Chapter 1030: Chapter 639, Alone and Unaided
The queen gracefully picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip.
After pondering for a moment, she said, “The exact price will need to be calculated after I return and have someone tally it. This year, there are many temples within the Holy Empire that require renovation and construction, and the production of glazed tiles is not high. The price is probably between 80 and 100. We also need to allocate the glazed tiles from our existing plans and cannot provide them to you all at once.”
There were many temples in the Lizardmen’s territory that needed to be built and repaired year after year.
Suddenly, it seemed like a good idea to establish a construction crew in the Lizardmen’s lands—it would definitely be profitable.
At least there would be no shortage of work.
A price between 80 and 100 was a middle-of-the-road price and was acceptable.
Before Fang Hao could respond, the Lizardmen queen continued to inquire, “How many do you approximately need?”
“5,000 pieces, how long would it take to gather that amount?”
“Hmm, for the exact timeline, I would need to return and have someone make the calculations. It might be one or two months, or perhaps even slightly longer.”
Fang Hao nodded. The blueprints for the ironized wood and fine stone bricks had not yet been settled.
Even if he obtained the blueprints, production would still take some time.
He could wait for the Lizardmen to gather the glazed tiles.
“Alright, then please trouble the queen to keep an eye on this and gather the glazed tiles as soon as possible.”
“I can do that,” the queen nodded.
…
At the Trade Alliance’s base, in a tavern.
In a private room on the second floor by a round table, five transmigrators were seated.
They were the Alliance Hierarchs of the Beacon Alliance, Fu Yingcai.
War God Alliance, Shi Yibo.
Hundred Cities Brotherhood Alliance, Zhang Hao.
Straw Hat Nautical Group, Bai Xuan.
Sitting at the head of the table was the Alliance Hierarch of the Mountain and Sea Alliance, Ma Tianyi.
This time, bringing these Alliance leaders together was naturally about the Demon dilemma.
After a general explanation of the situation,
Ma Tianyi said, “That’s the situation. The Mountain and Sea Alliance is facing difficulties and we would ask for your assistance to help us overcome this predicament.”
As soon as he finished speaking,
The other four fell into silence simultaneously.
After a short pause, someone finally spoke, “Alliance Hierarch Ma, it’s not that we don’t have many people, but we also can’t traverse such a vast distance to intervene in the Orcs’ matters.”
Zhang Hao of the Brotherhood Alliance also said, “It’s not a matter of unwillingness to help; it’s simply impossible to do so. Right now the Federation of Hundred Cities is also troubled by undercurrents. Sending out a large contingent of troops would leave our own territories in great jeopardy.”
Straw Hat Nautical Group’s Bai Xuan added with a bitter smile, “Alliance Hierarch Ma, we’re on the southern border of the Hundred Cities, and you are in the north, crossing the entire Federation… By the time the forces arrive, it may well be autumn already.”
One after another, the leaders voiced their opinions, all arriving at the same conclusion.
Even attending the meeting was a gesture of respect to Ma Tianyi.
As for helping the Mountain and Sea Alliance… they could only politely decline.
It was a joke.
The Mountain and Sea Alliance had been larger than theirs before and had been reduced to its current state. If they went, they would likely suffer heavy losses, too.
Moreover, Ma Tianyi didn’t offer any particularly attractive rewards. Who would risk their lives for such a cause?
“Actually, regarding the route, I have already contacted several other Alliance Hierarchs. They will help devise a safe passage for the army. As for the journey, we will also do our best to hold off the Demons and wait for the reinforcements to arrive,” Ma Tianyi continued.
The other four exchanged glances.
In the end, they still shook their heads, “Sorry, Alliance Hierarch Ma, but we truly are powerless to help.”
“Yes, Alliance Hierarch Ma, we are just small Alliances. If we brought this up, I’m afraid our members wouldn’t agree to it.”
“We are sorry, Alliance Hierarch Ma.”
After rejecting him again, they stood up and left the private room.
Leaving Ma Tianyi alone, sitting in his original spot, helpless.
…
Main City.
After discussing the order for glazed tiles with the Lizardmen queen,
I had Demitrija escort the queen to look around the subordinate cities, giving them a chance to bond.
Meanwhile, Fang Hao continued to study his ‘Undying’ book.
After several days of research,
He could clearly notice an improvement in his undead knowledge, gaining a deeper understanding of faith and his pursuit.
Sometimes he thought, if there were no better ways to prolong life,
Perhaps becoming an Undead could be a decent alternative.
The lack of emotions was manageable,
But, he thought, life would surely lose much of its pleasure without the five senses.
At noon, the maids returned, laughing and joking.
Dressed in fitted off-shoulder short-sleeved tops, their movements set off waves of motion.
Distracting.
“Master….” With a tender cry, Millie threw herself at him.
Like a ball of cotton candy, she collided into his arms.
Two white fluffy ears rested on his chin.
Extracting his arms from the plumpness, he said, “What’s the matter, you’re so clingy as soon as you return.”
Millie snuggled into his chest and said, “Master, when are you going to bring back my master? I’ve been missing her.”
Her master?
Millie’s master, Gray Bear-Reed.
She had been a bandit before, but after Fang Hao abandoned the bandit camp, the common bandits were integrated into the armies of various cities, and Gray Bear was sent to work in a city, in charge of producing pottery tiles.
Now, the main supply of pottery tiles within the territory came from Gray Bear’s production.
It had been quite a while since he had last checked in with Gray Bear.
