Chapter 284 - 282: Returning to the Territory

Chapter 284: Chapter 282: Returning to the Territory

Duane observed them carefully.

The Pale Fungus reproduced via spores, preferring humid environments just like mushrooms.

The Shadow Thorn Flower reproduced via seeds, while the Wailing Root propagated through its root system.

Of course, the growth of all three Magic Plants was dependent on the environment of the Secret Realm. Once taken outside, they would die.

This made them different from the Black Demon Vine.

After collecting some materials, Duane went to check on the Demon Vines he had planted last time. They were currently growing well.

He also cut some down to take back with him. They were perfect for smelting Black Iron Ore, saving him the trouble of building a blast furnace and searching for higher-temperature fuel.

Several hours later, Duane returned to the Central Mine Pit.

At this point, the air was thick with the stench of blood.

As far as the eye could see, there were piles of pelts, and all the men were stained with blood.

Despite the bloody scene, every single person was beaming.

According to their prior agreement, the Demon Beast Meat and Demon Cores belonged to Duane, while the rest was to be divided among the men themselves.

So many pelts were worth a pretty penny; the men had made a small fortune.

Duane had everyone pile the pelts, flesh, and other parts together to maximize the effect of his Harmony Magic.

He barely managed to complete the purification after exhausting seventy to eighty percent of his Magic Power.

In reality, there was a limit to what they could carry away.

Duane’s Void Space in his left eye was only ten cubic meters, and it was already pushed to its limit just by stuffing the Black Bear’s pelt, flesh, and bones inside.

They loaded another portion onto their warhorses, but the rest had to be abandoned.

"Lord, should we station men outside the Secret Realm?"

Gaius, having more experience with the Secret Realm, took the initiative to ask. "It would prevent other Demon Beasts from wandering in, becoming mutated and frenzied, and making things more difficult to deal with."

Mutated Demon Beasts were stronger and more difficult to deal with than ordinary ones.

Duane thought for a moment, then shook his head. "That’s a very thoughtful suggestion, but now is not the time."

For now, they were only gathering materials and expanding the plantings on a small scale. The conditions weren’t yet suitable for a permanent harvesting operation.

Duane estimated that he would arrange for groups of workers to come here once he mastered the Middle Level Extraction Spell Model and could brew Intoxicating Honey Wine and Deep Blue Enlightenment Wine.

"After we get back, the patrol range of the Guards will be expanded to gradually include this area."

Currently, besides the Lynx deep within the Heavenly Mountain Range, there were basically no other powerful Demon Beasts on Black Forest Island.

Considering the lack of any rumors about a Lynx on Black Forest Island in recent years, this big creature probably rarely ventured out of the mountain range.

Therefore, having Simone and his men lead the patrols to expand their range to the Heavenly Mountain Secret Realm shouldn’t be too dangerous.

The end of this campaign also meant that Black Forest Island’s history of being an environment inhospitable to humans was officially over.

With no external enemies, Duane believed that even if he led a large force away from the island, he wouldn’t have to worry about the security of his Territory.

"After this autumn harvest is over, remind me to have Julian arrange for men to build a fortress outside the Secret Realm," he ordered.

"Yes, Lord."

Duane scanned the area and saw that the men had finished dividing the spoils and were ready to move out.

With a loud neigh from a warhorse, the group officially began their journey home.

Weighed down by their loads and slowed by the injured, the group moved much slower than on their way there. It took them a full two days to get close to the village.

Moen joked that if they went any slower, his cracked ribs would have healed by the time they arrived.

However, as they neared Hutou Village, Raymond noticed something was wrong.

"Strange, why aren’t there any patrolling soldiers here today?"

As one of Duane’s earliest followers and the architect of the patrol plan, Raymond knew the defensive arrangements for the Thorn Valley area like the back of his hand.

But today, from the edge of the forest to Hutou Village, they could hear the sounds of farmers cutting wood, yet there was still no sign of any patrolling soldiers.

