Chapter 47: There's Always Some Villain Trying to Harm Me
Finished writing a chapter in a hurry, will revise later.
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Inside the main city's Lord's Manor, behind the plain granite walls, Joshua was in his study, holding his black notebook, contemplating his future course of action.
It had been over a year since he arrived in this world. Though the time wasn't long, the warrior had already experienced countless major events and fought exhilarating battles against numerous powerful foes. Just like in his previous life, the Mycroft Continent was indeed a world full of conflict, one that would never let a person grow bored.
By the lake of Nissier Snow Mountain, Ying had once asked him curiously why he was so interested in the things at the bottom of the lake. Joshua had smiled and replied that it was about his weapon.
Because he wanted to know more, to experience more, to obtain more.
He wanted to understand a world far vaster than the game from his previous life, to embark on adventures worthy of boasting about and envied by others, to cross swords with the strongest enemies and live the most exhilarating life.
Desire had no limits. Joshua never concealed his desires, whether it was his battle lust or his curiosity. They were all the driving forces that pushed him forward and made him strive.
Dragon Clan, Chaos, Evil God, Dragon Calamity.
Writing these four words in his black notebook, Joshua tapped the desk with the tail feather of the white quill pen in his hand. He pondered for a moment: "In my previous life, because I was focused on raiding dungeons, I couldn't see it. But now, it's clear that all the epic-level events are actually connected on a single thread."
The Five-Colored Dragon God colluded with Chaos, laid schemes everywhere, and plotted to open the space-time seal in the Northern Lands, allowing the minions of the Famine Evil God to enter this world. After failing, they conspired to attack the Far South. Finally, they were defeated by the combined forces of the human gods and the Metal Dragon God. The Dragon God's main body was driven into the material world, triggering the Dragon Calamity.
Next came the descent of the Great Magic Tide, the most glorious era of human expansion in the Era of Falling Stars.
Beyond that, even the extermination of the Orcs was merely a grand interlude, nothing major in the grand scheme of this era.
"There's a lot to do."
Joshua looked at the black notebook in his hand and fell into deep thought.
He was certainly not some kind-hearted person who insisted on being a savior, but the warrior was also not a cold-blooded bastard. Just as he had directly slaughtered the dragon when the Dragon Clan attacked his people, since there were beings planning to harm the world he now lived in, he would naturally have to smash those bastards' dog heads.
Just then, footsteps came from the study door. With Joshua's permission, Lin reported and pushed the door open. The black-haired boy held a thick stack of heavy parchment in his hands. The pile, as tall as half a person, even covered half of his face, and only a clear young voice could be heard from behind the paper: "Master, these are the documents and materials you need to personally review recently."
"Why so many?"
Frowning, Joshua looked at the stack of parchment in Lin's arms, which was nearly as tall as a small person, and felt a headache coming on. "There haven't been any major events recently. I finished resettling all the refugees from the dragon disaster a few weeks ago. Where did all these reports come from?"
"Master, you are, after all, a high-ranking noble of Count rank."
Lin shrugged. He also looked somewhat tired, having reviewed all these files himself before deciding whether to show them to Joshua. "The vast majority are invitation letters from other nobles. Even the Imperial Royal Family sent a letter. I didn't dare open that one, but judging from the other letters, it should be an invitation for you to go to the Imperial Capital."
As he spoke, he placed the stack of parchment and letters on the desk.
"The Imperial Capital, huh... That's right. When Brandon contacted me a few days ago, he mentioned something about this."
Hearing this, Joshua understood. He rummaged through the stack of paper for a moment and indeed found a gilded envelope with the seal of the Imperial Royal Family. The warrior opened it decisively and read it carefully. "As I expected, it's a victory celebration for annihilating the Orcs. I was once the Vice Commander of the Black Crow Legion's Vanguard and played a role in the campaign. I also received the Glory Blade Medal. Inviting me is only natural."
"Then, Master, will you go?"
