Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 67: Chapter 66: A Pleasant Surprise

This time, it took Ronin five and a half days to cross the Forest Land leading to Mountain Forest Town. To accommodate the condition of the slaves, he had traveled at a very slow pace.

Along the way, he passed his twenty-eighth day since transmigrating—meaning he had been in this world for a full month. Ronin also finally received his fourth “heart-warming gift package” from the monthly sign-in.

This time, the “heart-warming gift package” naturally contained more Attribute Points and Energy Essence than the previous three, with 40 points of each.

With that, the monthly sign-in cycle was complete, and a new one would begin with the arrival of September 1st.

Ronin could now calculate the total number of Attribute Points and Energy Essence he could obtain each month from the monthly sign-ins during his Baron stage: 139 points and 115 points, respectively.

It didn’t seem like much, but it would add up to a significant amount over time.

Before arriving at Mountain Forest Town, Ronin had used up all the Attribute Points and Energy Essence he had obtained from the sign-ins.

His Level progress was now:

[Level]: 2 – Intermediate Knight (12/200); 2 – Intermediate Mage (251/300)

Barring any accidents, he would be able to break through to Dual-Profession Advanced Level in just over a month.

Elron’s Level progress had also increased to Intermediate Mage of Light (131/300). In just over a month, he too would be able to break through and become a Senior Mage.

By then, the small Mountain Forest Town would have four Advanced Level Professionals. It was an exciting thought.

Additionally, although Ronin hadn’t allocated any points to Macken this time, the latter had increased his Cultivation progress by two points through his own efforts.

Compared to Elron, Macken’s aptitude was a bit lacking.

If both of them were to fully dedicate themselves to cultivation, the former would likely increase his Cultivation progress by about four points each month, while the latter would gain around nine.

Currently, the only one whose self-cultivation speed Ronin couldn’t estimate was Ridder. However, considering he possessed the Proud Sun Talent, he should be even faster than Elron.

The only thing that dissatisfied Ronin was that after Macken and the other two reached the Advanced Level Peak, they would have to wait for him, their master, to break through first before they could become a Bronze Knight or a Great Mage.

’If only they could break through on their own.’

“This is Mountain Forest Castle.”

Ronin pointed to the castle ahead and explained to Ridder, “For now, Macken, Elron, and you will be staying in the Inner Castle. Tom, David, and the others are in the Outer Fortress. Later, when the town’s construction is planned, I will build residences for you, and you can move then.”

The three of them didn’t seem particularly interested in this. Macken even said, “My Lord, I am your Guard Officer. I should remain by your side at all times. I don’t need to live outside.”

Ridder and Elron shrugged, seemingly expressing that they didn’t need it either.

Tom, on the other hand, thought the Lord’s suggestion was excellent. But since the other two showed no interest, he didn’t say anything either.

Ronin laughed and joked, “What, when you get married and have children, is your whole family going to live here and freeload off me?”

Uh…

Macken was stunned by this and didn’t know how to respond for a moment. To be honest, he had never really thought about it.

“My Lord, can we get married and have children too?” he asked, a bit uncertain.

Ronin looked Macken up and down, asking dubiously, “What, you can’t? Are you infertile?”

He glanced suspiciously at Elron and Ridder beside him. If Tom hadn’t been there, he would have asked if they were infertile too.

That look clearly struck a chord with the three men’s masculine pride.

Macken’s face flushed red. “No, no, no, My Lord, you’ve misunderstood…”

Elron shook his head repeatedly. “My Lord, I should be fine. Yes, no problem!”

Ridder waved his hands as well. “My Lord, don’t look at me, I’m fine too.”

Tom scratched his head. The topic had suddenly become a bit uncomfortable for him. To avoid any misunderstanding, he also stressed, “I… I should be fine too, right? My Lord, I can still pitch a tent with my blanket in the morning.”

’Ronin couldn’t help but glance at Tom. ’This guy is definitely bluffing. He usually looks so simple and honest, but he doesn’t hold back at all when he boasts.’’

Getting back on topic, Ronin put on a serious face. “I never said you couldn’t get married and have children. On the contrary, I hope you’ll have lots of kids for me, to contribute to the growth and prosperity of my Mountain Forest Town.”

The light-hearted banter brought him closer to his subordinates. As Ronin reached the foot of the castle, David came striding out from inside with a group of Guards.

“Welcome back, My Lord!”

“You’ve worked hard!”

Ronin returned the sentiment and introduced David to Ridder. “This is the ’David’ I mentioned to you. Of the men I brought from Wushan Castle, he’s the only Guard who has become a Professional Knight.”

David looked at Ridder, not knowing his identity. But since the Lord had specifically introduced him to this person, he figured the red-haired young man must be extraordinary.

David gave Ridder a Knight’s salute and then respectfully reported to Ronin, “My Lord, I was the only one when you left, but not anymore.”

“Oh?” Ronin’s brows shot up, his eyes gleaming. “Someone else broke through?”

“Yes!”

David said happily, “Juliet and Sim have both broken through.”

Ronin was slightly surprised. “Two of them?”

“Yes, two people!”

David explained, “Juliet broke through on the fourth day after you left. Sim’s breakthrough was later; it happened the evening before last.”

“Excellent, excellent!”

Ronin was very pleased. With this, the number of Transcendents in his domain had increased again.

Even if they only had Basic Level strength, as long as they had awakened their Fighting Qi Spirit Seed, their combat power would rapidly and visibly surpass that of an ordinary person.

“Tom, go inform Chahar and the kitchen. We’re holding a banquet in the castle tonight. All Transcendents are to attend to celebrate Mountain Forest Town gaining two—no, three—new Professional Knights!”

“Also, have all the Guards and servants gather in front of the Outer Fortress hall tomorrow morning. The Transcendents should be there as well. I’m going to settle last month’s wages.”

’It was his first time paying his employees. He had to make it a grand occasion.’

’In the future, Ronin would leave this kind of task to Chahar.’

Hearing that the Lord was going to pay their salaries, everyone began to smile. Who wouldn’t be happy about getting paid?

The Guards stationed at the castle gate were especially ecstatic when they heard this.

It proved that the Lord was benevolent and trustworthy; he was fulfilling all the promises he had made to them back in Wushan Castle.

To be able to follow such a Lord and become part of his trusted forces was truly a blessing from the Seven Gods.

At the same time, they were also envious of Juliet and Sim for stepping into the ranks of Professional Knights, a level different from their own.

’When would they be able to break through and become Transcendents?’

’Sigh, this wouldn’t do. Maybe they really had to train as hard as Juliet and Sim every day.’

’Is there a way to break through without training?’

The Guards’ thoughts drifted wildly before soon returning to their wages. After getting paid, they wondered where they could even spend the money.

’It seemed Mountain Forest Town didn’t even have a single tavern, did it?’