Lord: Starting from the Pit-Dwelling Courtyard

Chapter 104: The Great Cleanup of Blackthorn

"Young master, the scouts have already been dispatched north. Doron has also replied that the next batch of refugees has arrived at Gorubak Castle and will depart in four days." Fanta tucked his helmet under his arm. "There's another piece of news: the Imperial Guard has sent another squadron to Gorubak Castle, but this time, after entering the castle, they've been hiding inside and haven't taken any further action."

"A squadron, with Sky Knights in command," Ron repeated the phrase.

"Yes, a Sky Knight." Fanta nodded.

Ron was silent for a few seconds.

"Forget about it. Inform the territory to produce wooden armor plates at all costs and speed up the mining of iron ore. We must get the entire territory equipped with iron before the new war comes."

Two days later, Haaland returned, but when he saw the castle, which was already mostly completed, his lips twitched slightly.

He spent a year collecting materials to build the castle. If it weren't for the bricks produced in Ashwood Territory, he might have had to wait another year just to collect the materials.

Harland Castle has only just begun construction, with only the foundation laid, while the main castle in Ashwood County is already mostly completed.

Haaland was envious of this efficiency and speed.

"Are architectural wizards really that powerful?" Harland muttered unconsciously as he sat on his horse, looking at the castle on the distant hill.

Grayson shook his head with a wry smile.

"I've heard that builder mages can construct things very quickly, but this is the first time I've ever seen such a fast construction speed. My lord, should we ask Lord Ron for help?"

Haaland thought for a moment and then nodded.

"I can consider it and talk to him when I have the chance."

Harland didn't go into the main city, but headed straight for the castle district.

Unlike lords who build castles, they build the castle gate first, which serves as the castle's entrance.

In case of encountering the enemy, they can also defend themselves using fortresses and city walls.

This was the first time he had ever seen Ron's style of building the main castle first.

"It's only been a short time since we last met, and your castle is almost finished." Harland said to Ron with envy in his voice, "When your castle is finished, help me build one when you have time. Don't worry, you'll get your due wages."

Ron shook his head: "The castle is finished, but there are still many walls to be built, and the main city is only just beginning to take shape. There's no time for that."

Haaland nodded, not pursuing the matter further, and was about to reveal his purpose.

Leonardo da Vinci then jogged over.

"My lord, Novia from the territory of De Gea has arrived."

Haaland's face was full of mockery when he heard that Novia had arrived.

Seeing Haaland's expression, Ron immediately understood that Haaland and Novia must have come for the same thing.

Novia was brought here by Old Hall.

Seeing Old Hall's expression, Ron knew that things were not simple.

"Young Master!"

Ron said bluntly, "Lord Novia, don't tell me what big thing your older brother has done this time."

Hearing this, Novia was very embarrassed, but he still revealed the purpose of his trip.

"Yes, Lord Ron, my elder brother fled the territory and sought refuge with the goblins."

Ron looked on incredulously.

"He'd like to seek refuge with the goblins. Would the goblins take him in?"

After all, in his eyes, goblins were only interested in human women, and he never thought that they would also like to use back doors.

Harland said with a look of disdain, "It's normal. The lower-level goblins don't understand, but how could the higher-level goblins not understand? They also need guides, and there are many things in human society that they need to learn. Otherwise, goblins would not have developed from a barbaric race into the tribal civilization they are today. These human scum would have helped a lot in the process."

Novia ignored Harland's sarcasm: "Lord Ron, I've come to tell you that Devon has somehow incited the goblin dragon tribe to send troops. I've heard that all the goblins in the southern part of the Blackthorn Wasteland are now mobilized, and it seems that even the Goblin King has been alerted. The great purge of the Blackthorn Wasteland is about to break out ahead of schedule."

"What?" Ron and Harland said in unison.

"Deven has sided with the goblins, and his first target for revenge will be the territory of Degea," Novia said in a low voice. "My father has already ordered the defensive lines to be tightened. Lord Ron, this is not a battle you will fight alone."

Harland asked anxiously, "I only received news that the Dragon Tribe is going to take action against Chief Ron, but I didn't hear that the Great Cleansing of Blackthorn Wasteland is about to begin."

Novia said, "If it weren't for this news, I wouldn't have informed you so quickly."

Haaland asked, "Has it been reported to Grubborg?"

"After I finished speaking, I headed to Gorubak Fortress."

After Novia finished speaking, she turned and went to her warhorse. The accompanying squad of knights did not dismount from beginning to end, clearly indicating that they had no intention of staying here for long.

Haaland cursed under his breath, "Damn it, that piece of trash Devon actually managed to pull off something this big. I came here to buy a batch of wooden scale armor. How many do you have left?"

Ron shook his head without even thinking: "No, I don't even have enough land for myself, how could I have extra to sell to you?"

After receiving no news, Haaland also left decisively, as he needed to go back ahead of time to make arrangements.

Ron and Old Hall watched the two men leave, and both sighed in unison.

Old Hall immediately suggested, "Young Master, we need to complete the castle construction as soon as possible. When it is completed, the castle will work in conjunction with the main city, and with the adobe walls serving as a transportation route, we should be able to withstand the goblin attack."

Ron thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "Mud walls won't work. They might even become a way for goblins to separate the two places. I'll leave the castle to you and upgrade the walls, making them all brick walls."

Old Hall immediately said, "Then, young master, I'll take charge of the castle district."

Although he wasn't as fast at building as Ron, he could still manage to build some simple areas, such as the outer walls of the castle district.

Ron mentally estimated that the goblin tribes were scattered, and it would take more than ten days just for messengers to travel back and forth to gather the allied forces of the Four Dragons Tribe and the Royal Court. With the march and preparation of provisions, it would take at least twenty days.

If any problems arise in the process, this time may take even longer.

Before leaving, Ron told Leonardo, "Leonardo, have Fanta gather all the newly arrived refugees and start militia training. Given the goblins' mobilization efficiency, we have at least twenty days, enough time to complete the militia formation and basic training. Tell him the Blackthorn Cleansing is coming."

After hearing this, Leonardo da Vinci turned around and ran towards the city wall.

Today, the main passage between the castle area and the main city is the adobe city wall.

Upon receiving the order, Fanta in the main city ordered the bells of the territory to be rung. Upon hearing the bells, the militia and city guards, whether on leave or sleeping, rushed to the western city wall camp.