Chapter 112: An Unsettling Fleet
Duane was still living in the same villa he had occupied upon his arrival.
Although Kaelon and the others were concerned about the lack of fortifications and had added several rows of cheval de frise around the perimeter,
these defenses could only stop ordinary people. Any Middle Level Warrior could likely pass through them with ease.
Fortunately, Duane’s own strength had increased, and the villa was located within Broken Wave City.
Even without fortifications or high, sturdy walls, his safety was still assured.
During this time, the master builder Adams had scoured every corner of Black Forest Island’s northwest, finally settling on a location for the Lord’s Mansion after numerous comparisons and land surveys.
It was situated between two hills south of Broken Wave City, upstream from the river where the Frog Fish Monsters had previously dwelled.
The hills on either side could serve as a natural barrier. As long as they built gates at the front and back, constructed walls around the perimeter, and diverted the river flowing out of Thorn Valley to create a moat, the castle’s defensive issues would be more or less solved.
The valley was vast enough to accommodate the pavilions and terraces Duane had designed, as well as warehouses, separate courtyards, and designated quarters for servants, Guards, and even livestock.
Duane had also inspected the site himself. The hills were primarily composed of slate-like bluestone, posing no risk of landslides, and with the green mountains and clear water, the environment was quite pleasant.
Adams was now leading his team in the preliminary zoning and design, while also gathering key materials like stone, clay, and timber.
Construction was expected to formally begin in early November.
Duane looked forward to his new residence, but he also knew it was a massive undertaking that couldn’t be rushed.
After he stopped grinding his Combat Techniques, Duane spent the following days tackling several other skills: Basic Manufacturing, Forging, Sword Skill, Planting, and Delicious Fish Soup.
He focused on Sword Skill in particular so he could pass it on to his soldiers in the future; after all, when it came to weapon crafting, single-edged blades were simpler to make than double-edged swords.
As for Basic Planting, Duane had already selected a hill in the Hot Spring Mountain Range to serve as a temporary tea plantation.
He planned to transplant the Hot Spring Mountain Tea trees from the mountains and expand their cultivation.
「Another half-month passed in the blink of an eye.」
Duane’s Basic Forging and Basic Blade Skill had both reached the Skilled level, and his Strength Attribute had risen to 24.4, but his mind grew increasingly restless.
There was only one reason: it was already mid-October, and the fleet from the Starfall Islands still hadn’t arrived.
’Could they really have been swallowed by the sea?’
If the ships from the Starfall Islands didn’t come, his only other option was to wait for the friend of Captain Conaberton of the Sea Bird.
However, reality did not disappoint Duane.
In the afternoon, just as he finished his lunch and was about to take a nap, the sound of hoofbeats echoed.
Duane couldn’t recall the man’s name, but he knew he belonged to Willie’s squad.
And Willie was currently stationed in Lingang Village with Raymond.
’Is there a problem in Thorn Valley, or...?’
Soon, a guard ran into the courtyard and reported, "Baron, ships have been spotted on the sea—a lot of them!"
Duane’s face lit up. Whether it was to meet foreign merchants or to conduct trade, he had finally received visitors to Black Forest Island.
It felt as if a deaf and mute recluse was finally able to communicate with the outside world.
But then, his brow furrowed.
"A lot? Guard, tell me, how many is ’a lot’?"
Typically, only six ships came to Black Forest Island at a time, a number that hardly warranted the description ’a lot’.
The guard was uncertain; the ships were clustered together on the water, making it difficult for them to get a clear count.
"At least ten!" he replied.
’What could they be transporting with so many ships?’
Based on past trades, the largest shipment was usually iron ore, about one hundred fifty thousand pounds in a single delivery.
At a capacity of fifty thousand pounds per cargo ship, that would require roughly three ships.
Next was oak wood, which would fill two ships, and another vessel for miscellaneous goods like silk and grain would suffice.
The sudden arrival of ten ships was perplexing to Duane, and it put him on high alert.
"Go back and tell Raymond to stay vigilant and closely monitor the movements of this group!"
"Yes, sir!"
The guard accepted his orders, immediately mounted his horse, and galloped away.
Duane paced back and forth a few times before making a decision.
"Owington, go to Broken Wave Bay and Forest Village at once. Have Kaelon, Simone, and Gaius each bring a squad to Lingang Village."
At first, Owington had simply thought that someone had finally arrived, allowing the Lord to conduct trade.
But now, hearing these arrangements, he felt a sense of foreboding.
’The Lord’s mind really does work fast. So many ships arriving at once is definitely unusual; taking a defensive posture is absolutely necessary.’
After giving his instructions, Duane donned his light armor, grabbed his sword and shield, and rode for the docks.
「...」
Few ships passed by Black Forest Island, so the sea before the port was usually empty and vast.
But today, it was unusually bustling.
At first, there was only a single white dot on the horizon, but then a second appeared, then a third, a fourth...
...until the white dots merged into a single line stretching across the sea—a spectacular sight!
Raymond’s brows were tightly locked as he instinctively gripped the longsword at his waist.
There were a full eleven ships, all flying a flag with a fiery red longsword.
If he remembered correctly, that flag belonged to the Viscount of the Blazing Sword, Freddy Yalvis.
Viscount Freddy’s territory was in the Starfall Islands, but he did not swear fealty to the master of the Starfall Islands, Duke Star Sea.
His title of Viscount had been personally granted by the King of the Akutas Kingdom, so it was to the King that he owed his allegiance.
When Raymond was in the Third Legion, he had specifically studied the crests and flags of the families of formidable generals from enemy nations.
The reason he remembered the "Blazing Sword" was that Viscount Freddy was an incredibly powerful and long-famous Celestial Tier Warrior.
The Viscount’s territory was located to the east of the Starfall Islands, positioned both to keep an eye on Duke Star Sea and to covet the west coast of the Pruck Kingdom.
Therefore, upon seeing so many ships, Raymond’s first thought was, ’Could they be planning to conquer Black Forest Island? To claim this island that, while nominally part of the Pruck Kingdom, has in reality been without a master for so many years?’
If that wasn’t the case, he truly couldn’t imagine what on Black Forest Island could possibly be valuable enough to warrant deploying eleven cargo ships at once.
"Willie, have someone summon all the Guards and all the Militia from Lingang Village and the southern encampment!"
"Yes, Camp Commander!"
Willie glanced at the numerous ships slowly approaching the docks, a knot of tension forming in his chest. He immediately arranged for men to go and summon reinforcements.
Fortunately, the port on Black Forest Island was small, only able to accommodate two ships at a time.
For all the people on those eleven ships to disembark, even using smaller boats, would take a significant amount of time.
CLOP, CLOP, CLOP~
The sound of hoofbeats approached, and the crowd stirred, instinctively clearing a path.
"My Lord, you’re here!"
Raymond hurried forward to take the Baron’s horse.
Duane dismounted. "What’s the situation?"
As he spoke, he looked out at the sea. The guard’s count had actually been low—there were eleven of them.
"Your warning was correct. The arrival of these ships is highly unusual!"
Raymond said, "I’ve already ordered all the Guards and Militia stationed in Lingang Village to come here."
"Good. Stay on high alert!"
Duane glanced at his own forces. Some of the Militia, armed with only oak clubs, stood among the crowd.
He turned his gaze back to the sea, his expression grave. ’This should be fine, right?’