Chapter 658 - 373: A Leap in Strength for All, On the Eve of Turmoil (Part 2)

The Eagle Merchant Association is still fine; he’s not worried about it at the moment.

After all, Rajos Assad is there.

This individual’s knight talent might be mediocre, but his business acumen is unparalleled.

Even the Assad family can’t compare to him.

Not only can he perfectly integrate modern business concepts, but he can also innovate upon them.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A figure tapped on the table as Rajos Assad spoke, while Thor pondered.

Time slowly passed.

No one knew how long had passed, nor how long it lasted.

Finally, Rajos Assad’s words came to a halt.

Yet even as he stopped, Thor remained silent, lost in contemplation.

During the narrative, especially about the current situation.

Thor sensed something was amiss.

Something was off with the Church of Gods, and similarly with the Empire.

Or, to be more precise, both were off among the Three Northern Countries.

The Purple Gold Flower Kingdom was alright.

At least there had been a disturbance earlier, although he had preemptively resolved it.

But at least it was there.

As for the Blazing Kingdom and Tulip Kingdom, there was absolutely none.

That’s right, absolutely none.

Previously, when Thor left, the Tulip Kingdom was in quite a turmoil, especially in Xiyue Province, where towns and cities were frequently destroyed.

But upon his return.

He found the chaos in the Tulip Kingdom had vanished.

This was definitely not the work of the kingdom.

After all, based on Rajos Assad’s findings, the kingdom hadn’t taken any action.

It seemed as if things had naturally settled down.

To others or the entire Tulip Kingdom, this seemed normal.

After all, the royal nobility’s strength wasn’t weak, so quelling some unrest was naturally not a problem.

Yet Thor clearly sensed something unusual.

The strength of the royal nobility wasn’t weak, indeed strong, but it depended on who they were compared to.

Compared to the Church of Gods, there was simply no comparison.

The gap was like heaven and earth.

The kingdom’s strongest, the Three Great Dukes, had only one or two in the Holy Sanctuary at most.

But the Church of Gods?

Every brigade had a Divine Domain overseeing it.

Including lower-rank gods, middle-rank gods, and even upper-rank gods.

It’s fair to say that even the Tulip Kingdom wouldn’t be a difficult matter for the Church of Gods to resolve.

In such a scenario, how had this unrest subsided?

If the Church of Gods might have withdrawn its focus, no longer fixated on the Three Northern Countries—since the resources and population weren’t plenty—abandoning these regions to focus on central areas could be explained.

But the Empire was hard to explain.

Thor hadn’t forgotten the words of that Soul Academy tutor.

Various thoughts swirled.

He now sensed a looming crisis seemingly enveloping the entire Three Northern Countries.

Despite lacking daily intelligence.

Despite lacking any conclusive evidence.

This feeling was real.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The sound of a finger tapping the study table mixed in.

Rajos displayed some confusion.

However, he didn’t interrupt.

Instead, he waited silently.

Until a moment later.

Thor finally stopped, lifted his head, and looked at Rajos Assad.

"Rajos!"

Words spoken.

With Thor’s voice, Rajos Assad’s expression became solemn.

"I’m here!"

Rajos Assad replied respectfully.

"As for the Blazing Kingdom, try to continue dispatching forces there; even if you partake, it’s not an issue. I need more information."

"Besides, increase forces to the Purple Gold Flower Kingdom and the Tulip Kingdom as well."

"I’ll inform the Anubi family to cooperate in the Purple Gold Flower Kingdom, and I’ll also liaise with the Liepuer Clan in the Tulip Kingdom. I need more information, especially concerning the Church of Gods and other anomalies."

Thor spoke, narrating slowly.

"Yes!"

Rajos Assad looked slightly puzzled, but faced with Thor’s words, he dared not delay and promptly complied.

Yet at this moment, his heart sank.

He was quite familiar with Thor.

These instructions clearly signaled something big might happen.

Even he couldn’t help but grow tense.

"Go handle it!"

"Oh, remember, go to the castle and collect a Life Potion and Essence of Life. I’ve prepared them for you this time; your strength is still too weak. Breakthrough to Earth Knight soon."

Thor waved, signaling Rajos to leave.

But before departure, he added:

"Essence of Life?"

Upon hearing Thor’s words, Rajos Assad was initially stunned, then his pupils dilated with joy and disbelief.

"Thank you, my lord!"

Rajos Assad quickly bowed.

Thor waved again.

Rajos then bowed and exited.

Watching Rajos Assad depart.

Thor called in Steve and Pelos again.

As knights who had followed him from the start, Thor naturally hadn’t forgotten them.

These past days, they were handling the related matters well.

Moments later.

Steve and Pelos entered the room.

"My lord!"

"My lord!"

They greeted respectfully.

"Have the matters been settled?"

Thor asked as he looked at the two.

"They have been settled."

Though slightly puzzled, they quickly responded.

"Then prepare yourselves. Later, each of you receive an Essence of Life and three bottles of High-Level Life Potion at the castle."

"I hope you both can break through to Sky Knight within half a year; can you do it?"

Thor tapped the table once, then spoke slowly.

"M-my lord, w-what did you say?"

Upon hearing Thor, Steve and Pelos’ eyes widened, their breathing grew heavy, with Pelos stuttering.

"I said, I will grant each of you three bottles of High-Level Life Potion, one Essence of Life. Do you have confidence in breaking through to Sky Knight within half a year?"

Seeing their shock and heavy breaths, Thor calmly asked again.

For him now, Essence of Life wasn’t lacking, and as for Life Potions, High-Level Life Potions, those could be produced at Eagle Ridge.

Though the output was low, just six bottles posed no issue now.

What he needed more was Sky Knights.

Across the entire territory, besides Thor and Reine, there wasn’t a single Sky Knight, which was unacceptable to him.

Therefore, during this period, not only Steve and Pelos, but even Marco received corresponding resources.

All to ensure they broke through quickly.

"We can!"

"Thank you, my lord!"

"My lord."

Hearing Thor’s assurance, they exchanged a glance and quickly responded.

"Go!"

"I hope to hear good news soon."

Thor waved calmly.

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Steve and Pelos swiftly agreed, then left the study.

After arranging for the two, Thor began allocating tasks to others.

Improvement wasn’t just needed at the top, but at middle and lower levels too.

Days later.

An enhancement plan appeared at Eagle Ridge.

During this period, resource exchanges were halved, and merit points were easier to earn.

Facing this enhancement plan.

The whole Eagle Ridge celebrated.

Particularly the Knight Order members.

At this moment, everyone was beaming with joy.

For the time being, all of Eagle Ridge was bustling with activity.

Amidst the bustling of Eagle Ridge, a hidden storm began brewing across the Northern Territory.

A suffocating aura started spreading in the Northern Territory.

Yet most people couldn’t sense the looming oppressive atmosphere.

But indeed, a tremendous storm was brewing.