Ballista, Brandon Prepares to Make a Comeback

Soon, the two arrived at a training ground. All the blacksmiths and carpenters were already waiting there. Upon seeing Velin, they all bowed in greeting.

Joseph, the head of the carpenters, stepped forward and respectfully introduced, "My Lord, these are the finished ballistas."

Velin stepped forward to examine the ballista, the sight overlapping with memories from his past life.

"Bring a spear," he commanded.

A carpenter nearby immediately brought a long spear. The other two carpenters turned the cranks vigorously to draw the bowstring via the rear axle, then loaded an arrow, awaiting the command to fire.

Velin took the wooden hammer handed to him by Orlando and aimed it at the trigger mechanism, smashing it down hard.

With a whoosh, the thick, long spear shot out, piercing through three experimental wooden dummies and tearing apart the leather armor placed on them.

The dummies were positioned at estimated distances of three hundred, six hundred, and eight hundred meters.

Velin watched the experimental results and couldn't help but cheer loudly.

The surrounding craftsmen and blacksmiths, receiving praise from their Lord, puffed out their chests, savoring the glorious moment.

Joseph, with his hunched posture, seized the opportune moment and boldly asked, "My Lord, what shall we name this weapon?"

"Let's continue its previous designation and call it the Three-Bow Ballista," Velin said, stroking the ballista. He then turned to Joseph and inquired, "What is the current production rate?"

"My Lord, with four people per group, we can complete one Three-Bow Ballista in six days," Joseph replied immediately.

Velin nodded, satisfied with the speed.

This weapon would be a great killing instrument in the wilderness, a sharp tool in his hands for the time being. As for later, once he had his own mages and magic blacksmiths, such items would either be phased out or improved upon, incorporating magical elements to unlock greater value.

Afterward, Velin gathered everyone and announced loudly, "Now, I will fulfill my promise. In the name of Velin Ex, I declare your status as slaves abolished. From this moment on, you are granted freedom."

The fifteen blacksmiths and twenty-five carpenters all knelt, their voices filled with emotion.

"Thank you, my Lord."

After having the others rise, Velin continued his announcement, "Next is my second promise. If you complete this task within one month, I will bestow upon each of you a woman for the purpose of procreation."

Hearing about women, the craftsmen below became very excited.

Among them were craftsmen who already had children, but those children were not their own; they were the property of the slave owner. Now, they were free men. Their women would belong only to them, and their children would carry on their bloodline.

"Now, I will announce my second task. Within one week, if you complete the production of twenty ballistas, each of you will receive a reward of one gold coin."

"Please rest assured, my Lord. Joseph will complete the task you have assigned, even if it means working himself to death."

"I am willing to give everything for my Lord, even my unborn child."

"My Lord, your will is the meaning of my existence. I will execute it without regret."

Each craftsman expressed their loyalty to Velin in their own words. Everything they had came from their Lord, and it would continue to be so.

Back in his room, Velin revised his battle plan. With the Three-Bow Ballista, he now had absolute confidence in dealing with Brandon's next attack. Through this battle, he intended to gain greater benefits and accelerate the development of his territory. The Guidance of Fate would only reveal valuable information, but this was something others lacked. He intended to use this advantage to reach the pinnacle of this world and see the view from the top.

In the Ridge Territory, at Ridge Castle, Brian immediately summoned his territory's forces to provide support after receiving a letter from his cousin. He made no hesitation, taking eighty percent of the Ridge Territory's army with him, leaving only a trusted confidant to guard the territory.

At this moment, in the Barony of Klevland, Brandon stood in his study, constantly reviewing the previous battle, contemplating his gains and losses.

"This time, I will not fail again."

Clenching his fist, Brandon looked at the various plans on the paper. This time, he was determined to capture his opponent alive.

"Master, Lord Violet, Lord Caisley, and Lord Barry are waiting in the main hall," the butler reported, standing behind Brandon.

Brandon picked up the papers filled with various plans and headed to the main hall with the butler. As soon as he entered the castle hall, he heard the three of them talking loudly, their words filled with ridicule about Brandon's defeat by a mere youngster.

"Haha, Brandon, that shameless old man, actually had to rely on a woman for negotiations to get himself ransomed back."

"Violet, watch your words. Be careful that you don't end up in the same situation one day."

"Heh, to use a woman for negotiations? I'd rather commit suicide than suffer such humiliation."

"Ahem..."

The three turned upon hearing the cough and closed their mouths, ceasing their conversation. Brandon acted as if he hadn't heard anything and, with a fake smile, sat down in the lord's seat.

"Everyone, I have invited you here today regarding this massive iron ore deposit."

"What, iron ore?"

The other three widened their eyes and stared at Brandon after hearing this.

"Yes, it's iron ore. I'm willing to contribute it this time. As long as we capture this stronghold, I only want one-tenth of the iron ore profits; all the rest will be yours."

Caisley, the rare Mage Lord dressed in a magic robe, stroked his white beard and asked suspiciously, "Brandon, isn't there some trick to this? Isn't it a lie you fabricated for revenge?"

"Then do you think it's possible? Caisley." Brandon stared sharply at the Mage.

Seeing this, the other two immediately realized that this possibility was very high. They all looked at Brandon with suspicious eyes, hoping he could produce evidence to prove that the location occupied by the Pioneer Knights indeed had iron ore with abundant reserves.

"Ahem, Brandon, it's not that we don't believe you. Unless you provide evidence, we're not fools," Warrior Lord Barry said appropriately, seeing the situation, to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Since that's the case, then let Caisley use Lie Detection Magic to prove whether what I said is true or false." Seeing that the three did not believe him, Brandon could only resort to this measure.

Upon seeing this, Mage Caisley stood up, held his staff, and chanted softly. A white magic circle appeared at Brandon's feet.

Under the gaze of the other two, Brandon spoke again, "The location occupied by the Pioneer Knights is buried with iron ore of immense reserves."

As soon as Brandon finished speaking, the magic circle for detecting lies maintained its white glow and did not turn red.

Seeing this, they believed Brandon's words; there truly was a place with immense iron ore reserves.