Chapter 315 - 313: Star Velvet Mammoth

Chapter 315: Chapter 313: Star Velvet Mammoth

Duane remained in the Southen Plain.

He wasn’t just putting on a show. He led by example, rolling up his pant legs and heading into the wasteland to work alongside the others.

Weeding, digging trenches, excavating rivers—he tried his hand at basically every kind of job.

Seeing a noble Lord actually working in the fields for the first time in their lives was both strange and shocking for the Slaves. Most of them, however, were inspired and began to work even harder.

During this time, Duane also personally announced the process of advancement from Slave to serf, and then to Free People. He also granted them permission to marry and have children, promising that the next generation would not be branded as Slaves.

This measure further stoked the ambitions of those who had once held some status before unexpectedly falling into slavery.

Of course, not all the Slaves were striving for a better future. There were still many who slacked off, tried to be clever, or even bullied their own kind.

Duane instructed Haien not to tolerate such behavior. They were to be beaten or punished as necessary.

Beyond that, Duane also led Guards like Gaius and Michele deep into the wild wetlands to hunt dangerous Demon Beasts.

The most ferocious of these was a five-meter-long shallow-water crocodile.

This Level 4 Demon Beast used its advantage in the water to leave Gaius and the others helpless. For Duane, however, it posed no challenge.

Using the Level 5 Magic, Water Flow Manipulation, he formed a waterspout that ripped the massive creature from the water and threw it onto the bank.

Once on land, the crocodile was surrounded by Gaius, Clint, and the others, who quickly finished it off.

He hadn’t spent all these days working alongside his people and interacting with his subordinates purely to inspire those toiling away here; he was also strengthening himself.

His Skill Levels in Basic Construction and Basic Planting, which had barely changed for over a year, saw a significant increase.

The former had now reached the Skilled level, while the latter had even advanced to the Master Level.

Duane speculated that reaching the Perfection level in Basic Construction might be related to Arrays, serving as the breakthrough needed to build the Magic Flow Silkworm Room for the Nebula Silkworms.

As for Basic Planting, reaching Perfection in this Skill might grant Duane new techniques for cultivating Magic Plants.

But clearly, both construction and planting were extremely time-consuming.

Duane was already prepared to haul bricks on construction sites in his spare time.

In any case, there were endless buildings to construct in Broken Wave City, the Southen Plain, and the Silver Jade Territory, so he would have plenty of opportunities to practice.

Duane tightened the reins of his warhorse, bid farewell to Haien, Gaius, and the others, and galloped off.

Under the effects of Arcane Resonance, his warhorse could use Phase Dash to leap through the air, clearing some of the swampy terrain.

It had taken Duane three days to arrive, but traveling alone, the return journey took only a single day.

When he returned to Forest Castle at lightning speed, Logan brought him a piece of good news—

The Star Velvet Mammoth from Viscount Raul Stewart had arrived and was currently being settled in the woods behind Forest Castle.

A Star Velvet Mammoth worth three thousand Gold Coins. Duane couldn’t wait to rush to the woods to see it for himself.

Before he even arrived, he could hear the trumpeting of a mammoth. It sounded a little fearful, likely unsettled by the unfamiliar environment.

But...

Duane frowned. ’Why do I hear two mammoths?’

His Male Servant, Logan, was taken aback and looked surprised. "Lord, Sir Emerson did indeed bring two Star Velvet Mammoths. Is there a problem?"

He hadn’t been in Duane’s service for long, so he wasn’t privy to all the details.

He had subconsciously assumed that the Stewart Clan was supposed to send two Star Velvet Mammoths.

Now it was Duane’s turn to be surprised. "Are you sure they brought two mammoths?"

"Yes, Lord!"

Logan realized there was an issue with the number. "You heard correctly, Lord. It’s two mammoths."

"Young mammoths," he added.

"Alright, alright!"

