Chapter 277 - 275: Encountering Knight Commander Manny

Chapter 277: Chapter 275: Encountering Knight Commander Manny

After inspecting the site and finalizing the development plans for the mulberry fields, Duane headed back.

He knew that establishing new mulberry fields was one thing, but industrializing sericulture was another matter entirely.

Black Forest Island’s climate was temperate and humid year-round. If they were to raise silkworms on a large scale, the high temperature and humidity would cause widespread disease and death among the worms.

Therefore, to industrialize sericulture, he first needed to solve the issue of temperature and humidity. In short, he needed a way to control them.

Back in the modern world, there were solutions to this problem. It was just a matter of increasing costs, which would in turn lower overall profits.

But achieving that in this world would be difficult.

’The only thing I can think of is using the Water Attribute Ice Freeze Technique to cool the room, and then Wind Attribute Magic to blow away the moisture?’

The first part was achievable, but he wasn’t sure if the second would produce the desired results. After all, it wasn’t just one room that would be humid.

’Level 5 Water Magic, Water Flow Manipulation, can control water vapor in the air. I wonder if I can use that to stabilize the humidity.’

At this thought, Duane considered another problem: how to measure temperature and humidity.

To adjust the temperature and humidity in the Silkworm Rooms to the proper range, it would be best to have thermometers and hygrometers.

As a man of science and engineering, Duane understood the principles behind both instruments quite well.

The mercury in a thermometer could be replaced with alcohol. As for the hygrometer, he could try making one out of horsehair.

’I’ll find some time to give it a try.’

Having made up his mind, Duane then thought of the second major hurdle in raising Nebula Silkworms—constructing Silkworm Rooms with a flow of Magic Power.

This would require him to arrange Magic Energy Focusing Crystals and construct a Magic Flow Magic Array.

The task involved two fields, Magic Array Studies and Enchantment, and would be equally tricky to handle.

Duane’s current attribute panel hadn’t unlocked Magic Array Studies yet. He suspected it was related to "Civil Engineering," which corresponded to the [Basic Construction] Skill.

’First, I’ll have Heck go purchase some Mithril and Silver-Plated Copper Wire. We’ll go from there.’

These Skills were too time-consuming. If his only goal was to increase his own power, it would be much faster for Duane to focus his efforts on creating Magic Scrolls and training his existing Magic to the Perfection realm.

"Bar—"

A sudden voice called out, "Lord Earl!"

Duane snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the approaching man. "Oh, it’s you, Manny. Where are you returning from?"

It was none other than Manny Haydon, clad in Light Armor, the Knight Commander of the Holy Radiance Court’s branch on Black Forest Island.

"I just finished my patrol of Thorn Valley."

Sitting atop his horse, Manny gave a respectful Knight’s salute. "I heard that you won the grand tournament and became the Earl of the Star of the Sky. Congratulations, my lord!"

But more than any of that, Manny was focused on Duane’s strength.

’A Shooting Star Warrior. No wonder the Baron of Black Forest Island was never afraid of offending the Holy Radiance Court.’

A slight smile touched Duane’s lips as he asked with an air of concern, "How has life on the island been for you? Are you accustomed to it?"

"I’ve grown accustomed to it," Manny replied.

He wasn’t lying.

The pace of life on Black Forest Island was slow, allowing him to temporarily forget the burden of his family’s restoration. Though he felt a bit lost, it was a rare chance to enjoy some peace and quiet.

"It’s just that there aren’t many Demon Beasts in Thorn Valley, so it’s hard to find suitable opponents to fight."

"Ha, you can always find someone to spar with if you’re bored. I certainly haven’t forbidden you from interacting with my men."

Duane said with a smile, "I’ve recently gained four new Advanced Warriors among my followers. You could go and spar with them."

Manny thanked him aloud, but inwardly, he didn’t dare.

He knew Duane was wary of them. If he took the initiative to spar with someone, people might think he was trying to cause trouble.

Now, besides Kaelon, the Territory also had Lune, another Earth Tier Warrior, as well as several at the Human Tier.

’Compared to them, he—an Advanced Warrior and the heir to the Haydon Clan—seemed utterly ordinary.’

An idea suddenly occurred to Duane. "Have you heard of the Holy Radiance Court’s Great Blessing Technique? If you had gone to the Royal Capital, you might have been able to advance."

Manny shook his head. "The Great Blessing Technique is a Secret Technique of the Holy Radiance Court. While it can help some people achieve a breakthrough, it only works a maximum of three times. I’m confident I can become a Human Tier Warrior on my own, so I don’t plan on undergoing such a rite."

