...

...

The gem in Rein's hand shone brilliantly, its golden and red lights interwoven like dancing flames.

Luo De felt a bit puzzled.

Crystals from a magical beast's body mentioned in the novel?

But why wasn't there any in the body of the Two-legged Flying Dragon?

None of those magical beast books mentioned anything about magical beast crystals either.

Luo De immediately reached out to take the gem.

[Obtained an Extraordinary Gem, Gem Collector progress: 4/5]

"Extraordinary Gem?"

Could an Extraordinary Gem appear in the stomach as well?

Luo De couldn't help feeling somewhat delighted.

At the same time, he received some information about this Extraordinary Gem.

A Flame Extraordinary Gem, containing flame energy, which could enhance flame spells with some effects.

Luo De didn't quite understand and thought it should be similar to those elemental crystals mentioned in novels.

Anyway, this unexpected gain made Luo De exceptionally satisfied.

The Gem Collector's entry was just one gem short.

Luo De carefully put away the Flame Gem, but didn't overly concern himself with it.

This kind of thing was currently of no use to him and seemed to have no special effect on him.

Luo De felt he was somewhat lacking in knowledge about the extraordinary and thought maybe he should inquire carefully during the next visit of the Dawn Society's wizards.

"It's okay, I'll keep this, you can leave now."

Luo De commanded.

Rein nodded slightly and withdrew.

Luo De didn't waste any more mental effort thinking about this issue and instead started drafting blueprints, attempting to design a windmill for the Blacksmith Shop.

Wind power wasn't as stable as water flow, and the construction was difficult. Moreover, he had to design a wind regulation device to adjust the angle of the wind wheel to adapt to different wind speeds.

This was a challenge for Luo De, requiring more energy and manpower, so he could only treat it as a trial.

The next day at noon.

The Hawk Count's messenger arrived.

Regarding the enemy's messenger, Luo De naturally didn't have a pleasant expression.

Sitting at the long table in the hall, he glared at the messenger with a sullen face.

The aura of the Dragon Slayer was unleashed, and the messenger's forehead was already sweating before he even spoke.

Luo De naturally wouldn't make it particularly difficult for a messenger.

Rather, he was to demonstrate his stance.

A victor, who is also an invaded party, couldn't have a good attitude.

"Good day, honorable Lord Baron."

The messenger bowed respectfully, full of apology, "I fully understand how you feel at this moment, but there are many misunderstandings involved here."

"Misunderstandings?"

Luo De replied in a deep voice.

At this point, one can still say the word misunderstanding.

"Yes, this matter truly is a misunderstanding, and the Hawk Count has explained it in detail in a letter."

The messenger politely handed the letter to Durant, who then passed it to Luo De.

Luo De opened it and took a careful look, unable to help but sneer.

The Hawk Count was even more shameless than imagined.

The Hawk Count claimed to have a generous heart and wouldn't fuss over those trivial matters.

But it was because he had been ill for some time and hadn't managed territorial affairs.

The ones making decisions were his confidant, the scribe who held the family seal.

The letter was written by the scribe, signed by him, and the orders he gave.

It was the Simon Merchant who sowed discord, and his scribe listened to slander, impulsively sending Knight Chris to handle it.

After the Hawk Count learned about this, he severely punished the scribe with dozens of lashes.

The scribe deeply regretted his actions.

The Hawk Count had withdrawn his powers and promised that such things would never happen again.

"The Hawk Count wants to let this go with just these few words?"

This kind of flimsy excuse, Luo De didn't believe a single word.

"Of course not, so I specifically came to apologize on behalf of the Hawk Count."

The messenger bowed again, "The Hawk Count has already disciplined that scribe, and as compensation, he has brought you some gifts.

Ten bolts of cloth, three sets of silver utensils, an Empire history tome, and one hundred gold coins."

With some insignificant gifts, he wants to smooth things over?

The Hawk Count was very generous.

Luo De just nodded without speaking.

"Those letters were also written by the scribe, and I hope you can return the letters as evidence of the scribe's punishment."

The messenger carefully continued.

This was the Hawk Count's main reason for the gift.

Want to take back the letters that prove he is a robber, and then preserve his dignity.

