I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 355 Return to Frostleaf Town

……

……

Rhodes stared at the black stone slab, feeling a strange sense of annoyance.

When Rhodes first saw the black stone tablet, he didn't have a strong feeling about it.

But when Rod saw it a second time, he felt a growing sense of annoyance.

Now that feeling of disgust is even stronger.

"You can't touch it, you can't budge it, and you can't absorb the energy from it."

Rod simply closed the box and left it aside.

Then they turned their attention to the other items in the box.

The church members were wealthier than Rhodes had imagined; they possessed thirteen scrolls of divine magic alone.

Previously, these scrolls, which required Holy Light to trigger, were useless to Rhodes.

But now even the little girl under Rhodes who controls the Holy Light can use these divine scrolls.

There were also twenty-one magical ornaments, most of which were taken from the priests, with only a few found on the priests themselves.

The rest were all bottles and jars containing magical materials.

"Sao, come here."

Rhodes took out a bracelet and a ring and casually handed them to Sao, saying, "Here, take these."

Sao was slightly taken aback and said, "Holy Lord, you have already bestowed upon me a protective ring."

Protective rings are common in churches; they are the most basic magical accessories, and Rhodes had previously seized quite a few.

Rhodes only had ten fingers, so he couldn't wear all those rings. He distributed most of them to Avril, Vivian, Durant, and his loyal subordinates.

With these magical trinkets, they felt more confident in dealing with church clergy.

"The protective ring only provides a basic shield, which can be easily broken by a single zero-ring spell."

Rhodes looked at Sao and said seriously, "As my knight commander, you must have sufficient means to protect yourself."

"Yes, Holy Lord."

São respectfully raised both hands to accept the ring and bracelet, saying, "Thank you for your kindness. I will do everything in my power to protect your life."

"You also need to protect yourself; your life is very important to me."

Rod reminded him seriously.

“Yes!” São replied solemnly.

"By the way, the bracelet's effect is magical protection, which is automatically triggered when attacked, and it lasts for three times."

Rhodes explained to Sao, "This ring has the spell 'Breath of Freezing' on it. It's an attack ring, but it can only be used once."

After saying that, Rod looked at Linda and asked, "Am I right?"

“Absolutely correct, Your Grace.” Linda nodded.

Having received confirmation, Rhodes turned to Sao and instructed, "Experience the specific effects yourself. When your energy runs out, go to Lusen to help you recharge."

“Yes, Holy Lord.” Sao nodded in response and carefully put the two pieces of jewelry on his hands.

Rhodes then turned to Carlos and said, "Here, take two items too."

Rhodes handed two magically protective bracelets to Carlos.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace."

Carlos returned the greeting respectfully, accepting the magic bracelet from Rhodes with both hands.

"That's right. Just accept what I've given you; there's no need to save it for me."

Rod smiled and said, "Of course, just let me know if you need anything."

After saying that, Rod looked at Wright and Linda on the side.
"Come on, you two choose for yourselves."

Rod waved his hand, offering his seat, his voice softening as he gave the instructions.

"You two should have heard what those deacons said. Since they couldn't assassinate me, they've turned their attention to you."

"We were lucky to have stumbled upon their plan today, but such things could happen again in the future."

"So you all need to be careful too."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Wright and Linda responded in unison.

Wright selected only one ring from the box that cast an ice barrier, and then bowed respectfully to Rhodes in gratitude.

Linda rummaged around for a while, then took out a pendant engraved with star patterns and handed it to Rod.

"This spiritual pendant can increase meditation efficiency and improve spellcasting speed."

"okay."

Rod looked at Linda in surprise and took the pendant.

Linda's sudden thoughtfulness surprised Rod.

However, Rhodes did not delve into the matter and instructed, "After you two have finished selecting, help me categorize these magical ornaments according to their effects."

Rhode intended to use ordinary magical trinkets without any special effects to arm his subordinates.

Of course, Rhodes kept the teleportation crystal for himself.

Bring all the magical materials back; they'll come in handy for crafting magic scrolls and equipment.

"Is there a share for me, Your Grace?"

Celine, leaning on her cane, walked out of the temple with a smile on her face.

Rod generously pushed the box over, "Take whatever you want."

"Thank you so much for your generosity."

