I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 105 The Tulip Earl's Messenger
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After the battle, the battlefield was cleaned up, spoils of war were moved, and prisoners were escorted away...

After finishing these trivial matters, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Fortunately, the barracks kitchen was prepared in advance, and a hot breakfast was already on the table.

The soldiers had just returned to town and had breakfast, which helped them shake off the chill of the autumn night.

After breakfast, the soldiers gradually went to rest.

Rod had been busy all night, and his stomach was growling.

He no longer likes vegetarian food; he only likes meat.

Martha specially roasted two lamb legs for him.

Rhodes ate almost everything without wasting a drop, while Ryan and Durant only got a few bites.

"Sir, please forgive my bluntness, but has your appetite increased recently?"

Martha wiped the oil stains on her hands on her apron and said with concern, "It seems like you've been eating all the food lately, and then you still seem a little unsatisfied."

I didn't mean anything by it. If your appetite continues to increase, I'll prepare more food for you next time.

Martha wasn't complaining that Rhodes ate too much; she was worried that Rhodes wasn't eating enough.

Rhodes was the lord, and all the grain belonged to him, so Martha naturally wouldn't be reluctant to part with it.

Rhodes nodded. "Yeah, I've advanced recently, and I feel like my appetite has increased a bit."

A knight's appetite increases gradually as they advance in rank, and Rhodes' appetite increases even more due to the existence of Savage Absorption.

The body needs a source to absorb more energy, and food is now Rhodes's biggest source.

"You've advanced? You're already a novice knight?"

Durant looked at Rhodes with some surprise and disbelief.

Rhodes's enlightenment came very late, and his aptitude, physique, and build were not good, in fact, they could be described as poor.

Durant finds it hard to believe that he has advanced to the next level in just six months.

When did the Tulip family's bloodline become so powerful?

"Well, that should be it."

Rhodes nodded thoughtfully and explained, "You know, the traditional standards for judging a knight's rank by testing physical fitness don't apply to me."

So whether I've truly advanced to the next level, I can't be sure.

Rod wiped his mouth. "The only thing I could clearly feel was that there was an energy flowing through my body, which is what you call 'qi'."

As I practice, the breathing techniques I perform flow and intensify accordingly.

"More importantly, when I use sword techniques, this 'qi' is also in motion, which makes my moves smoother and more powerful."

So I think I should have become a novice knight.

"What you've said doesn't seem like the kind of feeling a newly promoted junior knight should have."

Durant recalled, "I remember having this feeling when I was around twenty-two years old."

Durant began his knighthood training at age thirteen, became a junior knight at eighteen, and a mid-level knight at twenty-seven.

It takes until you're twenty-two to experience the feelings Rhodes described, which means Rhodes is now in the middle of the junior knight level.

"Your breathing technique seems to be improving a bit too quickly."

Durant couldn't help but sigh.

Rod smiled and didn't explain further.

With extraordinary gems, the ability to absorb savagely, and various attributes that enhance physical attributes, Rhodes himself worked extremely hard.

If it's still very slow, then it can only mean that Rhodes is a complete waste.

Seeing that Rod didn't discuss it in detail, Durant didn't ask any more questions.

"No wonder I've noticed your shoulders have broadened recently, and your back has become more muscular. Your breathing techniques are starting to change your physique."

Durant scrutinized Rod, but there was something else on his mind that he didn't say.

The Baron is becoming less and less like his Earl father.

The Tulip family members, including Rod's older brothers and sisters, are all relatively thin and tall, with small frames.

Rod is now growing taller and stronger, and he looks different from when I first met him.

Can breathing techniques achieve this?
Durant felt it was impossible.

Durant is now forced to question the true lineage of Rod's mother.

Durant was previously suspected of being a dwarf, but now it's certain he's not a dwarf and wouldn't have such blood.

Is it the legendary bloodline of giants?

Durant dared not think about it further.

Too many strange things have happened to the Baron, and his current cultivation speed is even more astonishing.

There are no records of any legendary stories in the Tulip family, so it may be related to Rod's mother's bloodline.

Of course, it's also possible that there's nothing at all, just that, like the witch, some kind of extraordinary power has awakened.

"Really? I feel like I've been getting bigger lately, I thought it was just my imagination."

Rod noticed Durant was thinking and said with a smile, "Alright, there's no need to waste energy on such a trivial matter."

"Go and rest after you've finished eating; you've all been busy all night."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Durant bowed his head, turned around, and left. Ryan also finished eating and left.

Rhodes stood up and yawned deeply.

However, he didn't go to sleep immediately, but instead went to Martha.

"Go tell Katie to prepare more wine, and you should also prepare more ingredients these days. We should get ready for the harvest celebration."

"Okay sir!"

Martha's face lit up with joy.

The Harvest Festival is an annual event in Frostleaf Town and is everyone's favorite time.

This year's harvest is bountiful, with such an abundance of food; the celebration is sure to be incredibly joyful!

Rhodes nodded and instructed, "We have plenty of food, so don't be stingy, but we must never waste it."

"Don't worry, I will make sure everything is arranged."

Martha proudly assured him, her full breasts swaying.

After giving his instructions, Rod went back to sleep.

Rod didn't wake up until the afternoon.

