Chapter 015 – Late-night visitor
...
"Is this the charm of 'Nature's Heart'?"
Matthew was pleasantly surprised.
The disadvantage of being short-lived has always been the greatest pain for humans in their pursuit of the path of truth.
Many spellcasters resort to any means necessary to prolong their lives.
Necromancers are one of the products of people's pursuit of immortality.
But who would want to turn themselves into a cold, lifeless undead if they could naturally extend their lifespan?
Matthew had a feeling.
As he delved deeper into the 'Oak Tree' domain, he felt that there was still a lot of room for his lifespan to be extended!
Compared to the one-time boost of 'Longevity', 'Double Harvest' stimulated the labor fire in Matthew's heart.
"If I strengthen a Skeleton Soldier by planting 10 trees, what if I plant 1000 trees at once and strengthen it by +100?"
He became completely excited.
Although planting 1000 trees within 30 days seemed like a fantasy, planning for 200-300 trees was still feasible.
It was currently spring, the most suitable season for planting trees.
To speed up the progress of tree planting to the maximum extent possible, Matthew decided to take a two-pronged approach -
Tonight, he would write a report and apply to the municipal hall to plant trees on the Blood Flag Lord's land.
And tomorrow morning, he would officially launch a challenge towards the Mark of the Undead!
...
...
"You have planted a sapling and used 'Rapid Growth' on it!
...
Planting successful, your affinity with nature has slightly increased!
...
You have gained 1 point of enhancement experience (accumulated 10 points)
...
You have gained 10 XP
(Your level cannot be increased anymore, remaining XP has been carried over, please advance as soon as possible)"
...
The next afternoon.
Matthew stood behind a huge rock, taking a rest.
The newly planted oak tree was about forty to fifty meters away from here.
But Matthew couldn't sense any vitality from it.
The fundamental reason for this phenomenon was the dark scar on the other side of the huge rock.
"These marking stones near the Mark of the Undead are said to have been set up by the Blood Flag Lord's men. They can prevent ordinary people from entering dangerous areas - as long as the Mark of the Undead doesn't spread."
Matthew wiped off his sweat, his expression very serious.
He had only stayed in Rolling Stone Town for less than three years, and the spread of the Mark of the Undead was visible to the naked eye.
Three years ago, there was a distance of more than ten meters between the edge of the Mark of the Undead and the marking stones.
And now, the two were almost touching each other.
It was not difficult to imagine what it would be like in a few years.
That was why he planted the new oak tree further away.
He needed to leave enough buffer for the spread of the Mark of the Undead in the next few years.
"I'm really tired..."
Today's tree planting goal had been completed.
But it was not easy to clear the land near the Mark of the Undead. The terrain here was complex and the land was barren. There were many factors to consider.
The only comforting thing was that the Prospector Basin had a rich underground water system, so the oak trees would not die of thirst as long as they took root.
"These few trees I planted today are too sparse, they couldn't form a group effect, and their ability to resist disasters will also decrease..."
After inspecting the area he might venture into tomorrow, Matthew walked back while pondering.
With the continuous expansion of the oak tree forest, it took him longer and longer to travel between his home and the forest.
It was fine during normal times.
But now, during the critical period of rushing to increase the number of enhancements, he planned to have someone build a small wooden house in the oak tree forest.
At least for this month, he intended to dive into the forest and not come out!
...
In the evening.
The municipal hall, nearing the end of working hours, was deserted.
Only in one office could Liz's unique loud voice be heard:
"You want to plant trees on the Lord's private land?"
"Yes."
Matthew politely handed over the application form.
He was a person who paid attention to details.
As long as the official rules and regulations were not too excessive, he was willing to comply.
This application form was written based on exemplary documents from previous years that the municipal hall had handled. He was confident that no one could find any faults in its content and format.
Sure enough, after Liz finished reading it, she raised an eyebrow:
"The handwriting is very beautiful."
"Thank you."
Matthew smiled.
"I will help you submit the application. In theory, there shouldn't be any problems because this land has always been entrusted to us by the Lord for management.
There was a merchant who wanted to lease that place before. He wanted to build a small mine there, but this proposal was ultimately rejected by us.
There were already enough mines around Rolling Stone Town at that time. Have you not seen the scene? Thick smoke everywhere..."
Liz talked incessantly:
"But guess what happened later? The minerals disappeared overnight! Those mine owners also suffered heavy losses. That merchant even came to thank us later. I still remember he gave Mr. Omon two boxes of apple wine, but he only gave me one box."
