Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Best Simulation

"Just now, during the harvest, I think I heard an eagle's cry?" Rhett recalled the last part of the simulation and thought to himself, "It must be the Dark-Winged Eagle. Only its speed could prevent me from reacting before I was taken out."

A Tier 4 magical beast had already reached the mid-tier level, with a significant leap in strength. While Rhett could have exchanged blows with a Tier 3 magical beast as a Level 2 Mage, facing a Tier 4 magical beast as a Level 3 Mage would definitely result in a crushing defeat.

"However... there's that patch of land with over three hundred dark-element plants deep within the Dark-Winged Eagle Ridge. That's quite a fortune," Rhett mused, considering whether he should use the simulation to conduct a safety test to find a path that avoids the Dark-Winged Eagle.

After some thought, Rhett dismissed the idea. Although three hundred dark-element plants sounded impressive, they weren't indispensable to Hawk Town. They could only be used to exchange for a certain amount of gold coins.

However, with Snow Elves in the territory, developing water-element plants was the real key to prosperity. In Rhett's view, within a few years, the territory could produce a large quantity of water-element plants, becoming the backbone of the economy.

By then, whether for internal use or trade, Hawk Town wouldn't lack resources or gold.

With a long-term economic foundation in place, Rhett didn't lack gold coins in the short term either. The spoils from the traveling merchant and this hunt were more than enough to sustain the territory's operations for the time being.

More importantly, Rhett planned to explore deeper into the mountains for a few more days to collect more Fate Points. This seemed a much better option than risking everything for three hundred dark-element plants.

Furthermore, facing a mid-tier magical beast, Rhett couldn't be sure how many simulations it would take to find a safe path. Wasting a large number of Fate Points on this seemed too costly to Rhett.

"Since that's the case, let's simulate again, but this time, without focusing on the dark-element plants," Rhett decided in his heart.

Would you like to start a text simulation? Each simulation costs 5 Fate Points per year.

"Yes, simulate one year."

In the year 474 of the Kingdom of Gold, on February 8th, Kudin and his carpenters unearthed a chest of gold coins, a chest of magic crystals, a chest of magic plant seeds, and an ancient diary. That evening, you advanced to a Level 3 Mage, greatly enhancing your strength. Congratulations.

On February 9th, you and your team arrived at Ice Crystal Lake, where you encountered a Cold Crystal Tiger swimming in the lake. After a fierce battle, you narrowly defeated it. You then explored the area around the lake and its depths, discovering one hundred mid-level water-element plants and six high-level water-element plants.

On February 10th, you ventured deeper into the Dark-Winged Eagle Ridge and encountered a Tier 3 Giant-Toothed Armored Beast and a Tier 3 Crystal Leopard. You managed to defeat them after a tough battle.

On February 11th, you encountered a Tier 3 Windfeather Sparrow. After a fierce fight, you severely injured it, but it managed to escape.

On February 15th, you discovered a field of mid-level dark-element plants. You chose to avoid this area and instead explored in the opposite direction. That night, you encountered a Tier 3 Frostbreath Lizard and severely injured it, but it escaped into a hidden burrow among the grass.

On February 16th, you returned to the outskirts of the Dark-Winged Eagle Ridge and hunted a large number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 magical beasts. By evening, you had slain seven Tier 2 beasts and eleven Tier 1 beasts. Satisfied with your haul, you began your journey back to Hawk Town.

On February 24th, Kalina visited your territory. Reilly warmly welcomed her, and their relationship grew closer. They agreed that Reilly would visit Dam Town in the summer.

On March 20th, you prepared to investigate the evil alchemy organization, with the first step being to prevent a massacre in Maple Town.

On March 25th, upon arriving in Maple Town, you concealed your aura, not revealing your advancement to Level 3 Mage. The lord of Maple Town was quite hospitable, even hinting at the idea of marrying his youngest daughter to Reilly. You declined the offer, suggesting Tyles as a potential match instead. However, the lord quickly changed the topic and didn't bring up marriage again.

