Chapter 119: Before the Orc Tide

-“We request a trade.”

It was a short message, lacking the flowery phrases or praises toward the Magic Tower found in requests from other territories. Yet, it was enough to unsettle the Magic Tower. Because it was a message sent by Rayrn.

The meeting, which had seemed about to conclude, stretched on.

“What do you suppose he wants to trade with us?”

“Wouldn’t it be Mana-infused Iron? He claims to speak the truth, but is it really the truth?”

“It is a lie.”

“Correct. It is a fabrication.”

Rayrn had mentioned multiple times that one could create Mana-infused Iron by utilizing spirits. However, no mage believed him at face value.

They assumed there must be some other secret method. While it was true that if there was a secret, it was ‘Neigong’.

Neigong was akin to a special type of Aura in this other world. Not one of the mages imagined that he would be using this Neigong.

“Then, is it the production method for Mana-infused Iron? Hmmm… If not that, perhaps the magic circles engraved on magic items?”

“Regardless of which one it is, gaining even one would be a profit.”

“That is true…”

It was as Toden, who had joined the meeting late, had said.

Whether it was the iron or the secret to crafting magic items, it did not matter. If they gained anything at all, the Enchant Magic Tower would have the potential to leap forward. No, it would certainly leap forward.

Though it appeared simple, the magic circles Rayrn engraved contained detailed modifications that would only be visible to a level such as the Enchant Magic Tower’s.

The mana flowing through the magic circles was more efficient and moved faster.

If they could only learn that, the Enchant Magic Tower could become the best among the five towers.

In fact, even without the Enchant Magic Tower, rumors about Rayrn were already widespread among the other magic towers.

-“So, he is gifted at improving magic circles?”

-“They say he uses a completely different method. I heard his master also uses a similar method lately.”

-“A new method… Could he be a dragon?”

-“Who knows? Still, they say he is amazing.”

There were gradually more people watching House Ofern, especially Rayrn. In such a situation came Rayrn’s trade request.

For the mages of the Enchant Magic Tower, it was irresistible.

“…Rayrn. He must be requesting a trade because he wants something as well. Then, wouldn’t it be right to accept it?”

“He is also a genius at trading. If we go, we could suffer a major loss.”

“A loss… Hmmm.”

The problem was that Rayrn was by no means an easy target.

Earl Ofern, who had traded with him for a long time, was rather weak when it came to these kinds of trades. His strength was solely in martial power. But Rayrn was not.

“I cannot understand how such a person was born into that blunt House Ofern.”

“…And we have to deal with him.”

“Haha…”

To deal with Rayrn, one had to be fully prepared.

‘I would rather have had a war.’

If they could take it by force, they would, but that was impossible.

“Let both Toden and Ruan go together. Wouldn’t that work with the two of them?”

“Yes?”

“Master?”

Toden was the one in charge of the Enchant Magic Tower’s external trade. However, Ruan was different. As the disciple of the Magic Tower Master, she was like a hidden card of the Enchant Magic Tower.

Sending someone like her meant—

“I, as the Tower Master, cannot go myself. The number of people watching us externally would only increase. But I believe it is possible if it is you.”

“…If so, I understand.”

It meant that even for the Enchant Magic Tower, they would do their best in this trade.

“Go, observe, and learn. This, too, shall become experience.”

‘…I will keep that in mind.’

The Enchant Magic Tower began its preparations for the trade with Rayrn, which would be harsh for Ruan, the disciple of the Tower Master.

“And Toden.”

“Yes!”

“You shall speak with me for a moment.”

Countless moves began to be exchanged over a simple trade request.

***

I sent all reports regarding the sudden threat—the Orcs—to my father.

Perhaps it was because I sent the video contained in a crystal. Having seen the actual threat, my father took the matter quite seriously.

My father immediately took a few measures.

He sent a reply stating that he would provide additional support with knights and new recruits who had mastered the new Aura training method.

‘The important thing is not them.’

In addition, he sent a large amount of food and money here. A significant portion of the spare territory taxes was funneled into this fortress.

It meant he would provide proper support.

And.

“Territory Administrator! No, should I call you Lord now? Hahaha.”

“How about naming the next castle Pling Castle?”

“You two are both excited.”

My talented people began to enter my fold one by one.

Administrators, soldiers, knights, and even people from the trading firm came to the North without delay. Among them, there was a considerable number of Iron Fist members who had infiltrated under disguise.

Knowing that I needed talent to proceed with my work, they had carefully taken care of it.

It was the best support. But, for what reason?

‘Oh my. Why on earth did Father name it such a thing…’

Why did he even name this fortress and send it over? Of all things, the castle name was Laireun Castle, named after my own name.

‘It is just a castle built for territory defense.’

An unexpected name had been attached to it. Well, it is all good. With just these two things—people and resources—there is almost nothing I cannot do. And.

“It has been a while, and you look quite refreshed, eh?”

“Ha. Hahaha… That is not it. You know how hard it must have been throughout the winter, right? The administrator’s winter is harsh.”

“That is right. I almost died finishing up work before coming here.”

“Nonsense. I have heard everything. So, you both know, right?”

“…”

“…Damn it.”

“What kind of work are you going to make us do now?”

‘Is this rebellion?’ ‘Both Pling and Esty were openly frowning. I spoke, not caring in the least.

