Chapter 511 - 401: Heading to Baisha Port
Chapter 511: Chapter 401: Heading to Baisha Port
A Pegasus Knight descended from the sky, landing steadily in Black Stone Castle’s square.
The Knight dismounted, his movements swift and clean, and strode to Raylo, presenting a letter.
"My Lord, a reply from the Duke!"
Raylo took the letter, which was sealed tightly with wax. He waved his hand, signaling for the Knight to go and rest.
Entering his study, Raylo broke the seal and unrolled the parchment.
The letter was written in the hand of his father, Aiden Duke.
The script was like the man himself—strong and forceful, just as domineering as he was.
The contents of the letter were more or less what Raylo had expected.
First, the Duke was lavish in his praise for Raylo’s decisiveness and bravery, stating that his act of purging the "Crimson Bloodline" had defended the dignity of the Thunder Dragon Duchy.
Regarding the massacre at Silver Moon Castle, the Duke announced a full-scale, Duchy-wide manhunt for the "Crimson Bloodline" and all its affiliated forces.
Reading this, Raylo knew his father was using this as a pretext.
The massacre in Silver Moon Territory had given him the perfect excuse to purge the hidden forces lurking in the dark corners of the Duchy.
Next, the letter mentioned how the Mithril Mine would be handled.
The Duke had decided to bring the mine under the Duchy’s ownership, to be directly mined and managed by personnel sent from the royal house.
A professional mining team, escorted by one hundred Thunder Dragon Knights, was already on its way.
At the same time, to reward Raylo for his merits and "selflessness," the Duke had decided that twenty percent of the Mithril Mine’s output for the next ten years would be granted to Black Stone Territory.
Twenty percent!
’The Duke is suddenly being so generous. Twenty percent of a Mithril Mine’s output for ten years?’
This was a fortune great enough to make any Lord go mad with envy.
At the end of the letter, the Duke mentioned that he would be sending a royal Special Envoy to Silver Moon Territory to handle the subsequent appeasement and reconstruction, so Raylo no longer needed to concern himself with the matter.
Raylo slowly lowered the letter, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.
The outcome was even better than he had anticipated. Not only had he completely resolved the "Crimson Bloodline" problem, but he had also unexpectedly acquired a fortune.
More importantly, this incident had undoubtedly raised his prestige throughout the Duchy to a new level.
’Looks like I won’t have to worry about money for a while,’ Raylo mused.
With this stable source of funding, the development of Black Stone Territory could accelerate significantly.
Expanding the army, upgrading equipment, improving the people’s livelihood...
Many plans that had been shelved due to a lack of funds could now be put on the agenda.
The study.
"Ed, the Duchy will send a Special Envoy to handle matters in Silver Moon Territory. Arrange for a squad of Knights to assist the envoy."
"Yes, my Lord."
Ed acknowledged the order.
"Also..."
Raylo thought for a moment before speaking.
"In my name, issue a proclamation to the entire Duchy."
Ed immediately perked up his ears.
"Announce that in one month, Black Stone Territory will host a knightly tournament."
"A knightly tournament?"
Ed was stunned for a moment, a little confused.
’With the situation on the Continent so tense right now, why would he suddenly decide to hold something like this?’
"That’s right."
Raylo nodded, a glint in his eyes.
"We need talent right now, a lot of talent. This tournament is precisely to attract all those talented Knights scattered among the common folk."
Ed understood Raylo’s intention.
Although Black Stone Territory’s forces were strong, its foundation was still too weak compared to old powers like the Jade Swamp, Modi Caesar, and the Crimson Bloodline.
"I understand, my Lord!"
Ed’s eyes lit up as well.
"This is an excellent idea! What kind of rewards should we offer to attract Knights from all over the Duchy?"
"The rewards, of course, must be generous enough."
Raylo smiled.
"Tell everyone that the champion of this tournament will not only receive a handsome reward of Golden Dragons, but will also have the chance to obtain a Breakthrough Potion of a corresponding Level!"
"Breakthrough Potions!"
If this news got out, not only would Free Knights come flocking, but even Knights from minor noble houses would likely be drawn by the news.
"And that’s not all."
Raylo continued to up the ante.
"Knights who perform exceptionally in the tournament will have the opportunity to join Black Stone Territory’s Knight Order, and could even be made a Knight Captain directly."
"Also, Knights who join Black Stone Territory can get the chance to bond with a powerful Magical Beast mount. For example, an Earth Dragon or a Mammoth!"
One bombshell after another left Ed reeling.
Golden Dragons, Potions, Magical Beast mounts...
The terms were simply too tempting!
Ed could already picture the magnificent spectacle Black Stone Territory would become in a month’s time.
"I’ll get right on it!"
Ed said excitedly.
Watching Ed’s hastily departing figure, a faint smile appeared on Raylo’s face.
’Holding a knightly tournament is like casting a wide net to catch fish. As for how many I can haul in, that will depend on my own abilities.’
The early morning sunlight streamed through the castle window, falling upon Raylo’s face.
He opened his eyes and saw Avril resting on his chest, sleeping soundly.
Her long, soft hair was spread across the pillow. Her tranquil sleeping face was like that of an ethereal Elf, untouched by the mortal world.
Raylo carefully, gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, his movements so soft he feared waking her.
It had been a long time since he had enjoyed such a peaceful morning.
Ever since he crossed over into this world, it seemed he had been constantly fighting, scheming, and scrambling.
War, conspiracy, death...
These heavy words had all but consumed his entire life.