"Boulder City?"
Boulder City, located northwest of Blackstone, was a formidable territory on the northern frontier. Its lord was a long-renowned and powerful knight.
"Show him in," Leylo commanded.
Soon, a middle-aged man clad in exquisite chainmail was led into the study by the guards. Over his armor, he wore a surcoat embroidered with the emblem of Boulder City—a warhammer encircled by lightning, the crest of the House of Boulder. He walked with a steady pace and sharp eyes, carrying the composure typical of an envoy from a major domain.
"Lord Leylo, my greetings to you." The envoy bowed slightly, performing a standard aristocratic salute with neither arrogance nor servility. "I have come at the command of the Lord of Boulder City, Lord Barton 'The Rock' Boulder."
"Barton Boulder?" Leylo had heard the name. The Lord of Boulder was a powerful Tier 4 Sky Knight, and his bonded partner was the notoriously ferocious Tier 4 magical beast—the Winged Magic Tiger. His strength was considered top-tier across the entire northern frontier.
"Please, have a seat," Leylo gestured to a nearby chair. "To what do I owe the honor of Lord Barton's visit?"
The envoy did not sit. Instead, he withdrew a scroll made of fine material, sealed with wax, and presented it with both hands. "Lord Barton has heard that Blackstone has a new master and specifically ordered me to deliver this invitation," the envoy said. "In half a month, Lord Barton will host a gathering of northern frontier lords in Boulder City to discuss border affairs. He hopes to meet you there."
Leylo took the invitation. It felt heavy in his hand, the wax seal clearly stamped with the lightning-hammer crest. He broke the seal and unfurled the scroll. The handwriting was bold and vigorous, the content matching the envoy's words.
A gathering of northern frontier lords... Leylo rubbed the edge of the scroll, his mind racing. This was clearly more than a simple meeting. For a new lord who had just inherited his land and lacked a solid foundation, this was both an opportunity to integrate into the northern circle and a potential test filled with hidden traps.
Regardless, he could not refuse.
"Please inform Lord Barton," Leylo looked up at the envoy, "that I accept his invitation. In half a month, I will arrive in Boulder City on time."
A formal smile appeared on the envoy's face. "Lord Barton will be pleased to hear this. My mission is complete; I shall trouble you no longer." After saluting once more, the envoy took his leave.
As the envoy walked out of the castle gates, he maintained his professional smile. He had formed a preliminary judgment of this young Lord of Blackstone: steady, composed, and seemingly not as easy to deal with as the rumors suggested. However, how much substance could a newly minted noble truly have?
He was about to mount his horse when a massive commotion erupted from the direction of the town entrance, interrupting his thoughts.
"Look! What is that!" "Heavens! That boar is massive!" "Thor is back! He's dragging a mountain!"
The envoy frowned and looked toward the noise. Dust billowed on the main road as a tall, muscular figure strode forward. Even more striking was the behemoth he was dragging behind him with thick vines. It was a giant boar far exceeding normal proportions, its tusks protruding menacingly and its limbs like stone pillars. Even in death, it radiated a fierce, violent aura. It was so large that as it was dragged along, it truly looked like a moving mountain of meat, drawing cries of awe from the townsfolk.
Walking at the front was Thor. He was shirtless, his bronze muscles bulging and covered in dirt and dark red blood—clearly the aftermath of a grueling hunt.
"Thor! Is that the Boar King?" a bold townsfolk shouted. "Haha! You bet!" Thor's voice boomed with a hint of pride. "This fellow wandered from the mountains into our territory, and I just happened to run into him on patrol! This is enough to feed everyone for days!"
The townsfolk erupted in cheers. The envoy's smile faded slightly. He could sense the residual wild energy from the Boar King; it was no mere beast. That this young man named Thor could hunt such a creature alone meant his strength could not be underestimated.
The envoy disappeared down the road, while Blackstone Town grew lively because of the "Running Mountain of Meat." The commotion lasted until evening.
The next morning.
[Daily Intelligence Refresh]
1.[Construction]: The main structure of the small castle is nearing completion. Morale among the craftsmen is high; the roof is expected to be finished tomorrow.
2.[Hidden Valley]: 100km northwest of Blackstone lies a nameless valley containing a giant's skeleton. Eroded by the giant's aura for centuries, the valley grows "Bone-Strengthening Grass," used to brew Strength Potions. However, the valley is inhabited by "Basilisks"—Tier 2 beasts whose eyes can petrify targets below Tier 3.
3.[Volcano]: A volcano in the western Blackstone Mountains has shown frequent activity recently, possibly triggering small earthquakes or lava flows.
4.[Refugees]: A group of about 300 refugees will reach Blackstone tomorrow afternoon. Their village was destroyed by the minions of a Magic Snake. Having heard of Blackstone's victory over the Blood Wolf, they seek a chance to survive here. Blackstone's fame is growing.
5.[Sabotage]: Lord Barton's partner, the "Winged Magic Tiger," is showing signs of agitation. His rival, Count Raymond, has bribed the tiger's handler to add a slow-acting madness potion to its food.
...
7.[Thunder Horn Beast]: An adult Thunder Horn Beast (Tier 2) lives in a hidden cave on the west side of the mountains, guarding a "Thunderclap Herb"—a high-grade material for lightning-attribute potions.
8.[Moonlight]: Your contracted dragon, "Moonlight," will enter its Growth Phase in seven days due to the supply of magical beast meat and growth potions. It will soon gain independent survival capabilities and display its true combat power.
9.[The Black Dragon]: In the eastern mountains, a young Black Dragon has been active, successfully subjugating groups of Storm Griffins and Land Dragons. Its sphere of influence is expanding rapidly.
10.[Beast Tide]: To escape the Black Dragon's pressure, some magical beasts are migrating. A small-scale beast tide will break out; a small group is expected to stray into Blackstone in three days.