Celinesa bowed slightly in greeting. "I don't need these magical ornaments. I'd like to select some magical materials to repair the magic circle below."

"No problem, take whatever you need."

Rhodes generously stated, "Repairing the magic array is a public service; no work points will be deducted for the materials used."

Celine smiled and nodded, then focused on making her selections.

"Blood of Magic, Dispelling Liquid, Magic-Solidifying Powder... I didn't expect it to be so complete."

Celine's erudition was surprising; she knew every bottle and jar in the box like the back of her hand.

A moment later, Celinesha picked out six bottles and three pieces of animal hide.

When she got up, Rhodes brought the wooden box containing the black stone tablet to Celinesa.

"You found this again?"

Celine looked at the wooden box in surprise. "To tell you the truth, Your Grace, I also have a black stone tablet like this."

"what?"

Rod looked at Celinesa in surprise and asked, "Then why did Lucien say he didn't recognize this thing?"

"Because I really don't recognize this thing, and I couldn't find it even after checking a lot of information."

Celine stared at the black stone slab and shook her head slightly. "I don't even remember when I found that black stone slab. I don't really like it, and I don't even remember where I put it."

“If you hadn’t brought it up, I would have completely forgotten,” Celinesa said.

"I don't like this black slate either."

Rhodes looked at the black stone tablet in the wooden box and said slowly, "No, to be precise, I'm fed up."

"Perhaps it's because it contains chaotic energy."

Celine explained, “As wizarding apprentices, we are more inclined towards order, so we hate it.”

“And you should know that this chaotic energy is highly corrosive to our bodies,” Celinesha said.

Rhodes nodded and said, "What do you think this thing is?"

"I cannot determine that, Your Grace,"

Celine sighed softly and said, "But items containing energy are not ordinary... I previously guessed that this was a stone tablet used by the Abyss to record information."

"So, are these four stone slabs one thing, or a set?"

Rhodes seemed thoughtful. "Perhaps putting these four stone tablets together would have a different effect?"

"I think we can give your idea a try."

Celine agreed with Rhodes' idea without hesitation and said, "I'll think carefully about where to put the stone slab and write to my student to send it over."

“No rush, I only have two right now,” Rod said.

Rhodes now only possesses the second black stone tablet from the vault.

The purpose of the black stone slabs is unknown, and they are somewhat corrosive, so the first black stone slab remains in the wasteland.

“I’ll take this piece back and put it with the other one to test it out,” Rhodes said. “This one is fine; I’ll leave it to you for now.”

"Ah."

Celine nodded in agreement.

Rhodes gave a few instructions to the church hunters and then left the temple.

Back in Riftrock, Rhodes had Avril find the other black stone tablet and put the two together.

Unfortunately, nothing happened.

However, Rhodes didn't have high hopes.

After dealing with the backlog of matters, Rhodes left Riftrock City with Avril and Vivian.

……

……

Night falls.

The outline of Frostleaf Town was faintly visible under the night sky.

Scattered lights peeked through the cracks in the windows of the houses, like stars in the darkness.

The patrol soldiers, draped in thick cloaks and carrying torches, diligently patrolled the streets.

The guards on the city wall leaned against the brazier, their eyes occasionally sweeping across the outside of the town.

Lawrence stood by the bonfire in the lord's manor, gazing up at the twinkling stars in the night sky, and let out a long sigh.

"I wonder if the lord will ever return."

Lawrence's voice was clearly filled with disappointment.

He remembered that it was springtime when the lord left, but now the wasteland was already in winter.

Martha sat on the stone bench, holding a piece of freshly baked bread, and took a small bite.

"This is Lord Rhodes's home."

Martha mumbled, "He'll definitely come back."

"And look, Master Sainda and Miss Zoya are still here."

Martha swallowed the bread in her mouth and said seriously, "They are all very important people."

“If Lord Rhodes really doesn’t intend to come back, they will all leave.”

Lawrence turned around and shook his head slightly. "Maybe they'll leave soon."

"Just like Otto and Haren, they have both been summoned to the south by the lord."

"And you're talking about the two of them!"

Martha pouted, "Who knows, maybe one day you'll be summoned away by Lord Rhodes too!"

"I'm not going."

Lawrence snorted and straightened his back. "I'm going to stay here and keep an eye on the master's fortune."

