Avril raised an eyebrow and glanced at Vivian, "Let sister handle it on the march."

"Forget it, it's not the time to waste strength."

Durant looked down at the map and stood up,

"I also need to prepare; there's quite a distance between us and the Frozen Bone Wasteland."

At that moment, the guard knocked and came in, reporting: "Lord, Mussen says he has something important to discuss."

"Let him come in."

Durant nodded slightly.

Then, Mussen walked in quickly, holding a scroll of parchment in his hand.

"Greetings, my lord!"

Mussen knelt on one knee, his eager voice tinged with excitement,

"I have mastered the basics of the frost runes; the sketches are completely fine now!"

Mussen bowed his head and raised a stack of draft papers above his head to offer them to Durant.

Avril stood up and walked over, took the papers, and carefully checked them against the books on the table.

"No need to look, Avril."

Durant waved his hand, allowing Mussen to stand.

"I trust Mussen wouldn't joke about such things."

Durant looked at Mussen, "You can now try to draw the real frost runes?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Excitement sparkled in Mussen's eyes, but he then scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled.

"Sir, the runes are fine, it's just..."

He paused, his voice lowered,

"For the magical ink to draw the runes, just the blood of magical beasts is not enough. We also need fluid or internal organ juices from aquatic or sea magical beasts, and preferably their skins as the medium, to increase the chance of success."

"But we don't have any of that..."

"Don't have it?"

Durant looked at Mussen's embarrassed expression and couldn't help but laugh.

Mussen was clearly startled, then widened his eyes, looking at Durant in disbelief,

"Do we, do we have it?!"

"Of course!"

Durant replied without hesitation: "We just hunted two giant sea crabs; we have blue blood and crab fluid, and all kinds of crab innards!"

"Sea, sea crab?!"

Mussen's mind went blank for a moment, "Do we have sea crabs here?"

"I'm not questioning you, Lord, just wondering how we have sea crabs here..."

Durant waved his hand, "No worries, just focus on drawing the frost runes."

Frost runes are the most important material for making ice boxes.

The benefits of ice boxes are self-evident.

With ice boxes, Durant can produce ice even in summer and transport seafood intact to Frost Leaf Town.

"Go back and continue your research; the materials will be sent over soon."

"Yes, my lord!"

Mussen nodded vigorously, bowing happily as he took his leave.

Durant also stood up, packing with Vivian and Avril.

After the luggage was packed, Durant came to report that the army was ready to move at any time.

Durant glanced at the dim sky outside but decided to head to the border post first.

Just as they were about to set off, the guard came to report that Baron Blom requested a meeting.

"Quite a few things before departure,"

Durant couldn't help but sigh.

Durant then spoke up, "Baron, Baron Blom seems to have something for you; he came once before when you weren't here."

"Alright, let him come in."

Durant agreed to Blom's request for a meeting.

The guard nodded in response, turning to leave.

Baron Blom then hobbled into the hall, leaning on a cane.

"Sorry to disturb you, Baron Durant."

Blom's face was slightly pale as he bowed deeply.

Durant swiftly stepped forward to stop him, "You should be resting well now."

Saying this, Durant personally led Blom to a chair to sit.

"No need to be so formal."

"You saved my life; any courtesy is deserved."

Baron Blom said sincerely.

"Without you, I would have perished under the claws of those lizard creatures."

"Alright, these discussions can wait until you're healed."

Durant raised a hand to stop Baron Blom, directly asking: "Durant said you had sought me out before; is there anything important?"

Baron Blom took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering, meeting Lord Durant's puzzled look, solemnly stating:

"I, the Lord of Ice Blade Valley, Baron of the Broken Rock Empire, Blom Bladestrike, earnestly request to join your ranks as your vassal, becoming your loyal sword and shield!"

Blom's words were powerful and resonant, each word like a blacksmith's hammer pounding iron, ringing against the stone tiles.

Durant, Avril, and Vivian all stared at Blom incredulously.

The hall fell silent.

Only the faint crackling of the fireplace wood was heard.

Durant's movements ceased, watching Blom seated in the chair, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Your gratitude has been received, Baron Blom."

After a moment, Durant slowly began, frowning,

"But this doesn't quite follow the rules; you are a baron of the empire."

"I can pledge my territory to you; we can sign a pledge contract, then I can serve you." Baron Blom responded without hesitation.

Durant turned to Durant, "I'm not well-versed in the Empire's history; is there any precedent for this?"

"There is, my lord."

Durant nodded seriously,

"But those were typically agreements made between some corrupt nobles through secretive means after threatening other lords."

Durant cautiously glanced at Baron Blom,

"Voluntary cases like Baron Blom's, I've never heard of."

Durant refocused, his gaze landing on Baron Blom.

Claiming he saved Blom without expecting anything in return was deceitful.

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