- Fantasy Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence
- FLDI Chapter 160
Rachos and Pelos quickly completed their mission, setting off with their entourage the very same day.
Watching them leave, Thor felt no guilt about his decision.
He was certain that after the Eagle Commerce Guild’s actions, every fleeing lord—without exception—would eventually become their enemy.
For now, these lords were willing to sell their resources, primarily to minimize losses. But as Thor had noted, they were confident they could reclaim these assets later. In their view, either the Dressrosa family wouldn’t survive the Divine Revelation, or if they did, they wouldn’t have the strength to hold onto these territories. To the fleeing lords, the coins from these sales were a mere bonus.
Stein Campbell, with his overt murderous intent, only made the situation more straightforward for Thor.
“Send word to Raine; have him return immediately,” Thor instructed someone outside his study.
“Yes, my lord!” came the swift reply.
Having arranged matters, Thor waited patiently in Tono’s territory.
—-
Over the Next Seven Days
News from various fronts began to pour in, each more promising than the last.
The Eagle Commerce Guild’s operations were progressing smoothly. Of the 37 identified mines, nearly all had been secured. In addition, they had acquired 190,000 slaves—20,000 more than anticipated—along with several territories and various production sites.
This success meant that, once absorbed, the Eagle Commerce Guild would soar to unprecedented heights.
However, such large-scale acquisitions came at a steep price. Over 20,000 gold coins had been spent, equivalent to the two-year output of a typical count’s estate.
Even so, the investment was worthwhile. With the resources acquired, the Guild could recoup its expenditure in less than two months, potentially generating significant profits thereafter.
Hidden gains, such as territorial expansion, added further value. While most of these territories would need to be abandoned due to distance, some could be retained.
For example, Tono’s territory had expanded considerably, much to the delight of the Guild’s pioneering lords, whose smiles hadn’t waned in days.
Rachos had successfully completed his transaction with Stein Campbell and returned. Thor knew that Stein would soon set out to leave, marking the perfect moment for action.
“Knock, knock!”
The sound of someone at the door drew Thor from his thoughts.
“Come in,” Thor called.
Raine entered, his expression respectful. “You summoned me, my lord?”
Thor raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.
“You’ve advanced to late-stage great knight?” Thor asked, his tone impressed.
“I just broke through,” Raine replied with a sheepish grin.
“Hahaha! Excellent!” Thor exclaimed, rising from his chair. “It seems you’re progressing even faster than I anticipated. The Eagle Territory will have its first Earth Knight in no time.”
“Thanks to your guidance, my lord,” Raine replied earnestly, his gaze filled with gratitude.
He knew full well that everything he had achieved was because of Thor. Without him, Raine would still be a villager enduring his father’s abuse.
Thor chuckled. “It’s your own effort that brought you here. Go find Anna and get a life potion to stabilize your energy. We have work to do tomorrow.”
“Yes, my lord. Thank you,” Raine said with a respectful bow, asking no further questions. Thor’s orders were all he needed.
Thor smiled as he watched Raine leave. With Raine’s recent advancement, their plans would be even more secure.
Late-stage great knights were formidable, and Raine’s unique energy meant he could even stand against a Earth Knight if needed.
Thor now had the final piece of his plan in place.
“Stein Campbell, early-stage Earth Knight. Additionally, one other Earth Knight at the peak of early stage, possibly mid-stage now. Ten great knights and over a hundred full knights… truly a terrifying force,” Thor muttered as he tapped the desk rhythmically.
Stein’s strength was indeed formidable. Ranked among the top three lords in the Northern Province, his power surpassed many viscounts and even some weaker counts.
With over 100 knights, ten great knights, and two Earth Knights, Stein’s forces rivaled those of the Lawrence family.
Thor’s primary concern was ensuring Stein’s forces couldn’t regroup. He wanted a decisive strike, but dealing with two Earth Knights wasn’t easy. Even with his own mid-stage great knight abilities, handling both at once would be nearly impossible.
Initially, Thor had considered relying on the chaos of the beast tides to weaken Stein’s forces. If that failed, he planned to unite the Dressrosa family to finish the job.
Now, with Raine’s help, those contingencies were unnecessary.
When news arrived from Stein Campbell’s territory that the transaction was complete and Stein had departed, Thor gave the signal to Anna.
On the training grounds, a faint green ripple began to spread as a soft glow formed a magic array beneath Anna’s feet. A crystal pendant at her neck rose into the air, emitting a radiant green light.
“Great Goddess of Nature, hear the call of your servant…” Anna’s clear voice rang out as the green light intensified, spreading upward into the sky.
