Chương 92: Chapter 92: The Forest Cabin
Once again, the war took an unexpected turn. Before the middle of Summer Long, rumors of the Marquis of Golden Rock's disappearance spread from Golden Rock City.
As a result, the morale of the Golden Rock army at the front plummeted, and their already fragile defenses quickly crumbled.
The Shimmering forces advanced rapidly, reaching the gates of Golden Rock City, and within two days, successfully captured it.
The news caused a nationwide uproar in the Starlight Principality!
No one expected the war to end so swiftly.
Yet, more shocking news followed.
Three days after the fall of Golden Rock City, news arrived from Starry City that a group called the Star God Cult presented the royal family with the corpse of the Marquis of Golden Rock and the weaknesses of the Beastization infectees.
The Grand Duke of the Starry Principality was overjoyed and declared the Star God Cult the state religion, allowing their emissaries to spread the faith across all provinces.
Unsurprisingly, this news caused a significant stir among the nobility of the principality.
There were supporters and opponents, and many nobles chose to wait and see what this so-called Star God Cult intended.
Golden Rock Province, Shimmering City.
Council Hall.
Sunan read the battle report in his hand, a peculiar expression on his face.
Clearly, this so-called Star God Cult was actually the Starfire Church, just in a different guise.
"I didn't expect the Starfire Church to kill the Marquis of Golden Rock. It certainly helped us out; otherwise, I couldn't have captured Golden Rock City so quickly."
Key rubbed his chin, a hint of irony in his expression.
"The Starfire Church is ruthless. They turned on the Marquis of Golden Rock without hesitation when he was no longer useful, using him as a stepping stone."
With their intelligence, Key and Sunan quickly understood the intricacies behind these events and gained a deeper understanding of the Starfire Church's cold and ruthless nature.
"But does the Grand Duke truly trust the Starfire Church? I can't believe he's unaware of what the Starfire Church did in Golden Rock Province. Declaring such a cult the state religion seems reckless."
Key frowned.
Sunan replied calmly, "Perhaps they've reached some sort of agreement."
"Whatever their agreement is, I won't allow the Starfire Church into Golden Rock Province. They dream of spreading their faith here!" Key sneered.
After quelling the rebellion, the royal family kept their promise and appointed Key as the Marquis of Shimmering, granting him Golden Rock Province as his domain.
Unlike other provinces, the original noble lords of Golden Rock were either killed by the Golden Rock Coalition or eradicated after siding with the Marquis in rebellion.
Now, every noble in Golden Rock Province was newly appointed by Key.
As a result, Key's control over these military nobles was unmatched by any other marquis.
He effectively ruled the entire province.
Thus, as one of the rare marquises who could fully control an entire province (the Red Leaf Province was under royal control and did not have a separate marquis), even the royal family couldn't interfere with his decision to block the Star God Cult.
Sunan fully supported Key's decision.
In fact, he suspected that apart from the Red Leaf Province, other marquises wouldn't easily allow the Starfire Church to spread their faith in their territories either.
There would likely be a confrontation.
Returning his attention to the battle report, Sunan focused on the mention of the Star God Cult presenting the weaknesses of the Beastization infectees.
Based on his analysis, the Starfire Church was likely unaware of the Beastization disaster.
Otherwise, they would have been involved in the war between the Marquis of Golden Rock and the Shimmering forces from the start.
If they knew the weaknesses of the Beastization infectees, they either learned from the Marquis or found Heb's laboratory.
Sunan speculated it was likely the latter.
Heb wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal such crucial information to the Marquis.
"It seems that whatever Heb left behind has likely fallen into the hands of the Starfire Church."
Sunan felt a twinge of regret but quickly dismissed it.
He never expected to find Heb's belongings in the first place.
Heb's residence was most likely in the Frostflower Province, and venturing there alone to search for a wizard apprentice's dwelling without any intelligence was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Moreover, having just advanced to a level 3 wizard apprentice, Sunan was in a phase of rapid growth and couldn't afford to waste time chasing a slim hope.
Setting down the report, Sunan asked Key, "What are your plans next?"
Key, prepared, responded without hesitation, "Though the war didn't last long, Golden Rock Province suffered significant losses. I plan to focus on recovery and economic development while building strength."
"Indeed," Sunan agreed with a nod.
Though unspoken, both understood that matters weren't settled.
Vengeance against the Starfire Church was inevitable!
For now, they needed to silently build their strength and wait for the day they could uproot the Starfire Church.
"I've arranged for aptitude tests in all towns that haven't conducted them yet. The children who pass will be sent to your base."
"Moreover, the materials you commissioned from the Fire Fox Trading Company have arrived. I've arranged for them to be sent to the base."
These materials included rare metals needed for crafting the magic rune core and consumables for Sunan's mass production of magical items.
Purchasing this batch of materials cost a considerable sum.
However, Key had profited greatly from the war and was generous in procurement.
"I plan to establish one or two more magical plant gardens, so I may need your troops for defense," Sunan said.
"No problem."
Key agreed without hesitation.
He had wanted to persuade Sunan to expand the cultivation of Dragon Blood Fruit, as the larger territory and expanded army required an increasing supply.
He was eager for Sunan to establish more magical plant gardens.
Leaving the lord's manor, Sunan headed straight back to the base.
With the war concluded, he could now focus on training, learning, and agricultural development.
During this time, Sunan had successfully mastered his first second-circle spell, **Elemental Shield**.
He had also started learning his second second-circle spell, **Levitate**.
Additionally, he was halfway through segmented casting training, progressing faster than expected.
Sunan estimated it would take at most two more months to master segmented casting.
"Next, I'll concentrate on crafting magical items to advance **Magic Item Manufacturing** to level 4."
