- Fantasy Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence
- FLDI Chapter 120
The distribution of benefits brought expressions of joy and anticipation to the faces of the Maine Alliance members. Even Joz Anubi, who had spent the least amount of time in the Northern Province, understood the prosperity of its western region.
As for the others, there was no question of its significance. They were unconcerned about whether Thor could establish a foothold in the west or whether the consortium would succeed.
The consortium model Thor had introduced earlier had already proven effective. They believed no one would refuse an opportunity like this—especially with the goblins forging black iron, bronze, and, most crucially, silver armor.
Although the chaos in the Northern Province had subsided, the demand for silver armor remained high. With the ability to produce it, Thor’s consortium was poised for success at a significant scale. Even a modest return of two or three percent would yield substantial profits.
When the five noble lords departed, the smiles never left their faces. Thor, too, felt a sense of satisfaction. The expanded consortium was now strong enough to secure a foothold in the west. Furthermore, the five lords had now tied themselves to him even more deeply. As the consortium grew, these bonds would only tighten.
With hidden concerns now addressed, Thor could focus on the gradual expansion of his plans.
Two Weeks Later
As he finalized preparations for his return home, Thor was met by an unexpected visitor.
“Lord Niel! What happened?” Thor asked, taken aback by the disheveled appearance of Niel Morton, who was usually impeccable.
Niel, a Sky Knight, looked surprisingly worn down.
“Don’t ask,” Niel replied with a wry smile. “I ran into a Frost Wolf and nearly didn’t make it back.”
“A Frost Wolf?” Thor’s eyes widened. Frost Wolves were formidable fifth-tier beasts, possessing the bloodline of the Frost Giants. They rivaled Holy Knights in power. That Niel had encountered such a creature and returned was a testament to his luck and skill.
“Yes, it was,” Niel continued. “I’d gone to find an Iceheart Flower. It grows in the Northern Glacier and can greatly enhance a knight’s potential. I thought it might help you with your lack of talent. I searched for months and found only a small one—probably because the Frost Wolf had taken it for itself.”
Niel tossed Thor a small wooden box. “Here, it’s not much, but it should still be useful.”
Niel’s departure had indeed been to find Thor the Iceheart Flower, a rare item he thought would help overcome Thor’s talent limitations. He had been shaken by Thor’s natural limitations and had hoped to make a difference, though it had come at a significant cost.
“Thank you,” Thor said softly, feeling a mix of gratitude and disbelief.
Niel nodded. “Make good use of it. Though it may not work miracles, it could be the key to your breakthrough.”
He left the room, and Thor, though already beyond needing such an item, deeply appreciated Niel’s efforts. The Iceheart Flower was incredibly valuable, and for Niel to secure it, given the risks involved, was an extraordinary gesture.
Once Thor had calmed his thoughts, he called out, “Anna!”
His trusted steward entered.
“Master,” she said, bowing.
“Take this and place it in the first cabinet on the top shelf.”
Anna obeyed, leaving Thor to his preparations. With Niel Morton’s return, Thor felt at ease. A peak Sky Knight’s presence was a significant assurance, especially given the province’s current state.
The following evening, a familiar notification appeared:
[Daily Report Updated]
-1: To the west, a shoal of Tilapia will appear 100 miles away, renowned for their exquisite flavor.
-2: In the northern defensive line, three dukes discovered a strange parchment…
-3: In three days, 700 miles to the north, a group of goatmen will be routed by a pioneering lord.
-4: To the north of Eagle’s Crest, extreme cold from the glacier will descend, causing a sudden drop in temperature.
-…
-8: 100 miles west of Eagle’s Crest, a Life Fruit Tree will ripen at the heart of a battle between boar beasts.
Thor’s breathing quickened as he read item number eight. A Life Fruit Tree—a source of the Life Fruit, the very thing that had once changed his destiny. If he could obtain it, his lands would have a perpetual supply of Life Fruit.
The Life Fruit was an invaluable ingredient in high-grade potions. Even consumed raw, it held the potential to advance a peak Earth Knight to the level of a Sky Knight.
Although it was only a probability, the Life Fruit was still immensely valuable. At that moment, Thor’s eyes were practically shining with excitement.
He was too restless to sleep the entire night and finally, as dawn broke, he quickly gathered his knights. Taking Steve and over twenty seasoned knights, he hastily set out, delaying his planned return by a couple of days.
The distance of a hundred miles wasn’t too far. By the evening of the third day, Thor and his group arrived at their destination. However, waiting for them around the Life Fruit Tree were two packs of wild boar beasts.
“Two peak Tier 2s and twenty-seven Tier 1s,” Thor murmured with a look of determination.
In total, there were twenty-nine boar beasts, slightly outnumbering his own knights. More concerning, though, were the two peak Tier 2 leaders. Though slightly less formidable than typical beasts, they still posed a considerable challenge. While not impossible, this wasn’t going to be easy.
“Steve, when the time comes, I’ll take on the two peak Tier 2 boar beasts. Lead the rest of the knights and swiftly take care of the others,” Thor instructed. “And be sure to lure them away from the tree—any damage to it would be costly.”
“Yes, sir!” Steve responded, understanding the significance without further inquiry.
For two days, they lay in wait, as Thor bided his time. Finally, the opportunity came. Across the field, the two packs of boar beasts were watching each other with hostile, beady eyes. A faint fragrance began to waft through the air.
The scent further agitated the beasts, which started rooting the ground aggressively.
“Now!” Thor commanded quietly.
In an instant, he charged forward, with Steve and the knights close behind. The sudden appearance of humans startled the boar beasts, who hesitated briefly before responding with enraged squeals. Both packs lunged at Thor’s group, prioritizing them as a common threat.
Thor’s relief was palpable. He had worried that the boar beasts would continue guarding the tree, which would have forced him into a risky fight near it. Now, he was free to engage.
He rode forward on Nia, his lance at the ready, targeting the two boar beast leaders. The air shimmered with wind and frost as he unleashed his attack.
The first boar beast leader, caught off guard, found itself flying backward under the impact of the powerful blow. Its thick skin resisted penetration, but the force alone sent it crashing into the trees, where it struggled in vain to rise again.
Thor wasted no time, charging at the second leader before it had a chance to process what had happened to its rival. He struck again with precision, sending it hurtling backward as well.
With the leaders incapacitated, he joined the knights in finishing off the remaining beasts. Within moments, the twenty-seven Tier 1 beasts were dispatched, not a single one escaping. After instructing his men to clear the area, Thor quickly approached the tree at the center.
The scent had grown stronger, filling the air with a palpable vitality. The Life Fruit Tree itself was unlike anything Thor had seen before.
It stood only half a meter high, its golden leaves shimmering in the sunlight. Nestled among them was a single small, translucent fruit, seemingly ordinary yet brimming with a faint, green glow. As the fragrance permeated the surroundings, the leaves began to wilt and fall away until only the lone fruit remained.
Thor instinctively reached out, and the fruit fell perfectly into his hand. Holding it, he was surprised by its ordinariness. It looked and felt no different from the sour fruits he had once seen in a shop.
Curiously, he brought it close to his nose, only to find that the once-vivid aroma had completely faded, as if it had never been there at all.