LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 55: The Excited Baron Pape Lawrence
Chapter 55: The Excited Baron Pape Lawrence
Baron Pape Lawrence, filled with excitement and anticipation, instructed his eldest son to investigate. Meanwhile, the "sobered" Rachos Assad completed the transaction with Baron Pape Lawrence, selling silver armor for 500 gold coins per set and black iron armor for 40 silver coins per set.
After the transaction, Rachos Assad left Baron Pape Lawrence's territory. However, he couldn't help but feel anxious. Baron Pape Lawrence was a formidable force, one of the strongest barons in the entire Maine Valley region. While Rachos understood the likely intent behind Thor's instructions, choosing this particular target still made him uneasy.
"Let's hope nothing goes wrong," he muttered to himself, glancing back at Baron Pape Lawrence's domain before quickly departing.
Five days later, Lawrence finally gathered some information, which was swiftly reported to Baron Pape Lawrence.
"There are no goblins left there!" Lawrence reported. "Additionally, over a hundred knights are stationed there, including at least ten official knights."
Baron Pape Lawrence's eyes widened in surprise and he stood up abruptly. "That many knights and so many official knights?" he exclaimed.
Lawrence nodded, also shocked by the numbers. Even Baron Pape Lawrence's territory, after many years, only had about thirty official knights. The fact that a newly established pioneer lord could muster ten official knights was astounding.
"Hahaha, the goddess of life is blessing us! It seems my hunch was correct; there might indeed be a large iron mine there!" Baron Pape Lawrence exclaimed with glee. "Lawrence, make preparations. We will act in seven days!"
Despite not being entirely certain, the mere suspicion of a large iron mine and possibly an blacksmith workshop was enough to prompt action. Securing such a resource before the kingdom's war could significantly bolster his domain, potentially earning him a viscount title.
"Yes, Father!" Lawrence responded eagerly, then set about organizing the forces.
The entire domain of Baron Pape Lawrence soon buzzed with activity as knights were mobilized and more information about the Eagle's Ridge was gathered.
Meanwhile, in Thor's territory, the daily information system provided crucial updates:
- [Daily Information Update]
1. "To the north of your territory, 500 miles away, a group of boar beasts is passing through. The leader appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough to the third tier."
2. "To the west of your territory, in Baron Wells's domain, a serf accidentally discovered that grafting bracken roots with fire spirit trees increases the yield of the fire spirit tree."
3. "In seven days, due to the leak about the large iron mine, Baron Pape Lawrence plans to attack and seize your iron mine, aiming to destroy your territory."
4. "A minor conflict has arisen between the Rosen and Delin families in the Eagle's Ridge."
5. "To the west of the Eagle's Ridge, in the upper reaches of the Maine Valley, a group of earth dragons will pass through."
Upon reading the new information, especially the information he had been anticipating, Thor couldn't help but smile. His strategy was to lure the enemy out. As a new lord, he couldn't recklessly initiate conflicts, as that would provoke neighboring lords. However, the iron mine's proximity made discovery by Baron Pape Lawrence almost inevitable. Rather than waiting for an opportunistic strike, it was better to draw him out and defeat him decisively, thus establishing Thor's dominance in the Maine Valley. After all, nothing cements authority like vanquishing a noble lord.
With this in mind, Thor began mobilizing for war. He sent more troops to the mine for reinforcement, leaving only a small force behind in the Eagle's Ridge, confident that it would remain secure under the protection of Ryan and Neil Morton.
"Ryan, the Eagle's Ridge is in your hands. Don't disappoint me," Thor instructed solemnly. Behind him stood over a hundred knights and more than a thousand slaves, nearly all the forces of the Eagle's Ridge.
"Rest assured, my lord. As long as I live, the Eagle's Ridge will stand firm," Ryan responded with determination.
"Good! I trust you!" Thor nodded, then led his troops towards the mine.
Simultaneously, Baron Pape Lawrence's domain was also bustling with preparations as knights and slaves assembled in great numbers.
The second day saw Thor's arrival at the mine. Steve had been informed and had already fortified the area. With Thor's reinforcements, the mine's defenses were swiftly bolstered.
Meanwhile, Baron Pape Lawrence, keeping a close watch on the mine, received news of Thor's movements.
"You say that Thor Dresrosa has brought a large force to the mine?" Baron Pape Lawrence asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Yes, over two thousand people!" Lawrence confirmed, looking worried. "Father, could it be that our plan has been leaked?"
"It doesn't seem like it," Baron Pape Lawrence mused, shaking his head. He momentarily considered Rachos Assad's involvement but quickly dismissed the thought. Now was not the time for such concerns; the priority was securing the mine.