Nalant was stunned by the gift in the box.
As its name suggested, a Flame Crystal was a crystal that contained a large amount of fire-aspected Battle Qi.
Its shape was quite unusual, with sharp, distinct edges and several facets, as though it had been precisely cut by a machine. It looked just like the beautiful gemstones from his previous life.
Even more remarkable was its interior. The crystal was translucent, and visible red flames flickered and burned within it.
In this world, besides Flame Crystals, there were also Ice Crystals, Whirlwind Crystals, and Earth Rock Crystals, corresponding to the four elements of fire, water, wind, and earth!
These four types of crystal were incredibly rare. They were top-grade ores that only Yellow Sprites could produce, and even then, only with a small chance.
They were also extremely useful: they allowed Title Knights to quickly absorb the Battle Qi within them. Absorbing one was equivalent to gaining a month's worth of cultivation, greatly accelerating a Title Knight's progress.
Nalant cultivated fire-aspected Battle Qi, so the Flame Crystal Naxia had gifted him was perfect for him to absorb.
In this world, strength symbolized everything. The richer a noble was, the faster they tended to cultivate, and that was precisely because of Battle Qi crystals and magical beast meat.
Magical beast meat nourished a Title Knight's body. Even without exercising or training, their physique would grow stronger over time if they ate it regularly.
Flame Crystals, meanwhile, spared Title Knights the tedious process of meditation. They could level up even while lying down.
The combined effect of both was extremely powerful, but it depended on having enough gold to afford them.
There was no need to explain magical beast meat. Even low-tier magical beast meat cost one gold coin per pound as a base price. Since magical beasts were scarce and difficult to deal with, it was often hard to find any for sale at all.
Flame Crystals, on the other hand, were supplied steadily. Several great nobles in the duchy had opened mines that produced them, but scarcity made them precious nonetheless. A single Flame Crystal was worth at least ten gold coins—far beyond the means of most minor nobles.
"Nalant, I heard you successfully formed a Battle Qi Seed and became a Title Knight. Congratulations, my brother!"
"Father also told me that you were assigned to Storm Territory. It's a dangerous place, so I'm sending you this Flame Crystal! I hope you break through again soon and become a source of pride for the Berick Family—and for me, your little sister!"
"Signed: Your loving sister, Naxia!"
Nalant picked up the letter from the gift box and read it. His feelings grew complicated.
To be honest, he hadn't felt much attachment to the Berick Family. After all, the soul inside him had come from Earth.
But after hearing Thomas describe how Andrew had stormed into the meeting room and demanded justice for his second son in front of the count, and now seeing his thoughtful little sister send him such a precious Flame Crystal, Nalant felt that perhaps he could find a place in this loving family. It might even become a comforting harbor for his heart.
The Berick Family was known throughout Tulip Territory for being poor. A Flame Crystal worth ten gold coins was certainly beyond Naxia's means.
The only possibility was that Naxia had earned a reward from the Noble Academy for her excellent grades, and the Flame Crystal had been given to her by the academy.
Since you care about me, then from now on, I'll look after you all!
Nalant carefully put away the letter and the Flame Crystal, then took a deep breath.
"My lord, after selling all the goods brought by the merchant caravan, we earned a total of twenty-one gold coins and ten silver coins!"
"After subtracting the fourteen gold coins and thirty silver coins spent on supplies, we have six gold coins and eighty silver coins left. Should I hand them directly to you, my lord, or put them in the storehouse?"
After Nalant put away the gift, Thomas spoke up at just the right moment. He had already taken out a small black purse.
"Record them in the ledger and put them in the storehouse." There wasn't much he could spend the money on if he kept it with him, so the storehouse was the best place for it.
After Thomas finished his report, Nalant called Quick over to ask about the purchased equipment.
The caravan had bought fifteen complete sets of defensive gear in Tulip City.
They included leather armor, helmets, round shields, and leather boots.
After confirming with Quick that all the equipment was in order, Nalant immediately took ten sets and distributed them to the Second Guard Squad.
By noon the next day, the caravan had returned. Nalant had given the First Guard Squad time to rest, and after a full day of recuperation, they were finally back in top form.
"Now that the caravan has returned and the first part of our plan has succeeded, it's time to deal with the matter in the Buffer Zone!"
Every extra day the matter in the Buffer Zone dragged on felt like another day of losses to Nalant. He still didn't know what was inside, but somehow he was sure he was missing out on a fortune.
Besides, after the bees had attacked two or three times a day for several days, the guards at Quinte Camp had grown accustomed to them. Whenever they spotted bees, they immediately climbed down from the wooden wall to take cover. The bees would leave in less than three minutes.
After so many attacks, the guards had briefly abandoned their posts, but nothing dangerous had happened at the camp. Nalant guessed that the guards at Quinte Camp had let down their guard.
"My lord!" Just as Nalant made up his mind, Sherry came running into the study.
"What is it, Sherry?"
"My lord, I just sent the bees to attack Baron Quinte's camp as usual. When they came back, they told me there are more than a dozen guards and a carriage at the camp!"
"More than a dozen new guards and a carriage?" Nalant frowned. Why did things have to change at this particular moment?
But the next instant, his expression changed. "This is bad!"
"My lord, what's wrong?"
"If they're mining there and a squad of guards and a carriage have just arrived, they must be planning to transport the ore they've extracted back home."
It wasn't hard to figure out, but Nalant hadn't expected it to happen at such a critical moment.
"Sherry, go get Vivian and Quick. I'll wait for them in the first-floor hall!" Nalant gave the order without hesitation, then stood up.
"Yes, my lord!" Sherry answered and dashed downstairs.
"My lord, you called for us?" Vivian and Quick soon arrived in the first-floor hall.
"Sherry just reported that something has changed at the camp. Quinte may be preparing to have the ore hauled away!" Nalant said gravely, explaining his suspicion. "So I've decided we're heading to the Buffer Zone now. We'll deal with the camp depending on the situation!"
"Yes, my lord! We swear to serve you to the death!"
Neither Quick nor Vivian showed the slightest hesitation. In fact, the burly Quick even looked a little excited.
"Then go and make sure all the guards are properly equipped. We leave in ten minutes!"
"Yes, my lord!"