Clint guessed, "Could it be that your men got lazy and decided to slack off as soon as you left?"

"Impossible!"

Gaius immediately objected. The area around Hutou Village was his responsibility; if his men were really slacking off, he would be the first person held accountable.

"I gave repeated instructions before I left. Knowing Iron Hammer’s personality, he would never disobey."

Duane nodded slightly. He knew a little about this Iron Hammer; he wasn’t a man of many schemes.

Raymond said, "Let’s not guess. We’re almost at the castle anyway. We’ll find out what’s happening soon enough."

The group continued forward and soon entered the Oak Forest.

About two dozen lumberjacks were hard at work there. One of them, the man in charge of managing the oaks, spotted the returning party and immediately came running over.

"Lord! Lord!" he shouted as he ran.

Duane’s brow furrowed. He could hear the anxiety in the man’s voice. ’Did something happen in the Territory?’

At that moment, Gaius explained, "Lord, his name is Hagen, nicknamed Old Tree Bark. He’s the foreman here."

After a pause, he added, "He’s also my father-in-law."

Duane already knew this and had not interfered.

After all, Hagen had been managing the oak logging for many years. As long as he could carry out the tasks assigned to him, it didn’t matter whose relative he was.

Besides, in this world, it was common practice to employ the relatives of one’s followers.

"Lord, it’s bad!"

Hagen, a man of about fifty or sixty, was out of breath after running only a short distance.

Gaius reminded him, "What happened? Calm down and explain it clearly to the Lord."

"The people from the Medical Sanctuary beat everyone up!"

This sentence sent the crowd into an uproar.

They had been out clearing Demon Beasts, only to have their home attacked behind their backs?

The men erupted with questions, all turning to look at Manny.

The man felt a chill run down his spine.

He was still carrying a good amount of spoils on his back and had profited handsomely, but people from his own faction had injured the Lord’s men?

Facing Duane’s questioning gaze, he stammered, "I... I don’t know what’s going on either!"

He added, "Besides, with the strength of High Priestess Sara and Deputy Captain Benson, there’s no way they could have beaten your men."

He wasn’t wrong.

Duane had several hundred Guards, including 43 Extraordinary Warriors. Adding Constance, a Level 4 Mage, into the mix, the small number of people from the Holy Radiance Court was simply no match.

"Hagen, what exactly happened? People from the Medical Sanctuary came?" Duane asked.

"Yes, Lord! They came on three ships!"

Hagen quickly explained, "I heard that the security officers, Jack and John, wouldn’t let them land, stating that ’no other members of the Holy Radiance Court are permitted to land on the island without your consent.’ Then a conflict broke out."

Duane’s expression darkened.

According to his and Count Kais’s predictions, Clement and his people should have been focusing their main efforts on the major Nobility.

Why did they come straight to Black Forest Island?

Thoughts flashed through Duane’s mind.

"What are the casualties?" he asked.

Hagen was so frightened by the Lord’s expression that he barely dared to breathe, and he answered quickly:

"I secretly went to ask around. It seems many people were injured, but I don’t think there were any deaths."

Duane felt slightly relieved, but the thought of the Holy Radiance Court’s actions ignited a fire of rage within him.

He would absolutely not let this matter slide.

"Move out!"

Duane gave the order and galloped toward Forest Castle at top speed. The most urgent task was to get a clear understanding of the situation.

Simone, Raymond, and the others immediately followed.

"Are we going to fight the people from the Holy Radiance Court?" Ross asked.

Although he was born into a bankrupt Knight Clan, he still knew a little about the Holy Radiance Court.

The King himself stood behind that organization.

If Duane clashed with the Holy Radiance Court, it would likely affect his relationship with the King.

Lune’s brows were tightly furrowed; he didn’t know what would happen either.

As the heir to the Holmes Clan, he naturally didn’t want to make an enemy of the King’s forces, but he now served Duane.

"The Lord is in a bit of trouble now."