The sparse drizzle, like fine silver needles, quietly fell from the sky, soaking into the slightly barren land of Scale-Earth Rift Road. The air was filled with the smell of moist earth and the fresh fragrance of grass after the rain.
This business road winds along the northwest edge of Ser Wilderness.
Over the long years, it has remained anonymous, with few caravans passing through.
Mainly because there are monsters that often appear and plunder, and because it is far away from the Federation garrison camp and its safety is worrying, it has been neglected all year round and is almost abandoned. Only the sand and grass are its most loyal companions.
Only those down-and-out small caravans who are really short of money and unable to afford the high tolls on the main roads will, when they are desperate, grit their teeth and take the risk of choosing this dangerous path with a bit of luck.
However.
Since that turning point more than 20 years ago, everything here has undergone earth-shaking changes.
Although today's Scale-Earth Rift Road still cannot be compared with those busy, noisy and bustling main roads, it is definitely not the inaccessible and almost deserted trail back then.
At this moment.
On the road that has been more than doubled, the old businessman Matthew was wrapped in a thick waterproof dark cloak and huddled next to the cargo pile of the open-top truck.
The icy rain continued to get into the cracks, bringing bursts of chill.
He turned slightly sideways and told the long-dusted past of this business road to the young apprentice beside him who was inexperienced and still had a look of travel fatigue and curiosity on his face.
The engine roared deeply under the power of Black Oil.
The truck, made of metal and hardwood, remained surprisingly smooth and fast on the dirt road.
Matthew raised his hand to wipe the rain off his face, his voice seemed a little distant in the rain.
"Back then... something happened here Scale-Earth Rift Road that cannot be ignored. The commotion was quite big, and even many high-ranking nobles were alarmed. This is how this quiet place became like this."
The young apprentice immediately straightened his back, and the curiosity in his eyes became more intense.
Accompanied by the steady rhythm of the truck moving forward in the hazy rain, the old businessman smiled and talked with a calmness like a storyteller.
The apprentice listened with rapt attention, and the story gradually became clear in his mind.
More than twenty years ago, a group of fierce wilderness monsters unified and unified, occupying the land Scale-Earth Rift Road and declaring it their own territory.
But what was beyond everyone's expectation was.
The monsters entrenched here are not as ferocious and bloodthirsty as the rumors say, killing or plundering passing merchants.
Quite the opposite.
They miraculously restrained their ferocious and greedy nature, took out the rough minerals they had worked hard to mine deep in the wilderness, and hunted animal skins with a primitive flavor, and actively signaled to the passing human caravans that they were willing to conduct fair and barter transactions.
What's even more incredible is.
They even took the initiative to take on the role of "scavengers", cleaning up the truly ferocious and bloodthirsty beasts and dangerous monsters in the surrounding area, and turned the crisis-ridden Scale-Earth Rift Road into a relatively safe and reliable wilderness passage.
To know.
In this vast and dangerous land, only those large-scale business routes that need to pay high tolls and taxes can enjoy the benefits of Federation's garrison to regularly clear out surrounding threats. This is a security guarantee that merchants buy with real money.
But this free, monster-controlled channel is no less safe, and even better in some aspects.
The nature of a businessman is to keenly pursue profits.
After being keenly aware of the unique value and potential profits of Scale-Earth Rift Road, more and more caravans began to tentatively travel here. When they personally verified that the monster clan had indeed restrained their minions and the transaction could proceed smoothly, this business road gradually became lively.
"But."
Hearing this, the outspoken young apprentice who was under twenty years old could not suppress the doubts that surged in his heart.
"Matthew Dad, why have we been walking for so long without seeing even half a shadow of the wilderness monsters? Aren't they the owners of this place?"
He looked around at the desolate rainy scene, his voice full of confusion.
"Young man, don't be impatient and listen patiently."
The old businessman took a sip of the hot tea he had brought with him and continued to describe the turning point of the story in a tone full of vicissitudes of life.
Just as Scale-Earth Rift Road is becoming more and more prosperous, business and travel are coming in an endless stream, and everything seems to be developing in a good direction.
