Chapter 174 The Return of the Ring Caravan
Compared to speeding up the growth of crops, another rule power that can speed up the caravan's round-trip time, "Caravan Acceleration", mainly requires an additional price.
But it's not expensive either.
Consuming 1000 points of faith can speed up the caravan's progress by one day, which means that the caravan can increase its moving distance by one day in a short period of time.
"If I remember correctly, my caravan has been gone for more than a week. In this case, we should be back in two or three days."
Shen Mu was thinking at this time, and he thought of the two caravans he had sent out before, and he was also thoughtful.
The first caravan sent out was the caravan of Nalot, a bankrupt merchant who was also a robber.
It was a caravan that went to the continent of Calradia to engage in smuggling of goods and ironware between the Kingdom of Dehrim and the Kingdom of Vikia. At that time, it was estimated that the weekly income was about 2000 dinars.
At that time, the amount of dinars was still good and the income was considerable, but now it is not much.
It's just 2000 dinars, which is certainly not a small amount and is better than nothing.
After all, Shen Mu now only has 57 dinars left, which can be said to be almost the end of his rope.
However, what Shen Mu paid more attention to was Narot's caravan. The supplies they brought back to him from the continent of Calradia, such as feather arrows and crossbow bolts needed by long-range archers, as well as goods such as food and tools, were what he cared about most.
However, the second caravan is quite important.
Because the second caravan was led by Torres to the White Tower area of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to trade. It was the caravan that transported the corpses of the abyss demons and then exchanged them for precious mana scrolls.
The mana scroll is the most important item for activating the various effects of the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council.
"If I remember correctly, using the mana scroll to activate the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council directly dispels all rules except the Mount and Blade rules, allowing the area covered by the Torch Tower to completely return to normal."
Shen Mu murmured softly at this time.
At the same time, the second caravan, the one heading to the White Tower area of Middle-earth, also had more desire in their hearts.
After all, if the surrounding area can be completely transformed into normal land and will no longer be harassed by the rules of the undead, it means that the 2 to 3 blue star humans that he has gathered can reproduce, live and carry out social activities normally in this area.
Moreover, this change will also attract more Blue Star humans to join him, and they will definitely not be harassed by the rules of the undead. The land taxpayers who live completely under normal rules will feel a little surprised just thinking about it.
In this horrible place that has been degraded by the rules of the dead and infested with undead monsters, it is like a ray of dawn has appeared, and the Garden of Eden has been born.
How could he not be attracted by those Blue Star humans who have completely despaired of this world and are just trying to survive and come to him for help?
So Shen Mu felt quite excited just thinking about the purifying effect of the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council.
After all, as long as there are humans from Blue Star coming to join him, it means that he will have more power of faith.
Then it can obtain more food, more caravan supplies, and more town buildings through the land of faith.
And in the end it also means more strength.
Thinking of this, Shen Mu's mind communicated with the system again, and then a new dialog box began to appear on his retina.
[Ding! Do you want to activate 'Caravan Speed Up (Special Rule Power)'? You currently have two caravans. Each caravan will speed up for 1 day, which will consume 1000 points of Faith.]
[① Narot Caravan (smuggling caravan): This caravan is a smuggling caravan organized by robbers. It quietly shuttles between the Kingdom of Swadia and the Kingdom of Vikia on the Calradia continent, smuggling precious ironware and iron ore. Estimated income: 2000 dinars (weekly). ]
[② Torres Caravan (Trading Caravan): This caravan is heading to the White Tower area of the Lord of the Rings Middle-earth. Because it has a trade license, it can go directly to the White Tower without any hindrance and conduct special trade. Estimated income: 5000 dinars (weekly). ]
[Tip: The estimated income is the income under ideal conditions. If your caravan needs to purchase some supplies or special items for you, they will be deducted from the income.]
The content in the dialog box is a brief introduction to the two caravans.
Shen Mu was not unfamiliar with this. After all, he had already known about these two caravans before.
Moreover, he also knew that the estimated profits shown in the profiles of the two caravans could not be calculated using estimated profits at all. After all, he still needed various daily necessities from the continent of Calradia and the mana scrolls in the White Tower area of Middle-earth.
If he wanted to buy these supplies, the dinars he received would definitely not be the most ideal amount to enter his pocket.
Of course, for Shen Mu, what he cares most about are the supplies.
"Especially the mana scroll."
At this time, Shen Mu turned his head and looked at the towering white tower in the castle area of Dehrim.
It is right in the southeast corner, extending upward, and it is completely white. From a distance, it is very different from the gray stone, so it is quite conspicuous.
