Feicui Long then returns and enters the mansion with everyone except the newly subdued soldiers. These 27 troops stay outside to eat and rest a bit, while the centurions, the Emerald-Gold Dragon troops and those close to Feicui Long go to speak in the secret meeting room.
Irina, who enters the mansion after two weeks, notices something strange, like something is different. In fact, the secret meeting room is now on the second floor instead of the third, the door to her young master's room now looks different, and overall everything is changed.
Feicui Long notices her confusion and says, a bit amused: "We reorganize the mansion at Elise's request, who insists that as the future lord of a territory I can't sleep on the first floor for safety reasons. I have to sleep on the third floor and as a consequence we have to reorganize everything."
Feicui Long turns and remembers that moment. Elise, his merchant leader who acts more like an assistant than a merchant when she's here, insists almost begging him that he must take better care of himself. Feicui Long, who until that moment hasn't worried about it since he doesn't run that risk, ends up listening to her and moves his room to the third floor, and with it also the rooms of his adoptive daughters, the twins, Mariane, Annie, Caroline, Freja, Andrea, Arianne, Gloria.
He also has to move the secret meeting room, move Elise and her maid, Evelyn and her maids to the second floor of the mansion, while Annie's family is moved to the first floor, mainly because their work area is closer there but also as a favor to Annie's two grandmothers so they don't have to go down stairs. Though, well, that's not really necessary anymore. After all, he uses the other half of the powerful vitality tree crystal fragment. He has kept it for an attempt to dispel their curses but in the end he doesn't need it.
With it, he creates the longevity pills and with his increased cultivation, an infinitely better furnace, and more support materials, not to mention that this time he doesn't have to divide it between two different medicines, he can make many more. Enough to create 25 of 25 years, 50 of 10 years, 100 of 5 years, 200 of 1 year. Since there is a limit to how many a person can take, in total they can only increase mortal life by 77 years, which also has a rejuvenating effect limited to 21 years of age.
That means right now Annie's mother, her aunts and her grandmothers look like they're 21 years old and on top of that they have extended their lifespan. He also gives them a mystic energy mastery cultivation technique similar to the one he gave Annie that day but of maximum spiritual palace level. Although they want to reject the gift, Annie convinces them to accept and also use it. With that, they will extend their lifespan even more and can do their tasks better now that they are cultivators. It's worth noting that he also uses the pills on his own adoptive daughters since they are still very small and are mortals.
In any case, that's not the only thing that changes. The "libraries" also change, which is actually just one, now spread across the three floors with access up and down. On the first floor are the most basic learning and entertainment books, on the second are some useful books and low and mid-low level techniques and skills, while the third floor holds important but not vital materials, like mid and mid-high level techniques, among other things. The most important ones are placed in the shared office of Isabella and him.
Because yes, they have an office which he actually has equipped more than two months ago, since Isabella asks him to let her help with paperwork and governance. After all, Isabella is from a noble house and is educated in everything including military tactics, so this helps her. Now they share the work.
There are several other changes, like now there is a secret escape route. The space where his room is on the third floor is the same one it used to be on the first, and now the ones on the first and second are two important rooms linked to that route, as well as guard posts and secret storages. Overall everything is reorganized and optimized, although yes, this means establishing more formations and more things.
…
They finally arrive at the secret meeting room on the second floor. The table is much bigger than last time and there are more seats. Feicui Long sits at the head with Isabella to his right, Mariane to his left next to the twins.
Once settled, Irina begins to explain everything she has discovered, the useful zones within Leechwald. Everything is explained meticulously and she also hands over the map where she marks the things. But then she puts on a serious face and starts to explain everything that has happened with the 7 forces, the mystic beasts that have started invading the forest, and other things.
Then Feicui Long nods and quickly writes a letter. He then hands it to Isabella, who brings out her wind peregrine falcon. Normally the Skylion use wind pigeons to send messages, but those take 3 days from here, although that is faster than the 7-day trip by carriage or horse.
Therefore, these falcons are currently one of the greatest treasures, since although they can, once they reach adulthood, reach the peak of the elemental realm and have the potential to reach the astral king realm, their greatest strength is their extreme speed, being able to reach the barony in just 1 day or 12 hours at maximum speed. The issue is that the family only possesses 5 adults and 2 chicks, as they barely managed to tame two pairs. Isabella's falcon used to be one of those 2 chicks, but now it has reached adulthood and was sent to her by Cecilia to communicate more quickly.
In any case, the letter contains all the information about what happened, since when Feicui Long gives the proposal, he already takes this scenario into account, although he considers it highly unlikely, he prepares for it, so they have to accelerate their plans.
Even so… Feicui Long sighs and says: "Elise, what do you think about buying sound transmission stones, powerful enough to communicate with the barony?"