Over a hundred gold coins to restore noble honor?

"I'll handle those letters myself."

Luo De shook his head with a smile: "Since Count Hawk says it's none of his business, he doesn't need to worry."

Such a handle, Luo De wants to hold it over the Hawk Count's head indefinitely.

"This... alright."

The Hawk Count's envoy sighed helplessly,

He could only convey Count Hawk's words, but if Luo De refused, he was powerless.

Luo De glanced at the envoy and asked, "Did you bring Baron Halon's ransom?"

"Baron Halon's ransom, Count Hawk did not mention; it should be paid by the Baron himself."

The envoy replied.

Luo De nodded slightly, having expected this.

This sounds outrageous, but it's the sad reality of the medieval era.

By common sense, a noble of higher rank and blood relation would pay some ransom, or at least haggle over it.

This time, Count Hawk refused so decisively; indeed, the relationship between this uncle and nephew is lamentable.

"However, Count Hawk is willing to pay the ransom for Knight Chris, you could consider the price..."

"No need."

Luo De waved his hand to interrupt the envoy, saying, "Chris is not a noble, I choose to refuse the ransom, he will face execution by hanging here."

Chris won't see the outside of Black Pine Ridge in his lifetime.

On one hand, this way Luo De could thoroughly place the blame on Count Hawk.

On the other hand, Luo De had no intention to make amends with the Count, nor to allow his military strength to recover.

"Alright, you may leave now."

Luo De gave the envoy no chance to waste time, directly gesturing for someone to show him out.

The envoy bowed in salute and withdrew.

"Keep an eye on him, don't let him wander around."

"Yes, Lord Baron." Durant responded.

As for whether he stays or leaves, Luo De didn't care.

If the envoy wished to spend here, he would, if he wanted to leave Luo De wouldn't force him to stay.

Luo De then got up, went to Baron Halon's room, and informed him of his abandonment.

Halon merely sneered without any hint of surprise.

Luo De had already sent someone to Baron Halon's territory with the news, now it's just a matter of waiting for Baron Halon's men to bring what Luo De wanted.

"I hope to maintain a friendly relationship with you,"

Halon said sincerely, "Or to be more straightforward, as long as you are enemies with Count Hawk, we will only be friends."

"Aren't you from the Hawk Clan?"

Luo De could tell their relationship was not good, but still curiously asked, "What exactly makes you enemies like this?"

"Conflicts among nobles aren't anything unusual. To be honest, right now I wish Count Hawk would die."

Halon spoke through clenched teeth, his words filled with hatred.

"I don't want to hear such things, never mind, better not tell me."

Luo De waved dismissively with a smile.

Conflicts among nobles rarely involve openly expressing the wish to kill each other.

After all, they belong to the same class and need to collectively maintain the interests of this class.

As for internal class conflicts, as long as they don't involve lives, they can be accepted.

If one noble is too ruthless, always resorting to killing other nobles, he may be isolated by his class.

Betraying a liege lord is common, but knights who backstab and kill their own lord are seldom seen.

Thus, Halon saying such words in front of Luo De shows how deep his hatred for Count Hawk goes.

"Never mind, get some rest."

Luo De gave Baron Halon no further chance to speak, getting up to leave.

The envoy of Count Hawk seemed aware of his awkward position, staying one night at a Frost Leaf Town inn before setting out the next day.

Luo De's patrol followed them and relayed back once they entered White Rock Canyon.

"Will Count Hawk really swallow this anger?"

After reporting, Durant posed a question more akin to a reminder.

Luo De understood Durant's implication,

"So, I'm having you intensify the military training, so next time he causes trouble, we can directly expand our territory."

"By the way,"

Luo De instructed Durant: "Conduct a census, gather detailed information of all the soldiers, and document it.

Also, survey all the townsfolk and slave information as well, of course, let Lawrence handle this task."

The previous census information recorded was too scant; now Luo De had enough paper to support a more detailed population registry.

"Understood, Lord Baron."

Durant nodded in agreement.

At this moment, a guard rushed in to report,

"Lord Baron, a team has arrived outside the town, claiming to be from Baron Halon's family."

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