Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence-Chapter 79: Repairing the Horn

Gao Wen’s expression turned serious as he began to detail the current situation in the Red Leaf Territory.

"Right now in Red Leaf City, Alan Rickman and I are evenly matched, each holding the other in check. Most of my supporters are the old court officials and more conservative Knights of the territory; they place a greater value on tradition and the order of succession. Alan Rickman, on the other hand, has gathered a number of ambitious, newly-risen nobles and young Knights who are eager to win glory in battle. They are all driven by the rewards he has promised them."

"The commander of the City Guard Army is currently neutral, but he’s a mercenary man who could swing either way. The other vassals have also taken an ambiguous stance. They don’t want to see the Red Leaf Territory fall into civil war, but they won’t be quick to pick a side, either."

"However..."

Gao Wen’s tone shifted.

"Before my father fell ill, he left not only this letter but also a formal will, which clearly names me as the heir to the Red Leaf Territory. That will is in the keeping of his Personal Guard Knight Captain. Once my father... passes away, as long as I can successfully present the will, most of the vassals and Knights who are currently neutral will switch their support to me. At that point, I will have absolute control."

"A will..."

Viscount Baker stroked his chin.

"That’s the key. Does Alan Rickman know this will exists?"

"He likely suspects, but he isn’t certain," Gao Wen said.

"That’s why he hasn’t dared to push too hard yet. He’s just constantly probing and causing trouble, trying to weaken my position as much as possible before I can present the will—or find it himself."

Raylo asked, "Then Alan Rickman’s most important external ally must be Baron Mengde of the Ironthorn Territory, right?"

Gao Wen nodded, his expression grave.

"Exactly. Baron Mengde is acting on Prince Eliot’s orders. If anything happens in the Red Leaf Territory, the Ironthorn Territory is certain to send troops to aid Alan Rickman."

"Ironthorn Territory..."

Viscount Baker sneered.

"I’ve never liked that fellow, Mengde. With the Prince backing him, he’s grown more and more audacious."

The three of them fell silent for a moment, each digesting the information and considering their next move.

"Gentlemen, I have a plan, if you’d care to hear it."

Raylo was the first to break the silence, putting forth his idea.

"Gao Wen, can you convince the Old Earl’s Personal Guard Captain to present the will ahead of schedule?"

Gao Wen thought for a moment and said, "I can try. Knight Commander Rod has always been loyal to my father. If presenting the will early can stabilize the territory quickly, I believe he’ll agree."

Raylo nodded.

"My plan is to take the initiative rather than wait passively. We need to cut this knot decisively."

"Gao Wen, in three days, you will use the Count’s authority to summon the territory’s vassals and Knights and present the will on the spot."

"With the forces you already command, and the support you’ll gain from some of the neutral vassals and Knights after the will is presented, you should be able to control the situation in Red Leaf City."

Gao Wen nodded.

"But if Alan Rickman gets desperate and calls upon the Ironthorn Territory and his other allies to fight, the Red Leaf Territory will be plunged into civil war. I can’t imagine how many of our people would suffer."

Raylo nodded and looked at Viscount Baker.

"Lord Viscount, your Red Maple Castle borders the Red Leaf Territory, and you command a formidable army. Could I ask you to station troops along the western and southern borders of the Red Leaf Territory? This would, first, intimidate any neighboring minor Lords who might be tempted to take advantage of the chaos. Second, it would send a clear message of your support to the waverers within the Red Leaf Territory, strengthening Sir Gao Wen’s position."

Viscount Baker nodded slowly. "A sound plan. If any other Lords or armed forces try to pass through the Red Maple Territory to intervene, I will be responsible for intercepting them."

Raylo then turned back to Gao Wen.

"As for the Ironthorn Territory, leave them to my Black Stone Territory."

"Baron Raylo, this..."

Gao Wen hesitated.

"The Ironthorn Territory is quite strong. Besides Baron Mengde’s own Knights, he has also hired a formidable Mercenary Corps. They won’t be easy to deal with."

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Raylo, but he was worried the Black Stone Territory might not be strong enough for the task.

"Rest assured, Sir Gao Wen. I have my own way of dealing with Baron Mengde."

The three men finalized the important details of their plan.

Raylo bid the other two farewell and had a servant summon a Steward from the Libra Trading Company.

"Lord Baron, what can I do for you?"

A middle-aged man who looked like a Steward approached, his face wreathed in smiles.

"I need a Tier Four, or higher, Magic Core from a Magical Beast. The Energy Attribute doesn’t matter, but it must be complete and brimming with energy."

Raylo got straight to the point.

The Steward’s smile widened. A Tier Four Magic Core meant a high price, and a high profit.

"My lord, we do have a few Tier Four Magic Cores in stock, but... they’re not cheap. You understand?"

"Take me to see them."

Raylo wasn’t concerned about the price. The Soul Horn was too important; it was worth the investment.

Led by the Steward, Raylo went up to the third floor.

The room was laid out with a precise Magic Array, used to preserve these precious materials.

The Steward carefully took three Magic Cores from a special Jade Box. They were fiery red, icy blue, and dark purple, respectively.

"My lord, please take a look. This one is the Magic Core of a Tier Four Flaming Lion, in perfect condition. This one is from a Tier Four Frost Giant Python, its energy exceptionally pure. And this last one is the Magic Core of a Tier Four Shadow Leopard, brimming with Magic Power. They were all recently acquired and are of the highest quality."

Raylo’s gaze swept over the three Magic Cores, finally resting on the dark purple one from the Shadow Leopard.

"I’ll take this one," Raylo said, pointing to the Shadow Leopard’s Magic Core.

"An excellent eye, my lord!"

The Steward offered a bit of flattery before naming a price.

"That will be three thousand Golden Dragons."

Using the reward from the Red Maple Territory and adding a few hundred Golden Dragons of his own, Raylo purchased the Tier Four Shadow Leopard Magic Core.

Back in his room, Raylo took out the ancient Soul Horn. Its surface was covered in complex patterns, but its color was dull and it gave off an air of antiquity.

He took a deep breath, carefully pried off the old, broken Magic Core, and fitted the Shadow Leopard’s Magic Core into the socket at the top of the Horn.

The moment the Magic Core fit perfectly into the socket...

VMMMM!

A low hum emanated from the Horn, like the first breath of a Giant Beast waking from a thousand-year slumber.

The dark purple Magic Core instantly erupted with a shadowy light. The light spread like a living thing along the Horn’s surface, rapidly filling and illuminating each of the ancient engravings.

The once-dull Horn now seemed to have a soul, radiating a deep and powerful fluctuation of Magic Power.

Raylo tried channeling his Spiritual Power into it. The light from the Magic Core at the Horn’s tip intensified, and an invisible pressure spread out from it.

’It worked!’

Raylo gripped the Soul Horn, an indescribable excitement welling up inside him.

’With this powerful tool, I finally have the Power to contend with High Tier opponents.’

...... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

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