Elise touches her chin and says: "My lord, I think it would be good, this way I could communicate with my father's subordinates and my family, as well as with the commercial partners, in addition to the uses you will give it."
Feicui Long then says: "Good, I want you to buy several raw sound transmission stones, I will make several communication artifacts."
Elise asks hesitantly: "Why raw? Wouldn't it be better to buy the processed and refined ones, from the blacksmith-refiners of the UMIARH?"
Feicui Long replies calmly: "It's not that I distrust the UMIARH or the union of mortal races, but I'd rather not risk them listening to my conversations and plans."
Feicui Long then writes something else on a sheet of paper and hands it to her, before adding: "So I want you to find someone or find where to buy them raw, and I also want you to buy the list of energy materials, I will need them for an important project I have in mind for the village. And if you can, I want you to sell the unmarked common artifacts Irina brought, same with the techniques possessed by the soldiers and those medicines, we don't need them."
Elise wants to question him upon seeing that it might be costly, but Feicui Long has a very serious expression, and then she knows that it really is going to be something important. Feicui Long, upon seeing her give up, sighs mentally and thinks about that project. In addition to the communication artifacts, he wants to build a portal between the Skylion village and his Sky Dragon village, to connect them and be able to visit his in-laws, and also for security in case either needs support.
The reason for a portal and not a teleportation formation is because even though the portal costs 5 times the amount of materials, that is only the initial cost. The teleportation formation requires stones for every activation unless a powerful storage core is built, so in the long run, the formation is more expensive.
Also, the real cost comes from the spatial energy crystals or related materials, but these are unnecessary when one has knowledge of spatial laws, spatial energy, and more, since all that is needed is to understand the above and the required inscriptions or formations, and even less so for the one who has the greatest mastery over space, time, and the dragon attribute in this entire universe.
Now, it's not like it isn't more expensive in other materials than the formation, because it is. Each portal needs twice as much and at minimum another portal to function, so it requires four times the amount of the teleportation formation, but less than the previous five times. Also, not everything is roses. With the portal, two must be built in two separate places, whereas the teleportation formation does not require that and can teleport with the proper coordinates to any location, and later artifacts can be created to allow one to return through a connection to the formation without needing to establish another.
Not to mention, for example, that with the level of portal he plans to build, horses or carriages would not be able to enter, nor could boxes or spatial storage sacks pass through, since their internal dimensions are fragile unlike the bags of holding, rings, or the medallion he possesses. At least, the boxes and sacks he currently has.
So, if he wants to send those, he would need to use far more resources to build a larger and higher quality portal, but for that, he would spend 10 times the money of the more modest portal he plans to build, which would cost between 5 to 7 platinum coins. This more robust portal would then cost 50 to 70 platinum coins, almost all or even more than he currently possesses, so at least for now, trade will have to be by carriage and the long 7-day road.
In any case, Feicui Long has to wait for that. Right now, the most important thing is here. So Feicui Long looks at everyone and says: "The taking of the Leechwald forest will have to be brought forward. Originally, I planned to begin in one or two years, after the village had grown, but it seems more people than I expected witnessed the phenomenon where Carlotta left the forest with the draconic fortress. Luckily, I had considered this, although we will face some pressure."
Feicui Long then looks at the Centurion of Tannenwald and the one from Rotenberg: "Luckily, I think it is possible to make Tannenwald and Rotenberg help the Skylion family to reduce the pressure of taking the forest, but first introduce yourselves, both of you."
The centurion of Tannenwald gives a slight bow and says: "I am Lothar Tannenwald, nephew of the current baron of Tannenwald, my lord."
The centurion of Rotenberg is a bit more blunt but still nods and says: "I am Wilmar Rotenberg, third son of the viscount of Rotenberg, young lord."
The centurion of Krötenheim bows elegantly despite being a commoner and says: "Young lord, I am Fridhelm Moorbach."
Then Lothar takes the floor and says: "My lord, if it's about support and an alliance, don't worry. Anyway, Tannenwald right now is almost like a puppet of the Skylion barony indirectly."
Everyone looks at him curiously except Wilmar, even Isabella who is a Skylion. Lothar then explains: "You see, a long time ago, when young lady Skylion's great-great-grandfather was alive, the then county of Skylion faced a disaster. A very powerful monster wave surged, and the count and the other four earthly realm masters that the family had went to neutralize it. And even though they succeeded, they died in the process. The troops returned with the young lady's great-grandfather, but the misfortunes had only just begun…"
Lothar sighs and says: "From the north, the lords of the frozen rock mountain saw an opportunity to attack a weakened glorious county. Then the county of Kaltstein, which had 7,000 troops, tried to invade, and her great-grandfather went out to face them. It was then that the cowards from the barony of Krötenheim saw their chance to attack from the eastern flank. They used treacherous and cruel tactics like killing innocents, burning entire villages, and even attacking civilians on purpose, all to capture her lord grandfather. Her great-grandfather had no choice but to sign peace with Kaltstein and cede Tannenwald, and although he tried to retake the territory from the Krötenheim, the kidnapping of his son forced him to sign with them as well."
