Pioneer Wizard's Notebook

The core of a military alliance lies in the exchange of resources and the seeking of assistance when faced with an insurmountable enemy.

Due to a power grab within the Hyacinth family.

The agreement among the participants included an additional clause to help Tinia recapture Windcliff City, thus demonstrating their position as border barons.

Thanks to the efforts of the castle scribes, the alliance agreement was quickly drafted.

Once unfolded, the thick sheepskin roll can roll all the way from the table to your feet.

Lind signed his name on the scroll and affixed his sunflower emblem.

Despite the seemingly formal procedures, he knew that such agreements were not actually binding, and it would be difficult to hold anyone accountable for violating them.

What truly united everyone present was...

It is the terrifying Ice Demon under the ice storm, and the oppressive power of the monarchy brought by Jason, the usurper.

As long as the two aforementioned prerequisites remain in place, the military alliances forged by the barons can be firmly maintained.

The most serious part of the main hall meeting ended, and the atmosphere eased.

Linde looked at Baron Roy of the centaur family and stated his request.

"Trade the Iceborne Demon's wolfskin armor for a yew longbow? Let me think about it."

Baron Roy took the wolfskin armor handed to him, examined it carefully, and began to ponder.

"Lightweight and agile, suitable for longbowmen, it is exactly what I need right now. I can exchange sixty fine yew longbows for your twenty wolfskin armors."

The centaur family originated from the hunter count in the southern part of the Kingdom of Rosa.

Therefore, Baron Roy had the best access to purchase longbows from the south, which were of superior quality and very cheap.

This is also why Linde asked him to exchange for the longbow.

Twenty wolfskin armors could only be exchanged for thirty yew longbows at Black Iron Hammer, but on the other side, the number was doubled.

The deal was struck, both parties got what they wanted, and both wore satisfied smiles.

Baron Roy said the longbow would be transported from the territory tomorrow morning and delivered to Lind around the afternoon.

Seeing that his attitude had become friendly, Linde took the opportunity to ask about the sale of the maned horse.

Unfortunately, this time, Baron Roy shook his head, indicating that he would not sell the horses to outsiders.

Maned horses are a species unique to the northern ice fields.

It is large in size, with a mane covering its body and a thick layer of fat underneath to protect it from the cold.

Strictly speaking, this was not a warhorse; it wasn't very fast.

More often, they were used as pack animals to transport goods.

But ordinary warhorses simply cannot adapt to the cold of the North.

According to market prices, warhorses cost 3 gold coins, while packhorses cost around 25 silver coins.

In the south, the price of a maned horse is similar to that of a packhorse.

However, due to their widespread use as warhorses by nobles in Bordeaux, their price here has soared to 50 silver coins per horse.

With the appearance of Iceborne Ghosts, the demand for Rangers has increased, making them even harder to acquire even with money.

Meanwhile, Baron Falco and Baron Balc were also discussing the trade of coal and weapons.

Tinia, seated at the head of the table, smiled as she looked at them, seemingly pleased with the establishment of the alliance.

As the afternoon approached, the meeting drew to a close.

"You may wish to stay in my castle for now; I am confident that new companions will join our alliance tomorrow."

Baron Falco laughed heartily and was very enthusiastic.

Bordeaux County is a vast territory with numerous baronies, and barons from other territories are also on their way to Blackstone.

These are all potential allies.

As the alliance's power continued to grow, Baron Falco, the leader of the alliance, smiled even more broadly.

The others did not refuse.

Inside Blackrock Castle.

After arranging his knights, squires, and soldiers, Linde stepped out of his room and strolled through the castle gardens.

Winter is harsh and cold, and all things wither.

Only a few bare weeping birches remain in the garden.

In the somewhat desolate environment, a dreamlike color suddenly appeared.

A beautiful girl with long violet hair came into Linde's sight, attracting attention and injecting new life into the garden.

Tinia, the viscount's daughter, is the only direct heir of the Hyacinth family.

She was sitting elegantly under the tree, enjoying afternoon tea, with a red-haired female knight standing behind her.

"It's been over a year since I last saw you. You look so much more mature, Brother Linde. Or should I call you Lord Sunflower now?"

Tinia stood up, greeted him playfully, and extended her palm.

"Please do as you please."

Linde greeted her, took her fair hand in his, and gave her a light kiss as a gesture of respect.

Senlete means the light of the sun, and Hyacinthus means the sun's favorite.

They share similar bloodlines and originate from the same ancestor.

This is why Tinia calls him her brother; the two families have had frequent interactions in the past.

However, Lind didn't truly get to know the girl, Tinia, until a year ago.

At that time, his family went to Fengya City to attend a banquet.

At the ball, Lin De was enjoying the food with his sister, Colisa.

In the blink of an eye, I was suddenly pulled into a dance, and the purple-haired girl so close to me was breathtakingly beautiful.

He fell in love.

Of course, he broke up with his girlfriend not long after.

Afterwards, Tinia politely apologized to him, saying that she simply couldn't stand the harassment and that's why she impulsively pulled him to dance as a way of refusing.

At that time, Lind was aware of the difference in their social status and smiled, indicating that it was not a big deal.

That was their only contact.

Little did they expect that the hyacinth family would suffer such a disaster when they met again.

Lind looked at Tinia, a faint smile appearing on her delicate, flawless, fair face.

However, the tear stains between his brows revealed a hidden sadness.

"You need not worry. Under Baron Falk's call, the barons will soon seek justice for the Hyacinth family. Those who usurp power are destined to be unable to gain a foothold in this land of the North."

Linde reassured them that this was also a consensus among the border barons.

King Raman II and Sir Jason's shameless behavior has provoked public outrage.

If it weren't for the threat posed by the Iceborne Demons, the noble alliance would have already besieged Windcliff City, forcing Jason to relinquish power.

"I firmly believe that Jason will pay the price for his foolish betrayal."

As Tina spoke, she didn't withdraw her hand, but instead grasped Lind's hand and whispered.

"The Ranching Guild in Blackrock City has extended an invitation to me. If possible, Brother Lind, would you mind accompanying me?"

Feeling the soft, delicate texture in his palm, Linde realized that this scene looked somewhat familiar.

A year ago, he was pulled to the chest by a girl in the same way, and danced the whole dance in a daze.

The girl grasped his hand again, but this time she asked for his opinion.

Tinia awaited his answer, her eyes filled with hope, seemingly afraid of being rejected.

"Besides Liz, I have no one else here I can trust."

The red-haired female knight behind her stood upright and took a step closer to Tinia.

A beautiful young girl's request is always tempting.

The effect is doubled, especially when you realize that you are special in the other person's eyes.

Linde sensed the lingering emotional stirring within him, and after a moment of contemplation, accepted her invitation.

The three boarded the carriage with the hyacinth emblem and, driven by the coachman, slowly made their way towards the Blackrock Ranch Guild.