Flame Crystal

Nalant was stunned when he saw the gift inside the box.

The Flame Crystal, as its name implied, was a crystal containing a massive amount of fire-attribute Battle Qi.

Its appearance was quite peculiar; with sharp, distinct edges, it looked as if it had been cut by precision instruments, featuring several cross-sections that bore a striking resemblance to the beautiful gemstones of his past life.

What was even more extraordinary was its interior. It was semi-transparent, and visible to the naked eye, a red flame flickered and burned fiercely within.

In this world, besides the Flame Crystal, there were also Ice Crystals, Whirlwind Crystals, and Earth Rock Crystals, corresponding to the four elements of fire, water, wind, and earth Battle Qi!

These four types of crystals were incredibly rare, being top-tier ores that only Yellow Sprites had a small chance of gestating.

Their utility was equally formidable: they allowed a Title Knight to rapidly absorb the Battle Qi contained within. Absorbing a single crystal was equivalent to a month of cultivation, which could significantly accelerate a Title Knight's progress.

Since Nalant cultivated fire-attribute Battle Qi, the Flame Crystal gifted by Naxia was perfect for him to absorb.

In this world, strength represented everything. Wealthy nobles often cultivated faster precisely because of these Battle Qi crystals and Magic Beast meat.

Magic Beast meat could nourish a Title Knight's physical body; even without rigorous training, long-term consumption would make one's physique increasingly robust.

The Flame Crystal, meanwhile, spared a Title Knight from the tedious process of meditation, allowing them to level up while lying down.

The effect of this two-pronged approach was immense, though it required the backing of a sufficient pile of gold coins.

Not to mention the Magic Beast meat—low-tier Magic Beast meat cost one gold coin per jin as a base price, and because Magic Beasts were rare and difficult to deal with, it was often a case of having the money but no goods to buy.

While the supply of Flame Crystals was stable, and several great nobles in the principality had opened such treasure mines, goods were valued for their scarcity. A single Flame Crystal was worth at least ten gold coins, a price few minor nobles could afford.

"Nalant, I heard you successfully planted your Battle Qi Seed and became a Title Knight. Congratulations, my brother!"

"Also, I heard from Father that you were assigned to the Storm Territory. That is a very dangerous place, so I am sending you this Flame Crystal! I hope you can break through again soon and become the pride of the Berick Family, and the pride of your sister!"

"Signed: Your dear sister, Naxia!"

When Nalant picked up the letter from the gift box and finished reading it, his mood became complicated.

To be honest, Nalant originally had no great sense of belonging to the Berick Family, as the soul within him had come from Earth.

But after hearing Thomas recount how Andrew had charged into the meeting room to demand justice for his second son in front of the Count, and now with this sister so thoughtfully sending such a precious Flame Crystal, Nalant felt that perhaps integrating into this family, filled with love and kinship, wouldn't be a bad harbor for his soul.

One had to know that the Berick Family was notoriously poor within the Tulip Territory. This Flame Crystal was worth ten gold coins; Naxia certainly couldn't have bought it.

The only possibility was that Naxia had won it as a reward for her excellent performance at the Noble Academy, and the academy had bestowed it upon her.

"Since you all have me in your hearts, then from now on, let me be the one to protect you!"

Silently putting away the letter and the Flame Crystal, Nalant took a deep breath.

"My Lord, after selling all the goods from this caravan, we obtained a total of twenty-one gold coins and ten silver coins!"

"After deducting the fourteen gold coins and thirty silver coins spent on supplies, we have a remainder of six gold coins and eighty silver coins. Shall I hand them directly to you, My Lord, or deposit them into the treasury?"

Once Nalant had put the gift away, Thomas spoke at the opportune moment, having already produced a small black coin purse from his hand.

"Register it and deposit it into the treasury." There was nowhere to spend money if he carried it on himself, so storing it in the treasury was the most appropriate choice!

After Thomas finished his report, Nalant called for Quick to inquire about the purchased equipment.

This time, the caravan had purchased fifteen full sets of defensive gear from Tulip City.

These included leather armor, helmets, round shields, and leather boots.

After confirming the equipment was correct with Quick, Nalant immediately took out ten sets to distribute to the Second Guard Squad.

Time flew by until noon the next day. After the caravan returned, Nalant had allowed the First Squad to rest. After a full day of recuperation, the First Guard Squad had finally regained their energy.

"Since the caravan has returned and the first phase of the plan has yielded results, it is time to resolve the matters within the Buffer Zone!"

For every extra day he dragged out the situation in the Buffer Zone, Nalant felt he was losing more... although he still didn't know exactly what was inside, he simply felt he was suffering a massive loss.

Furthermore, through the bees' two or three daily raids over the past few days, the guards in Quinte's camp had developed a habit: the moment they spotted the bees, they would immediately crawl down from the wooden walls to hide. The bees would leave in less than three minutes.

After so many times, although the guards had briefly left their posts, no danger had occurred in the camp. Nalant speculated that the guards in Quinte's camp must have lowered their vigilance!

"My Lord!" Just as Nalant made his decision, Sherry trotted into the study.

"Sherry, what is it?"

"My Lord, I just sent the bees to raid Baron Quinte's camp as usual. The bees that returned told me that there are now over a dozen more guards and a carriage in the camp!" Sherry reported immediately.

"More than a dozen extra guards and a carriage?" Nalant's brows knitted together. Why did things have to change at this exact moment?

However, a moment later, Nalant's expression shifted. "Oh no!"

"My Lord, what's wrong?"

"Since they are mining a mineral deposit in that camp, the sudden arrival of a squad of guards and a carriage must be to transport the mined ore back."

This conclusion wasn't hard to reach, but Nalant hadn't expected it to happen so coincidentally at this critical juncture.

"Sherry, go find Vivian and Quick. I will wait for them in the first-floor hall!" Nalant did not hesitate; after giving the order to Sherry, he stood up himself.

"Yes, My Lord!" Hearing this, Sherry scurried downstairs.

"My Lord, you summoned us!" Vivian and Quick arrived in the first-floor hall shortly after.

"Sherry just reported that an incident occurred at the camp; it is highly likely that Quinte has sent men to transport the ore away!" Nalant's expression was grave as he voiced his deduction. "Therefore, I have decided to head to the Buffer Zone immediately to resolve the situation at the camp depending on what we find!"

"Yes, My Lord! We swear our lives to your service!"

Upon hearing this, neither Quick nor Vivian showed any sign of hesitation; in fact, the burly man Quick even revealed a faint look of excitement.

"In that case, go and have all the guards ready their equipment. We depart in ten minutes!"

"Yes, My Lord!"