Lord: I can see loyalty.

In the southern region, at the city of Portol.

Several days later, Vio's figure reappeared in front of the Earl's Castle.

His robes were covered in the dust of the North, and his leather pouch contained several fist-sized dragon scale magic stones and a dozen dark red dragon blood grasses.

Valentine was already waiting in his study. When he received the materials, his old eyes lit up as if he had seen some rare treasure.

"The quality of the dragon scale magic stones is even better than last time! The dragon blood grass is also of good age..." He stroked his beard, a rare smile appearing on his face. "With these, potion production can at least double. If I can find even more materials, I can even improve the formula and make a more effective version..."

"I'll figure out the materials." Vio put down his leather bag and walked to the map. "But the most urgent task, in my opinion, is the defense of Black Forest."

He pointed to the border between the South and the North, the narrowest part of the Blackwood, flanked by rolling hills and dense forests, with only a narrow passage in the middle—the only route the Northern army could take to march south to the South.

"It will take Cedric at least a month to assemble a large army. We need to build this place into the first line of defense before he is ready."

Cohen stood to the side, his brow slightly furrowed.

"My lord, that place is strategically located, but it has no fortifications whatsoever. Building a defensive fortress from scratch would take at least several months."

Vio shook his head. "We don't have several months, less than a month, so I need to transfer all the artisans and blacksmiths from the South and West. Uncle Valentine, you should go too, and use magic to speed things up."

"Everyone's going?" Cohen asked, somewhat surprised.

"That's right, everyone go." Vio's voice left no room for argument. "Also, the Gray Hyena Mercenary Group's camp is there; have them join in the construction as well."

"Tell them that this is not only helping the Southern Territory, but also helping themselves. If the Northern army attacks, their camp will be the first to suffer."

"Yes, ma'am." Cohen nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

……

The next morning, the Black Forest area became lively.

Teams arrived from all over the southern region, including the blacksmiths' battalion led by Old Patton and Ryan, the militia dispatched by Xavier, and craftsmen and laborers from the west.

The old camp of the Gray Hyena Mercenary Group was razed to the ground and replaced by a huge open space piled with stones, timber and various tools.

Valentine stood in the center of the open space, waving his staff continuously. Blue light streamed from the tip of his staff, carving intricate magical runes into the ground.

As soon as the runes landed, the hard soil softened, the stones automatically piled up into walls, and the wood automatically assembled into beams. The speed was so fast that the surrounding craftsmen were dumbfounded.

"As expected of Lord Valentine! Just like when he built the Southern Border Wall, seeing him again is still astonishing!"

Ryan wiped his brow, his eyes filled with admiration. "With this magic, the progress is much faster than we expected."

Old Patton squatted beside the newly laid foundation, tapped the stone surface with a hammer, and listened intently to the echo.

After a moment, he nodded, stood up, and shouted to the craftsmen around him, "The foundation is fine, keep building! Hurry up, everyone! The Earl said we need to see several fortresses ready for battle within a month!"

The craftsmen responded in unison, and the clanging and banging of their hammers rose and fell.

The mercenaries of the Grey Hyenas also joined the construction team. Although they were not carpenters or stonemasons, they had plenty of strength.

They were moving stones, carrying timber, and digging foundations, working with great enthusiasm.

Zain, his arm wrapped in bandages and in a splint, stood to the side giving instructions, his single eye filled with resentment.

"Commander, let me do some work too," he said to William.

William glanced at him and shook his head. "Your injuries haven't healed yet, so just stay put."

"My arm is injured, but my leg isn't," Zane retorted. "You can't move things, but you can at least hand me a tool, right?"

William sighed and pointed to a pile of timber next to him. "Alright, move those logs to the east side."

Zain then smiled, hoisted a log onto his shoulder with one hand, and strode away.

…………

Meanwhile, in the training grounds of Earl's Castle in Portor, Alec was wielding his sword alone.

The greatsword in his hand was like a feather, dancing so fast that it was impenetrable. The wind from the sword swept up the fallen leaves on the ground, making them swirl in the air.

His breathing was long and deep, the beluga whale breathing technique slowly circulating within his body, the airflow rising and falling like the tides of the ocean.

Vio stood at the edge of the training field, looking at the platinum-gold figure, his gray eyes filled with admiration.

Alec's swordsmanship became increasingly refined, with his strength, speed, and skill all reaching the peak of the third tier.

He could sense that Alec was just one step away from a breakthrough—that step could be tomorrow, a month from now, or even a lifetime.

"My Lord." Alec sheathed his sword and walked up to Vio, his forehead covered in sweat, but his breathing remained steady.

"Take a break," Vio said, handing him a towel. "You're making good progress."

"Take a break," Vio said, handing him a towel. "You're making good progress."

Alec took the towel, wiped his face, and gave a wry smile. "I'm still far from it. Cedric and you are both at the fourth tier, I can't even get close to your level."

Vio shook his head.

"The gap between you and him isn't as big as you think. The fourth tier isn't something you can break through with brute force; it requires a catalyst, a sudden enlightenment. What you need to do now isn't to rush, but to build a solid foundation."

Alec was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

"During this time, you don't need to get involved in anything else." Vio patted him on the shoulder. "Focus on your training and try to break through before the war breaks out."

Alec looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his gray eyes.

"My lord, do you think I can break through within a month?"

Vio smiled. "I don't know, but I do know that if you don't even try, you'll never break through."

"Besides, you're the perfect knight of the West, how can you doubt yourself?"

Alec paused for a moment, looked at Vio's rare and genuine smile, and then smiled too.

"The Earl is right."

He walked back to the center of the training field, raised his greatsword, and began a new round of practice.

The sword flashed, the wind howled, and the white-gold figure stood out exceptionally tall in the setting sun.

…………

In the Blackwood region, the construction of the fortress progressed rapidly with the help of Valentine's magic.

Old Patton and Ryan, along with the craftsmen, worked day and night to complete the project. The foundation was laid, the walls were built, and the basic shape of the watchtower was beginning to take shape.

The mercenaries of the Grey Hyenas also received new equipment—uniform leather armor, standard longswords, and several crossbows, neatly arranged in the center of the camp, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

This is a fine piece of equipment that Vio specially commissioned to be made.

William stroked the equipment, his eyes filled with emotion.

He recalled the days when they were wandering in the North, when they didn't even have decent weapons and used scrap metal they found.

Now they have a fixed camp, generous rewards, and the trust of the Earl of the Southern Border.

"Captain." Zane walked over, holding a brand-new longsword. "This sword is so much better than the ones we used before. It's even forged with magic ore; it's incredibly sharp!"

William took the sword, weighed it in his hand, and twirled it. "It's really good."

"Commander, do you really think the Earl can build several fortresses in a month?" Zane's voice carried a hint of worry.

William sheathed his sword and gazed at the city wall under construction in the distance. "Of course, if the Earl says it's possible, then it's possible."

He paused, then said, "In the upcoming war, our mercenary group alone can't help others, but at least we must defend this fortress."

Zane nodded and said nothing more.

In the distance, the setting sun is sinking into the sea.

The sky above the Black Forest was dyed a dark red, like the color before a storm.

Dark clouds were piling up on the northern horizon. Everyone was busy, and everyone knew that time was running out for them.

This was the last preparation the Earl could make, and the last bit of peace before the war.