Pioneer Wizard's Notebook

The banquet hall on the first floor of Pharos Castle.

The fiery heatwave from the sunflower and the radiant glow from the broken mountain from the high cliff fortress collided here.

The clerks' scrolls flew everywhere, and the candlelight on the protruding lampstands on the walls danced wildly.

A tense atmosphere permeated the entire venue.

As the hostess here, Lady Maria came to her senses, her lips dry, as if she wanted to say something.

Her gaze darted back and forth between Lind and Baron Highcliff.

But they discovered that the two men only had eyes for each other at that moment.

The rising radiance was like a lion surveying its territory, raising its head and roaring, declaring its will to the outside world.

No interference from others is permitted!

Mrs. Maria understood this, pursed her lips and gave up trying to stop them. Helplessly, she hugged her two bewildered daughters and stepped back, handing the stage over to them.

The castle knights of the Riverbank Territory retreated, nervously protecting Maria and her daughter.

And in the center of the hall.

Behind Lind and Baron Highcliff, their knights rose and stood on either side, facing each other.

The atmosphere at the scene seemed to have frozen to the extreme.

The knights on both sides were tense, ready to strike at any moment, but they weren't actually too nervous.

The reason is simple: a fight is unlikely.

The two lords in front of them were only exchanging auras from beginning to end; their hands were not gripping their weapons.

that's the truth.

Baron of High Cliff Castle was not prepared to make a move.

Upon hearing about the situation in the riverbank, and seeing that he happened to have a useful piece at hand, he rushed over there in a hurry.

In his expectation, the Pharos family had lost its support.

If handled properly, he could easily marry Lady Maria and gain the claim to the Riverbank Territory.

But that doesn’t mean he’s willing to make an enemy of a super knight for this.

Sensing the deadly threat emanating from the crimson flames, Baron of High Cliff Fortress slowly dissipated the "Severing Edge" from his body.

Putting aside whether he can win or not, even if he does win, the serious crime of harming an ally is far more serious than the dishonorable act of forcibly marrying a widow.

At that point, Baron Falco of Blackrock City, for the sake of the unity of the military alliance, might actually send troops to initiate a trial.

Baron of High Cliff Fort was the first to back down.

Linde did not persist, and the sun flame in his palm went out.

Judging from the Eye of Insight, the baron in front of me is around level 12.

His years of accumulated skills, which had allowed him to reach the extraordinary realm, made him far more powerful than William, who had only recently become an Icefield Knight.

If a real fight broke out, Lind knew he would most likely lose, and the result would only be mutual destruction—he would unleash the full power of the Sunfire and detonate it. The high-temperature flames, freed from the control of the runes, would wash over the hall, burning the two of them and even everyone around them to ashes.

That being said, Lind was not worried, as there was no animosity between the two sides; in fact, they were allies.

As long as the threat of Jason, the "usurper" of Windcliff City, remains.

In order to survive, the barons in the military alliance had to stop fighting each other.

"This is truly an eye-opener. Is this the power of the Sunflower Family? I feel as if I can see the Sun Disc in Wind Cliff City, which is just as intense and dazzling."

Baron Gaoyabao sat back in his chair, his previous coercive attitude completely changed, and he laughed heartily as he praised him.

"The 'Severing Edge' of High Cliff Fortress also amazed me; the power of the Earl of the Blade is truly legendary."

Linde returned to his seat and responded with a smile.

The two sides chatted and laughed together.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately eased, as if the tense standoff had never happened.

After offering his compliments, the Baron of High Cliff Castle, seeing that it was getting late, got up to leave.

"Upon hearing of the Riverbank Baron's death, I was filled with worry, which is why I rushed here hoping to offer assistance to the Pharos family. Now it seems I was just being presumptuous."

"It's getting late. If there's nothing else, I should leave here and return to Gaoyabao. I won't disturb your family reunion any longer."

Seeing him trying to run away in such a hurry, Linde admired the baron's shamelessness and said meaningfully:

"Baron Byron, I heard you brought a generous gift with you?"

Baron of High Cliff Fortress looked puzzled and said, "A gift? I was in such a hurry when I came here, I'm really sorry."

Hearing this feigned ignorance, Lind rolled his eyes and simply said:

"The Riverbank Baron has only been dead for a short time, and you come here to bully a widow and her children. Where is the dignity of the High Cliff Sword? You can leave if you want, but please leave an apology and compensation."

Unable to slip away directly, Baron of High Cliffs sat back down in his seat with some annoyance.

With the issue of compensation brought up in person, he was no longer prepared to renege on his debt.

The dignity of the nobility is one aspect.

More importantly, the strength of the Sunflower family needs to be taken seriously.

It's not worth making enemies just to avoid paying a little compensation.

An isolated territory lacking companions is not a place to survive in the North.

Baron Gaoyabao pondered for a moment and said, "Ten gold coins. This is all the funds I can currently spare, enough to express my apology."

Linde shook his head and said, "No need for gold coins, a maned horse will suffice as compensation."

Winter has arrived in the northern ice plains, the roads are covered by heavy snow, and the trade routes to Windcliff City are blocked.

Nowadays, bartering is the norm in these baronies, so gold coins are not very useful.

High Cliff Fort occupies the highland pastures, and its territory is home to many maned horses and wolfhounds.

Linde's upcoming construction and production will happen to require these.

"Fifty maned horses, plus a hundred wolfhounds, and that's it for today."

The exorbitant demands left Baron High Cliff Castle wide-eyed.

According to normal market prices, a maned horse costs 50 silver coins, and an adult wolfhound costs 4 silver coins. The total compensation is equivalent to 30 gold coins.

Given the supply shortage in the market, the actual price would be double if you really wanted to buy it.

This kid essentially extorted a set of plate armor from him!

"I'm not your prisoner! Even when I imprisoned that brat Falco in the castle, I didn't dare extort Blackrock City like this!"

"That was so many years ago. Uncle Falco was just a child then. How could he compare to you, Baron? Why not let me see the might of the High Cliff Longsword? If you're a man, then be decisive!"

"Get lost, I think you really want to fight!"

The two argued for a long time.

The final compensation standard was reduced to ten maned horses and thirty wolfhounds.

Linde could tell that this was Baron Highcliff Castle's bottom line, and to avoid the baron shamelessly running away, he did not continue to pester him.

"What an unlucky day."

Baron of High Cliffs reluctantly signed the agreement and hurriedly left with his knights.

Unlike him, Lind was in a good mood.

Today, on the snow, maned horses and wolfhounds are vital laborers for pulling sleds and transporting goods and supplies, making them more valuable than human population.

He wasn't worried about the Baron defaulting on his debt; High Cliff Sword still had that much credibility.

Otherwise, there would be no need to waste time arguing with him in the first place.