A slight smile touched Duane’s lips. He knew this was a gesture of goodwill from Viscount Raul, though he hadn’t expected it.

Soon, led by Logan, Duane arrived at the temporary enclosure for the Star Velvet Mammoths.

Ralph and his men were there, learning from the Stewart servants how to care for the mammoths and handle other related tasks.

Simone heard footsteps, and turning his head, saw Duane approaching.

"The Lord is back!"

At his announcement, everyone quickly turned and bowed to Duane.

"Hahaha! Esteemed Earl of the Star of the Sky, Emerson Gobel pays his highest respects to you!"

"It’s a pleasure to see you, Sir Emerson!"

Duane looked at Simone, Constance, and Little Vera, and said with a smile, "Congratulations on your family’s three-generation reunion!"

Emerson was Simone’s father, which was why Simone’s family of three was here.

"This is all thanks to you!"

Emerson respectfully placed a hand over his chest and bowed again. "Without your protection, who knows when Simone’s long-suffering family would have ever been reunited!"

Duane smiled. "It’s not just my doing. We also have Viscount Raul to thank for making it happen."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the two mammoths, each over a meter tall.

Though not yet fully grown, their forms already hinted at the giant beasts they would become. A pair of curved, milky-white tusks, just half a foot long, jutted out from the sides of their broad mouths like exquisite jade carvings.

With their long trunks, large ears, and short tails, they looked very much like the elephants Duane remembered.

There was just one striking difference: their grayish-black skin was covered in a fine, downy fur.

This fur was seven to eight centimeters long—far longer than an ordinary elephant’s—and it shimmered in the sunlight like stardust.

This was precisely the origin of the Star Velvet Mammoth’s name.

Duane couldn’t resist stepping forward to stroke them. The fur was incredibly soft, and the Star Velvet Mammoths seemed to have a gentle temperament.

"When Viscount Raul and I first made our agreement, he only said he would send me one."

Duane turned to look at Emerson. "So why did you bring me two?"

Viscount Raul had explained the reason to Emerson before he departed.

"The Lord Viscount deeply admires your strength. To celebrate you becoming the second-youngest powerhouse in the Kingdom, and to bear witness to the friendship between the Stewart and Brian Clans, he decided to gift you an additional one."

Emerson explained, "These two Star Velvet Mammoths are both two years old."

At this, he shrugged helplessly. "We originally wanted to transport two larger ones, but as you know, transport by water is quite troublesome. With larger animals, not only is it difficult to get them aboard, but their movement, feeding, and waste management during the journey all become major issues."

Duane completely agreed. ℯℯ𝘭.

To be honest, space on a cargo ship is limited. Transporting two adult Star Velvet Mammoths would have been highly impractical.

This was also a limiting factor in the Stewart Clan’s trade of Star Velvet Mammoths.

Emerson continued, "The pair is male and female. In another three years, they’ll be able to mate. If they successfully produce an offspring, you’ll have at least three mammoths in your Territory."

’I remember elephants usually reach maturity at age twelve,’ Duane thought. ’I didn’t expect Star Velvet Mammoths to mature at five.’

"Thank you for Viscount Raul’s generosity. Please convey my sincere gratitude to him."

Duane bowed slightly. "If there is ever anything you need my help with in the future, please don’t hesitate to inform me."

A promise like this was exactly what Viscount Raul wanted from Duane.

Although a verbal promise might not hold much weight for major affairs, if a dangerously powerful Secret Realm were to appear in his territory, Viscount Raul believed there was a high probability Duane would agree to help if asked.

Viscount Raul’s concern about a Great Secret Realm appearing in his territory was not unfounded.

After all, the Stewart Clan, just like the Haydon Clan, had their Territory in Avalon Province.

The Haydon Clan had suffered because of a Secret Realm, and Viscount Raul had no desire to follow in their footsteps.

Using an extra Star Velvet Mammoth to solidify his relationship with Duane and prepare for the future was a strategic investment.