Especially the top of the torch tower, which is about two meters high, where there are two or three blurry figures standing on it.
Shen Mu knew that the two or three figures were Rhodok sniper crossbowmen holding sniper crossbows.
From a high vantage point, one can accurately snipe any enemy who dares to approach the walls of the castle area or town area. Even if the enemy is two or three hundred meters away, one can use the sniper crossbow in his hand to shoot heavy crossbow arrows and kill the enemy alive.
After all, as a fifth-level long-range shooter, the Rhodok Sniper Crossbowman's long-range shooting ability is absolutely impeccable.
And the shooting is far and accurate.
It is quite qualified for them to be placed at the top of the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council.
Because the torch tower of the Holy White Council has not yet exerted its lighting effect, it is only used as a simple arrow tower. Stationing sniper crossbowmen in it is equivalent to adding some early warning effects.
The reason why the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council has not yet played its due effect is because there is no mana scroll.
"The mana scroll has arrived now."
The corners of Shen Mu's mouth curled up slightly, and then he simply instructed Manide to continue looking after the wheat field.
Then he took a step and walked towards Dehrim.
Of course, the Holy Tree Knights who served as personal guards also followed immediately, and the Swadian soldiers who followed behind also hurriedly followed.
Although Shen Mu already has personal bodyguards, namely the Holy Tree Knights, he also needs ordinary guards or royal guards under normal circumstances, and these Swadian sergeants usually perform this duty.
Following Shen Mu, he is not only responsible for protecting Shen Mu's safety, but also paving the way for him.
After all, there are still many Blue Star humans living in Dehrim.
At this time, each of them did not dare to block the road due to the majesty of the creatures, and each of them restrained their spiritual creatures and looked at Shen Mu passing by with curiosity and reverence, but there would inevitably be a few guys with ill intentions, and they might even do dangerous things.
You can understand it if you think about it.
Shen Mu was one of the many people who had received favors from the Diesel Company not long before the Diesel Company was destroyed.
Even within the Diesel Company, there are some Blue Star humans who are relatives or brothers.
It is even possible that he was killed directly in the Diesel Company by Shen Mu's troops in the previous conflict.
He also has a blood feud with Shen Mu.
Therefore, there must be sufficient guards to protect Shen Mu's safety. This is also the reason why the area around Shen Mu's aristocratic mansion was directly cleared and no humans from Blue Star were allowed to approach.
Of course, these are all things that the Holy Tree Knights and Swadian soldiers have taken into consideration.
It didn't bother Shen Mu.
This is also the reason why Dehrim has developed. Everyone divides the work according to their own system, so not only is the division of labor clear and well-organized, but they are also serious and responsible.
There is no need for Shen Mu to take some time out to think about these trivial matters.
Now he was more concerned about the arrival of the caravan.
Passing through the town area.
"Open the city gate!"
Then the Lake Rat Gang vandals at the top of the gate in the castle area shouted and lowered the baffle.
It just happened to fall on the land in the urban area.
A steep slope was formed.
At the same time, with the sound of clacking, the iron gate was rolled up, and with the inner door opened, the castle area also really opened the car door to welcome Shen Mu in. Just below the baffle was a trench three meters wide and two meters deep. At this time, there were two springs on both sides of the city gate, and vigorous water was flowing out.
It fell into the moat with a loud noise, quickly filling it up and flowing into the moat outside the city wall, forming a moat about two meters deep.
It is also an important source of water for urban areas.
Basically, the water source for the urban area is now supplied by the fresh water that gushes out of the two springs that appear in the rock strata below the castle area.
If these two springs were cut off, there would not be a drop of water in the entire town.
It can be said that the urban area will immediately become a dead zone.
When Shen Mu walked into the castle area, the Lake Rat Gang vandals quickly walked over and greeted Shen Mu respectfully.
Shen Mu just nodded calmly in return, but his eyes looked towards the Crescent Lake dotted with a dozen date palm trees in front of the main building of the castle facing the city gate, and there was a little more relief in his eyes.
That was one of his methods, to move the Crescent Lake, which was originally in the town area, to the castle area.
Not only did it control the water source, it also protected the sacred white oak tree that had begun to sprout and gleam in the sand at the edge of Crescent Lake.
"It seems that everything is growing slowly." Shen Mu also had a smile on his face at this time.
The Holy White Oak Tree is also one of his foundations. As long as it can grow, various rewards from the Holy Tree Knights will follow. In the end, he can even control the Holy Tree Knights to work for him.
Even behind the Knights of the Holy Tree, the Noldor elves might provide him with support.
