Chapter 273 - 271: Return Journey

Chapter 273: Chapter 271: Return Journey

Duane needed enough people to develop quickly and recruit more Extraordinaries.

He was now Count Kais’s son-in-law and had also revealed his exceptional strength.

The Count abandoned his usual haggling style, choosing instead to support Duane through the dowry.

After some negotiation, the Count made six primary commitments.

First, the Silent Shore would dispatch a professional construction team to build a harbor on Black Forest Island capable of berthing at least ten large ships at once.

Second, a gift of three warships and two passenger ships.

Third, starting from the day the marriage contract was signed, the Silent Shore would gradually relocate fifty thousand people to Black Forest Island over the next five years.

Fourth, they would encourage qualified Free People to relocate to Black Forest Island.

Fifth, the Kennedy Clan would have Eleanor lead a squad of ten Warriors to Black Forest Island to serve as Natalia’s personal Guard.

Sixth, one thousand Magic Energy Arrows.

The first five points were easy enough to understand. It was only when Duane asked about the Magic Energy Arrows that he learned they were a product of the Kennedy Magic Research Institute.

Apparently, these were Arrows enchanted with the Level 3 Magic, Rapid Speed.

Compared to ordinary Arrows, not only was their velocity extremely high, but their maximum range reached 800 to 1,000 meters, with an effective lethal range of a full 400 meters!

When paired with a high-quality Longbow, the effective lethal range could be increased even further!

The only limitation was that only Middle Level Warriors with Fighting Qi could use these Arrows.

Count Kais revealed that Sea Cliff Castle and the Magic Research Institute each had a hundred-man Magic Energy Archery Team.

In other words, the Kennedy Clan maintained at least two hundred Middle Level Warriors.

At this, Duane couldn’t help but marvel. ’As expected of the masters of the Silent Shore.’

Even though the Kennedy Clan had no Star-level Warriors, a few Magic Energy Archery Teams like that were still a force to be reckoned with in a war.

During their discussion, the two men recorded all this information to be included as part of the marriage contract.

As for the commitments Duane would make in the marriage contract, there were four main points:

First, Duane’s heir could only be chosen from among his and Natalia’s children.

Second, if the Kennedy Clan faced a threat from a superior power or some other disaster, Duane was required to provide immediate support.

Third, a gift to the Kennedy Family of the "Wind-Held" Enchantment Formula and the Wind-Held Spell Model.

And fourth, a gift to the Kennedy Clan of the structural schematics for a Light Crossbow.

Duane himself had proposed these last two points to show how highly he valued Natalia.

If the Magic Research Institute, under Lady Delilah’s direction, could modify the crossbow bolts, pair them with the Light Crossbow, and add the effect of the Wind-Held Enchantment, it would absolutely take the Kennedy Clan’s combat strength to the next level.

At the same time, he could use this as an opportunity to acquire a batch for himself to arm his own forces.

「A few hours later...」

Count Kais and Duane signed their respective names on two identical copies of the marriage contract, affixing their handprints and seals.

"There, with this, the preliminary contract is settled!"

The Count picked up the marriage contract to blow the ink dry, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.

"I believe that with this, His Majesty the King will no longer interfere in Natalia’s marriage just because I haven’t publicly announced your relationship."

He looked at his daughter, who had now found a partner, and admonished, "Even though you have the contract, you must still maintain a proper distance."

Natalia nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Father."

The "proper distance" the Count spoke of referred to the final step of intimacy between a man and a woman. According to local custom, a marriage contract was a promise, but it did not constitute a fully binding marriage.

Before the official wedding ceremony, the couple could not live together. Even when traveling, they had to stay in separate rooms under a chaperone’s watch.

This was a measure to protect the reputation of the woman and her family.

Duane carefully put away his copy of the marriage contract and exchanged a smile with Natalia.

"Don’t worry, Count. We know how to conduct ourselves."

The Count waved a dismissive hand. "Alright, you two can go. I still have matters to attend to."

"Oh, right."

Kais called out to Duane. "I expect I’ll be staying in the Royal Capital for a few more days. Do you plan to head back with me, or will you go on ahead?"

Duane thought for a moment. "I’ll go back first, then. The development of Black Forest Island, especially the new Territory, needs to get underway."

"Good! I’ll write to Baron Jick and urge the other nobles to send the three thousand Slaves to Black Forest Island as soon as possible."

Now that he knew Duane was a Silver Moon Warrior, he no longer worried about him being assassinated by Count Kudro.

There was no harm in Duane returning alone.

For the next two days, Duane accompanied Natalia, enjoying the sights of the Royal Capital and spending some leisurely time together.

During this time, a new group of people came forward, wanting to follow him.

With Natalia’s help, Duane weeded out those with questionable backgrounds and took the rest under his command.

In total, there were two Advanced Warriors, eight Middle Level Warriors, and fifteen Basic-level Warriors.

However, the quality of this group wasn’t as high as Lune’s. Their backgrounds and potential were all very ordinary; they were basically all Free People.

Still, people were exactly what Duane needed right now.

With the addition of this group, the number of Extraordinaries under his command now exceeded fifty.

Among them were two Earth Tier Warriors: Kaelon and Lune.

Five Human Tier Warriors: Raymond, Simone, Gaius, Clint, and Ross.

In addition, there were four Advanced Warriors, eleven Middle Level Warriors, and thirty-two Basic-level Warriors!

Fifty-four Extraordinary Warriors, plus Constance, a Level 4 Mage, and over three hundred Guards and Militia.

Duane’s annual military expenses exceeded six hundred Gold Coins, an expenditure that an ordinary Baron would be completely unable to bear.

"Duane, didn’t you say that since Owington has been reassigned, you’re in need of a Male Servant? Should I find one for you?"

Natalia had learned of this while helping Duane organize the information on all the Civil Officers and Military Generals currently under his command.

"Yes, please!"

Duane looked up from the records. "The five who arrived this time haven’t been trained in etiquette. They’re only suitable to be assistants for Julian and the others."

The Kennedy Clan had numerous followers, so it wouldn’t be a problem to pick a trustworthy person from among them to serve as Duane’s personal Male Servant.

"I remember Housekeeper Moer has a grandson who’s about seventeen or eighteen. I’ll ask him about it when I see him."

"Perfect!"

Duane appreciated people who had already received training. In the future, even if he acquired new Territories, he wouldn’t be short on managerial talent.

The two of them worked for a while longer, then had dinner together and went for a stroll, bringing a wonderful day to a close.

The next day, Duane and his retinue boarded the ship for their return journey.

Strangely enough, Count Kudro, who had been clamoring for revenge against Duane at the tournament, never showed his face again.

It was unclear whether he had been warned by the King or if something else had befallen him.

As for His Majesty the King, he had not summoned Duane since that day, nor had he interfered with the Territory Disposal Officer, Trenton, as he began to survey the Silver Jade Territory.

It was as if the conflict at Cyan Snake Fortress that day had never happened.

In reality, King Eric had been busy for the past two days meeting with envoys from other nations, as well as with important members of his own Nobility. He simply had no time to concern himself with Duane’s trivial affairs.

「A day later, the ship arrived at Silent Harbor.」

Duane first escorted Natalia back to Sea Cliff Castle before resuming his own journey.

Although parting was difficult for people in love, they both had their own duties to attend to.

Natalia now not only had to study Magic and brew Magic Potions, but had also taken the Count’s advice to learn about Territory management, preparing to be a capable partner for him in the future.

As for Duane, he had even more to handle.

First and foremost, he had to eliminate the Black Bear in the Secret Realm, brew the Qingming Medicine Wine, and take control of the realm’s resources.