"The magic rune core still needs twenty-nine types of rare metals, and I have to research substitutes for each."
In thought, Sunan arrived at the base.
Suddenly, his gaze fixed on an owl perched on a nearby tree.
The owl had a terrifying face, with six pairs of eyes densely covering its head, a beak with sharp teeth, and dark red talons.
As it met Sunan's gaze, the owl spoke in a deep male voice.
"Nice to meet you, Lord Sunan."
"I'm Night Owl. It's an honor to meet you."
Sunan's lips twitched slightly.
Another wizard apprentice.
Seeing Sunan's lack of reaction and calm gaze, the owl cleared its throat and continued, "There's no need to be overly cautious, Lord Sunan. I'm here with no ill intentions, merely to invite you to join our organization, Forest Cabin."
"Forest Cabin?" Sunan's expression shifted.
"Indeed, Forest Cabin is a secret organization comprised entirely of level 3 wizard apprentices."
Sunan interrupted Night Owl, "Is Heb Gilman one of your members?"
"Yes, but please don't misunderstand."
Noticing Sunan's wary eyes, the owl spread its wings in a human-like gesture and explained, "Forest Cabin is a loose organization established for members to trade information and resources. Beyond trade relations, members have no close ties and do not interfere in each other's actions. You needn't worry about anyone seeking revenge for Heb."
"In fact, many in Forest Cabin disapprove of Heb's actions."
Sunan didn't respond, though he mostly believed it.
After all, if Forest Cabin harbored multiple wizard apprentices seeking revenge for Heb, they wouldn't bother with pretense and would simply attack him.
Of course, this guess wasn't entirely foolproof.
Sunan remained vigilant, his Extreme Protection Ring already activated, and a high-level rune gem quietly slipped into his hand.
"I'm curious, why would you invite me to join Forest Cabin?"
Night Owl seemed to chuckle before replying:
"We've been aware of you for some time. Your reputation from the Battle of Shimmering City reached across the Starlight Principality, and we naturally heard of it."
"However, at that time, you were only a level 2 wizard apprentice, and according to Forest Cabin's rules, we only accept level 3 apprentices, so we hadn't reached out to you."
"It wasn't until you killed Heb, displaying power comparable to a level 3 apprentice, that we decided to make an exception to invite you."
"But now, it seems no exception is needed."
Night Owl regarded Sunan with a meaningful gaze.
A level 3 wizard apprentice can store a small amount of energy particles in their body, and at close range, it's easy for another level 3 apprentice to discern this.
"So, Lord Sunan, would you consider joining Forest Cabin?"
"Trust me, it would greatly benefit your future development!"
Feigning contemplation, Sunan had already made his decision internally.
He had long sought traces of a wizard apprentice organization.
Finally finding one, he certainly wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
Especially since Forest Cabin was a loose organization centered around trade, joining would impose few restrictions while allowing resource and intelligence exchanges with other apprentices, offering numerous benefits.
As his strength increased, the resources Sunan needed became increasingly rare and precious.
Relying solely on the Fire Fox Trading Company made it difficult to gather everything.
Even with the synthesis cube, many materials were beyond his reach, requiring time and effort to research substitutes, a lengthy process.
However, a secret organization of level 3 wizard apprentices might hold some surprises for him.
"Alright, I'll join you!"
Feigning thought for a moment, Sunan agreed.
"Then, welcome aboard, Lord Sunan. From today, you're a member of Forest Cabin."
Night Owl lightly tapped its wings, as if applauding.
It then flapped down from the tree, landing and bending slightly, its belly swelling before quickly extending to its beak, finally spitting out an object with a "wow."
It was a palm-sized, exquisitely crafted wooden toy house, lifelike in detail.
The house lacked a roof, revealing its interior, with only a long table and over a dozen chairs, devoid of other furnishings.
Every surface, from the floor to the walls to the furniture, was intricately engraved with enchanting runes.
"A trading house!"
Sunan murmured, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Night Owl seemed even more surprised. "Lord Sunan, do you recognize this?"
"Sort of." Sunan nodded slightly.
A trading house is a unique micro-glow level magical item.
Though fashioned as a toy house, it's actually a key to an interdimensional space known as a trading house.
In this space, all entrants are considered to have signed an oath contract, bound by its limitations against any transaction-disrupting actions, including but not limited to harming other traders or stealing items, lest their souls be obliterated.
Simply put, it's a magical item designed for secure transactions.
Throughout the golden age of wizards a thousand years ago and in future wizarding eras, trading houses are quite common.
Many wizards (and apprentices) prefer using trading houses for remote transactions, ensuring safety and convenience.
Seeing Sunan's genuine recognition of the trading house, Night Owl was quietly astonished.
He had discovered the trading house by chance in a wizard apprentice inheritance and had never met anyone else who recognized it.
It had taken considerable effort to convince other apprentices of its security benefits, successfully establishing the Forest Cabin organization.
Yet Sunan, a newly advanced level 3 apprentice, recognized it immediately.
"Did he see it in some wizarding text?"
Night Owl wondered silently, but refrained from asking, instead pointing to the trading house with his wing.
"Since Lord Sunan recognizes it, that's convenient."
"Forest Cabin holds gatherings every three months to trade resources and information. The next meeting is in sixteen days at night. Prepare your trade items in advance and enter the trading house when the time comes."
Sunan nodded, using energy particles to clean the trading house of its sticky residue before picking it up.
The trading house can be divided into multiple "keys," and the one Sunan held was just one, granting access to the space.
"Additionally, each member of Forest Cabin uses a code name to address each other, keeping identities confidential. Lord Sunan can decide on a code name."
With this reminder, Night Owl flapped its wings and departed.
Watching it leave, Sunan turned his gaze back to the "key" in his hand, smiling playfully as he returned to the base.
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