Lin stepped a little closer. He leaned against Joshua's hand, stood on tiptoe, and seemed to want to see the contents of the letter. The warrior simply handed the letter to him.
"Of course I'll go. I've wanted to visit the Imperial Capital for a long time. This celebration is scheduled for early spring next April. By then, most of the affairs in the territory should be settled. It's time to take a trip out."
Closing his black notebook, Joshua stood up and said, "Anything else? Don't forget the small matters because of the big ones."
"Ah, there is something."
Reminded, Lin blinked, as if remembering something. Then he quickly nodded and said, "A few members of a merchant caravan from the south said they wanted to see you. It seems they saw the acquisition mission you posted at the Imperial Chamber of Commerce headquarters."
"Acquisition mission? Right, the materials for Hei's awakening."
Thinking for a moment, Joshua stood up, walked to the other side of the study, and took a sip of tea. Although Hei had now stabilized his Black Flame Dragon bloodline, to further strengthen it, there were only two options. The first required decades of slow purification, and the second was to throw money at the problem.
Recently, Moldavia had been developing quite well. However, because Joshua had invested heavily in public facilities and collaborated with Nostradamus and Moria to establish Winterfell Academy and the Rune Factory, his liquid capital was almost depleted. If he hadn't privately sold some White Dragon materials, he would have been on the verge of bankruptcy.
Speaking of which, there was one thing worth noting: the Five-Colored Dragon Clan's attitude towards this matter. In the past, if someone had so openly slaughtered a dragon, the Five-Colored Dragon Clan would have issued a stern condemnation and even sent powerful experts to kill the dragon slayer to uphold the dragon clan's dignity. But now, they acted as if nothing had happened, watching coldly from the sidelines.
Such a major anomaly must conceal some conspiracy. The only thing to be grateful for was that after Nostradamus sent the bottle filled with black mist, which Joshua had obtained from the dragon's nest, to the Imperial Capital, His Majesty the Emperor seemed to truly understand the seriousness of the situation. Now, the entire empire was gripped by a tense atmosphere, as if constantly on guard against the enemy's arrival.
If so, it should help reduce a lot of losses.
"Master?"
Seeing Joshua lost in thought, Lin tried calling out to him from the side, but there was no response. The black-haired boy could only tug at the warrior's sleeve.
Feeling the tug, Joshua snapped out of it. He immediately replied, "Arrange a time for a meeting with the representatives of those merchant caravans. I want to see what they've brought."
Having said that, Joshua shook his head. Being a high-level leader was truly a troublesome job. Thinking about the series of economic issues ahead, he couldn't help but click his tongue in annoyance.
Having only Lin as his assistant was simply not enough. Ying was still taking cultural classes to catch up on her knowledge, so she couldn't be relied upon too much for now. For the moment, he could only hire some internal affairs and economic talents to assist him.
After all, as a lord specializing in combat, he only needed to know how to identify talent and delegate tasks. He didn't need to do everything himself. The current situation was a waste of manpower.
"Alright, I'll arrange it immediately!"
Hearing this, Lin nodded respectfully, then trotted off, his footsteps echoing as he ran out of the study, leaving only one sentence behind: "Master, don't forget to handle the official business!"
"...I will."
Sighing, Joshua sat back down at the desk. He looked at the large stack of parchment in front of him and took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll treat it as meditation training, honing my spirit."
A few hours later.
"The Lord has agreed to meet with you. Please follow me."
Outside the Lord's Manor, a maid walked out and said this to two hooded merchants waiting at the entrance.
Hearing this, a one-eyed middle-aged man and an ordinary-looking man exchanged glances and smiled.
Looking closely, they were none other than the members of the merchant caravan that Loranda had helped not long ago.
"Very good. It went smoothly."
They communicated through psychic magic within their spiritual sea. The ordinary-looking middle-aged man said with disgust, "He's ready to see us. It wasn't in vain that we waited so long."
"This Lord's Manor is filled with the stench of Order Force. I can barely stand it." (To be continued.)