Pioneer Wizard's Notebook

A brand new day.

The breach in the manor wall has been repaired, and the herb garden within the Demon Field has been opened up.

Linde temporarily halted his research and summoned William and Hilbert for an official meeting in the hall.

"I'm going to Blackrock City."

As Lind spoke, he spread out a map on the long table.

Blossoming Territory is located in the northernmost part of the Kingdom of Rosa.

Beyond the Frosty Forest and the Howling Mountains lies the vast and mysterious Northern Lands.

The brutal Winter Clan, powerful dragon-like monsters, amazing dwarven artisans, and countless rare mineral veins.

Human kingdoms have united to launch several campaigns against this land, but have been defeated by natural disasters and powerful enemies each time.

On the contrary, the Winter Clan, whom the Kingdom of Rosa calls barbarians, frequently raids the borders and massacres border nobles.

Thanks to the barrier of forests and mountains, the Flowery Territory doesn't need to worry too much about attacks from the Winter Clan.

Linde prepared to head south to Blackrock City.

That is the territory of the Falco family, the Blackstone Baron.

Although both are baronies of Bordeaux County in the northern province, Blackstone City is far more prosperous than Blossom County.

The territory contains a medium-sized coal mine and has convenient road access.

It is one of the trade hubs for merchants from the North and for the southern part of the kingdom.

The weapons workshop within Sunflower Manor has completed the production of all the wolfskin armor.

After arming the army, there were still twenty items left over.

Lind planned to travel to Blackrock City to exchange the wolfhide armor for gold coins and purchase much-needed supplies for the manor there.

The items included daily necessities such as salt, sugar, and oil; longbows that the weapons workshop could not produce; and a batch of maned horses and wolfhounds.

With these resources, the army would have the means to explore the Ice Fog Forest.

Under the leadership of William and Frostfang Wolf, this great treasure can be truly developed.

There were many things to buy, and Linde knew that the wolfskin armor alone would definitely not be enough.

Fortunately, he didn't plan to buy them all at once; this trip was more about getting a feel for the situation.

On the one hand, it is necessary to find out the prices of various goods.

On the other hand, they gathered intelligence to see how other noble territories were faring under the influence of the ice storm.

"Please rest assured, we will take good care of the manor."

Hilbert and William bowed and saw him off as he left the manor.

They continued their journey on the sled of the Frostfang wolves.

This time, Linde only brought two knights as squires, his two most favored boys, Brod and Mark, and four shield-spearmen carrying goods.

Blackrock City is about 120 kilometers away from Blossomland.

The roads in the snow were relatively smooth, and after two days, Linde could already see the outline of the city walls in the distance.

The ten-meter-high black stone wall stands firm, its surface weathered by time.

Behind us is a city built on a high slope.

With a population of around 20,000, it is the largest city in the Bordeaux canton, apart from the Viscount de la Ville ...

We are approaching Blackrock City.

Lind stopped the Frostfang wolves, then dismounted from the sled and, with the cargo and soldiers, walked to the city.

The Frostfang Wolf then fled to hide in the nearby forest.

The influence of extraordinary demons is too great; they should not appear in front of outsiders unless absolutely necessary.

Linde arrived at the city gate.

To his surprise, the road outside the city gate was unusually lively, with carriages lined up and waiting to enter.

Many of them also bear the coat of arms of nobles.

"Baron Balk's stag-headed banner, Baron Loy's centaur, and even Viscount Hyacinthus's hyacinth?"

Ordinary family members would at most place a coat of arms shield in front of their carriage.

The only way to raise a flamboyant coat of arms is either for the nobleman himself to arrive or for the eldest son who is the first in line to the throne.

Linde seemed to be deep in thought, guessing that these nobles had come here mostly for the sake of a military alliance.

The Viscount of Jacintos, or the Hyacinth family, was the mayor of the Bordeaux canton, responsible for collecting taxes from the barons in various regions on behalf of the king.

That being said, the viscount was not the baron's superior and had no authority to issue orders directly.

In addition, the northern provinces were far from the central government, and the military aid funds sent there were subject to deductions at each level.

Therefore, the king's words here are no different from farting.

Even passing beggars would spit on it upon hearing this.

Therefore, in the past, the Hyacinth family never took the county magistrate's responsibility of collecting taxes seriously.

Instead, as a leader, he forged a military alliance with the barons of the county.

When faced with an invasion from the North, they should help each other and stick together for warmth.

Linde was puzzled as to why the military alliance meeting, which was usually held in Windcliff City of the Hyacinth family, was being held in Blackrock City.

If I remember correctly, his father, Baron Jefferson, ran away to Windcliff.

With incomplete information, Linde shook his head and stopped guessing.

As the procession was about to end, he donned a shawl adorned with a sunflower emblem to identify himself.

"Golden sunflower, the Senwright family?"

The prosecutor at the city gate looked at him and asked.

"Lind Senwright comes representing the Blossoming Territory."

Linde handed the prepared money bag to the prosecutor.

The official weighed him in his hand, glanced at his distinctive blond hair, and then made way for him.

"Sunflower Movement team, proceed!"

With a whoosh, the city guards behind them put away their cross-shaped spears.

Thanks to the privileges of the nobility, Lind and his companions were able to enter Blackrock City without having their luggage checked.

They entered through the north gate, which faced the nobles and caravans, away from the narrow serf quarters at the west gate.

Upon entering, you'll find yourself in a bustling and vibrant market square.

Tall, three-story stone buildings stand in rows on both sides of the road.

Blacksmith shop, grain guild, public bathhouse, church, city hall.

The blast furnace emitted billowing black smoke, and the steam pipes laid underground released heat waves, allowing the entire square to say goodbye to winter.

Looking at the bustling scene before them, Brode and the others following behind Linde were completely dumbfounded.

"Is this the legendary metropolis? It's huge, really huge!"

"Browder was shocked," he said.

Unfortunately, due to the limited vocabulary, I can only repeat grand exclamations.

Although Mark and the other soldiers didn't speak, their furtive glances betrayed their excitement.

It's not just the city's prosperity that's evident; even the passersby exude a unique charm.

A luxurious and beautiful fur coat, worn by a voluptuous woman whose white fur is dazzling.

All of this made these farmers and hunters, who came from rural villages and had never seen the world, nervous and hesitant to speak.

Lind glanced back at them and chuckled, "Relax, they're more nervous than you are."

Thanks to the rigorous training during this period, the soldiers maintained their formation while marching, despite the tension.

Just as Lind said, when their group walked down the street, caravans and wagons dared not approach.

Pedestrians quickly made way for them, respectfully keeping their distance.

It was quite normal. Linde was wearing a noble robe, and the soldiers behind him were all wearing the same leather armor, carrying weapons, and marching in an orderly manner.

Their solemn demeanor immediately reveals that they come from a professional military.

Merchants and tycoons don't care about those bearded mercenaries, but no one is foolish enough to offend the military; there's a fundamental difference between the two.

Realizing this, the soldiers' eyes lit up, and they proudly straightened their chests.

Keep moving forward.

Linde and his companions arrived at the largest weapons shop in the square, where a sign for spirits indicated their dwarven identity.