Lord: Starting with Summoning the Regular Army of Earth

Chapter 76 The Treasure Delivery Team (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Knight Conrad rode out to meet them for nearly five miles and soon spotted the large, brightly-flagged caravan.

When he saw Renault Kress sitting on his horse at the front of the group, his vigilance instantly tightened.

He reined in his horse, placed his right hand on his chest, and performed a standard but distant salute.

"Young Master Renault," Conrad's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, "where are you headed?"

Renault's face broke into a warm smile, as if he were meeting an old friend. He spurred his horse forward a few steps: "Sir Conrad, it's been a long time! You're as dashing as ever. I've come on my father's orders to assist Baron Matthew in expanding his territory. You see, 95..."

He turned and pointed to the long convoy, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate boasting: "My father was away from Ironrock City on business, but now that he's back, the first thing he did was order me to visit the Baron. He also ordered me to allocate ten carts of grain, some military equipment, and five hundred gold coins, to show the Kress family's good neighborly relations and help the Baron establish himself as soon as possible!"

Conrad's gaze swept over the heavy wagons and the seemingly relaxed yet subtly vigilant formation of the guards, deepening his suspicions.

When did the Cress family become so "generous" and "friendly"?

When they first arrived, they couldn't even see the Earl, yet now they've sent such a generous gift.

Was the count suddenly overcome with conscience, or did he have ulterior motives?

He remained expressionless and gave a slight bow: "I appreciate the kindness of the Earl and the young master on behalf of the Baron. However, this gift is far too generous, and Jinshi Ridge is a small and poor place, so I am afraid I am unworthy to accept it."

"Your Excellency is mistaken!" Renault waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Supporting the former prince is the duty of a subject. Moreover, ensuring peace on the border is also the responsibility of my Cress family."

Renault's "thoughtfulness" made Conrad even more suspicious.

He nodded calmly: "In that case, I will immediately return to report to the Baron and make preparations for his arrival."

"Great!" Renault said with a broad smile.

Conrad turned his horse around and galloped back to Ember Ridge.

His expression remained as still as water the entire way. Renault's overly enthusiastic attitude and inopportune "generosity" seemed to reek of a conspiracy. But for the moment, he couldn't figure out the real purpose behind it all.

Meanwhile, Matthew, inside the lord's manor, had already obtained more detailed information about the convoy's situation earlier through the goblin sentries guarding the perimeter.

When Conrad returned and reported Renault's statement along with his own doubts, Matthew frowned, and various clues rapidly connected in his mind.

"Instead of focusing on suppressing the bandits, Iron Rock City is suddenly coming to our aid—it's definitely a case of a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken with ulterior motives. Something's definitely fishy going on. What are they up to?" Matthew thought to himself, when suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

He suddenly understood everything.

"Using someone else to do the dirty work? No, it's luring the snake out of its hole!" A sharp glint flashed in Matthew's eyes. "What a vicious scheme! They're planning to use us as bait to lure out the bandit gang."

Matthew's words made Conrad and Will's expressions change. Before they could understand, he continued, "This isn't a timely help. If I'm not mistaken, the news of them sending so much wealth in such a grand manner must have already reached the ears of the bandits. In their eyes, this place is a loosely defended piece of meat piled high with gold and silver. He just intends to use us as bait, to lure your bandit gang out, and then wipe them all out, or even—"

Matthew's eyes flashed even colder: "He might even hope to use the bandits to completely eliminate us!"

Upon hearing this, Conrad and Will's expressions changed drastically, and they were immediately filled with intense anger.

Will, in particular, never imagined that the Kress family could be so vicious.

"Your Highness! Then we should immediately reject this shipment of supplies! Get them out of here!" Will roared.

"No!" Matthew raised his hand to stop him, a calculating sneer on his face. "Why refuse? Renault wants to use us, so why don't we play along?"

"We'll accept this generous gift without hesitation! Since they've delivered such a tempting offer to us, why wouldn't we take it? It'll just fill our coffers!" In his view, it was only a matter of time before the bandit gang came to this place. He even looked forward to their arrival so he could unlock new summoned units.

Now we can not only lure out those bandit gangs, but also get a full load of supplies for ten large wagons for free. Why not?

"Will, relay my orders immediately!" Matthew said decisively. "Have all goblin units hide immediately. No one is allowed to show their faces without my order. Also, order your people not to leak any information about goblins."

"Conrad, come with me to prepare for receiving the supplies." Matthew's lips curled into a confident smile.

Conrad and Will exchanged a glance, understanding Matthew's intention, and immediately acted according to the order.