After all, the Knights of the Sacred Tree from the world of Pendor are supported by the Noldor Elves, and as a low-magic world, the continent of Pendor also has various artifacts and special supernatural powers.
If he could master it, it would obviously bring a stronger increase in his strength.
Of course, these did not stop Shen Mu.
Instead, he continued to move forward, turned right, and walked towards the southeast corner.
Because right over there, that white torch tower of the Holy White Council is located. It looks quite outstanding, like a crane standing out among chickens.
There were about 10 Swadian light infantrymen guarding there. At the same time, in the direction of the library on the second floor, you could occasionally see the figures of Aidengard believers.
"Lord Shen Mu!" In the warehouse on the first floor, the Swadian light infantry saw Shen Mu coming and hurriedly bowed their heads respectfully to salute.
The warehouse on the first floor is filled with a lot of wood. It can be said to be an alternative warehouse. When the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council cannot use these woods, the wood used in the castle at ordinary times is all here.
Swadian light infantry are also needed. These soldiers, who have now become useless soldiers, are responsible for guarding and managing supplies.
"Yeah." Shen Mu just nodded slightly in response without saying much, then walked up the stairs towards the library on the second floor.
And inside, James had also returned here and was discussing the problem of spell structure with the Aidengard believers.
At this time they also noticed Shen Mu coming.
They immediately stood up respectfully, bent down and lowered their heads, looking quite respectful.
"Lord Shen Mu!" They all greeted him in unison.
"Yeah." Shen Mu also nodded in response, then looked at James and asked, "How is your discussion of magic with these believers from Etgard going?"
"I have gained some insights, and also have some ideas about the spells hidden in this torch tower." James answered truthfully.
Shen Mu also briefly introduced some of the gains he had gained in the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council.
After all, the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council is equivalent to the middle demon world.
And it is vaguely close to high magic.
Of course, for these devout believers from the Kingdom of Aidengard, who came from the real high magic world, coming from the middle magic world was not so awe-inspiring, but the spell structure and spell concepts existing in the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council could indeed allow them to draw lessons and learn.
In particular, the use of the power of light in the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council is highly recognized by the devout believers from the Kingdom of Aidengard, which is filled with infinite worship of light.
This is the common origin.
As long as everyone believes in light and the power of light, then we can all be partners and friends who can trust each other.
Therefore, the believers of Aidengard are quite fond of James and the Torch Tower of the Holy White Council.
That’s why they can live in harmony here.
"Well, very good." Shen Mu also praised it.
Then he sat in the main seat, slowly closed his eyes, and communicated with the system through his mind.
Directly activated the power of his own rules.
"The caravan speeds up!"
"Choose, Torres Caravan!"
Then a dialog box began to appear in front of Shen Mu, and the content in it was refreshed rapidly.
[Ding! You activated the special rule power 'Caravan Acceleration'! And selected 'Torres Caravan'! ]
[You have consumed 1000 points of faith and accelerated the journey of the Torres Caravan by one day! Now, they are closer to you! ]
At the same time, a white light began to flash in Shen Mu's mind.
And a stream of data also poured out from between his eyebrows, and then instantly dissipated into the void, as if it had passed through the barriers of time and space and flowed towards another time and space.
Of course, no one knows where he went.
But he also understood that this must have had an effect on the Torres caravan, speeding up its progress.
"It seems that one day is not enough for Torres' caravan to return to Dehrim." Shen Mu murmured to himself at this time.
But in his mind, his thoughts communicated with the system again.
"Speed up the day again!"
'Om! '
The data stream started pouring out again.
A new dialog box refreshed again on Shen Mu's retina.
[Ding! You activated the special rule power 'Caravan Acceleration'! And selected 'Torres Caravan'! ]
[You have consumed 1000 points of faith and accelerated the journey of the Torres Caravan by one day! Now, they are closer to you! ]
But Shen Mu was also stunned for a moment.
"Still not working?" Shen Mu pursed his lips at this time, and communicated with the system again with his mind, and made a decision directly: "Speed up the time by 3 days!"
This will speed up the process by 5 days.
Taking into account the seven or eight days that had passed, Shen Mu believed that the caravan that came once every two weeks would definitely be back.
as predicted.
Just as Shen Mu made the decision, the dialog box that appeared on his retina was immediately refreshed, and the refreshed content was completely new.
[Ding! Your 'Torres Caravan' has passed through layers of obstacles and successfully returned from the distant Lord of the Rings world! ]
At this moment, a noisy sound came to Shen Mu's ears.
At the same time, cheers from the soldiers guarding the city wall were heard from the other side.
"Our caravan is back!"
(End of this chapter)
