Chapter 68: After the Tsunami
“There are indeed many bandits within the territory, and perhaps the families behind them harbor some minor schemes, but when facing knights, they have no chance to resist.”
“Therefore, it must be changes occurring outside the territory,” Nyx analyzed.
“Moreover, this level of military expansion…”
“Priest, I think I need to make a trip to the town,” Nyx could no longer sit still.
This era was inherently chaotic; annexation wars among lower-ranking nobles were manageable—they wouldn't target scholars, and those possessing Mysteries or Artifacts among them were exceedingly rare.
However, if it involved high-ranking nobles or even higher-level conflicts, scholars might also be affected.
And not just the lives of scholars—at that point, these nobles wouldn't hesitate to utilize the Artifacts they possessed or the Mysteries they had yet to master.
If these dangerous items were to spiral out of control...
“Let's go together; I also need to visit the town,” Corleon added.
Over the past couple of days of conversations with Nyx, he had come to understand how the wars among great nobles were waged.
Beyond the basic two-army confrontations and knightly charges, they would also deploy their family's Artifacts, seeking opportunities to unleash them in battle to turn the tide.
Just as Nyx had informed him, the former lord's family possessed an Artifact of two golden lions; once the Twin Lions were unleashed on the battlefield, they could rival an army of a thousand.
However, merely maintaining the existence of the golden lions' Artifact required the expenditure of gold; if unleashed, it demanded even more gold, with higher purity requirements.
But if, after the Artifact was unleashed, the corresponding gold couldn't be provided, then the golden lions would break free from the Artifact's restraints, resurrecting as the highest-level Fantasy Species.
At that point, not just a viscount's territory—even the entire principality couldn't withstand their devastation.
And such controlled Artifacts were still considered manageable; if it were those Mysteries yet to be mastered, or those still housed within the churches...
The two entered York Town together.
At this moment, the town appeared as bustling as usual, only with an increase in people attempting to blend into town life due to the lord's orders, resulting in more vagrants along the roadside.
Nyx went to find his friends, while Corleon headed straight for the Rat Path.
“I need some information,” Corleon leaned against the wall, speaking in a low voice.
“……” After a moment of silence, a hoarse voice responded.
“Oh, I recognize that voice—it's our esteemed guest from last time. What would you like to know?”
“Today, the lord suddenly ordered an expansion of the warriors' numbers. I want to know the reason,” Corleon said.
“Haha, you've come to the right place. I just received some news last night,” the person within the wall laughed.
“The price?”
“Ha, I knew it—you’re different from those stingy fellows; you’re so generous. However, this isn't just a single piece of information, so the price is quite high—it'll cost fifty gold coins,” the person within the wall stated.
“Fifty gold coins?” Corleon frowned; no one would carry fifty gold coins on them without reason.
“Of course, this information is extremely valuable,” the person within the wall said. “If it's inconvenient for you now, you can place the gold coins at your church's doorstep tonight; our people will retrieve them.”
Corleon wasn't surprised that the other party knew his identity; after all, he hadn't deliberately concealed it.
“Agreed.”
“Generous guest,” the person within the wall chuckled, then continued in a hoarse voice.
“The day before yesterday, a tsunami occurred on the eastern coast, submerging nearly half of the territory of the Principality of Corlay. As you know, the Principality of Corlay is a coastal nation, and its southern lands are vast swamps. The sea is a crucial food source for them. This tsunami destroyed their ports and brought ashore a group of mutated fishmen.”
“Those fishmen are quite peculiar. Compared to other fishmen, their dorsal fins are fiery red. They didn't return to the sea; instead, they remained on the land submerged by the tsunami. Judging by their behavior, they might be attempting to establish a fishman kingdom on land.”
“Of course, the nobles of the Principality of Corlay wouldn't allow such a thing to happen, so they're organizing a counterattack.”
“However, according to the information I've received, due to the large-scale tsunami, the Principality of Corlay's internal organization is currently in disarray.”
“Additionally, the dark creature gathering place at Blackrock Point, located at the border between the Principality of Corlay and the Northern Kingdom, was also impacted by the tsunami. Now, those dark creatures have all emerged. Naturally, compared to the cold and powerful Northern Kingdom, the chaotic Principality of Corlay is more attractive to them.”
“So now, the Principality of Corlay is already in turmoil. Given this situation, a joint attack by fishmen and dark creatures spells disaster for the Principality of Corlay.”
“And once the Principality of Corlay falls, next in line is the Principality of Patlin. Currently, the succession dispute within the Patlin family remains unresolved. Oh, these noble inheritance disputes...” the person behind the wall let out a mocking laugh.
“Therefore, the lord is likely preparing for the ensuing war. This is a war at the principality level, or rather, a war between races.”
“Of course, esteemed guest, you may have noticed—I said 'likely.' This is our analysis of the reason; perhaps those lords have other motives. After all, we are merely rats living in the sewers.”
The person behind the wall deliberately emphasized this point.
“……”
Corleon closed his eyes; when he opened them again, his expression was somewhat weary, and his brows were tightly furrowed.
“Do you have maps for sale?” Corleon asked.
“Certainly, but maps are quite expensive,” the person behind the wall responded with increased enthusiasm.
Because in this era, nobles almost treated their territories as cages, governing commoners in a caged manner.
Without the lord's permission, traveling to other territories would result in being captured and treated as a slave.
Therefore, aside from merchant caravans with lord-issued certificates, only families capable of maintaining armed forces dared to engage in trade, which is why their profits were exceptionally high.
At the same time, due to such practical demands, maps became extremely valuable, accessible only to those with certain rights and status.
“Maps of the Eastern Continent cost five hundred gold coins; maps of the Principality of Patlin cost one hundred gold coins; maps of the York Territory cost twenty gold coins,” the person behind the wall said.
“Of course, I personally recommend you purchase the newly released map of the Three Principalities. It contains the latest intelligence, including the range of the fishmen, and it's priced at only two hundred and fifty gold coins.”
“Then, give me one copy of the Three Principalities map, and also one each of the Principality of Patlin and York Territory maps,” Corleon said.
“Oh, most esteemed guest, your generosity is truly moving. The next time you come to me for a transaction, I'll offer you a discount—of course, that will be during the next transaction,” the person behind the wall said excitedly.
“These three maps will be placed at your church's doorstep before the Morning Star rises tomorrow. Naturally, our people will collect a total of four hundred and twenty gold coins.”
“Do you have iron equipment available for purchase now?” Corleon asked.
“Iron equipment? Oh, guest, perhaps you need to check those villages,” the person within the wall said somewhat regretfully.
“Although our generous lord has relaxed control over iron and blacksmiths, there's a significant shortage of equipment in town, especially since the lord just decided to expand the army. We haven't managed to acquire new equipment yet.”
“However, if you don't mind some wear and tear...” the voice within the wall trailed off.
Corleon had already left.
Currently, the church, through regular burial services and the assistance of those 'friendships,' had accumulated some gold coins. Moreover, with the lord's order gradually easing control over iron equipment, Corleon planned to purchase some iron weapons to prepare for the upcoming war.
Yes, under the Revelation, Corleon could foresee a group of dark creatures attacking the church.
Clearly, the battlefield was not confined to the territory of the Principality of Corlay.