"Your Excellency, a messenger has arrived."

As Rod entered the hall, Durant came to report, "It's your father, Earl Tulip's messenger."

"Ok?"

Rhodes paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly.

Why did a messenger suddenly arrive? Has something happened?

A series of unexpected events filled Rhodes' mind.

Rhodes snapped out of his daze and cleared his mind.

"Invite him in."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

After the messenger entered, he gave Rhodes a standard noble salute.

"Good day, Your Excellency Baron Blackpine Ridge."

"What did the Earl send you here for?" Rhodes asked impatiently.

"His Excellency the Earl has instructed me to deliver a letter and an invitation to you, which must be received by you in person," the messenger replied.

Rod waved his hand. "Okay, bring it here."

Durant took the letter from the messenger and then handed it to Rhodes.

Rod didn't rush to open it, but carefully examined its appearance.

The wax seal on it was indeed the seal of the Earl of Tulips, and Rhodes immediately opened it to check.

The unexpected events, disasters, or wars that Rhodes had imagined did not happen.

The letter contained only some greetings and care from the Earl of Tulip, which seemed very formal, but one could still sense some emotion in it.

In the middle were some pieces of advice from his father, telling Rod to pay attention to matters during the winter and inquiring about whether there was enough food.

And the last item—Happy Birthday to Rhodes!

The day of first birth is the same as the birthday.

Rod suddenly woke up.

My birthday is indeed fast approaching.

The first day of the third week of the harvest month.

Even Rhodes himself had forgotten.

Rhodes only remembered the day he transmigrated, and had almost forgotten the original owner's birthday. He didn't expect that Count Tulip would remember.

He carefully put away the Earl's letter, while the invitation next to it was written by Vincent's brother to Rhodes.

Vincent invited Rod to his wedding early next spring.

A sudden warmth filled Rod's heart.

It seems the family hasn't forgotten about me; it's just that the journey is long, so they're only informing me now.

"How is Earl Tulip doing lately?"

Rhodes breathed a sigh of relief after putting down the letter, as long as it wasn't some sudden bad news.

"Your Excellency is still in good health and has recently gained another happy event: you have a new sister."

"Hmm, she was born to the Countess?"

"No, it's another illegitimate daughter."

The messenger made no attempt to hide his words.

If the messenger knew, it meant the child was born to one of Count Tulip's favorite mistresses, which is why it was announced so openly.

It's likely that this younger sister will also have a formal surname in the future.

Rhodes chuckled twice. "Then it seems the Earl is in very good health."

What about the others?

"Everyone else is healthy, the territory is peaceful and tranquil, and the joyous occasion is your brother's wedding."

“Okay, I understand.” Rhodes nodded.

"Besides, I'm just sending you the letter first,"

The messenger explained, "The Earl has prepared a birthday gift for you, which is currently being transported by the caravan. Of course, you can also send someone to receive it."

"Okay, I know, it must have been a long and tiring journey."

Rod said, "You can stay here for a couple more days; we're about to hold a harvest celebration."

"Durant, take him to a hotel to rest."

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Durandt nodded.

Thank you for your invitation.

The messenger bowed and then followed Durant to take his leave.

After the messenger left, Rhodes fell into deep thought.

Rhodes never expected that the Tulip family would remember him, or that the Earl would send him birthday wishes.

His brother Vincent even invited him to the wedding.

He thought he was all alone and helpless in this world, so he had to work desperately to grow stronger.

I never expected the Tulip Family would still remember me.

This is not Rod's fault.

As far as I can remember, I never received any birthday wishes from the Earl when I was at Tulip Castle.

Rod couldn't help but marvel at the stark difference in treatment between illegitimate and legitimate offspring.

Of course, it might also be because Rhodes took the initiative to bear the bloody decree, for which the Earl was grateful and therefore paid more attention to Rhodes.

But regardless, since they have good intentions, Rhodes cannot be rude.

Whether it's a friend or an enemy.

"Reciprocity is key," was a common saying on Blue Star in Rhodes' previous life, and it was also Rhodes' nature.

He might not attend Vincent's wedding, and Rod didn't want to waste two or three months attending aristocratic events.

However, you could choose some gifts to send them as wedding presents.

Rhodes didn't really have anything to give away.

The weapons he forged were precious and valuable, but he could not give them away.

Rhodes does have some grain on hand, but it shouldn't be a rare commodity for Count Tulip and Vincent, and it's not suitable for transportation either.

There didn't seem to be anything else of value that could be given as a gift.

Rhodes thought for a moment,
"Let's send some gifts that have a northern flavor."

Rhodes then had someone select a fine and complete bear pelt, as well as a beautiful wasteland fox pelt, to be taken back by the messenger as a gift.

It was a bit shabby, but Rhodes, as a lord of the wasteland, didn't have much money.

This fur was given to the tulip family in the warm south, and it was rarely used, perhaps only during the rainy autumn and the end of the year.

But gifts from nobles are always like this: they only need to be beautiful and precious, not necessarily usable.

After arranging everything, Rhodes breathed a sigh of relief.

But before he could have a moment of peace, Durant suddenly came to deliver another message.

"The patrol team to the southeast discovered a caravan crossing the White Rock Canyon."

(End of this chapter)