LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 59: New Information
Chapter 59: New Information
As night fell, the day drew to a close, and the daily information system activated once more.
[Daily Information Update]
1: Five hundred miles north of your territory, a group of boar beasts will pass by, and their leader appears to be on the verge of breaking through to the third tier.
2: In the western part of your territory, within Baron Wells' domain, a serf has accidentally discovered that grafting fern roots onto a fire spirit tree increases its yield.
3: Due to your intent to demand compensation from Baron Pape Lawrence's territory, fifteen days later, his second son, Orper Lawrence, feeling the price is too high and aiming to inherit the territory, plans to falsely accuse Eagle's Ridge of possessing a large iron mine. He will then unite other pioneering lords and nobles to attack your territory to prevent his father and brother from returning.
4: A group of groundhogs is about to pass by the right side of your large iron mine, bringing with them a slightly withered fruit of life from a distant land.
5: A group of earth dragons will pass by the upper reaches of the Maine River Valley on the western side of Eagle's Ridge.
6: . . .
Line after line of information appeared, and Thor's pupils contracted sharply as his gaze fixed on the third piece of information.
Thor hadn't expected such a response just as he was contemplating his options. It was clear that he didn't really have a choice.
Even in this world, there were fools beyond his imagination.
Demanding compensation was something he would do regardless of his chosen path. Capturing a baron provided a significant opportunity for compensation, potentially more beneficial than outright destroying a barony. In the Northern Province, strength dictated everything. Destroying the Lawrence territory wouldn't draw much backlash, but he might not gain as much compared to continuous compensation.
Moreover, such actions could tarnish his reputation, which wasn't conducive to his future plans.
Under normal circumstances, the Lawrence territory would likely be willing to compensate. Paying a high price in gold was preferable to losing lords and elite knights.
But in this case, the second son, Orper Lawrence, was not only disregarding his father and brother but also many other powerful figures. Thor was momentarily speechless, unsure how to describe such stupidity.
"It seems I need to act decisively now," Thor sighed, dismissing the first option and considering the second.
Facing the surrounding lords and nobles didn't worry him much. The Lawrence territory was the strongest in the Maine River Valley, and even if there were other nobles and powerful pioneering lords, their combined strength wasn't significantly greater. With the addition of his magic crystal cannons, he felt confident.
Thor's thoughts flowed as night passed, and dawn arrived. First, he sought out the groundhogs and obtained the withered fruit of life. Then he summoned Steve.
"My lord," Steve greeted respectfully.
"Transport the two magic crystal cannons from Eagle's Ridge here. Also, send a letter to the Lawrence territory informing them of their defeat and our compensation demands: 3,000 gold coins for Pape Lawrence, 1,000 for Lawrence, 500 for each knight, 100 for each apprentice knight, and an additional 3,000 serfs and 2,000 gold coins as war reparations," Thor instructed.
Steve's brows furrowed at the staggering demands, realizing the compensation could exceed ten thousand gold coins, a price the Lawrence territory couldn't possibly pay.
"Any issues?" Thor asked, seeing Steve's hesitation.
"My lord, the Lawrence family might not..." Steve trailed off, his meaning clear.
"Just do as I say," Thor dismissed.
"Yes, my lord," Steve complied, still full of doubts as he left.
Watching Steve go, Thor smiled. He had no real expectation of the Lawrence family paying. The high demands were meant to provoke them into uniting with other lords, making it easier for Thor to deal with them collectively.
Thor then prepared to return to Eagle's Ridge to consult with Neil Morton, ensuring all bases were covered.
After a day's journey, Thor arrived at Eagle's Ridge. Meanwhile, Steve's letter reached the Lawrence territory, causing immediate chaos.
Panic and fear spread rapidly, with Baron Pape Lawrence's wife, Renee Black, particularly distraught.