with the technology and ability for forging!"
Chambers’ eyes brightened instantly.
Despite Jon Zuck mentioning the existence of three major mineral deposits in a letter.
Now hearing it directly, Chambers still couldn’t suppress the joy inside.
A salt mine means a large amount of Gold Pounds.
Iron mines, coal mines, and blacksmiths mean a large number of standard armors.
The bination of these three.
It means powerful military strength.
An elevation in status and prestige.
Even changes in the surrounding situation!
If they can take down Lord Lynn and seize Morgan Town.
Even if it’s merely receiving a tenth of what Jon Zuck promised.
A thousand pounds of fine salt, getting a hundred pounds.
A thousand sets of armor, getting a hundred sets...
It’s enough to elevate the Baker Clan of Wind Hill’s prehensive strength by a level!
Of course.
Not as fast as the Zac Clan’s rise with three major minerals and many blacksmiths!
This is why.
Faced with Jon Zuck’s mocking, Chambers opts to quietly endure.
Once Morgan Town is taken, Jon Zuck will surely rise!
Shortly after Jon Zuck’s words fell.
A chaotic sound of horses galloping ahead.
Echoed into the ears of Jon Zuck, Chambers, and the others.
They instantly fell into silence.
The armored soldiers, reeling with vigilance, extended their right hand to grip their weapons’ handles at their waists.
The sound of horses galloping drew nearer.
When Heller appeared under the illumination of torchlight, riding his horse.
Upon recognizing Heller, Jon Zuck frowned deeply, nearly questioning.
"Heller?"
"My orders were for you to lead the vanguard for scout reconnaissance?"
"Why are you leading the vanguard back?"
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