The nominal owner of this place - Ironthorn Viscount, was so excited by the prosperity of the territory that his greed expanded rapidly.
He increased the taxes Scale-Earth Rift Road imposed on businessmen, and the intensity of the exploitation was staggering.
At the same time, he began to extend his greedy tentacles to the monster clans that were entrenched here and maintained order in the passage, and demanded high taxes from them, as if those monsters were his tenants.
The apprentice frowned and asked doubtfully, "You mean, it was Ironthorn Viscount that forced those wilderness monsters away?"
"Yes, but to be more precise, the monsters killed Ironthorn Viscount and then voluntarily gave up on Scale-Earth Rift Road."
Hearing this answer, the confusion on the apprentice's face deepened. "This... isn't this right?"
"You are a noble and distinguished person. Why do you want to personally take risks and come to this dangerous wilderness?"
"How could those wilderness monsters, no matter how ferocious they are, kill a noble master who must be surrounded by elite guards? I can't understand."
Seeing the expression of confusion and shock on the apprentice's face, the old businessman raised the corners of his mouth, revealing an extremely satisfied smile.
He especially enjoys the emotional fluctuations shown by young people due to the unknown.
Especially looking forward to seeing the other person's shocked and stunned expression after learning the truth, this always brings a sense of pleasure to him as the narrator, as if he has seen his former self.
The old businessman slowly shook the water drops accumulated on his raincoat, and the water droplets fell down.
He cleared his throat and continued his narrative.
In order to train his successor and allow the future leader of the territory to accumulate merit and prestige, Ironthorn Viscount sent him to this wilderness, accompanied by many elite family guards including Alchemy Golem.
This team has a strong lineup and a clear purpose.
--Use force as the backing to negotiate with those monster clans who don't know how to flatter themselves, forcing them to accept the Viscount's will and obediently pay the sky-high taxes.
However, no one expected that the development of things completely exceeded everyone's expectations.
Behind the seemingly ordinary monster clan, there are actually three Adolescent Dragon!
Evil Dragon is arrogant and violent by nature, how can he tolerate human extortion?
They instantly tore apart the false illusion of peace, brutally attacked and killed the noble heirs, and then took the entire monster clan away and disappeared deep into the wilderness.
Ironthorn Viscount was furious after hearing the news, and spent a lot of money to recruit a powerful Dragon-Hunting Order, and personally led the team into the wilderness to pursue them.
However, this team eventually disappeared and was never heard from again.
People who know this matter privately generally believe that it was the three Evil Dragons that killed Ironthorn Viscount and his Dragon-Hunting Orders.
Although the environment in which Evil Dragon lives is dangerous and often leads to encirclement and suppression by humans, no one dares to underestimate their power and ferocity.
There are many examples of crusaders being slaughtered.
"A noble viscount, together with his heir, were killed by monsters in the wilderness... This caused quite a stir at the time and shocked many Raymond Duchy powerful people."
The old businessman felt a little emotional.
"Subsequently, in order to calm the situation and demonstrate their strength, the Federation garrison mobilized on a large scale and conducted a thorough sweep of the area surrounding Scale-Earth Rift Road."
"Nearly all the ferocious beasts, monsters, and even some innocent or weak scattered monster clans around were slaughtered by the army, leaving no grass behind. This purge of Bloodshed made the surrounding area of Scale-Earth Rift Road more stable than ever before, at least on the surface."
"And with the death of Ironthorn Viscount, his control over this place collapsed, and the tolls and taxes originally collected by him, which made business travelers miserable, also disappeared."
"Not only have the number of caravans coming and going not decreased because of the previous killings, but they have increased due to the exemption of taxes and the temporary improvement in security. It seems to be a bit more lively than when the monsters were entrenched."
The apprentice still had doubts lingering in his mind, and he asked, "But when we came here, weren't we obviously stopped by soldiers at the intersection and had to pay a large toll?"
The old businessman smacked his lips, with a hint of helplessness on his face.
