...

...

"A trading caravan?"

Durant furrowed his brows, staring at the confidential report sent back by the patrol team on the table.

Does that Hawk Count really think I'm an idiot?

First, he sends a letter to appease "Chris," and then sends a trading caravan over openly.

— It's obvious this caravan is his spies.

Trading caravans rarely pass through the southeast White Rock Canyon. The last one was led by Simon.

Does that Count think I can't see the issues in his previous letter?

Durant felt his intelligence was being insulted.

"Durant, what do you think of this caravan?"

"I think this caravan is likely Hawk Count's spies."

Durant had the same thought as Durant, but there was doubt in his tone,

"But this caravan flies the flag of the Giant Bear Clan. They don't seem to have any relation to the Hawk Earl Clan."

Durant nodded slightly,

"Regardless, any caravan coming across the White Rock Canyon is abnormal, as there is no established trade route there."

"But with the Giant Bear Clan's protection, we can't easily act against them," Durant said.

Durant nodded thoughtfully, leaning his chin on the desk, lost in thought.

What Durant said was true; a genuinely noble-protected caravan couldn't be easily plundered.

Otherwise, Durant would make enemies all around, which wouldn't benefit territorial development.

Nobles are different from robbers; you can't just root them out permanently.

Durant pondered silently for a while, then a flash of insight crossed his eyes.

"Chris's banner is still around, right?"

He asked, "And what about that equipment with the Hawk Clan's emblem?"

Durant nodded, "The banner is kept in the storage warehouse, and all his equipment is already repaired, but the emblem hasn't been dealt with yet."

"That's perfect."

Durant's lips slightly curved, saying, "We can't deal with the Giant Bear Clan's caravan, but the Hawk Earl's knights could probe their depths."

...

...

Seagate was an orphan.

The Hawk Count's orphanage raised him.

However, he didn't stay long at Eagle Ridge, leaving at age 15 to wander from place to place.

Sometimes, he was the quick-footed tavern servant.

Sometimes, he was a ragged street beggar.

Seagate had no fixed abode, drifting among the territories of various nobles in the Northern Province.

Because he worked for the Count, gathering all kinds of information needed by the Count.

Seagate didn't like this life, but he was already used to it.

Perhaps one day, if he returned to the Eagle Territory, he'd probably feel uncomfortable, a strange constraint.

And today, Seagate's identity was a hand in the Gray Claw Trading Team.

Just five days ago, as a temporary worker, after entering the Eagle Territory with the Gray Claw Trading Team, Lord Earl gave him new orders.

Travel to Frost Leaf Town, probe into the news about Knight Chris.

Seagate recited silently in his heart.

So he continued with the Gray Claw Trading Team into the Northern Wasteland.

Today was the third day after crossing the White Rock Canyon.

The caravan's manager finally found a seemingly formal road, heading north along the path, possibly locating Frost Leaf Town.

By Seagate's reckoning, the caravan shouldn't have taken this route.

They ought to have circled from the border, taking the normal trade route going west through the Border City.

Unfortunately, Seagate was just a hand, unable to influence the caravan manager's decision, only able to sigh in secret.

In fact, Seagate understood that if they went from the border, it would add several more days of travel.

Taxes, food costs, and escort wages would also increase.

Although the road here was unknown, continuing northward, they would certainly find their destination, though at the cost of an extra two days.

The key was that the Gray Claw Trading Team's manager confidently claimed he had traveled this route before.

Seagate hoped the manager would find the right path tomorrow so that his task could be smoothly completed.

Seagate lay down, gazing at the starry sky above, inching closer to the campfire.

His eyelids became heavier, and Seagate slowly closed his eyes.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Sharp sounds of arrows flying through the air rang out!

Ah!

Cries of agony echoed!

Seagate instantly became alert, body tense!

It's over!

The wanderer's intuition alerted him to danger. He swiftly rolled to one side, away from the fire, hiding behind the carriage!

"Enemy attack!"

Just after doing all this, the cry of the caravan guard came!

Shouts and screams erupted, resounding beneath the starry sky!

Countless arrows rained down on the caravan, the sounds of arrows hitting wood drumming incessantly, pounding on Seagate's heart!

Screams and fear swiftly engulfed the entire caravan, a tense atmosphere pervading the air!

The caravan guards reacted quickly, but the arrows seemed to have eyes, targeting them one by one!

In an instant, a dozen figures fell, and the scent of blood permeated the caravan!

The caravan guards rapidly organized defenses, forming a shield wall to fend off the arrows' assault!

Soon, rustling steps approached from all directions!

Seagate peered through a gap, seeing dozens of shadows attacking from the darkness!

Swordsmen then surrounded the moving figures from all directions!

"I am Knight Chris Woodbridge of the Hawk Count!"

Then, a loud shout resounded: "Lay down your weapons now, and I shall spare your lives!"

Hawk Count, Knight Chris!

Seagate woke up instantly, his heart pounding fiercely!

Isn't this the information the Hawk Earl wanted him to gather?!

