parentshiftbook Chapter 35 bestows upon you the title of "Holy Maiden of Feeding"!
Chapter 35 bestows upon you the title of "Holy Maiden of Feeding"!
The "Center of Concealment Magic Array Core" from the "Adventurer Su Lan" legacy is a pretty good item.
According to his suicide note, this was prepared for his family.
Once successfully set up, as long as magic crystals are continuously supplied, it can provide a level one stealth effect on a regular basis.
If a higher level of magic power is input, the effect can be temporarily boosted to level three.
Su Lan had been full of expectations before, but now that she had it, she felt it was somewhat of a waste.
Black Reef Fjord is out in the open; there's no need to hide it.
With Bemira in charge of Changning Fjord, even her unconscious sleep state can easily outmaneuver a third-tier guard captain, so there's no need for this thing.
"I feel like it could be worth some money, should I sell it?" Su Lan thought, but quickly gave up on the idea.
The various factions in the kingdom are about to clash, and he hasn't decided yet whether to go it alone or join one of them!
Selling such strategic resources now could easily turn into aiding the enemy.
I might as well use it myself!
One thing is clear, another is hidden; the truth is deceptive, making it impossible for others to figure out the real story.
The core of this hidden magic circle is quite interesting. It has a magical name, but it's actually a small cylindrical barrel with a high-tech feel.
It's similar in style to the hovercart, and looks like it came from the same exotic place.
Su Lan packed the magic crystal, took it to the middle of the yard, and pressed the start button.
The cylinder floated up on its own, and at the same time, a notification sound rang.
"Welcome to Ping An Technology Y20 Home Decor Installation, with a maximum coverage area of 20000 square meters. Please select the area and theme."
A holographic projection unfolded before Su Lan's eyes.
The top shows an overview of the territory, while the bottom displays various themed appearance examples.
"It's still a touchscreen?"
Su Lan tried clicking a few times on the outermost edge of the territory, and the coverage area was selected. Then, he moved his gaze downwards.
"Modern city, pastoral scenery, snowy world, post-apocalyptic ruins... Got it! Adapts to the surrounding environment!"
Click to confirm, and a streak of light sweeps across the territory.
"Deployment successful. You can turn it on or off at any time within the coverage area. Current energy is 35%, with a daily consumption of 1%."
Being able to try it out for a month is really great.
Su Lan planned to wait until the people had rested before checking the results.
Next, it's time to arrange for workers to repair the port.
"Reed, go and draft a notice to recruit carpenters, blacksmiths, laborers, and women. Anyone is welcome, but they must be proficient in calisthenics."
……
Nora has been having a very fulfilling and happy time these days.
Identifying and drying seaweed was not difficult for her, and in less than two weeks, she would receive the "blood disease cure" promised by the lord.
What made Nora even happier was that she was lucky enough to find several new varieties of seaweed, and after reporting them, she actually received a considerable reward.
This undoubtedly greatly improved her family's quality of life, and she even became known as "someone else's child" among her neighbors.
Hearing that the lord was recruiting, Nora arrived at the square early to wait.
"Nora, do you know why the lord recruited us?" one of her friends asked her.
Nora didn't really understand either, but she had blind trust in Su Lan: "There must be something we can do."
"The lord has arrived!"
The crowd suddenly fell silent.
Su Lan was very satisfied with everyone's performance when she saw this.
It was worth all his hard work.
He was busy making grand promises and finding industries and jobs...
Su Lan cleared her throat and began today's persuasion... it was a mobilization:
"The sea goddess sent her messenger, who told me that if we build a port for her divine kingdom, she will bestow miracles upon everyone in Black Reef Fjord!"
"Messenger? Miracle? Everyone?" the crowd exclaimed.
People living by the sea have always held the goddess of the ocean in awe, and no one dares to use her name to deceive and swindle.
Since the lord says so, it must be true.
"I'm willing to go!" Carpenter Pete was the first to respond.
Nora pushed her way to the front of the crowd: "But my lord, building a port is the work of craftsmen and men. What can we do?"
"Who says you can't do it?" Su Lan looked at Nora, her tone becoming serious.
"The sweet seaweed you found earlier is the envoy's favorite tribute!"
"The men and craftsmen will be responsible for transporting and setting up, while the women will shoulder the heavy responsibility of making ropes and brewing holy soup for the messenger!" He paused, then continued:
"And you, Nora, will personally present the offerings to the messenger as a saint!"
"Can I really do it?" Nora asked excitedly, her face turning red.
She never dreamed that she would become a saintess who offered sacrifices to the messengers of the gods!
"Nora has actually become a saint!" Everyone looked on with envy.
Su Lan's decision was actually made on a whim.
Port construction requires "dumpling glue," and he and Tia had other things to do, so they couldn't spend all their time feeding Bemira.
Nora is a thoughtful, diligent, and energetic girl, making her a perfect candidate to be named the "Feeding Saintess" and work in his place!
Su Lan left after she finished making her mobilization.
Tia, along with Nora, who was blindfolded, and the other laborers, entered Changning Fjord through an underground passage.
"We've arrived. This is where you've been working these past few days," Tia said.
The people were stunned when they took off their blindfolds.
They had expected to face a barren beach and have to start by reclaiming land from the sea.
Unexpectedly, a huge, seamless port, like a jewel, stood quietly in the sea!
They don't even need to endure the erosion and pollution of seawater underwater; they just need to build railings and houses on this dreamlike harbor!