Around her, plants began to grow at an incredible rate. Even the stones beneath her feet sprouted tender shoots.
Meanwhile, in the Forest
A large entourage made its way through a dense woodland. At the forefront were Stein Campbell and a figure cloaked in white—Avila, the elven girl.
Having completed the transaction with Rachos, Stein had been heading toward Loren City for two days. Five more days would bring him to his destination.
However, his journey required traversing an untouched forest, known to be teeming with magical beasts due to its lack of development.
“Stay vigilant! There are plenty of beasts in these woods,” Stein’s lead knight warned, his voice ringing out.
Stein, unconcerned, turned to Avila and spoke softly.
“Avila, we’ll reach the capital soon. Did you know? Your friend has been eagerly waiting for you. She says she misses you very much.”
Avila’s eyes lit up with hope. “Really? Thank you—you’re a kind man.”
Avila nodded, her delicate face brimming with anticipation.
Hearing the young girl’s words, Stein Campbell’s smile grew even wider.
Her so-called friend? Helping her find someone? Nonsense.
Once they entered the royal capital, this elven girl would be his.
The thought made his grin even broader.
At that moment, Avila’s expression shifted.
“What’s this?” she murmured, tilting her head in curiosity. “A call of the elves? This aura… it’s Alcia!”
Her initially hopeful demeanor transformed into one of shock and excitement. Her wide, brilliant eyes sparkled with recognition.
“Humm!”
A green glow surrounded her as a magic array appeared beneath her feet. In the next instant, Avila shot into the air, her figure disappearing into the distance.
“Avila!” Stein Campbell called instinctively, but froze mid-action.
His expression shifted from confusion to alarm as he leaped into motion.
“Follow her! Damn it!” Stein barked, spurring his horse forward in pursuit.
But Avila was far too fast. Within seconds, she was gone from sight.
The rush to pursue threw Stein’s party into disarray. In the commotion, items from their carriages spilled onto the forest floor.
The unmistakable clinking of gold coins filled the air.
Among them were coins tinged with a faint green residue. The subtle scent they carried began to intensify.
From the surrounding forest came a rustling sound, like something slithering and stirring.
“My lord, there are magical beasts!” Stein’s lead knight shouted, his tone grim as he unsheathed his sword.
At his words, the other knights followed suit, weapons drawn.
Then, a wave of glowing red eyes emerged from the trees, sending a collective shudder through the party.
“What is this?” the lead knight gasped, his disbelief evident.
Around them, magical beasts crowded the clearing in overwhelming numbers—first-tier, second-tier, and even third-tier creatures.
“Third-tier Wind Wolves!”
“Third-tier Flame Tigers!”
“Second-tier Crimson Rock Panthers!”
“Damn it!” someone muttered, panic creeping into their voice. Sweat glistened on the brows of nearly every knight.
Unbeknownst to them, the trail of green-smeared coins had drawn these beasts not just from the immediate vicinity, but from miles away. At first, the numbers had been manageable, and their strength had kept them safe. But as the scent grew stronger, the beasts could no longer resist.
“Avila!” Stein Campbell called again, panic now tinging his voice. His earlier calm had dissolved entirely.
But this time, his cry went unanswered.
“Protect the lord!”
“Get us out of here!”
The lead knight bellowed orders, his voice cutting through the chaos.
With that, the battle erupted.
Meanwhile, Avila sped away with wind magic swirling around her, her life force guiding her toward the call. Within moments, she vanished from the forest, leaving the commotion far behind.
—-
Hours Later
Avila arrived at Tono’s territory. Her heart raced with joy as she spotted the glowing green magic array ahead.
“Alcia!” she cried, her voice full of elation as she descended.
Her disguise faded, revealing her radiant elven beauty.
But as Avila touched the ground, her excitement gave way to confusion.
“Who are you?” she asked, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Anna. Her gaze flicked to the pendant in Anna’s hand.
“I’m Anna,” the girl replied with a smile. “Alcia is my mother.”
Understanding Avila’s confusion, Anna explained calmly.
“You’re… Alcia’s child?” Avila’s voice trembled with disbelief. “Alcia has a child?”
“Yes,” Anna nodded, showing the pendant. “This was given to me by my mother.”
As Anna’s disguise fell away, her own elven features became visible.
Avila hovered uncertainly around Anna, her gaze conflicted. “But your aura feels… different,” she murmured, as if trying to make sense of what she was seeing.
“Are you talking about this?” Anna said with a laugh. A diamond-shaped ice-blue mark lit up on her forehead, and a small, glowing figure appeared beside her.
“A Nature Spirit?” Avila gasped. “Oh my goodness… you’ve contracted a Nature Spirit!”