"That's because seven years ago, Albert Family - the family of Ironthorn Viscount - sent people to take over Scale-Earth Rift Road again and began to reset the card and collect taxes. The food is even worse than before."
"Their greed has discouraged many merchants from giving up this road, but overall, Scale-Earth Rift Road is still much more prosperous than it was initially. Caravans like us in need will still choose to pass through here."
Albert is the last name of the deceased Ironthorn Viscount.
Albert Family has a prominent and deep-rooted position in Raymond Duchy. During its heyday, there was a powerful Marquis family head.
Nowadays, although it is slightly in decline and its glory is no longer there, the head of the earl family is still in charge, and there are many viscount lords to protect the surroundings.
A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Its network of contacts is vast and its interests are deeply entangled, far beyond that of an ordinary earl family.
The drizzle was continuous, like an endless thread, shrouding the heaven and earth in a gray mist.
As time went by, this small caravan with only a few trucks slowly approached the pass ahead in the misty rain.
Staring forward through the misty rain, the outline of a small but complete town gradually became clear.
It was built next to Scale-Earth Rift Road. Low wooden and stone houses were huddled together in a haphazard manner. The thin smoke coming out of the chimney was quickly dispersed by the rain.
----Creekwood Town.
It gradually emerged from scratch as Scale-Earth Rift Road has experienced ups and downs and become increasingly prosperous in the past twenty years. It mainly serves the traveling caravans, the soldiers stationed here, and the adventurers who lick blood and earn a living in the wilderness.
At this moment, the town looked particularly silent in the rain.
When the caravan finally arrived at Creekwood Town, diagonal raindrops were hitting the tiles on the spire of the sentry tower.
Six soldiers wearing cloaks with the Albert Family emblem stopped in front of the roadblock.
The bald captain at the head had sharp eyes, scanning the caravan like an eagle.
"Old rule! For each truck of goods, there is a 30% toll tax!"
The captain tapped the iron railing of the truck impatiently with his saber scabbard, and the rainwater trickled down his shiny scalp and into his collar.
He grinned, showing his white teeth, and his voice was unabashedly greedy. "Or... do you have any special donations?"
The old businessman slid out of the truck neatly and walked quickly to the soldier captain.
He first respectfully handed over the pass document stamped with the bright red seal of Raymond Duchy, and then as if by magic, he took out two bottles of attractive amber mead from his arms.
"Sir, you have worked hard, come and go in the wind and rain, but this little thing can help my brothers keep the cold away and warm their bodies."
He put on a smile and handed over the mead with a very low posture.
The bald captain put the mead into his arms without any politeness.
The old businessman then lowered his voice and came closer and said, "I heard that a caravan only 'donated' twenty gold coins last month?"
He calmly raised three fingers and lowered his voice. "Our caravan operates on a small budget, but we understand the rules. We are willing to donate this amount. I just ask you to be kind and issue a receipt with full tax payment."
The bald captain narrowed his eyes.
This means that he can swallow thirty gold coins privately, but only needs to report a mere ten gold coins in taxes to the Viscount's Palace.
"Haha, you are sensible!"
The captain burst out laughing and punched the old businessman on the shoulder. However, when he took the heavy money bag from the other party, his expression suddenly changed and his voice became colder.
"But, the market has changed now! The world is difficult, and brothers have a lot of expenses! Let's get this number!"
He spread his fingers and waved them in front of the businessman.
The young apprentice was shaking with anger and clenching his fists, but he did not dare to attack these armed soldiers.
The weapons shining brightly on their waists, as well as the Alchemy Golem standing in the rain, exuding a cold metallic luster, are definitely not decorations.
"Damn vampires! Greedy bastards!"
The apprentice gritted his teeth and cursed in a voice that almost only he could hear. He couldn't help but whisper in a low voice.
"Compared with this, it would be better to let those wilderness monsters take over this place! At least they are not so greedy!"
His voice was already very low, and was covered by the patter of rain. It was almost inaudible, but with the warrior's keen hearing, he still locked onto this subtle sound.
"Huh?!"
