Chapter 87: Chapter 86: Reinforcements Arrive

As the end of September approached, the Wilderness gradually began to cool. Some of the thinner subjects even started wearing an outer coat.

With the growing population of High Cliff Castle, the various regional divisions could no longer be as crude as they were in the early days.

Centered around the spring-fed pool on the hill, the Feder Craftsmen built a wall four blades high, enclosing an area. Inside, they constructed a series of buildings, the most conspicuous of which was a three-story wooden structure.

The three-story wooden structure was High Cliff Castle’s administrative center, accessible only to high-ranking personnel.

The buildings within the walls were reserved for High Cliff Castle’s soldiers to be garrisoned, making it a restricted military zone where unauthorized personnel were generally forbidden.

The rest of the subjects settled in the surrounding area, like the white of an egg surrounding the yolk.

As for High Cliff Castle’s slaves, they could only settle themselves at the foot of the hill.

However, Levi didn’t need to worry about these matters. As the Lord, he was probably the most relaxed person in all of High Cliff Castle.

With time on his hands, he teased a group of wolf pups, ordering them to go fetch pebbles from the riverbank.

Levi would reward the one that collected the most with a piece of venison he had grilled himself.

"These little pups will all be brave Warriors in the future."

Levi watched the vigorous and energetic Jackal Wolfman cubs with satisfaction. He picked up a skewer of grilled venison and offered it to Hog, who was standing guard loyally by his side.

Hog quickly raised a hand to refuse. Seeing that he absolutely wouldn’t eat it, Levi didn’t insist and instead tossed it to a young Jackal Wolfman.

The pup quickly performed a respectful salute by placing a hand on its chest before savoring the seasoned skewer, leaving its companions to swallow their saliva on the side.

"See? Others can’t necessarily get this even if they want it," Levi said, pursing his lips and teasing Hog.

Hog just grinned without saying anything more.

If it had been Zat, he wouldn’t have even needed an order. The big goofball would have just grabbed it and started showing off, his main principle being that it’s better to eat first and worry about getting scolded later.

It could be said that in all of High Cliff Castle, only Hog, Zat, and Baisitina had the distinct honor of having the Lord personally grill skewers for them.

Levi treasured these Heroic Units, treating them like precious gems.

"Boss, how come you’re out here grilling meat by yourself and didn’t call me?"

Speak of the devil. Zat’s booming voice rang out, and upon seeing the meat skewers on the rack over the fire, he reached out to grab one.

WHAP!

"Grill it yourself!"

Levi slapped his hand away with a deadpan expression. Zat pouted, but intimidated by this tyrannical display, his massive frame could only squat down and slowly begin to grill a skewer from the side.

But just as he finally finished grilling it and was about to take a bite, Levi snatched it away.

"It’s a little burnt on the outside."

The Lord gave his fair assessment. Zat looked as aggrieved as a 700-pound baby.

But there was nothing he could do. Who told Levi to be his boss? He could only pick up a handful of skewers and take on the role of grill master.

"Have Muto and his people decided?" Levi asked while eating.

"Yeah. They’ve decided to set out for the far north in a few days to move their whole tribe over. They should be able to make it back before winter."

When it came to proper business, Zat was quite serious.

Just as Levi was about to speak, the sound of hoofbeats, approaching from a distance, interrupted their leisurely barbecue.

The flat terrain of the grasslands allowed one’s gaze to travel far. Combined with his own exceptional eyesight, he could easily make out a troop of human cavalry riding toward High Cliff Castle.

Without needing an order from Levi, Hog let out a wolf’s howl. A troop of eleven Jackal Wolfman Cavalry galloped down from the hill. He mounted his Warg Mount and took the lead, following them.

In just a few months, given the Jackal Wolfmen’s growth rate, some of the pups from the Jackal Wolfman Tribe had grown old enough to serve as Warriors.

The two groups stopped when they were about one or two hundred paces apart. The leader of the arriving human cavalry rode forward to exchange a few words. Only then did the Jackal Wolfman Cavalry part to let them through, though they remained vigilant, circling around them.

If anything seemed amiss, they could attack at a moment’s notice.

Finally, at a distance of fifty paces from Levi, the troop of cavalry voluntarily dismounted and led their horses forward.

These cavalrymen were tall and strong, as were their horses. All of them wore Chain Armor, carried Cavalry Swords, and had Crossbows slung on their backs. Among the soldiers of Debei, they would be considered elites.

"Good day, Lord Levi."

The leader was a middle-aged Knight wearing Chain Armor. He gave a respectful salute.

Before Levi could ask how he had recognized him at a glance, the middle-aged Knight spoke first.

"Duke Fulina and Miss Liya asked me to send you their greetings."

"You’re here to escort the Secret Silver Merchant Team, I presume?"

Levi stood with his hands in his pockets. The wind of the Wilderness slowly blew his bangs back, revealing a clear forehead.

"You’ve guessed correctly," the middle-aged Knight said with a compliment.

His eyes were filled with curiosity for this Lord. Before he left, Duke Fulina had instructed him to be on good terms with this Lord. Then, just as he was about to set out, Miss Liya found him and also asked him to send her greetings.

The whole way here, he had been curious about which Baron could be valued by two "Dukes" at the same time. It was only after meeting him that he understood.

Putting aside all else, this Lord’s appearance alone was enough to make a whole crowd of high-society noble ladies swoon.

’It seems my earlier guess was right. This Secret Silver Commerce Association must be connected to Fulina,’ Levi thought to himself.

Just then, Miriel, having heard the commotion, also hurried over.

"Alright, you all can talk. Just let me know when you’re ready to leave."

Levi waved his hand, and the Jackal Wolfman Cavalry dispersed. His mood for grilling had vanished, and he walked up the hill with his hands in his pockets.

"Knight Si Kai, thank heavens you’ve finally arrived."

Seeing the reinforcements, Miriel could finally relax. She hadn’t been sleeping well these past few nights.

"My apologies, Lady Miriel. We ran into some Wilderness Bandits on the way, and dealing with them took some time."

The middle-aged Knight, who seemed to hold a reasonably high position, was still very respectful toward Miriel.

"Let’s not talk about that. You’ve all had a long journey. Please, get a good day’s rest first."

Miriel called to the troop of thirty cavalrymen and led them toward the merchant team’s camp.

Along the way, Si Kai curiously observed this Pioneer Territory, his expression shifting from initial nonchalance to seriousness.

"It’s quite shocking, isn’t it?"

Realizing it was Miriel who had asked, Si Kai nodded. "Before I came, Duke Fulina only told me that this was a new, developing territory. But from what I’ve seen along the way, in terms of both the subjects and the strength of the Guard Team, I’m afraid it surpasses even some Earl’s Domains."

In truth, Si Kai was hiding something. While Duke Fulina had sent him to escort the Secret Silver Commerce Association, she had also instructed him to investigate how High Cliff Castle was developing.

If its development was poor, then in Duke Fulina’s words, he was to do his best to recruit this Knight.

But given the current situation, recruitment was clearly out of the question.