Chapter 768: Chapter 354: Return to Frost Leaf Town (Part 2)

"Because I truly don’t recognize this object, and I haven’t found anything after a lot of research."

Selena stared at the black stone slab and shook her head slightly, "I don’t even remember when I discovered that black slab. I never really liked it and even forgot where I put it."

"If you hadn’t brought it up, I would have truly forgotten about it," Selena said.

"I don’t like this black stone slab either."

Luo De looked at the black stone slab in the wooden box and slowly said, "No, to be precise, it’s annoying."

"Perhaps it’s because of the chaotic energy on it."

Selena explained, "For wizard apprentices, we tend toward order, so we dislike it."

"Moreover, you should know that this chaotic energy is very corrosive to our bodies," Selena said.

Luo De nodded and said, "What do you think this thing is?"

"I can’t judge either, Lord Duke,"

Selena sighed gently and said, "But objects containing energy are never ordinary... I previously speculated that this might be a slab used by the abyss to record information."

"So do you think these four slabs are one thing, or a whole set?"

Luo De mused, "Perhaps putting these four slabs together might have different effects?"

"I think we can try your idea."

Selena agreed with Luo De’s idea without hesitation and said proactively, "I’ll carefully think about where I placed that slab, and write a letter to have my student send it over."

"No rush, I only have two of them right now," Luo De said.

Luo De currently only owns that second black slab in the treasury.

The black slab’s purpose is unknown, and it has some corrosiveness, so the first black slab remains in the desert.

"I’ll take this piece back first and try combining it with the other one."

Luo De said, "This place is pretty good, I’ll leave it to you for now."

"Mm."

Selena nodded in response.

Luo De gave a few instructions to the Church Hunters and then left the temple.

After returning to Riyue City, Luo De had Avril find the other black slab and placed the two together.

Unfortunately, nothing happened.

But Luo De didn’t have much hope anyway.

After handling accumulated affairs, Luo De left Riyue City with Avril and Vivian.

...

...

Nightfall.

The outline of Frost Leaf Town was faintly visible under the night sky.

Sparse lights shone through the cracks of the windows of the dwellings, like stars in the darkness.

The soldiers of the patrol team, wearing thick cloaks and holding torches, patrolled the streets carefully.

The guards on the city walls leaned by the fire pits, their gazes occasionally sweeping over the outskirts of the town.

Lawrence stood by the fireside in the Lord Manor, looking up at the twinkling stars in the night sky, sighing deeply.

"I wonder if the Lord will ever return."

There was a noticeable disappointment in Lawrence’s voice.

Luo De still remembered it was spring when the Lord left, and now the desert had already entered winter.

Martha sat on a stone bench, taking a small bite from a freshly baked piece of bread.

"This is Lord Luo De’s home."

Martha mumbled, "He is sure to return."

"Besides, look at how Master Senda and Miss Zhuo Ya are still here."

Martha swallowed the bread in her mouth and said seriously, "They are very important figures."

"If Lord Luo De really didn’t plan to return, they would leave too."

Lawrence turned around, shaking his head slightly, "Maybe they will leave here soon."

"Just like Otto and Harun, they’ve already been summoned to the south by the Lord."

"And speaking of them!"

Martha pursed her lips, "It’s possible one day you’ll get called by Lord Luo De too!"

"I’m not going."

Lawrence snorted, straightening his back, "I want to stay here and watch over the Lord’s property."

"If I don’t keep a close eye, the Lord’s property will end up wasted by you guys!"

Lawrence had a face full of righteous indignation.

"Ah, pfft!"

Martha spat indignantly on the ground.

"Shansa and I don’t eat as much as you do!"

Martha picked up the crumbs that fell on her lap one by one and stuffed them into her mouth, standing up.

"No time to waste here with you."

"I need to check on the meat stewing for Miss Zhuo Ya and Master Senda."

Martha muttered as she walked away,

"Shansa has been scatter-brained ever since the lady left."

"Not reliable at all."

"Last time she oversalted the stew, Master Senda frowned after just one sip."

Before Martha could reach the kitchen door, the sudden blast of a horn broke the night sky!

"Woo!"

This was the warning signal of Frost Leaf Town!

"Alert! There’s a target approaching from the sky!"

The captain of the guard stood from atop the tower, shouting with all his might.

The signal promptly carried across the entire town as messengers relayed the command from one to the next!

The guards of Frost Leaf Town immediately sprung into action, quickly assembling onto the tower and city walls!

"It’s a dragon!"

Just then, an eager shout came from the Eagle Feather race scout.

"It’s Black Flame!"

His voice shrill with excitement, "The Lord is seated up there!"

"The Lord?!"

"The Lord has returned!"

Cheers erupted from the city wall, filled with uncontrollable joy.

The soldiers stationed in Frost Leaf Town were among the first Luo De recruited.

When they followed Luo De, they possessed nothing; now they had prosperous stable lives.

To them, Luo De was not only their lord but also their belief!

Especially the twenty Frost Winter Knights who carried the seeds of nature in their bodies, they had been worrying their Lord might forget this remote desert town.

But now, the Lord has returned!

Meanwhile, figures rushed out of the town’s homes and dormitories, disregarding the frigid night wind, desperately raising their heads to gaze at the sky.

In the night sky, three massive shadows blocked the stars, slowly flapping their wings as they glided over the town.

"It’s truly the Lord!"

"The Baron hasn’t forgotten us!"

"Shut up!"

A burly blacksmith loudly interrupted, "Fool, you should now be addressing him as Lord Duke!"

...

The people of Frost Leaf Town all looked up at the sky with grinning faces.

Everyone knew that as long as the Lord still cared for them, Frost Leaf Town would continue to be prosperous and stable.

Perhaps noticing the welcoming crowd, the giant dragon circled in the sky a few times as a response.

Then, the dragon flew into the Lord Manor.

Black Flame landed steadily in the courtyard, and Luo De deftly jumped down.

Taking a deep breath, the unique frigid air of the Northern Territory filled his lungs.

Luo De surveyed the surroundings, nodding slightly,

"Hmm, the main building is capped, and the side buildings on both sides are up."

Now this manor is truly a noble estate, complete with a kitchen, warehouse, servant dormitories, and more.

Avril and Vivian also dismounted from the dragon’s back.

Lawrence and Martha, along with all the manor’s servants, quickly came to greet them,

and the moment they saw Luo De, their faces lit up with smiles.

"Welcome home, master."

Lawrence was the first to speak, bowing deeply in salute.

The other servants followed suit to salute in unison.

Luo De gestured slightly with his hand, indicating they were free from the formalities,

"You all did well. It’s more beautiful and complete than before."

"This is your home, we must maintain it,"

Lawrence replied with a wide smile, respectfully.

"Mm."

Luo De nodded slightly, then turned to Martha, "Martha, prepare some food."

"Right away, Master! There’s just the right stew on the fire!"

Martha obediently responded with a bow and then called a few servants to quickly return to the kitchen.

Luo De stepped forward to pat Lawrence on the shoulder, "Summarize the recent developments in the Northern Territory, and bring them to me to review in a moment."

"No problem, Master, I’ve already prepared it!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Lawrence responded eagerly, "You go ahead and rest; I’ll be right back!"

Lawrence hurriedly ran towards the side building where he usually handled his work.

At this time, Zhuo Ya, Senda, and the heads of various departments quickly gathered at the manor to welcome the Lord’s return.

Luo De had everyone gather in the meeting hall, enjoying dinner while listening to everyone’s reports.