Duane was startled. He hadn’t expected the Great Blessing Technique to have such a catch.

"Only three times? Does it damage a person’s innate talent?"

Duane couldn’t help but worry about Natalia. Her talent was exceptional; if it were needlessly damaged, the price would be far too high.

Hearing this, Manny froze for a moment. He realized he had accidentally let the secret slip, having assumed Duane was already well-informed about the Great Blessing Technique.

But what was said was said. He couldn’t very well hide it now, lest it cause a misunderstanding.

"It won’t do that. It’s just that a person can only receive the Blessing three times in their life. Each use is one chance gone, so why not save it for when it’s truly needed?"

Duane understood. Manny meant that one should only undergo the rite after being stuck at a bottleneck for many years, unable to break through on their own.

’This must be one of the benefits available to internal members of the Holy Radiance Court.’

"There’s no future in the Holy Radiance Court."

Duane said with a smile, "Manny, why don’t you leave the Church Court and follow me?"

Manny thought he had misheard. He never expected Duane to extend an olive branch to him.

It was an olive branch he dared not accept.

"Lord Earl, you must be joking..."

"I’m serious!"

Duane said, "Look at my followers. Simone is from a Knight Clan, Lune is the eldest grandson of Baron Holmes, and Ross, Gael, and Dina all come from Knight Clans as well."

Manny himself is backed by Viscount Charlemagne Haydon.

Although the clan is nearly bankrupt, it still holds a seat on the Noble Council.

Of course, the most important factor was that the Haydon Clan’s Territory contained a hazardous Secret Realm.

Duane didn’t know if there was anything inside worth exploiting.

"I am a Knight Commander of the Holy Radiance Court. Please do not doubt my piety!" Manny said earnestly.

"Alright, alright. I was being presumptuous."

Duane looked slightly helpless and changed the subject.

"You said you were bored, didn’t you? Well, as it happens, the day after tomorrow I’ll be leading a team into the Secret Realm deep within Thorn Valley to clear out the Demon Beasts."

He asked with a smile, "Interested in joining me?"

Manny hesitated for a few seconds before nodding seriously. "I will. But Lord Earl, you’ll have to pay me!"

Duane was a little surprised. "Are you that short on money?"

Manny suddenly looked a bit awkward.

Normally, members of the Church Court received a considerable income from the church’s lands and from public donations.

But here on Black Forest Island, they had neither lands nor donations and had to fend for themselves.

Sarah and the others could earn payment by treating the wounded, but he could only make a living by hunting in Thorn Valley.

Of course, they didn’t have to worry about food and drink.

After all, the church’s castle was enormous, and planting crops on the land within its walls was enough to feed them.

"I don’t need Gold Coins."

Manny said with a smile, "Could you give me half a pound of Hot Spring Mountain Tea, and a few bowls of Red Sun Soup?"

Duane had previously given Priest Jesse half a pound of Hot Spring Mountain Tea leaves, but Otto had later taken it from him.

In the end, Otto and Sarah had each taken a third of it.

Manny had heard that Hot Spring Mountain Tea aided in Meditation, and that drinking it regularly could also help increase one’s Spiritual Power.

If his Spiritual Power could increase even a little, he might be able to achieve his breakthrough sooner.

As for the Red Sun Soup, he had heard about it from others while on patrol.

It was a special tonic that could enhance the strength of Intermediate and Advanced Warriors, and normally only Duane’s closest followers had the privilege of drinking it.

Even if Manny had the savings, there was nowhere he could buy it.

"The yield of Hot Spring Mountain Tea is limited, and I have other uses for it, so I can’t give you any. However, I can give you five bowls of the Warm Sun Soup you mentioned."

’Warm Sun Soup?’

Manny subconsciously assumed that this was the tonic’s real name.

He agreed without hesitation and asked, "What time do we leave the day after tomorrow?"

"Come see me at Forest Castle at dawn, the day after tomorrow."

As he spoke, Duane tugged the reins, and his horse began to walk forward.

He continued, "This mission is only for Advanced Warriors, so don’t bring any of your men."

"I understand!"

Manny watched Duane’s departing figure. Although Duane was young, he had already reached a level that Manny could never hope to attain.

’Follow you?’

He recalled Duane’s earlier invitation and shook his head with a wry smile. ’If I really betrayed the Holy Radiance Court to follow you, I’d have to be insane.’