Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 81 The Father is the Lord
The sounds of scouts' hooves and the search party's horns could be faintly heard in the valley where the market was located.

In the heart of the market, in the largest stone hall, smoke swirled and the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed you could wring water out of it.

The four leaders, Darns Bucket, Thorius Sole, Baron Huntbow, and Curiti Dogclaw, gathered together, but they had long lost the leisurely mood of imitating nobles drinking and making merry.

"That damned madman Robert! That troublemaker!" Darns could no longer maintain his learned "elegance," and he smashed the wooden cup in his hand on the ground, splattering juice everywhere. He cursed viciously, "Of all the things he could have stolen, he had to go after Baron Sidil's caravan! Now look what's happened, he's attracted the whole pack of wolves!"

"Damn it! I knew outsiders couldn't be trusted!" Solius Sole was also furious, his face turning ashen as he slammed his fist on the rough wooden table. "He robbed it all and went off to have his fun, leaving us here to take the fall for him!"

“What’s the use of saying all this now!” Baron Hunterbow was relatively calmer, but his furrowed brows revealed his anxiety. “The vanguard of the allied forces has already entered the mountains, and it’s only a matter of time before they find this place! We must decide immediately whether to fight or retreat!”

"Withdraw? Where to?" Curiti Paws' voice was shrill, tinged with despair. "We've worked so hard for so many years to accumulate this little bit of wealth! If we abandon here, where can we go? Will Ancheno County truly accept a bunch of stray dogs like us? Don't forget what happened to Sam and Kaldor!"

They were unaware that Kaldor had been killed by Kruse, assuming it was due to internal strife or an accident.

His words silenced everyone. The Wild Dog Market was not just their hiding place, but a symbol of their power, wealth, and hope.

Giving it up means starting all over again, with an uncertain future.

"If we fight... what are our chances of winning?" Darns forced himself to calm down and looked at Baron Hunterbow, the most militaryly knowledgeable of the four.

Baron Hunter walked to a simple mountain map and pointed at it: "The allied forces have two hundred men, well-equipped, and at least ten of them are full-fledged knights. Although we have more men, most of them are a rabble. The truly capable core, including the four of us, is only about thirty knights. In a head-on confrontation, our chances of winning are slim."

He paused, then pointed to several strategic passes: "But this is our territory! We know every path and every cave. If we make good use of the terrain, set up ambushes layer by layer, and constantly harass them, wearing down their morale and supplies, we might have a fighting chance. Even if we can't hold the market in the end, we should make them pay a heavy price, so that we can retreat more easily."

"Then let's fight!" Darns finally made up his mind, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "We can't let them think we're pushovers! Send the order down, mobilize everyone who can handle a weapon! Fortify our defenses! Bring out all the weapons from the warehouses! We'll show those noble lords that even a rabbit will bite when pushed to the limit!"

After the order was given, the entire stray dog ​​market erupted into chaos, like a hornet's nest that had been poked open.

Sharp whistles rang out one after another, and the men were driven to take up weapons, while the women and children frantically packed their belongings, preparing to flee into the deeper mountains at any moment.

The sounds of arguing, crying, shouting, and the clanging of weapons being forged mingled together, order was completely lost, and the air was filled with the fear and madness of the impending apocalypse.

On one side is orderly and hopeful construction, and on the other side is chaotic panic and a desperate struggle.

Kruze seemed completely unconcerned about the sudden gathering of war clouds over Campnor County and the impending mopping-up operation in the Hornas Mountains. His entire focus was on the crucial [New Player Quest 7: Population Development].

He closely monitored the population transfer progress on Cooper's side, watching the population figures on the territory system jump and climb steadily, getting closer and closer to the thousand mark. Finally, when Cooper personally escorted the last group of refugees, mainly women and children, safely to Liontooth Town and completed their registration on the roster, the pleasant system notification sounded in Kruze's mind as expected:

【Ding! 】

[Complete beginner quest 7: Population Development]

[Mission Description: The territory is about to be promoted to a baronial territory and urgently needs to expand its population. Increase the total population of Lion's Tooth Territory to 1000! (Completed)]

[Task Reward: 1 Fairy Insect (already sent to system space)]

"That's great!" Kruse couldn't contain his excitement, he clenched his fist and a bright smile spread across his face.

This sudden action startled Rezal, who was standing right next to him, idly wiping his new knight's sword.

Seeing his brother's excited expression, Rezal hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and spoke again: "Big brother, you see... the new manor definitely needs someone to manage it. I've recently reached a bottleneck in my cultivation, and since I'm just idling around anyway, why don't you let me give it a try and serve as the administrator of that manor? I promise I'll learn it seriously!"

Upon hearing his brother's request, Kruze's joy faded slightly. He shook his head, his tone gentle yet firm: "Rezal, I understand your intentions. But appointing an administrator for a manor is no small matter. It's equivalent to granting the management rights of a piece of land. Father is the lord, and this matter must be decided by him upon his return. I cannot overstep my authority."

Upon hearing this, the expectant light in Rezal's eyes dimmed instantly. He lowered his head helplessly, mumbled an "oh," and stopped talking. He just rubbed the sword in his hand even harder, as if trying to wear away his disappointment.

In the evening, after finishing his day's official duties, Kruse returned to the main castle alone.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of him as he walked, pondering what to do with the newly acquired sprite insect: should he continue to enhance food production, or try to cultivate new cash crops?
Just then, the familiar notification sound rang out again, and a new task was triggered:

【Ding! 】

[Triggering Beginner Quest 8: Territory Development]

[Mission Description: The territory is about to be officially promoted to a baronial domain, and its borders will be substantially expanded! On this newly acquired land, please successfully build and operate the first brand-new manor belonging to the Lion Fang family!]

[Quest Reward: 1 Fairy Insect]

Kruse paused slightly, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up again.

The system's mission perfectly aligned with Butler Buffet's plans—it was a double blessing! And the reward was a precious elf insect!
(End of this chapter)