Wizard Farming Guide

Chapter 74 Gathering at the Temple

The next morning.

Rhodes opened his eyes in bed, and after recalling the news he had heard in the Northern Remnant, he rubbed his temples with a headache.

After washing up, he left the lord's castle in Mole Town and walked along the deserted streets.

Rhodes looked up at the sky.

"Is the prophecy of the White Frost's doomsday prophecy that the first horn will be an ice storm sweeping across the land?"

He opened his palm, and with a slight coolness, the star-shaped snow crystals slowly melted upon contact with his skin.

Moletown is located on the outer edge of the North and usually only experiences a few light snowfalls in early November.

But this year, Rod looked around.

Large, fluffy snowflakes were falling from the sky, piling up pure white snow on the rooftops and eaves.

Several children were playing and frolicking curiously on the street.

The children, wrapped in thick cotton-padded coats, happily played with the snowflakes.

The adults passing by were in low spirits, sighing sadly at the snow-covered road.

If nothing unexpected happens, this year's cold weather is likely related to the situation of the Northern Remnant.

Rhodes was wary, but not overly worried.

The Northern Remnant is being saved by the mysterious Winter City.

In reality, the Kingdom of Rosa initiated its expansion, so perhaps it knows something about it.

If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up; my current level is not good enough.

Such major events affecting the world situation are not his concern.

Territorial development is what he should be concerned about.

Rhodes mentally reviewed the situation of the territory.

After acquiring Mole Town, the territory's population reached five thousand, of whom more than nine hundred were incorporated into the army.

The territory currently has three main sources of output: a brick and stone factory, winter fishing, and iron ore smelting.

In addition to business taxes and housing construction, he can earn 580 gold coins per month.

On the expenditure side, the monthly food consumption for 5,000 people is about 300,000 pounds, worth 180 gold coins, the monthly military expenses are 95 gold coins, and the residents' salaries are 272 gold coins.

Including various miscellaneous expenses, the total monthly expenditure is 550 gold coins.

Ultimately, the territory yields approximately 30 gold coins per month.

This was the result of Rhodes's deliberate expansion of the army.

To ensure a firm foothold in the face of future turmoil, military development will always be a priority.

An army of over nine hundred men is the limit that the territory can currently support.

Continuing to expand the military will lead to a labor shortage, plunging the territory into a dire situation of revenue deficit.

The sun rises in the distance, and the sky is bright.

After a brief summary, Rhodes boarded the carriage and set off for the Dragonbreaker Fortress.

His three knights are each in charge of one of the three territories.

He then took ten cavalrymen from his personal guard to the fortress to attend the upcoming round table council meeting.

Rhodes rested his head on the cushioned chair inside the carriage and looked at the girl opposite him.

"I have sent a letter to Sir Fuller, but I have not yet received a reply. I think he may be busy with something important."

Rhodes told her, "Don't worry, once you arrive at Dragonbreaker Fortress, you can contact him yourself or inform your family."

As the girl finished dressing and came before him, Rhodes now understood her identity.

The young girl, Aria, is the daughter of Viscount Elet of the Golden Sword Territory.

Rhodes had some recollection of this viscount; his territory contained a large yew forest.

Their family crest is that of a longbow hunter, renowned for their archery skills for generations.

It is also one of the largest bow and arrow suppliers in Golden Sword Territory.

Hearing his words of comfort, Aliya bit her lip.

She tried to put on a calm smile.

"Thank you for your kind help in rescuing me from the den of evil. Aliya will forever remember your kindness."

She bowed her head to Rhodes in gratitude, her voice trembling slightly.

His gaze swept over the golden lamp mark on her forehead, and Rod shook his head inwardly, sensing the confusion in her voice.

Whether it was the Mark family, to which Knight Fuler belonged, or the Elette family, to which Aria belonged.

The moment she is captured by the infamous slave-catching team, both families will tacitly agree on their attitude towards the girl.

She is dead.

The noble girl named Aliya will no longer live.