Renault wanted them to be bait, so they would show them that this bait could not only knock out the robbers' teeth, but also drag the fishermen down with it.

As Renault's convoy slowly approached Ember Ridge, Renault, seated on his horse, maintained a reserved and friendly smile on the surface, but a hint of surprise welled up inside him.

Unlike the dilapidated and desolate border village he remembered, Jinshi Ridge, though still simple, exudes a well-ordered vitality.

Many of the collapsed buildings seemed to have been repaired, the muddy roads had been leveled, and even roughly paved with gravel. What caught his attention even more was the outline of a brand-new wall in front of him, with several simply dressed villagers slowly building it.

Several well-defined wooden arrow towers and watchtowers stand in key positions, and there seem to be figures moving about on them.

Further away, there were two more pieces of smoked meat, I don't know what they were.

"Looks like these guys are actually quite capable—they've managed to salvage this mess in such a short time," Renault thought to himself.

But he also knew that Conrad had sold all his possessions, and that Nightshade was currently in his stable. Will and Matthew probably also had some money on them, so Emberstone Ridge was not a place where they started from scratch.

It is not surprising that they spent money to buy bricks and stones, hired laborers and craftsmen, and drove their people to work day and night, thus changing the territory.

Unfortunately, they didn't have much time left. Once the bandits arrived, everything would be gone.

Judging from the current situation, the construction of the wall is obviously progressing slowly. Only a small part has been built in a month, and it will probably take a year and a half to be fully completed.

By then, their bodies will have turned to ash.

After all, Jinshi Ridge does not have enough troops, and even if it does build a wall, it will be difficult to stop those vicious and powerful bandit groups.

However, seeing that Emberstone Ridge had even a little bit of defensive infrastructure was a good thing for Renault.

If Jinshiling can hold out against the bandits for a while longer, or even kill some of them, they will have more time to prepare and save more energy to wipe out the bandits in one fell swoop.

Matthew, Conrad, and Will were waiting in the small square in front of the lord's mansion.

Behind them stood seven or eight young villagers, dressed in simple clothes, with dark skin, looking like savages, holding weapons that resembled farm tools.

Matthew approached with just the right amount of surprise and gratitude on his face.

"Young Master Renault, welcome to Emberstone Ridge! We are so sorry for not welcoming you sooner! And you have brought such a generous gift. We are truly flattered!" Matthew's voice was clear and his manners were impeccable.

Renault dismounted, glancing at the group of subjects behind Matthew with a mocking smile, but his face betrayed his true feelings with an aristocratic grin, his tone almost exaggeratedly enthusiastic: "Baron, you are too kind. My father has been concerned about Your Highness's arduous journey here. He was too busy with state affairs to offer timely assistance, and he feels deeply guilty. He has specially ordered me to deliver these meager supplies, hoping to do my part to help Your Highness establish a firm foothold and maintain peace in this region!"

As he spoke, he gestured to his men to lift the tarpaulins from several large carts, revealing brand-new weapons, full grain sacks, and a conspicuous money box inside.

"Your Highness, please look, here are one hundred suits of chainmail, two hundred longswords, fifty strong bows, and corresponding arrows. These are provisions, cloth,..."

Salt, sugar, and a small token of my father's appreciation—1500 gold coins—as a startling contribution!

Matthew was overjoyed to see these genuine supplies; they really were a treasure-delivery team.

His face immediately lit up with genuine joy: "The Earl's kindness is most appreciated by Matthew! This favor will forever be remembered by Elmstone Ridge!"

He turned to Will and instructed him, "Will, immediately take men to inventory and properly store the goods!"

"Yes!" Will ordered the people behind him, and then began to move supplies. Reno also ordered the soldiers accompanying him to help.

"I, Matthew, am deeply grateful for the kindness of the Kress family. Please allow me to host a banquet for you all at the lord's manor tonight. Of course, due to food shortages, we may only have some dark bread and mushroom soup. I hope you will not find it offensive."

"Your Excellency, you are too kind. I appreciate your hospitality, but as you said, food is scarce, so please don't spend any more money. When Elmstone Ridge becomes prosperous in the future, Your Excellency can treat me to a drink!" He naturally wouldn't stay. Not to mention whether there was any food to entertain them here, he was in a hurry to go back and plan his operation, waiting for the bandit group to take the bait.

"Very well, since that's the case, I won't stand on ceremony with Young Master Renault," Matthew said with a smile. He couldn't wait for these guys to leave and delay their project.

Now that the bait has been delivered, the bandit gang will probably make their move soon. Of course, if those guys are smart enough, they might be able to guess that there's a trap involved.

Of course, when the benefits and temptations are great enough, those guys might take the risk.

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