Calamity Dragon, Starting with the Cultivation of Knight Families

Chapter 53 Espionage: Coincidence or Premeditated?
“Your Excellency, I know that the reclamation of the swamp territory was hard-won, but if things are not going to work out, please make a decision as soon as possible.”

"Please do not gamble with your own life and the lives of thousands of your people. That's all I have to say. Now, farewell."

Outside the castle gates of the Baron's manor in the Swamp Territory, after finishing his words, Rayleigh led the Duke's caravan away along the main road of the town without looking back.

His decisive and efficient style impressed even York.

"This knight commander is indeed quite steady and cautious."

"Of course, how many people can reach his level simply? Composure and caution are indispensable on the path to transcendence, and they should be."

York stood on the city wall, watching the caravan disappear completely into the distant horizon, his expression gradually relaxing.

"A beast tide? Something's not right, those mid-level magical panthers?"

Paul was very puzzled.

Isn't the lord's monster a giant lizard?

Could it be that the lord's magical beast is not the only entity that acts as a representative of the gods?
Paul now has too many doubts about his lord and about the Radiant God he now serves.

But York didn't say anything, and as knights' squires, they naturally couldn't ask.

After all, nobody likes a talkative subordinate, or even a subordinate who wants to pry into their master's secrets.

Paul only needed to know that the so-called beast tide and mid-level magical panthers mentioned by the knight commander were just some of the means by which the gods protected the swamp territory.

Moreover, they will know when it is their turn to know everything; there is no need for excessive curiosity or haste.

York had no idea what his knights and squires were thinking.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't care, because he was in a very good mood at the moment.

A fourth-tier bloodline sub-dragon, the magical leopard, relying solely on its transformation technique, managed to make a renowned Earth Knight back down.

This was truly beyond York's expectations.

He had initially thought the plan would be troublesome, but the strength displayed by the Rock Steel Dragon was a pleasant surprise.

This truly relieved him.

Even now, York still believes that the Rock Steel Dragon is merely a sub-dragon species that has awakened its dragon bloodline.

They never imagined that the Rock Steel Dragon could be considered a true pure-blooded dragon.

In this world's understanding, even if someone possesses dragon blood, whether they are a magical beast or a human, no matter how much they resemble a dragon in appearance, they can never become a true pure-blooded dragon.

Pureblood dragons are a naturally superior race in legends, and all pureblood dragons can only be born from the mating of dragons.

It is impossible for a hybrid descendant with dragon blood to awaken their bloodline and become a true pure-blooded dragon.

Otherwise, wouldn't the world be in chaos?

A sub-dragon is a sub-dragon, and a human dragon-born noble can only be a dragon-born noble.

No matter how much one's strength increases, it is impossible to become a true dragon.

Therefore, after hearing Lionheart Knight Commander Rayleigh recount the battle and learning of the current strength of the Rock Steel Dragon, York was delighted but didn't think much of it.

I just felt that everything was perfectly natural.

After all, with the blessing of the gods, it doesn't seem unreasonable that the Rock Steel Dragon, as a fully awakened sub-dragon, could defeat a fifth-tier human knight at the fourth tier.

Therefore, considering that his swamp territory now possessed a divinely bestowed banner capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a high-level being, and was also protected by a rock-steel dragon whose combat power was comparable to, or even stronger than, a fifth-tier being, York was truly relieved.

Next, all that remains is the Church of Truth's spying. However, for now, as long as he doesn't act rashly or even let the Rock Steel Dragon show itself, York feels he can keep it a secret for quite some time.

So, in high spirits, York immediately ordered his men to prepare a lavish dinner.

He also allowed all his knights and squires to dine with him.

Meanwhile, on the other side, where York was in high spirits, some distance from the Duke's caravan, the head maid was already riding alongside Knight Commander Rayleigh. Rayleigh calmly looked at the head maid, Natalie, and said:

"How's it going?"

“Something’s wrong with the Swamp Territory; it’s clearly caused by external forces,” Natalie said gravely.

"During my time in the Swamp Territory, I learned through the local chamber of commerce that after the monster attack, the Swamp Territory's transactions with multiple chambers of commerce far exceeded expectations. Currently, the Swamp Territory's total revenue has exceeded 10,000 gold coins in less than a year."

Upon hearing this, Rayleigh stroked his chin and then said, "The monster strikes, I heard, amount to nearly a thousand. Is there anything wrong with that kind of reward? If you add in the magic cores and monster blood, ten thousand gold coins shouldn't be too much, right?"

"Furthermore, I don't believe there isn't a single low-level magic crystal mine in the wasteland. The swamp territory hasn't claimed it, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. Merchants are driven by profit, and if there's a confidentiality agreement, Natalie, you won't be able to find out much of the truth."

Natalie nodded in agreement.

But with a serious face, he added, "These are naturally within my consideration, but, Rayleigh, have you noticed? The strength of those knights and squires within the Baron's mansion?"

Rayleigh smiled and joked, "Although they all carried cheap aura-concealing items, I could still sense that the three knight squires who showed their faces in that baron's mansion had actually already reached the next level."

"What, you wouldn't allow that to be help from Galebrities, or even Viscount Callum?"

Hearing what Rayleigh said, Natalie wanted to say something, but suddenly she stopped talking.

Because it seems pointless to tell Rayleigh about this.

After all, with mid-level magical beasts appearing and a beast tide seemingly about to erupt again, everything ultimately depends on whether Gale Territory can weather this crisis.

As for the truth that Natalie discovered herself: the fact that Paul and other mercenary knights and squires had all advanced to higher ranks in a short period of time; and the divine favor that York had mentioned more than a year ago, which she had overheard from several merchants; she only needed to report these to the Duke.

However, it seems that the beast tide is about to break out, and the Duke has gone to the capital. Even if there are problems in the swamp territory, it seems that they cannot be dealt with in the short term.

Then, Natalie suddenly smiled and nodded at Rayleigh.

"You're right, Commander Knight, it seems I was indeed overthinking things."

"Then I won't disturb you any longer, Commander Knight."

After saying that, Natalie quickly returned to the first carriage.

Seeing Natalie like this, Rayleigh frowned instantly.

Because Rayleigh knew that Natalie was definitely not the type of woman to only say half of what she meant.

Moreover, since she stated from the outset that there were problems with the swamp territory, she must have some concrete evidence.

However, considering the current situation in the Swamp Territory, Rayleigh could understand why Natalie hesitated to speak.

The Church of Truth is embroiled in a dispute with the royal family, and the Duke is not in the duchy.

So what if there are problems with the swamp territory?

York is a nobleman with a title. Without direct orders from the Duke, the Kingdom, or even some important figures in the Church, no one dares to do anything to him.

And that's the rule of this world.

"Isn't this monster tide coming at a rather unfortunate time?"

Suddenly, Rayleigh had a flash of inspiration and thought of this.

However, considering the actual strength of York in the swamp territory, and then considering that magical beast that was comparable to or even stronger than a fifth-tier monster.

Rayleigh simply laughed it off.

How could that be? Absolutely impossible.

I'm really being paranoid.

And so, in silence, the Duke's convoy continued toward the Colorado Heights along the predetermined route.

(End of this chapter)