On March 26th, while taking a nighttime stroll with the lord of Dam Town, you were ambushed by a Tier 3 evil alchemist. Unfortunately, the lord of Dam Town was killed in the attack. Fortunately, having anticipated such a move, you launched a counterattack the moment the alchemist appeared. After a fierce battle, you severely injured him. Following a harsh interrogation, you extracted valuable information about the organization.

On April 3rd, you located a Tier 2 knight at an abandoned mine and easily subdued him. After comparing the information obtained from both interrogations, you confirmed that the information from the evil alchemist was accurate. You then decided to infiltrate the organization's headquarters at the Rea Viscount Family in the Kingdom of Ginn.

On April 30th, you arrived at the Rea Family's territory—Clearwater Town. However, as soon as you entered the town, you were ambushed by three Tier 3 Mages and seven Tier 3 knights. Severely injured, you barely escaped with your life. While fleeing, you were relentlessly pursued, but a mysterious dwarf intervened, demonstrating immense power by driving off your pursuers with a single strike, giving you enough time to escape.

On May 3rd, after recovering from your injuries, you returned to the outskirts of Clearwater Town. This time, you opted for guerrilla tactics.

On May 4th, the mysterious dwarf arrived to assist you again. When you asked about his background, he refused to divulge any details, only stating that he belonged to the world's most evil organization and went by the codename "Blackstar."

On May 6th, you and Blackstar encountered a Tier 3 Mage in blue robes while he was out. Together, you defeated him.

On May 7th, you ambushed another Tier 3 Mage and two Tier 3 knights, killing two of them. Only one knight managed to escape with serious injuries.

On May 8th, the last remaining Tier 3 Mage led five Tier 3 knights on patrol. You and Blackstar launched a surprise attack, killing the Mage and gradually taking down the remaining knights, leaving one alive. Over the next few days, you observed Blackstar using Tier 5 and Tier 6 dark-element spells, deducing that he had consumed a high-quality dark-element bloodline potion, granting him immense power despite being a Tier 3 Mage. That day, you eradicated the evil alchemy organization. Blackstar left on his own, while you returned to Clearwater Town, subdued the remaining organization members, and secretly kept some of their alchemy books.

On May 9th, Tuck advanced to a late-stage Level 1 knight.

On May 22nd, you arrived in Twilight City, where you handed over the surviving members of the evil alchemy organization and reported the matter to Earl Nilo. You also purchased a sufficient supply of Moonlight Potion and a spellbook on earth magic—Quicksand.

On June 8th, after half a month of investigation, you verified the confessions of the captured members and visited the territories and villages that had been attacked in recent years. You also captured and interrogated the remaining scattered members. The crimes of the evil alchemy organization were fully exposed: over the past few years, they had experimented with alchemy on 142 Mages and knights, killing over ten thousand innocent civilians.

On July 1st, the stable master George assisted Hager in giving birth to triplets, a joyous occasion.

On July 15th, the deputy commander of the Canyon Defense Line, Anbiru, accompanied by Earl Nilo, came to your territory to conduct the ceremony elevating your rank. From that day forward, you became a viscount of the Kingdom of Gold, and your territory expanded threefold.

On August 2nd, word of your defeat of the evil alchemy organization spread. People whose hometowns had been destroyed by the organization came to seek refuge in Hawk Town.

On August 5th, a Level 2 Mage arrived, claiming to possess knowledge of alchemy. He explained that his family had been killed by the evil alchemy organization three years ago and that he was the sole survivor. Grateful for your revenge, he pledged his loyalty to you.

On September 3rd, after using a large amount of Moonlight Potion, Reilly reached the peak of Level 1 Mage. The awakening of the Snow Elves pushed him to advance to Level 2 Mage!

On October 4th, a Tier 3 Bloodhoof Boar attacked your territory. You arrived just in time to slay it, though three civilians were lost.

On December 20th, you used fire essence as usual to incubate the magical beast egg, causing a small commotion. Eventually, a young Fire Feather Eagle hatched, and its first sight was your kind face.

On December 27th, two homeless Level 1 knights came to seek refuge with you.