The most important thing in aristocratic circles is reputation.

In private, nobody cares how much fun you have, but in public, everyone has to maintain proper decorum and avoid serious blemishes.

Otherwise, no one will want to play with you, and they will exclude you immediately.

In order to maintain the noble reputation of both families, even if Aliya successfully returns, her situation will likely not be much better.

If you're lucky, you'll be kept in a castle and never allowed to go out and see anyone for the rest of your life.

If you're unlucky, you'll have to float to the surface of the river the day after you get back.

Rod was well aware of her situation.

But what troubled him was that he was unsure of Sir Fuhrer's attitude.

I wrote to the other party several days ago, and given Grey Falcon's speed of communication, there should have been a response long ago.

but no.

You've lost a battle, so you're abandoning even the basic etiquette of aristocracy?

"Give me a straight answer, you bastard!" Rhodes cursed inwardly.

Considering they both come from the Golden Sword Territory, and that he still wants this fiancée, Rhodes will send her back to him.

If you don't want her, then give Aliya some money and send her to a safe place to fend for herself.

But what does it mean to ignore people?

Rhodes was speechless, unsure of Sir Fule's attitude; he couldn't possibly keep Aria in his territory any longer.

Otherwise, if he keeps someone's fiancée in the castle, who knows what kind of misunderstandings they might have?

After several days of travel, the carriage arrived at Duanlong Fortress.

Thanks to Rhodes's identity, the guards outside the city gate waved him through without conducting a routine check after seeing the heraldic flag.

The carriage traveled through the streets until it reached a market in the southwest region before slowly coming to a stop.

"My lord, we have arrived," came the voice of a knight's squire from outside.

"You stay here for now. If you need anything, you can ask the cavalry outside for help," Rhodes said to Aria, leaving the carriage under her grateful gaze.

With his feet firmly planted on the ground, Rhodes looked ahead.

The familiar dome of the Temple of the Round Table came into view, with the golden holy sword standing tall at the very top, shining brightly.

Rod heard the shouts of vendors and the cries of pedestrians.

The market outside the temple was bustling with activity during this period due to the convening of the Round Table Council.

The streets were lined with merchants' stalls, selling barbarian scimitars, crystal jewelry, huge oil paintings, and even howling wolves in steel cages.

The place is filled with unique goods from all over the North and the Kingdom, a diverse and interesting collection.

The road was already crowded with curious pedestrians, but fortunately, Rod didn't need to worry about that.

Wearing white military uniforms symbolizing the Knights of the Round Table, after a brief silence, pedestrians respectfully made way for them.

Protected by six knights, he passed smoothly through the marketplace and arrived at the Temple of the Round Table.

Rhodes entered the temple's central garden, where he met several acquaintances from the Alliance.

Charlie, Byrne, and two other commanders were gathered together.

"Look, our archer battalion commander is back, Knight Rhodes, it's been a long time!"

Upon seeing Rhodes arrive, the four greeted him warmly.

Rhodes responded with a smile, then asked them:

"Has any of you seen Sir Fuhrer of the Mark family? I need to speak with him, but I can't get in touch with him."

Upon hearing his question, the four of them suddenly showed strange expressions.

Charlie then pointed to a corner of the garden.

"Well, this good-for-nothing has been lying there for over ten days since he escaped, all he does is drink and pretend to be dead."

As a Fiery Knight who dares to charge into battle, Charlie's tone was full of disdain: "If you ask me, he should have died on the spot in the territory, at least he could have left behind a heroic reputation."

Rhodes looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw Sir Fuller.

At this moment, this honorable knight, born into a royal earl family, was lying disheveled on the ground.

His eyes were like those of a dead fish, staring blankly at the ceiling, with a trace of wine still dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing him like this, Rod fell silent.

It seems he misunderstood the other party.

This completely abandons aristocratic dignity and presents a self-destructive image.

This is far more than just a defeat; the person is completely ruined.

(End of this chapter)