“If you miss her, we’ll go see her in a bit,” Fang Hao said with a smile.
“Yay!” Millie cheered and gave a light peck on the cheek.
Then, blushing, she scampered off to chase the others.
Watching the youthful yet voluptuous figure bouncing away,
Fang Hao shook his head and chuckled.
How could there be such a disparity between a face and a figure?
After lunch,
He called for Anjia and Millie, while the other maids continued their training under Black Thorn’s supervision.
When the two arrived, Fang Hao immediately activated the teleportation screen and stepped into it with them.
When the three of them opened their eyes again, they had already arrived at a strange city.
Surrounding them were buildings made of a mix of stone and wood.
Pair after pair of curious eyes appraised the few who had suddenly appeared.
Tap, tap, tap!!
The dense sound of footsteps arose as a large group of soldiers rushed over from all around.
There were the ‘heavy sword infantry’ previously left by Fang Hao, as well as indigenous soldiers equipped with various armor.
When they saw Fang Hao and the two with him,
the heavy sword infantry immediately recognized his identity and signaled for everyone to lower their weapons.
“Lord.” The heavy sword infantry saluted.
“Mm, where’s Reed?” Fang Hao asked.
“City Lord Reed just took people to the pottery kiln,” the heavy sword infantry replied.
“Has something happened?”
“Recently, wild boars have been causing a disturbance, and City Lord Reed took people to drive them away.”
“Good, take us there to have a look as well.”
“Certainly, Lord, this way please….”
The crowd surrounding them dispersed, and the heavy sword infantry led the three out of the city gate, heading toward the distant pottery kiln.
It was evident that Gray Bear had managed things here rather well.
But judging by the layout of buildings within the city, as well as the attire of the militia, it all seemed to be the same old bandit setup.
Not a single difference.
Approaching the assembly area near the pottery kiln, they saw Reed leading many soldiers in combat against the opposing grey-haired wild boars.
The wild boars were not small in stature, almost the size of brown bears.
When they encountered people, they did not run, but rather several militiamen were injured, being covered while retreating back.
“Anjia, go help them.”
“Okay.”
With a tap of her foot, Anjia’s figure transformed into a streak of light dashing out.
She quickly overtook the militiamen and charged in front of the wild boar.
Without waiting for the boar to respond, she threw a punch straight out.
Bang!!
Following a dull thud, the wild boar’s body slid to one side for about three or four meters, its eyeball burst, bleeding from all seven orifices.
Dead….
Everyone was taken aback, looking in amazement toward the white-haired girl who had suddenly appeared.
Gray Bear also frowned and, after reevaluating her appearance, his expression suddenly turned to elation.
Looking back, he saw Fang Hao and Millie standing in the distance.
And Millie was waving her arms non-stop.
Gray Bear directed the soldiers to start clearing the battlefield, hauling away the boar carcasses.
Then he followed Anjia, walking towards them.
“Lord.” Gray Bear immediately saluted.
[Human warrior (Level 10)].
Gray Bear had reached level ten.
That was to be expected; Gray Bear had already been at level eight before, and with all this time passed, advancing two levels wasn’t strange at all.
“Mm, are you accustomed to living here?” Fang Hao asked with a smile.
They walked back shoulder to shoulder.
Gray Bear nodded, “It’s alright.”
“How’s the production at the pottery kiln?”
“The yield is very stable,….”
Fang Hao inquired about the city’s development.
Gray Bear answered each question.
Although she couldn’t recruit troops in the same way a transmigrator could, she had recruited quite a few bandits from the surrounding areas and taken in many refugees.
There were no problems with population and development.
The only issue was that Gray Bear’s exposure was limited to the bandit way of doing things, so the city’s appearance also resembled a bandit camp.
“You’ve reached level ten; later I’ll take you back to the main city for hero advancement.”
A further gleam of joy appeared on Gray Bear’s face, “Thank you, Lord.”
“Alright, no need to delay any further. Give your orders, and we’ll head back now.”
“Yes, Lord.”
…
Stepping out from the light screen.
Gray Bear appeared somewhat anxious; this was her first time in the main city.
The environment here was in no way comparable to her own place.
Even those prosperous cities could not compare to Fang Hao’s side.
“The Merit Training Ground is this way.” Fang Hao led her towards the Merit Training Ground.
In this weather, wearing a bear skin over her shoulder, she still attracted quite a lot of attention.
From a distance, people followed, looking towards them.
Upon arriving at the training ground, Fang Hao handed a ‘Hero Heart’ and 100 Warfire Coins to her.
He exhorted, “Just do your best.”
“Understood, Lord,” Gray Bear took a deep breath and proceeded to the center of the training ground.
A glow enveloped her, making her disappear from the sight of all.
…
At the Trade Alliance headquarters.
In a tavern private room.
I’ve lost count of how many groups have come.
“I’m sorry, Alliance Hierarch Ma, we are powerless,” one person said.
“We can’t help either; the distance is too far, and even if your Sea and Mountain Alliance can’t manage, us going there would only waste our military strength,” another added.
“Indeed, we hope you won’t hold it against us.”
Ma Tianyi still kept a smile, saying, “No worries, I fully understand everyone’s difficulties. If the Sea and Mountain Alliance really must leave, I hope you all can lend a hand then.”
“Certainly, without a doubt.”
After sending another wave of people away,
Ma Tianyi’s face was filled with dejection.
With demons about to attack his city, he had not been able to secure a single ally.
It seemed they would have no choice but to abandon the city.