"If I don't keep a close eye on things, you lot will squander the lord's entire fortune!"

Lawrence's face was full of righteous indignation.

"Pah!"

Martha spat on the ground in annoyance.
"Neither Sansa nor I can eat as much as you!"

Martha bent down and picked up the breadcrumbs that had fallen on her, one by one, and put them in her mouth. Then she stood up.
"I don't have time to waste here with you."

"I need to go check on how the meat stew for Miss Zoya and Master Sainda is going."

Martha muttered to herself as she walked.

"Sansa's mind has been in a mess ever since the lady left."

"He's completely unreliable when it comes to doing things."

“Last time I put too much salt in the stew, Master Sainda frowned after taking a sip.”

Before Martha even reached the kitchen door, a sudden, urgent horn blast rang out in the night sky!
"Woo!"

This is a warning signal for Frostleaf Town!

"Warning! A target is approaching from the sky!"

The captain of the guard stood atop the tower and shouted with all his might.

The messengers then shouted one after another, and their voices quickly spread to every corner of the town!
The guards of Frostleaf Town immediately sprang into action, quickly assembling towards the tower and the city walls!

"It's a dragon!"

Just then, the savage from the Eagle Feather tribe, who was in charge of reconnaissance, suddenly shouted.

"It's Black Flame!"

His voice became shrill with excitement, "The lord is sitting up there!"

"My lord?!"

"The lord is back!"

Shouts erupted from the city wall, filled with barely suppressed joy.

The soldiers who remained in Frostleaf Town were among the first batch of people recruited by Rhodes.

They had nothing when they followed Rhodes, but now they have a wealthy and stable life.

To them, Rhodes was not just a lord, but a faith!
Especially the twenty Winter Knights who possessed the Seed of Nature within their bodies, who were originally worried that their lord had forgotten about this remote wasteland town.

But now, the lord has returned!
At the same time, figures rushed out of the houses and dormitories in the town, ignoring the cold night wind, desperately looking up at the sky.

Three enormous black shadows appeared in the night sky, obscuring the stars, and slowly flapped their wings as they swept over the town.

"It really is the lord!"

"The Baron has not forgotten us!"

"Shut up!"

A burly blacksmith interrupted loudly, "Fool, you should be calling him Duke now!"

……

The people of Frostleaf Town all looked up at the sky, grinning from ear to ear.

Everyone knows that as long as the lord continues to govern them, life in Frostleaf Town will be peaceful and prosperous.

Perhaps seeing these people welcoming it, the dragon circled in the air a few times in response.

Then, the dragon flew into the lord's manor.

Black Flame landed steadily in the courtyard, and Rod jumped down nimbly.

Take a deep breath, and the uniquely cold air of the North fills your lungs.

Rhodes looked around and nodded slightly.
"Yes, the main building has been topped out, and the side buildings on both sides have been erected."

This manor is now a true aristocratic estate, complete with kitchens, warehouses, servants' quarters, and so on.

Avril and Vivian also dismounted from the dragon's back.

Lawrence and Martha, accompanied by all the servants of the manor, hurried forward to greet them.
The moment they saw Rhodes, smiles bloomed on everyone's faces.

"Welcome home, sir."

Lawrence was the first to speak, bowing deeply.

The other servants then followed suit and bowed as well.

Rhodes waved his hand slightly, indicating that everyone should dispense with formalities.
"You've done a great job. This place is more beautiful and complete than before."

"This is your home, and we must manage it well."

Lawrence grinned and answered respectfully.

"Ah."

Rhodes nodded slightly, then turned to Martha and said, "Martha, prepare some food."

"Alright, sir! There's meat stewing in the pot!"

Martha bowed respectfully in response, then called several servants and hurried back to the kitchen.

Rhodes stepped forward and patted Lawrence on the shoulder. "Give me a summary of the recent situation in the North later."

"No problem, sir, I'm all ready!"

Lawrence replied without hesitation, "You go and rest first, I'll be right back!"

Lawrence hurried toward the side building where he usually handled his work.

At this moment, Zoya, Senda, and the heads of various departments quickly gathered at the manor to welcome the lord's return.

Rhodes gathered everyone in the council hall, where they enjoyed dinner while listening to everyone's reports.

(End of this chapter)