Low-Tier Ring of Supply

Temporary Mission issued: First Alliance.

Mission Brief: An alliance is a strategic consideration. Only by learning to unite can one have more chances of survival.

Mission Requirements: Complete the First Alliance.

Mission Reward: Random Low-Tier Treasure ×1.

This was why Shen Mu had fallen silent.

Looking up at the Halflings before him and the druid named Liu Na, Shen Mu smiled kindly and nodded. "Of course. I'm willing to cooperate as well."

This was practically a reward delivered right to his doorstep!

"Lord Shen Mu, do you mean... you agree to cooperate?"

Halfling Elder Polo was so excited he could barely contain himself.

"That's right."

Shen Mu took the initiative to extend his hand and lightly shook hands with Halfling Elder Polo. Then he reached toward Liu Na, who was still trembling beneath her black hood as she looked at him. After shaking her hand as well, he said seriously, "A lady who has inherited the path of a profession, and Halflings renowned for their kindness and diligence—I wouldn't want to turn away such fine allies."

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Shen Mu." Halfling Elder Polo's furry little face trembled with excitement.

"Th... thank you!" Even Liu Na softly thanked him excitedly.

"It's nothing." Shen Mu chuckled.

To him, it truly was just a matter of saying a few words.

But.

For Polo, and especially for Liu Na...

It meant everything!

As long as they could obtain natural materials that had not been corroded by the Necromantic Rules—soil, plants, even stones—they could activate the Druid Mark within Liu Na and give her a real chance to level up.

It would allow Liu Na to experience true nature and comprehend the essence of a druid from the omnipresent Will of Nature!

Therefore.

The two of them were immensely grateful for the goodwill Shen Mu had shown—a lord who possessed a Lord Mark!

However, while the two were celebrating, Shen Mu felt it was necessary to make things clear first.

After all, Shen Mu had no intention of allowing these neighbors from the fifth floor to enter his Stronghold Main House or Wheat Field to look around or stay.

This was his privacy, and even more so, his hidden trump card.

After pondering briefly, Shen Mu said, "Miss Liu Na, Elder Polo, I'll send over a sufficient amount of uncontaminated soil later. I hope it will be useful to you."

Shen Mu paused slightly as he spoke.

Then he added, "However, if possible, I hope you can regularly provide me with some of the Dried Mushrooms and Dried Earthworms you produce."

This was an equal exchange between allies.

"Of course, that won't be a problem!" Elder Polo promptly bowed, agreeing while expressing his respect.

After all, they believed they were getting the better end of this cooperation.

Not only could Liu Na further develop her druid level.

They could also obtain uncontaminated soil.

And the price was merely some mushrooms they could cultivate at any time, or Dried Earthworms—food that was not particularly valuable.

Of course they could agree!

"Mm, then it's settled." Seeing his agreement, Shen Mu nodded. "I'll arrange for soldiers to deliver it later."

"We understand." Elder Polo nodded again in gratitude.

At the same time, he tugged on the hand of Liu Na, who was still somewhat dazed and only knew to nod and offer thanks.

After bidding Shen Mu farewell, they turned and left.

They were returning to the fifth floor.

Having lived for over two hundred years, Halfling Elder Polo naturally understood what Shen Mu meant.

It was a tactful reminder.

Cooperation was possible.

An alliance was possible too.

But they had only known each other for such a short time. There would inevitably be some barriers and wariness between them.

For Blue Star, now ravaged by the Necromantic Rules, that was perfectly normal.

If they wanted to deepen their cooperation.

If they wanted to enter Lord Shen Mu's Wheat Field, wherever it might be.

They would have to wait until both sides had established a relationship of mutual trust.

"This is wonderful." Even so, Halfling Elder Polo's face was full of excitement.

Once inside the stairwell, he released Liu Na's hand—the girl he had always cared for like a daughter. His tone and wide eyes were brimming with joy. "As long as we have one bucket of uncontaminated soil, I'm confident I can cultivate plenty of Spiritual Realm Mushrooms and let you easily become a level 2 druid!"

"Mm." Liu Na walked beside Polo. Beneath her black hood, her pale little face had turned slightly rosy.

After all, for someone with social anxiety, going out and speaking with others—especially strangers—was already an enormous undertaking.

Not to mention speaking with a man around her own age.

"..." Liu Na pursed her pink lips.

Her face turned even redder.