In the year 475 of the Kingdom of Gold, on January 17th, Earl Nilo Brann issued a public notice stating that a minor beast tide was forming in the Dark-Winged Eagle Ridge, instructing everyone to prepare for battle.

On February 8th, the population of your territory surpassed one thousand. Congratulations!

Text simulation complete. Would you like to simulate again?

"No."

After reading through the simulation, Rhett took a few minutes to digest its contents.

"Not bad. This is probably the best simulation since the very first one," Rhett thought. Not only was he safe, but his three sons were also unharmed.

The eradication of the evil alchemy organization went smoother than expected, with no further complications.

He had anticipated a long, drawn-out struggle against a well-established organization. However, the assistance of the mysterious dwarf, Blackstar, had greatly simplified the process.

"The most evil organization in the world?"

Reflecting on the simulation, Rhett couldn't help but feel confused. The description sounded a bit melodramatic.

Moreover, if they were part of such an evil organization, why would they target another evil alchemy organization?

These questions puzzled him, but Rhett decided to set them aside for now.

All in all, Rhett didn't underestimate this organization.

Blackstar, a fellow Tier 3 Mage, was capable of casting Tier 5 and Tier 6 dark-element spells. Rhett could hardly imagine the quality of the bloodline potion required to achieve such power.

This alone was enough to make Rhett take Blackstar and his organization seriously.

However, Rhett had no intention of making contact with such a mysterious and powerful force until his own strength and influence had reached a certain level.

"Becoming a viscount so smoothly, and to think that it was Anbiru who officiated the ceremony?" Rhett found it somewhat surreal.

After all, it was the same Anbiru who had officiated his elevation to baron.

In a world where extraordinary powers existed, noble titles were strictly controlled by the royal family. Allowing great nobles to hold such power could easily lead to chaos.

The military was directly under the king's command, and Anbiru, the deputy commander of the Canyon Defense Line, was responsible for witnessing and conducting ennoblement ceremonies throughout the southwestern border.

After his promotion to viscount, Rhett noticed that Hawk Town's reputation had significantly improved.

His extermination of the evil alchemy organization had attracted many people to seek refuge.

The addition of an alchemist Mage and an increase in population greatly strengthened Hawk Town's foundation.

All in all, Rhett was very satisfied with the changes brought about by this simulation.

What's more, armed with this foresight, he could make even better decisions in reality...

At dawn, Rhett led his team to Ice Crystal Lake.

Gazing at the deep blue lake, Rhett frowned as he noticed that the temperature around them had dropped significantly compared to earlier on their journey.

The plants in the area also had cold-resistant characteristics, such as blue frost pines and white snow flowers.

"Father, the temperature at Ice Crystal Lake seems off. Why is it so cold here?" Tyles asked, shivering slightly as he hugged himself.

Tuck, unaffected by the cold, furrowed his brow when he saw Tyles shivering. Without hesitation, he took off his jacket and handed it over. "Wear this, Tyles. Don't let the cold get to you."

"Thanks, big brother!" Tyles gratefully accepted the jacket, wrapping it around himself despite its sweaty smell.

"This situation likely means something unusual is present at the bottom of the lake," Reilly explained, as he could clearly sense that the cold air was emanating from the Ice Crystal Lake. As a water-element Mage, he had a heightened awareness of such things.

After a moment of thought, Reilly added, "I believe there's a high possibility of a special water-element mineral vein or a large number of water-element plants at the lake's bottom, which would account for the temperature drop."

Rhett nodded in approval. He had been about to explain the situation when Reilly came to the correct conclusion on his own.

Suddenly, Rhett's expression changed as he turned to look at the lake!

Splash, splash

The water surface rippled.

A magical beast emitting an aura of frost surfaced, letting out a massive roar!

Roar!

Startled by the roar, Whitefang began to howl frantically, its little paws clinging tightly to Reilly's collar. Reilly's face changed as he hurried to soothe Whitefang.

Howl, howl

With their hearts connected, Reilly could clearly sense Whitefang's fear!