Chapter 83: Chapter 82: I Guess Your Connection to the Martel Family Runs Deep

"I am Levi, a Debei Noble, Baron of Exploration, and the Lord of High Cliff Castle."

Levi sat upright on his black horse, nodding slightly, perfectly capturing the air of a noble lord.

Although Levi had always lived in the Southern Territory, he had heard a thing or two about this Secret Silver Commerce Association. It was said to be one of the largest private commerce associations in the Northern Territory.

Levi gazed at Miriel’s wine-red hair and made a malicious guess. ’This woman probably has deep ties to the Martel Family of the Northern Territory. Who knows, she might be Duke Fulina’s stepmother or older sister.’

At the same time, he couldn’t help but marvel at the resilience of the Martel Family’s lineage.

Pure-blooded Elves usually had golden or silver hair. Even the hair color of Half-Elves born from unions with humans was mostly one of the two.

This was the first time Levi had ever seen a Half-Elf with wine-red hair.

However, his own Feudal Lord, Liya, hadn’t inherited the Martel Family’s red hair, but rather the standard golden hair of the Isely Clan. This was likely the reason why Duke Xilong had intended to pass the title to the young lady.

"Lord, our losses are devastating. Many have died, we..." Miriel took a deep breath, putting on a pitiful and helpless act. "We need help. Please, name your price—Gold Coins, goods, weapons—the Secret Silver Commerce Association will never be stingy when it comes to rewarding its friends."

Glistening tears welled up in her eyes, and combined with her delicate features, it made one feel an uncontrollable urge to protect her.

Baisitina, at his side, shot him a look that said, "See? I was right."

Levi nodded in complete agreement.

’This woman is no saint. She can cry on command, hundreds of times better than those cringey actors from my past life.’

’A caravan supervisor who operates in the Wilderness, someone who wouldn’t even blink when shooting Wilderness Bandits... Levi truly didn’t believe a small setback and some losses like this would make her feel wronged enough to cry.’

’It’s all a damn routine.’

Watching the two exchange looks again, Miriel had never felt so terrible. She felt as if her carefully crafted performance had been completely wasted.

’She knew Baisitina—that naive girl, the Clan Leader of the Feder Tribe. Back when her caravan had entered the Kas Mountain Range to trade, all she’d done was get a little friendly with her grandfather, Mengde, which resulted in a slightly lower price for the goods she purchased.’

’Was it really necessary to hold such a grudge?’

’And has this girl Clan Leader managed to latch onto some powerful Lord?’

’Looking at these Beastman Warriors, all clad in armor, it was obvious that an ordinary, minor baron couldn’t possibly support them. Only a great Lord could feed these gluttons and have the resources to equip them all with armor.’

’But she had never heard of this High Cliff Castle. She had only been deep in the Wilderness for a month or two. When had such a power emerged in this land?’

"What kind of help?"

Levi had intended to get on good terms with the caravan from the start. Whether it was to purchase supplies or to attract other caravans to rest and resupply at High Cliff Castle, it would all promote the castle’s development.

As long as it wasn’t too much trouble, he didn’t mind lending a small hand.

"The caravan has suffered heavy losses in manpower. We don’t have enough people to cross the Wilderness and return to Bailiu City. So, we hope to be able to rest and recover in your territory for a while."

Miriel sighed.

Honestly, she had no idea why they had suddenly run into nearly two hundred Wilderness Bandits, and they weren’t the kind of cannon fodder creatures like goblin dogmen either.

Logically speaking, only the major Tribes could organize a force of Wilderness Bandits of this scale.

But she had clearly displayed the banner of the Secret Silver Commerce Association, and yet this group of Wilderness Bandits still attacked without any regard.

This led to the caravan losing nearly half its people. The remaining guards were all injured as well. Leaving aside whether they could even endure the rigors of the journey, this small number of people was not enough to protect the caravan for the rest of the trip.

Miriel took out a red Scroll. A red radiance flowed across its surface, which was inscribed with some unfamiliar text. As she gradually unfurled it, Miriel murmured a few words. The radiance on it instantly vanished, as if a precious gem had turned into a worthless stone.

"What is this?"

The Lord, a complete novice when it comes to Magic, revealed his hick-like nature, taking the Scroll in his hands and examining it over and over.

"This is a Magic Scroll inscribed with a messaging Magic. I used it to send a distress signal to Bailiu City. Unfortunately, it’s expensive and can only be used once. I wouldn’t have used it unless it was a last resort," Miriel said, sounding a bit helpless.

The value of this one Magic Scroll alone was comparable to two-tenths of their earnings from this trip.

"How long until reinforcements arrive?"

Hearing the word "expensive," the Lord nonchalantly tucked the spent Magic Scroll into his empty coin purse, planning to take it back for Sam, High Cliff Castle’s only Caster, to study.

"Four days at the earliest. We’re just too far from Bailiu City."

Only now did Levi finally see genuine frustration on the Half-Elf’s face.

"Don’t worry. The gates of High Cliff Castle are always open to generous friends."

The Lord offered a word of comfort.

...

In the Wilderness, there was a calm little river called the Bengyong River. Beside it, on a hill, sat a collection of densely packed wooden houses called High Cliff Castle.

After half a month away, the sight of High Cliff Castle officially came into view.

When the group was still less than twenty li from High Cliff Castle, they were spotted by a patrol of Jackal Wolfman Cavalry.

"My Lord, you’ve finally returned!"

Upon discovering that the person in the lead was the master of High Cliff Castle, an excited Hog leaped off his Warg Mount, ran forward, and dropped to one knee.

Unlike a few months ago when he had just taken Hog in, the little wolf cub had been nourished by months of rich food. Now, he had shot up as if on growth hormones, reaching a height of one ’ren’ and eight-tenths, with a thick, powerful build.

Scarface and Lame Leg, the Jackal Wolfmen following behind him, also hurried to pay their respects. The two brothers were only slightly smaller in build than Hog.

"Yes, you have. In just half a month, you’ve grown even taller. You’re almost taller than your Lord now."

The Lord remarked with a sigh, then spurred his horse toward High Cliff Castle. "Let’s go home first!"

The large group picked up their pace.

But compared to the jubilant Beastmen who were frolicking about, the morale of the Mercenaries and grooms was at rock bottom.

They had lost the other half of their comrades forever, and even the remaining Mercenaries were all injured. Although they had been mentally prepared for this ever since becoming Mercenaries, it was still hard to accept when it actually happened to them.

In Levi’s opinion, it was questionable whether a few of the most severely wounded would even survive the night.

One of the Mercenaries had his chest and abdomen torn open by a Lizardman’s rust-spotted iron blade. Though these shoddy iron blades weren’t sharp, every one of them was enchanted.

Once they broke the skin, they were comparable to biochemical weapons. In this world, such a wound was practically a death sentence.

If Levi had been in Miriel’s position, he would have had a hard time finding a way to save these lives either.

However...

Levi smiled faintly. Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t Miriel, and he actually had a way to treat these injured men.

It was just that Miriel would have to pay a certain price.