Seagate's lips curled into a smile, not expecting to encounter the subject of his mission here.

As long as he doesn't die, the mission will be completed.

Thinking about this, Seagate shrank further under the carriage.

Both sides are in a hostile state; he must not get closer.

Meanwhile, Chris's words filled the trading team's manager's heart with doubt, his brow furrowed.

He carefully looked at the flags, indeed it was the Hawk Earl Clan's emblem, and under the Hawk Earl, there indeed was the knight Chris Bridge.

But isn't this the Black Pine Ridge, Baron Rod's territory?

The Gray Claw Trading Team's manager was filled with confusion, but what he needed to do now was to solve the immediate trouble.

"We are the Gray Claw Trading Team under the protection of the Giant Bear Clan! We just came out of the Hawk Earl's domain and have paid sufficient taxes."

The manager of the Gray Claw Trading Team immediately stood up, his spine straight, his voice trembling slightly,

"You should not attack us, please let us pass!"

"I have not received any orders, I don't know any Gray Claw Trading Team."

"The orders I received were to block all trading teams from passing here, I am going to plunder all your trading teams."

Chris said coldly, his voice carried undeniable authority,

"If you don't want to die, leave all the goods and let me take them back to the Earl's Domain, otherwise I will slaughter your entire caravan!"

The manager of the Gray Claw Trading Team was stunned, then furious,

"Knight Chris, this is banditry, which the Empire does not allow! I will never compromise with you!"

If you slaughter the entire trading team, then the Hawk Earl will be at odds with the Giant Bear Clan, this is an act of war!"

The caravan manager fervently condemned, his face turning red.

"War?"

Chris sneered, "If I kill everyone here at Black Pine Ridge, it will be related to that Black Pine Ridge Baron, who would associate it with the Hawk Earl Clan?"

The cold voice swept over everyone's hearts like winter wind, no one expected Knight Chris to be so ruthless!

"Since you unwilling to surrender, choosing to defend your property, then let your corpse be buried here."

Chris ordered loudly, "All soldiers of the Hawk Clan prepare, follow the Earl's orders, kill everyone in front of you!"

"Wait a minute!"

Just as Chris was about to give the order to attack, Seagate couldn't hold back anymore and crawled out from under the carriage.

Because if he didn't come out, he would die at the hands of Knight Chris.

Seagate knew clearly in his heart that Knight Chris spoke all truths.

"Lord Chris, I mean no harm, but I have something to tell you."

Seagate shouted with courage.

"Oh?"

Chris's voice carried doubt,

"Who are you?"

Seagate hesitated, pondering his words, "I need to talk to you alone."

After Seagate's voice fell, Chris was silent for a moment, the atmosphere around seemed to solidify.

"Then come over."

Chris finally spoke.

Seagate mustered up courage, walked through the surrounding soldiers, and stepped into the darkness.

Soon Seagate saw Knight Chris in full armor, wearing a closed helmet, authoritative and mysterious.

"Good day, Lord Chris."

Seagate bowed deeply then spoke in a low yet clear voice: "Black wings will soar in the sky."

This was the Hawk Earl's secret message code.

Chris's eyes lit up, staring at the small, young man in front of him.

"Seems like you are the Earl's spy."

Chris's voice carried a hint of curiosity.

"Yes, Lord Chris, you are very wise."

Seagate was respectful, taking the initiative to say, "My mission is to gather your information."

"It seems the Earl himself has some doubts about me."

Chris sneered, a hint of displeasure flashed through his eyes.

"No no no, you misunderstood."

Seagate quickly explained, gesturing frantically: "The Earl is worried you might need my help."

"What can you do to help me?" Chris looked down at Seagate.

Seagate hesitated for a moment.

It seems indeed he couldn't be of much help.

"I... I can for you... I can infiltrate Frost Leaf Town with this caravan, to gather more information for you." Seagate answered.

"I've basically got all the information I need already, just considering when to report to the Hawk Earl. You appearing now has messed up my plan."

Chris's tone carried a hint of displeasure.

"Forget it, I'll stick to my original plan to take down this caravan, wipe them out and then I'll send these goods back to Eagle Ridge, as a result of this period."

Chris spoke calmly.

"You can live, I can spare you, as you are the Earl's spy, but all the people in this caravan must die."

"This..."

Seagate wanted to say something, but felt he hadn't received such orders.

He also had no authority to command a knight, lowering his head helplessly.

"Are there any companions of yours in the caravan?" Chris asked further.

Seagate shook his head, "No more."

"Very good."

Chris waved, instructing two soldiers to guard Seagate.

Then turned to give the order,

"Sound the battle horn!"

The low horn sound echoed.

As Chris's soldiers were about to launch an attack, a heavy hoofbeat came from afar, breaking the night's silence.

"I am Baron Rod Tulip of Black Pine Ridge! Who dares to plunder caravans in my domain?"

The authoritative shout made Chris breathe faster, his fingers unconsciously gripping the sword hilt.

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