Matthew listened quietly.
He had also heard many strange stories about the minerals in Rolling Stone Town. In many versions of the legends, those minerals disappeared overnight.
Some said that the Blood Flag Lord had offended the mineral spirits, but Matthew knew that those things didn't exist!
Some said it was a curse from the Purgatory, and the loss of minerals would make Rolling Stone Town poor.
But in fact, Rolling Stone Town did not weaken because of it.
The Blood Flag Lord had established two major trading stations at the borders of the territory, one in the south and one in the north, blocking the trade routes leading to the hinterland of the human kingdom and the Eternal Song Forest in the southwest and northwest directions.
The business at the trading stations was exceptionally prosperous, and as a result, the economy of Rolling Stone Town was always thriving.
In recent years, the town's handicraft industry had developed rapidly, with various small workshops emerging one after another, faintly showing signs of industrialization.This might be the merit of the Blood Banner Lord, but in Matthew's view, the five-person committee that handles various affairs all year round also deserves credit.
And the lady Liz in front of him is one of them.
About Liz.
Matthew didn't know much.
In his impression, this woman was harsh and picky, loved gossip, and had a bad reputation in town.
But she also loved her work and was diligent.
This could be seen from the fact that she was still dealing with documents in the office when all the other officials had already left work.
Most importantly.
She was Blade's mother, the distant cousin of the Blood Banner Lord, and Sif's aunt.
In a sense.
Liz represented the will of the Blood Banner Lord in the five-person committee.
This was also why Matthew specifically sought her out for his application.
……
An hour later.
It was completely dark outside.
"Alright, young man, thank you for being willing to listen to my ramblings. There aren't many young people as patient as you."
Liz lit a candle and continued to process documents:
"You can go now. I will expedite your application. Once the committee approves it, I will notify you immediately."
Matthew nodded and stood up. He stretched his muscles and bones, making a crackling sound.
"By the way, Matthew, I remember you are also a Necromancer. What do you think of the rumor these days?"
Liz suddenly stopped him, her eyes sparkling with the light of gossip.
Matthew pondered:
"You mean the Necromancer with the Bone Dragon? I heard he almost fought with the Guard Unit."
Liz shook her head:
"The version you heard is not correct. That Necromancer seems to be a friend rather than an enemy. He not only saved... um... anyway, he doesn't seem to be a bad person."
She seemed to realize that some things shouldn't be said casually.
Matthew smiled gently:
"Necromancer is just a profession, of course, it doesn't necessarily mean a bad person."
Liz looked at him with interest:
……
"Like you? A Necromancer who likes to plant trees?
Honestly, I think you're wasted on the adventurer profession.
Look at you, Matthew, what a handsome young man!
Even compared to my Blade, your appearance is not inferior.
As long as you agree, I'd be happy to introduce you to some good girls from respectable families……"
……
Matthew was immediately embarrassed:
"I, I think I'm far inferior to Blade."
Liz was delighted to hear this:
"Don't say that, Matthew, I find you more pleasing to the eye than my stinky boy."
"That's it, come to me tomorrow to get the approval document. You can plant whatever you want on the Lord's land!"
Matthew was surprised: "No need for approval?"
Liz waved her hand: "It's just administrative procedure. The Lord won't really interfere in politics. He's been busy taking care of his daughter these days. I still have this much authority."
"As long as you don't turn that piece of land into a chaotic graveyard, you can do anything!"
Matthew was overjoyed.
So he flattered Liz a few more times according to her wishes.
Making this middle-aged lady laugh heartily.
When it was late at night.
After Matthew left the city hall and sent Liz home.
He not only received the approval document in advance.
But also applied for a tree planting subsidy.
This money was about 200 gold coins.
It was allocated from the personal treasury of the Blood Banner Lord himself.
This experience gave Matthew a lot of insights.
Thousands of words condensed into one sentence:
"Blade's mother is really great!"
……
……
Another night.
Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the "[pawread.com]"
Basement.
"Peggy, a cup of coffee!"
Matthew called out twice but got no response.
He had to get up and make it himself.
"At this time, she wouldn't be eavesdropping under someone's window again, would she?"
The rich aroma of coffee drove away a bit of sleepiness.
Matthew muttered a few words.
His attention returned to the spell book in front of him.
……
"Introduction to Thunder Sword: A Simple Guide for You"
……
However, before he could read much.
The copper bell hanging by his side with a thin line buzzed.
Someone was ringing the bell outside the fence.
A late-night visitor?
Matthew frowned.
……