Chapter 269 - 214: The Lord, a Hot Commodity Among Noble Maidens (Part 3)

The day of the winter solstice arrived quickly. Whole cows and sheep were put on roasting spits, with the vast majority of them ending up in Sophia’s stomach. Barrel after barrel of wine had their wooden plugs popped and were poured down the throats of the High Cliff Castle Warriors.

The bonfires throughout High Cliff Castle blazed from morning until the following day, never once extinguished.

Sounds of joy and laughter filled the air above High Cliff Castle. Even the slaves were given a day off, and each was allocated a cup of fruit wine and some meat.

They raised their cups as if sharing in the glory, drinking the fruit wine together with the companions beside them, filled with anticipation for the future.

Although they were still slaves in High Cliff Castle and had to work every day, they no longer had to worry about food or warmth. Life was immeasurably better than before.

But the joy was fleeting. After the winter solstice, High Cliff Castle settled back into a state of quiet industry. Several weeks later, at the end of the twelfth month, a merchant caravan arrived at High Cliff Castle, shattering the tranquility.

At the time, Levi was winter fishing on the Bengyong River. Buji was sitting on his head, hugging a milk canister, her small mouth sucking eagerly on a hollow wheat stalk.

"My Lord, Miss Miriel and Knight Si Kai have arrived." Sam had been looking for an excuse to approach the Lord. While out for a stroll, he’d stumbled upon the Secret Silver Commerce Association caravan arriving at High Cliff Castle and had unhesitatingly appointed himself their guide.

The caravan halted at the foot of the hill, where guards and grooms busied themselves unloading supplies from the heavily laden wagons. Only Miriel and Si Kai approached the Lord.

Miriel stared at High Cliff Castle in disbelief.

This was her third time visiting this burgeoning Pioneer Territory. If not for the familiar contours of the terrain and the presence of that irritating Lord, she would have sworn she was in the wrong place.

The hill, once dotted with only dilapidated wooden huts, was now encircled by walls that blocked the view of the inside. Squads of elite soldiers patrolled the ramparts.

At the foot of the hill, countless earthen houses stood in dense rows, with all sorts of Wilderness People bustling about. In the distance, large earthen buildings belched thick smoke, as if something was being smelted inside.

"Levi, High Cliff Castle has changed so much!" she couldn’t help but exclaim.

"It’s nothing special. After fighting a few battles, you inevitably gain some supplies and people. With nowhere else to use them, I could only put them toward developing High Cliff Castle."

Levi replied perfunctorily, his eyes fixed on his fishing rod.

But soon, having finished her milk, Buji flew up to the Lord, holding her empty bottle aloft as if looking for praise.

"Our Little Buji can really drink," Levi chuckled, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the milk from her mouth.

"Buji!"

The little creature hung the tiny milk bottle from the thin string at her waist, then flew over to the hole the Lord had broken in the ice for fishing.

With a wave of her tiny hand, a ray of azure light shot down, and a "tremendous" force instantly tugged on the Lord’s fishing rod.

Unsurprised, Levi gave a light flick of his wrist, and a plump, silver-scaled fish weighing at least ten pounds began flopping on the ice.

"How adorable." Miriel’s eyes were drawn to the creature.

"What kind of Magical Beast is that? I’ve never seen one before."

Although the little creature looked very much like a miniature Elf, she couldn’t speak and had a pair of feathered wings on her back, proving her status as a Magical Beast.

"She’s a true descendant of the Gods," Levi said with a perfectly straight face, ruffling Buji’s little head.

"Your War God publicity stunt didn’t fool anyone, so now you’re trying to use a ’descendant of the Gods’ to trick those ignorant believers in Debei and build a fanatically devout army?"

Miriel was certain she had guessed his intentions correctly.

’A descendant of the Gods? What a joke. It’s been at least a thousand years since the age when the Gods last revealed themselves. What kind of descendant could have survived until now?’

’Not to mention, the followers of the Gods claim to be their descendants, too. Only the Lord of High Cliff Castle would be shameless enough to pass off a slightly odd Magical Beast as a divine heir.’

Levi had never actually heard of such a devious tactic, but he silently filed the idea away for later. He retorted, "With my current reputation, countless apprentice knights are scrambling to join High Cliff Castle. I don’t need to waste my effort on such a thankless task."

"That’s true," Miriel nodded.

The Lion Hunter Knight’s fame had exploded throughout the Northern Territory, making him a common topic of conversation among the Northern People. He was arguably one of the most talked-about figures in the Northern Territory right now.

"These are the supplies Duke Fulina asked me to deliver to you," Miriel said, gesturing toward the cargo in the dozens of wagons. "Also, the Secret Silver Commerce Association hopes to establish a branch here in High Cliff Castle, which I would manage. I was wondering if you would agree, Levi?"

"The honor would be mine. I would be delighted for the Secret Silver Commerce Association to establish a branch in High Cliff Castle."

Without the slightest hesitation, Levi extended his hand. "I hope we have a pleasant collaboration."

The two shook hands.

He hadn’t expected the Secret Silver Commerce Association to actually set up a branch in High Cliff Castle, but it was purely beneficial for the territory and would greatly accelerate its development. Naturally, the Lord wouldn’t refuse.

"Good day, Lord Li."

It was only then that Si Kai had a chance to say hello.

"I didn’t expect to see you here, Si Kai."

"Actually, my Lord, I’m here for another reason," Si Kai said, a teasing look in his eyes.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Levi led Si Kai back to High Cliff Castle, instructing Mier to take Miriel to select a site for the new branch.