The harbor was shrouded in mist, yet it barely obstructed visibility, a sight that caused many of the locals to kneel down on the spot.
"The goddess of the sea has descended; she is watching over our lord and us!"
The moment Pete saw the foundation, he knelt down, reached out and touched the ground, his eyes welling up with tears of emotion.
He could see clearly that what were just ordinary gravel and sand, combined with an unknown material, had a hardness comparable to iron!
"Such a large port, yet there isn't a single seam between the seams—a miracle, truly a miracle!"
"Listen to me, everyone," Nora suddenly spoke, taking on the role of a saintess:
"The lord didn't say when, but the sooner the better. We need to get to work! Uncle Pete, you direct everyone in building the house. The rest of you, come with me. I'll take you to find seaweed."
"Yes, yes, no! Nora is right!" everyone echoed.
Su Lan and Tia, hiding in the shadows, saw this scene and smiled at each other.
"Su Lan, you're pretty good at judging people!" Tia nudged Su Lan.
"Of course! I observed her before; she's precocious and incredibly clever!" Su Lan said proudly. "Bemila, what do you think of your 'Saintess'?"
"Is it alright? It depends on how well she makes soup." Bemilia hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask:
"Mr. Blanket, what if they kneel down and beg me? How... how am I supposed to act as an envoy?"
"Simple, just talk less and act aloof, eat your fill and sleep, and have some dumplings when you have time!" Su Lan patted Bemira's shell.
Su Lan's port is under construction in full swing these days, and the territory is thriving, but the situation is different for other nobles.
Viscount Cyril was one of the victims.
His territory was next to Viscount Sean's, and even more abundant in resources, allowing him to live a luxurious and pleasure-seeking life as a lord.
Who knew that when he woke up, the entire kingdom was in chaos!
Sean defected to the Church of the Moon, which launched a surprise attack on his territory overnight, forcing him to flee and seek justice in the royal city.
But even worse, not long after they set off, the monk brought them news that filled them with despair:
The high-ranking officials of the Inquisition, along with the Royal Knights, rebelled, and the royal city was razed to the ground overnight!
This terrified Cyril, who immediately turned the carriage around.
Seeking justice? What justice is there to seek?
The fighting is raging on the mainland. If he sends his small force there now, wouldn't it be like lambs to the slaughter?
Cyril knew perfectly well that, regardless of who won or lost, his reign as viscount was over after all this turn of events!
"Damn Sean, damn traitor, why didn't anyone tell me beforehand!"
He was furious and smashed the cup in his hand.
"My lord, the Venerable Master has returned with the information he gathered," a guard reported from outside the carriage.
Cyril nearly jumped to his feet in excitement. He cleared his throat and called out loudly, "Mr. Raymond, please come in!"
The curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man with a serious expression climbed into the carriage.
He sat down opposite Cyril and bowed: "Lord Cyril, I have learned some good news."
"Oh?" Cyril helped Raymond up, a look of delight on his face.
"Tell me quickly, have you made contact with merchant ships from the Empire or Villand? Or have you found a place to hide?"
"We haven't found the merchant ships, but we do have some information about an escape route." Raymond nodded.
"I passed by the market in Sean's territory a few days ago and happened to hear that Baron Su Lan had a 'miracle drug' that could cure sea blood disease. I just captured a Moon God cultist and got this from him."
He took a roll of papyrus from his waist and handed it to Cyril.
"Cultist Action Guide," Cyril read the first few lines: "Target: Cyril Territory. The raid is extremely easy; a second-tier cultist leading the team can attempt it..."
"My difficulty is extremely low?" he exclaimed anxiously. "I also have third-tier knights and honored mages in my territory, okay?"
Raymond looked somewhat helpless. At a time like this, you still care about such useless pride. No wonder you were beaten and ran away with your head in your hands!
However, Cyril had done him a favor, and he would still help him unless absolutely necessary.
"Look here," Raymond interrupted Cyril, pointing to the last line where the handwriting was still fresh, as if it had just been written.
"Target: Su Lan's territory. A raid is extremely difficult, and it's suspected that an ancient evil creature resides there. We do not recommend that cultists below the fourth rank engage!"
Cyril couldn't believe his eyes: "Su Lan, an exile, is so much harder to raid than me? And what's this 'Ancient Evil Artifact'? The Moon Goddess Cult wouldn't have just made it up, would they?"
"The evil creature comes from another realm and must not be touched," Raymond patiently explained. "But we have no other choice, do we?"
"Yes," Cyril hesitated for a moment, "then let's set off."
His territory has been completely lost, and the interior is even more dangerous. The nearest place of refuge is indeed Black Reef Fjord.
"How about we go around to the edge of Sean's territory?"
"Sir, please make the arrangements."
Cyril casually agreed, but in his heart he was wondering what kind of profit he could make in that remote and impoverished place called Black Reef Fjord.
As for Su Lan, he's just an exiled lord. If he's even slightly intimidated, wouldn't he obediently surrender his territory and seek the protection of a mage?
……
a few days later.
As soon as Su Lan arrived at the office, Aaron came to report.
"My lord, the scouts have reported that a group of unfamiliar people has been spotted circling around the edge of the foreign lands and is approaching Black Reef Fjord."
"Oh?" Su Lan raised an eyebrow. "Any other news?"
He started building the scout team after obtaining the "Adventurer's Guide to Stealth and Traps," selecting loyal and clever young people.
After training and assessment, I had only been officially on duty for a few days when I unexpectedly came in handy.