LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 77: New Information
Chapter 77: New Information
The castle fell into a deep silence as the two barons, their faces grim, refrained from speaking further. After a long pause, Baron Graton finally broke the silence with a hoarse voice.
“Perhaps there’s still a chance. The Minotaur tribe is merely the remnant of a failed war. Their strength isn’t formidable, and it seems they don’t have a third-tier Minotaur among them.”
His voice, though soft, echoed clearly throughout the castle. However, Baron Valmy shook his head bitterly, interrupting Graton's words.
“It’s impossible. Even if they are remnants of a defeated tribe, they’re still beyond our ability to handle. While it’s true that there may not be any third-tier Minotaurs, there are certainly a significant number of second-tier ones.”
Baron Valmy’s voice carried the weight of his experience. Having spent more time in the northern provinces than even Baron Graton, he understood the formidable power of the beast tribes. As he stated, even a defeated beast tribe is not something they could easily contend with.
They might have a Grand Knight capable of handling a second-tier beast, but the number matters. One or two second-tier beasts, or even three or four, might be manageable, but a Minotaur tribe would have far more than just three or four second-tier warriors—even a defeated tribe.
“But we can’t just give up, can we?” Baron Graton sighed deeply, his voice filled with despair.
“If we don’t give up, perhaps there’s still a chance,” Baron Valmy said, his voice tinged with hesitation as though an idea had just occurred to him.
“A chance?” Baron Graton responded instinctively.
“Yes, a chance. Do you remember that descendant of the Dresrosa family we encountered earlier?” Baron Valmy’s voice became more certain as he spoke.
“I do. Why do you bring him up?” Baron Graton’s face darkened at the memory, recalling the humiliation of being forced to sign an agreement under duress.
“That man is different from us. It’s clear he has the full support of the Dresrosa family, including access to magical crystal cannons. He won’t want to lose his territory either. If we unite with him and the other pioneer lords, we might really have a chance to resist.”
Baron Valmy’s voice grew more excited as he spoke, his eyes brightening with hope.
“This...”
Hearing Valmy’s suggestion, Baron Graton’s initial dark expression gradually softened. He began pacing, deep in thought, while Baron Valmy watched silently, not wanting to interrupt.
After a while, Baron Graton stopped and nodded, his expression resolute.
“With magical crystal cannons and a Grand Knight, it’s indeed possible. Baron Valmy, let’s do it! I have no desire to abandon my territory.”
“Then let’s talk to Baron Pape about it and also gather the other pioneer lords. Afterward, we can approach Lord Thor to see if he’s willing to join us. If he is, we’ll follow his lead. Whatever he asks for, we’ll give.”
Baron Graton's decision was firm, his words full of determination.
“Agreed. Let’s set out immediately!” Baron Valmy nodded, fully committed.
To them, nothing was more important than their land. Compared to that, the concessions they might have to make were insignificant.
The two quickly set their plan into motion.
One day later, Barons Graton and Valmy arrived at Lawrence Castle. There, they found Baron Pape Lawrence in a state of panic. Despite being stronger than Valmy and Graton, even he lacked the power to fend off an entire beast tribe, and abandoning his territory was equally unthinkable.
When Graton and Valmy explained their plan, Pape Lawrence’s eyes lit up with hope, and he quickly agreed.
With the three main nobles of the Maine River Valley united, the other pioneer lords were soon gathered. Once the three barons laid out their intentions, most of the pioneer lords, save for a hesitant few, decided to join forces.
For every pioneer lord, their territory was their most precious possession, the result of years of toil. No one was willing to abandon it unless absolutely necessary.
Having secured the support of the pioneer lords, the three barons then set out for Eagle Ridge.
At Eagle Ridge, Thor was unaware of these developments. After organizing the personnel sent by his father, he began preparing supplies in earnest.
Information from Rachos Asad was arriving regularly, and as the day of the expected Minotaur attack drew closer, Thor’s anxiety grew.
Three days ago, a particularly alarming report had arrived, shocking Thor.
Compared to Barons Valmy and Graton, Thor was privy to much more information, thanks to Rachos’s extensive trading network. This intelligence was something others couldn’t hope to match, and it left Thor deeply concerned.
The Minotaur tribe had grown significantly in numbers, including ten second-tier Minotaurs, with three of them at the peak of the second tier. Such a formidable force was beyond his ability to counter. Even with five Grand Knights in the Maine River Valley and a magical crystal cannon, they might fend off ten second-tier Minotaurs, but handling thirteen was out of the question—especially since Thor only had a limited number of second-tier magic crystals.
“Damn it, are we really going to have to run?” Thor muttered to himself, his face pale with fear.
The situation was worse than he had anticipated. The upcoming assault might not just be a challenge; it could be catastrophic.
As Thor fretted, time slipped into the early hours of the morning.
“Ding! Information system updated! Would you like to open it?”
The mechanical voice was as routine as ever.
“Open it!” Thor replied automatically, suppressing his anxiety.
As he spoke, the interface lit up before him.
“Buzz!”
【Daily Information Updated】
1. Five hundred miles north of your territory, a group of boar beasts will pass through...
2. In the western part of your territory, in the lands of Baron Wells, a serf accidentally discovered...
3. Seven days later, a defeated Minotaur tribe will invade the Maine River Valley, severely impacting the pioneer lords there.
4. In Eagle Ridge, a slight conflict has arisen between the Rosen and Delin families.
5. ...
6. Thirty miles south of the Northern Glacier, in the canyon thirty miles from the Maine River Valley, a nature sprite will be born in five days.
7. ...