The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 654 Village in the Dense Forest
"Hiss..." The dragon knight looked at the letter in his hand with a pained expression.

"What's wrong?" Renault, who was waiting on the edge of the southern plains, asked as he looked at the wyvern riders landing behind him.

"His Highness has started cursing..." The dragon knight quickly handed over the letter as if he had thrown away a hot potato.

"Uh..." Renault grinned after reading Roland's letter with the expression of an old man on the subway. It seemed that King Roland really cared about Ismir, he was so anxious that he was jumping up and down.

"Tell King Roland I'll try my best to find him. If he dies out there, it's not my fault!" Renault shook his head, unconcerned. He and Caslo knew Roland's personality best; just let him be for a while, and he'd be fine.

"Sigh! They must have run into something!" Renault shook his head and began to tighten his armor.

"General! You!" The dragon knights behind him were dumbfounded. This was clearly an attempt to go inside! They had no choice but to speak up and stop him. After all, if Ismir died, it would be a low-ranking nobleman's death at most, but if something happened to Renault, things would get much worse! The disappearance of the Governor of the North would be quite a sight, and they had no doubt that Roland would skin them alive!

"A fifth-tier paladin commander isn't that fragile! You patrol the skies! I'll go in and take a look! If you really can't find him, go back to Lulong Fortress and wait for me!" Renault ordered without further ado. Although he said he didn't care about Ismir and the others, he acted swiftly in practice.

"This..." The dragon knights looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Execute the order!" Renault shook his head and spurred his horse into the forest. He was confident! A fifth-tier paladin wouldn't be afraid even facing a sixth-tier ringwraith! The only ones who could restrain him were super magical beasts and other sixth-tier professionals! He was completely countered by ringwraiths and high-level combatants with dark and evil attributes!
……

"Just in case, you'll have to get it to sign an equal contract! That way it won't turn on you!" Ymir said calmly, patting the armored earth dragon, which was as obedient as a big dog.

"Is this alright?" Ismir asked tremblingly, looking at the armored earth dragon that was placed aside without any protection. Don't be fooled by its current docile appearance; if you let Ymir leave, it will become a great demon king!

"Hmm? Do you have a problem?" Ymir, who had already removed her helmet to reveal her young face, turned her head with short black hair covered with steel needles and stared at the armored earth dragon to ask.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!" The armored earth dragon's tail flicked out a blur, and it even tilted its head and acted cute.

"..." Ismir's lips twitched. He really is a master at training!
“Don’t worry, my lord, I’ll take you to find them in a while! I’ll give you the whole Armored Earth Dragon Knights! We’re still missing 1, 2, 3… 9!” Ymir counted the Nature Guardians behind him.

"No... I'm scared!" Ismir wiped the cold sweat from his brow. This one armored earth dragon with no restrictions was already terrifying, let alone nine more? Ismir would really die on the spot.

“Well, let’s go back to the kingdom first to resolve the contract issue! If there’s a sixth-order sage like you said, he’ll definitely have a solution!” Ymir scratched his head and said honestly.

"Alright, let's not worry about that for now. Where is that village you mentioned?" Ismir quickly changed the subject, since Ymir had told them that he lived in a human village not far away!
"Yes, we'll be there soon! Your supplies should be enough for them to improve their lives!" Ymir laughed. After dealing with the threat of the armored earth dragon, Ymir quickly led them to catch up with the fleeing pioneer caravan, so Ismir's team was now complete again.

His family led him on a nomadic hunting life in the dark forest. They stumbled upon this small human settlement and began trading with them, often hunting for necessities. The villagers admired Ymir and his father's strength and wanted to make them their lords, but his father declined. After all, half-giants didn't have the ability to govern a territory; they were better at wielding greatswords and heavy axes to kill people! After Ymir's father passed away unexpectedly, he took on the responsibility of protecting the village alone, since those people made his life less lonely.

"...Brother Ymir, come back!" A clear child's voice rang out, followed by a petite figure rushing out.

"Oh, oh, oh! Brother Ymir! Why did you bring back so many outsiders?"

In an instant, several little ones popped out, jumping and banging on Ymir's knees, looking very happy.

"Hahaha! They're not outsiders! This is your future lord, he'll give you a good life!" Ymir squatted down and patted their heads.

"Where's Old Man Ade?" Ymir asked with a smile.

"Lord Ymir, you've returned?" an aged voice rang out.

"Why did you bring back so many companions?" the old man asked, opening his cloudy eyes.

“This is the lord I serve! Lord Ismir of the Kingdom of Lagrange!” Ymir introduced.

"Hello, sir!" Ismir said hurriedly. He had been observing this small village the whole time. The village was built on ancient trees, using simple stone slabs, wood and vines. It was dilapidated beyond repair. However, it was already a blessing that humans had a place to live in this dark forest.

"Ah? A nobleman from the outer kingdom? Lord Ymir, are you leaving us?" The old man suddenly paused, then stammered.

“No, no, no! Old Man Ad, you’ve misunderstood. I want to bring you into Lord Ismir’s territory. You will become his first subjects! He promised me he would treat you well! Everyone will have enough to eat and the protection of the army!” Ymir patted his chest and explained.

Ismir was overjoyed. Not only had he gotten a fourth-tier vanguard guard for free, but he'd also picked up the first batch of his people. What luck! Could it be the Dragon God's blessing? (Fragment of the Goddess of Nature's Divine Spark: ...Don't you want to say anything?)

“Of course! As long as you are willing to join my territory and pledge allegiance to me, I will treat each and every one of you equally. I promise to protect your safety and defend your land and homeland!” Ismir said solemnly. This was a necessary condition for Ymir to pledge allegiance to him, so he had no reason not to abide by it. Moreover, this was the most basic virtue of a nobleman.

"Your Excellency is willing to take us in?" The old man's cloudy eyes lit up. Although aristocratic rule presents challenges such as taxes, all of this is predicated on the nobles' protection of them. Otherwise, who would be willing to pledge allegiance to a noble? As long as the noble is willing to protect them, they are not concerned about offering reasonable taxes and loyalty!
“Of course! I am a newly promoted pioneering noble, and my territory needs my people to thrive!” Ismir nodded in agreement.

"We are willing to pledge our loyalty to you! In exchange for your protection!" the old man said respectfully as he knelt down.

“Uh, I accept your allegiance…” Before Ismir could finish speaking, the old man sprang into action and started running at a speed beyond his years.

"Come out! Come out! We have a lord! Come out and pay your respects to our lord!" the old man roared in a hoarse voice, making Ismir's face burn with shame...

Five o'clock! Rise up! Where are the monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and rewards?