The bald captain suddenly turned his head and stared at the apprentice with dangerous eyes. "You! What just! What did you say?! Little bastard! Tell me again if you have the guts?!"
The old businessman's face changed drastically, his heart sank, and he secretly thought something was wrong. He was already prepared to bleed heavily to calm down the incident.
At this moment when the swords were at war and the air was almost frozen,
Tsk--!!!
Suddenly, there was a terrifying sound in the sky that was extremely harsh, like a huge piece of leather being torn apart!
A figure whose specific color was difficult to distinguish suddenly spread its wings and hovered in the gray rain. With him as the center, countless drops of rainwater seemed to be soaked by invisible power, and instantly turned into a strange emerald green.
As soon as these green rains hit the ground, they immediately made a creepy hissing sound.
Waves of thick mist with a sweet smell filled the air.
The nearest low-level soldiers accidentally inhaled a trace, and immediately felt dizzy, dizzy, and almost fainted on the spot.
Almost at the same moment, the ground shook violently.
Green vines covered with poisonous barbs and squirming like living creatures broke through the soft, muddy ground and wrapped around the limbs and torso of all the surrounding soldiers.
The frightened screams and curses of the soldiers were instantly drowned out by the creaking of vines.
Even the heavy Alchemy Golem, which was made of metal, was instantly wrapped and tightened by several thicker and tougher vines. The huge force made the metal groan harshly, and in an instant it was wrapped into a huge, shrinking green cocoon, unable to move.
Chromatic Dragon!
It's Green Dragon!
The bald captain's pupils suddenly shrank, and huge fear seized his heart.
"Enemy attack! It's evil..."
Before he could finish his words, he was abruptly interrupted by an even more violent roar that ripped through the wind and rain! A terrifyingly huge mace was thrown out like a meteorite!
Bang!
A heart-wrenching sound!
The mace hit the bald captain's upper body with incomparable precision, and the terrifying force instantly smashed it to pieces. Hot blood mixed with broken flesh and bones splashed like a fountain all over the head and face of the old businessman standing in front of him.
Dong Dong Dong! Dong Dong Dong!
A heavy and rhythmic tremor, like the footsteps of Giant, came from the depths of the rain curtain again.
A Ogre elite warrior riding a huge rhinoceros in heavy armor, like a moving hill, casually pulled aside the trees blocking the road like straw, and suddenly appeared in front of the frightened garrison soldiers.
But this is only the beginning of the disaster.
Chi chi chi... Deep in the dark rain curtain all around, icy eyes that were shining with green, scarlet, and pale white light, like will-o'-the-wisps, lit up one after another without any warning.
Densely packed, layer upon layer.
They have already surrounded the entire intersection, including Creekwood Town.
Look at the unresponsive scouts and sentries of the human garrison.
At some point, they were silently killed by the Lizardfolk assassin hiding in the shadows.
The soldiers were easily torn apart by the swarming monsters, and Alchemy Golem was smashed into twisted scrap metal by the powerful monster warriors. The sporadic resistance seemed extremely fragile in the face of the overwhelming force.
Many businessmen and adventurers who were stranded in the town huddled under the eaves, watching all this in horror and feeling helpless.
At this moment, Green Dragon Ludwig stretched its wings, circled in a low altitude, and let out a deafening roar declaring sovereignty.
"From now on! This place is taken over by the powerful Molten Iron Tribe!"
"Those who surrender live! Those who resist - die!"
The old businessman wiped away the blood that covered his eyes with trembling hands, and knelt down on the ground in an unusually wise manner. At the same time, he forcefully pulled the frightened and stunned apprentice down beside him.
Molten Iron Tribe?
What a familiar and heart-stopping name.
More than twenty years ago, those monsters that killed the nobles and fled to the wilderness decisively are back! Moreover, their comeback seems to be far more unstoppable than before.
At this time, the storm was getting louder.
But an invisible curtain, heavier than the wind and rain, has quietly enveloped Scale-Earth Rift Road.
Everyone in Creekwood Town realized that things were going to change here.