“Let’s get to work. I need to build more fortresses.”

“Yes? You are not going to refine Laireun Castle here, but you really intend to build more?”

I have not seen that look on their faces in a long time. The look of being utterly exhausted.

In times like this, I had to be cheerful. Smiling brightly, I said—

“Yes! I will really name the next fortress Pling. Hehe.”

I had to tell them.

“…I should not have handed over the list.”

“Aah…”

The despair (?) of my talented people grew even greater.

‘It is not just the Orcs. There are many variables.’

If the Orcs move, other monsters might also act up.

Monsters with strong instincts avoid it if there is someone strong. However, they sometimes show unexpected movements when they cannot avoid it.

Large-scale migration is at least within the expected range. There are also cases where they multiply without regard for anything else.

‘This is worse than a balloon effect.’

If the balloon effect is the bursting of one side when the other is pressed, monsters are like dozens of balloons about to burst, swelling up.

So, I wanted sure preparation.

If my way is to crush and kill the enemy with an attack, then surely defending to the point of not even consuming energy is also my way.

To do that, I moved constantly.

“I am going to draw a line in the North. I will draw it using magic circles, but since there is little magical manpower, it will take time.”

“Is that not a situation where the defensive line has widened? Then building a new fortress will be quite difficult.”

“That is why you all have to work hard, right? It is for the territory.”

“Ugh… Yes.”

Immediately, starting with me.

-Grrr!

I ran to the area where monsters were running wild and began to install additional magic circles. I utilized the magic formation to install them, but the defensive range was wide.

‘I am going to need more time.’

But I had to do it.

There were as many monsters to block as the widened defensive line. I mobilized mercenaries for that task.

With one new mercenary band added, there are a total of 4 mercenary bands currently in the fortress. In addition to this, a considerable number of free mercenaries came in, even if they were a mixed bag.

I am beginning to utilize them like troops.

“Are you finally accepting us?”

“If you can work properly, by all means. I will provide weapons, so go wild once.”

“Hoho. Do you not think we might just eat and run?”

“If you can do it and survive, go ahead.”

“…You have great confidence, Lord.”

Mercenaries are warriors who have survived actual combat. It is just because of the lack of support. If proper support is provided, they are strong.

‘Actually, Gajei and Hoden also became strong because of the support.’

If I give them the Aura training method, there would be many who would fly around.

“That is right. And it is not just mere weapons that you want, right? If you do properly, I will leave behind something good.”

“Like what Gajei has mastered?”

“Something similar.”

“Oh…”

If they achieve results, I intend to give them a reward. Rather than teaching them the Aura training method properly, I will only instill internal energy into them through True Qi Guidance. I will teach them proper usage, but I have no intention of teaching them the real, authentic Mugong.

‘I do not know if they become retainers, though.’

But even with just that, they will become stronger. Because if they utilize the internal energy well, rising to the Auror Practitioner level is nothing.

“We will do our best!”

Hearing my reward, the mercenaries were full of motivation.

“Catch them! The support is plentiful, so don’t spare the arrows and let them fly!”

-Whoosh!

As soon as they moved, it displayed its true worth immediately. The properly supported mercenary troops hunted monsters without rest, and brought back the corpses to exchange for money.

‘I must find a way to utilize these corpses too. It is about time the answer comes.’

At the same time, soldiers were partially converted into engineers and put into fortress construction.

“You brats! I told you the foundation needs to be wider and bigger!”

Leading the construction was, of course, Birence. After building just about two fortresses, he had fully spread his wings in this field. When I gave him a few hints—

“What is this?”

“Traps to be installed in the fortress.”

“Oh. Crazy. As expected, you are the best, my Lord. These are all sorts of crazy methods.”

He even applied them and changed the fortress blueprints entirely.

“How is it?”

“It is a truly crazy fortress.”

If you go under the castle walls, spears pop out, and blades embed themselves in the flanks of those trying to climb up. Arrows scatter from top to bottom at a right angle, and when they come all the way up…

“I will use Reton here.”

“Do as you please.”

“Hehe. I will be able to work him like a dog.”

Magic traps created by grinding (?) Reton await. They are scheduled to be made to spew out like crazy, regardless of water or fire.

‘You will have a hard time, Reton. Well, your cultivation level will likely rise gradually anyway, so it happened to work out well.’

Everything was proceeding in an instant, and results were being achieved rapidly.

However. Not everything was going well. Everything that was going well was only us.

“Is there no news from other territories?”

“…”

If we cannot block it, everyone dies. Anyway, other territories will not cooperate either. So, they are not there this winter. They will suffer.”

“Damn bastards. If our territory is breached, they will also be affected.”

“They will still be happy that they blocked it with little damage.”

“…They are sons of bitches.”

“That is right. They are sons of bitches.”

The nobles of other territories were, as expected, nowhere to be seen.

Like the Black Mage, it was as if the Orcs’ matter was not their own business. Although 100,000 had been provided from the Royal Capital, the money that was originally supposed to come was 200,000 gold.

‘That is how humans are by nature.

Even if a blade is held to their throats, they will not move if it is not profitable.

“!”

“Telecommunication magic has come in!”

However, what is interesting is that there were those who jumped in because it was profitable.

‘It is the Magic Tower.’