After the two left, Shen Mu returned to the Stronghold Main House.

Before leaving, he nodded to the five Swadian Footmen stationed in the Elevator Room. "Well done. Stay vigilant at all times."

"We'll keep a close watch here." The five Swadian Footmen answered just as seriously.

Shen Mu returned to the main house on the first floor and sat down.

He beckoned to the Swadian Recruits still resting in shifts by the entrance and gave an order. "I need two steady recruits to dig up some soil from the Wheat Field and deliver it to the neighbors on the fifth floor."

"Understood." Two recruits immediately responded in deep voices, turning to carry out the assigned task.

Before long, they had each filled found iron and wooden buckets to the brim. Carrying them together on poles cut with Long-handled Sickles, they headed steadily and swiftly down toward the fifth floor.

A few short minutes later, a dialogue box appeared before Shen Mu.

It indicated that the mission had been completed.

Ding! You have completed the Temporary Mission!

Congratulations! You have obtained 'Random Low-Tier Treasure' ×1.

The dialogue box flashed before Shen Mu.

In his mind, a special sphere of light floated there, flickering with brilliant colors and exuding an air of mystery.

As Shen Mu used the Mind Communicates with System, the multicolored sphere slowly unfolded like a blooming lotus.

Then it transformed into a new dialogue box.

You have opened 'Random Low-Tier Treasure'.

You have obtained—'Low-level Supply Ring'.

Item Name: Low-level Supply Ring.

Item Description: This appears to be an ordinary ring forged from silver, but it has been infused with Battlefield Supply Magic from the Empire of Einfast. It can restore arrows expended by troops.

Item Function: Battlefield Supply Technique can be used 3 times per day to replenish low-tier battlefield consumables for soldiers, including crossbow bolts, arrows, javelins, throwing axes, and more.

"Hmm!?" Shen Mu's surprise did not fade as he stared at the contents of the dialogue box.

A surge of wild delight also filled his eyes.

"Low-level Supply Ring!?"

Shen Mu lowered his head. In his palm, white light flickered and Data Stream flowed as a silver ring appeared within it.

It looked completely ordinary on the surface, aside from the fine inscriptions carved onto it, resembling scripture.

Yet in Shen Mu's palm.

He could truly feel a cool current circulating within the ring, ready to turn into real magic through those inscriptions at any moment!

"Battlefield Supply Magic from the Empire of Einfast in the Fantasy Side MOD, Warband New Era!"

Shen Mu seemed to understand everything about the ring.

This was the explanation provided by the Mount & Blade System.

"...Judging from this alone, the Mount & Blade System has been continuously strengthening me." Shen Mu frowned slightly.

A trace of unease suddenly rose within him.

Turning his head toward the stone walls, he saw two Mercenary Sentinels holding their Light Crossbows and staring coldly through the Firing Ports.

That was the direction of the corridor.

Faintly, some sunlight from the corridor outside shone into this sealed Stronghold Main House—the square tower.

At least it kept the inside of the tower from becoming too dark.

But what Shen Mu was looking at was neither the wall nor the apartment corridor outside. It was the...

Spiritual Realm Scene hidden within Room 2040 all this time, the one the Mount & Blade System had warned him about through a Temporary Mission, filled with Demon Monsters!

"Could the Mount & Blade System's combat-related assistance be a warning that the upcoming battle will be difficult?"

Shen Mu pondered slightly.

When he had created the Mount & Blade System, he had indeed added a setting: if it detected that the protagonist was entering a difficult situation, it would provide enhancements in advance to balance the game's difficulty.

Now that the Mount & Blade System was helping him like this.

It truly made Shen Mu a little nervous.

"Three days from now—on the third night—the army formed by Demon Monsters will launch a fierce assault against me."

Shen Mu pursed his lips.

At that moment, he looked at the Swadian Recruits, who were still sleeping soundly along the floor and walls of the first floor.

He began to consider something. "Perhaps during these three days, these recruits should complete an upgrade!"

Upgrading Swadian Recruits was not difficult.

Besides.

There were only ten of them.

"If they're careful, three days should be enough for these Swadian Recruits to grind their way directly up to Swadian Footmen!"

Shen Mu made his decision.

At night.

Within those narrow corridors, the ten Swadian Recruits could cooperate with one another and sweep through the scattered Undead Monsters a few times.

How could they possibly fail to level up?