Feicui Long watches them with interest. Although he already knows the part about Krötenheim, he is unaware of the rest of the story. This adds more sense to how the Skylions, who practically were the lords of this poor region, end up becoming just a barony.
Wilmar, who knows the continuation of the story, speaks: "Tannenwald, which had always been the most prosperous commercial zone of the Skylion county, quickly gained power and wealth. That wealth helped them earn the loyalty of the 2,000 Kaltstein troops stationed in their territory. With that and their hatred toward Kaltstein for separating them from Skylion county, they prepared to become independent. They recruited 5,000 mercenaries and looked for allies in the viscounty of Rotenberg and the viscounty of Falkenburg, two of the enemy powers."
Lothar smiles and says: "After the independence, the family that led the movement named itself the Tannenwald family and with some money bought the title of baron. But not everyone in the family agreed. One third of the family remained loyal to the Skylions, although they kept losing influence to the other two factions. But when Kaltstein, who had recovered part of its strength, tried to retake the barony and get revenge on the viscounties, the family requested help from the Skylions, who had increased their troops since the treacherous attack from Krötenheim to 5,500. And even though they had no obligation toward us, her grandfather answered our call."
Isabella remembers that her mother used to tell her this story, how her grandfather managed to repel and avenge her great-grandfather's defeat. She always listened to it entertained and with curiosity.
Lothar adds a bit of information: "That made the faction gain a lot, a lot of power, and currently even though it only has the support of a third of the family members, half of the townspeople and troops feel like members of the Skylion barony. In fact, out of 20 centurions who are in the earthly palace realm and command 2,000 troops, 9 are on this faction's side."
Lothar pauses a moment and then smiles a little ironically: "Although the family has 15 more, 10 in the advanced stages of grade 7 to 9, including me, and 5 at the peak of the earthly palace, it's very close with 2 at the peak and 3 from the advanced stages supporting this faction, while those who want to be independent have the same number. The rest belong to the neutral faction. That means that I, who am from the independence faction, switching to the Skylion side will give them the majority for the first time in decision-making."
Feicui Long then looks at Wilmar and says: "Hmm, I need you to do the same, even if it's temporarily, but preferably as a permanent alliance, at least until I integrate all that territory."
Wilmar just sighs and nods. He and Lothar have already surrendered because of that aura. They don't know where it comes from, but knowing someone like that exists instills a fear in their hearts like they've never felt before. In fact, originally he would have preferred to be killed like the others, but when he thinks about what could happen to his family, he feels truly afraid. The Rotenbergs of the red mountain, unlike other noble families, are very united, especially because they are few in number, and thinking that his brothers and nieces would have to face such a monster forces him to reconsider everything…
Feicui Long then looks at Irina and signals her to come closer. When she is at his side, he raises a hand and snaps his fingers. A contract appears out of nowhere before everyone and burns to ashes. He then says to her: "As for you, Irina, congratulations. With this journey, along with everything you found and did, you have earned enough points for your release. From today you are free. You can now move in with your brother and leave the guest house. Also, take this."
Feicui Long places a card in her hand and looks her in the eyes: "This is the citizenship card of the future Dragon Sky empire. I made it by reverse engineering the cards from the union of mortal races. It was complex, but in this world, they don't have the level necessary to stop me from deciphering their formations. Also, you can exchange the leftover contribution points for anything you want in the store."
Irina, surprised, asks: "Why do I have to move to my brother's house?"
Feicui Long looks at her and says: "Hmm, if you prefer a private house, I can have one built. I have no problem with that, just tell me."
Irina shakes her head and asks again: "But… young master, why do I have to leave the guest house?"
This time, Feicui Long is the one who hesitates and says: "The guest house is only for troops and slaves who didn't have an assigned house. And I'm already planning to build another one for the remaining slaves like Clarisa and her sisters, Alana and Xilena. It's just that I had to prioritize the workshops and more important things."
Irina tries to reason with him: "But young master, I am the scout of your army. Wouldn't it make sense for me to stay in the house?"
Feicui Long sees how determined she is and says: "I'll think about it. For now, night has already fallen. Rest, and we'll talk tomorrow."
Feicui Long then looks at everyone and says: "All of you rest as well. We will make our first move tomorrow when the falcon returns."
Everyone nods and leaves, while Feicui Long has to make the subdued troops establish a temporary camp so they can depart tomorrow. After that, he returns to rest peacefully with Isabella.