Chapter 15: Undercurrents

Chapter 15: Undercurrents

Goldstone Province, Spark City

As the capital of a barony, Spark City was actually more prosperous than many viscount cities. Among the seven baronies of Goldstone Province, the Annerest family’s Spark Barony rightfully claimed the top spot. Whether it was the size of the territory or economic strength, Spark Barony was on par with a viscount’s domain.

Unfortunately, this also drew the attention of powerful figures, leading to the barony changing hands.

Inner Castle, Bedroom

Dressed by a young and beautiful maid, Owen Annerest made his way to the dining room. He had just taken a sip of warm milk when the scribe hurried in.

“Lord,” the scribe bowed.

Owen nodded and said, “You seem in a rush. What’s the urgency?”

“There are a few matters to report, my lord.”

“Go on.”

Owen spoke tersely, continuing his elegant meal without pause. Since 'inheriting' the baronial title, he had become increasingly attentive to his noble demeanor, striving to fit into the circle of noble lords. With the support of the Goldstone Marquis, many noble lords had already shown him goodwill. In time, his position in the noble circles would only grow more secure. Once everything was stable, he would be free to eliminate any lingering threats.

“Lord Zolf sent a messenger with a letter, confirming his attendance at this year’s Harvest Festival in Spark City,” the scribe reported.

Owen’s movements paused, and a knowing smile appeared on his slightly plump face.

“It seems Zolf has finally seen the light. Excellent. What about Norwood and Davin?”

“They haven’t agreed, but they haven’t outright refused either. They’re likely still on the fence.”

A hint of disdain flashed in Owen’s eyes. “On the fence? Ha, do they really think those two boys can return to Spark City? What a ridiculous notion.”

The scribe smiled sycophantically. “As you say, my lord. Those two barons will eventually recognize you as the true master of Spark Barony!”

The title "true master of Spark Barony" eased Owen’s expression, improving his mood considerably.

“By the way, what have my nephews been up to lately?”

The scribe hesitated before answering, “I’ve heard they plan to restart the Blackrock Mine.”

“Blackrock Mine?” Owen was taken aback.

He knew about the events in Blackrock City and was well aware of the mine’s situation, so he wore a puzzled expression.

“Do they have a way to deal with the monsters in the mine?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” the scribe glanced at Owen, carefully explaining, “Blackrock City has sealed off the mine, and my people can’t get a clear picture of the situation there.”

Seeing Owen frown, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, my lord. If they do restart the mine, my people will find out.”

Owen conceded the point and moved on. “Is there anything else?”

The scribe hastened to respond, “There is one more thing. Yesterday, while out hunting, Storm Baron was attacked by the Starfire Cult and suffered severe injuries. Storm Barony is now in chaos.”

Clang!

The sound of cutlery clinking against the plate echoed.

Upon hearing this news, Owen lost his usual grace, setting down his knife and fork and standing up, his expression grave. “Severe injuries? How severe?”

The scribe hesitated. “He’s been unconscious for a day and a night and hasn’t woken up yet.”

Owen’s face darkened.

It seemed the Storm Baron’s condition was dire.

Sitting back down, Owen’s expression shifted uncertainly. He wasn’t concerned about the Storm Baron’s life but about the potential repercussions of this event.

Goldstone Province, Spark City

As the capital of a barony, Spark City was actually more prosperous than many viscount cities. Among the seven baronies of Goldstone Province, the Annerest family’s Spark Barony rightfully claimed the top spot. Whether it was the size of the territory or economic strength, Spark Barony was on par with a viscount’s domain.

Unfortunately, this also drew the attention of powerful figures, leading to the barony changing hands.

Inner Castle, Bedroom

Dressed by a young and beautiful maid, Owen Annerest made his way to the dining room. He had just taken a sip of warm milk when the scribe hurried in.

“Lord,” the scribe bowed.

Owen nodded and said, “You seem in a rush. What’s the urgency?”

“There are a few matters to report, my lord.”

“Go on.”

Owen spoke tersely, continuing his elegant meal without pause. Since 'inheriting' the baronial title, he had become increasingly attentive to his noble demeanor, striving to fit into the circle of noble lords. With the support of the Goldstone Marquis, many noble lords had already shown him goodwill. In time, his position in the noble circles would only grow more secure. Once everything was stable, he would be free to eliminate any lingering threats.

“Lord Zolf sent a messenger with a letter, confirming his attendance at this year’s Harvest Festival in Spark City,” the scribe reported.

Owen’s movements paused, and a knowing smile appeared on his slightly plump face.

“It seems Zolf has finally seen the light. Excellent. What about Norwood and Davin?”

“They haven’t agreed, but they haven’t outright refused either. They’re likely still on the fence.”

A hint of disdain flashed in Owen’s eyes. “On the fence? Ha, do they really think those two boys can return to Spark City? What a ridiculous notion.”

The scribe smiled sycophantically. “As you say, my lord. Those two barons will eventually recognize you as the true master of Spark Barony!”

The title "true master of Spark Barony" eased Owen’s expression, improving his mood considerably.

“By the way, what have my nephews been up to lately?”

The scribe hesitated before answering, “I’ve heard they plan to restart the Blackrock Mine.”

“Blackrock Mine?” Owen was taken aback.

He knew about the events in Blackrock City and was well aware of the mine’s situation, so he wore a puzzled expression.

“Do they have a way to deal with the monsters in the mine?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” the scribe glanced at Owen, carefully explaining, “Blackrock City has sealed off the mine, and my people can’t get a clear picture of the situation there.”

Seeing Owen frown, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, my lord. If they do restart the mine, my people will find out.”

Owen conceded the point and moved on. “Is there anything else?”

The scribe hastened to respond, “There is one more thing. Yesterday, while out hunting, Storm Baron was attacked by the Starfire Cult and suffered severe injuries. Storm Barony is now in chaos.”

Clang!

The sound of cutlery clinking against the plate echoed.

Upon hearing this news, Owen lost his usual grace, setting down his knife and fork and standing up, his expression grave. “Severe injuries? How severe?”

The scribe hesitated. “He’s been unconscious for a day and a night and hasn’t woken up yet.”

Owen’s face darkened.

It seemed the Storm Baron’s condition was dire.

Sitting back down, Owen’s expression shifted uncertainly. He wasn’t concerned about the Storm Baron’s life but about the potential repercussions of this event.

---

Storm Baron was one of the two most powerful barons in Goldstone Province, second only to the Goldstone Marquis.

Unlike Winter Frost Baron, who was close to the Goldstone Marquis, Storm Baron had always kept his distance, even to the point of being somewhat indifferent.

For the Goldstone Marquis, who sought to control the entire province, Storm Baron’s presence was a thorn in his side.

Others might not know, but Owen was aware of the complex relationship between the Goldstone Marquis and the Starfire Cult.

The Starfire Cult had played a significant role in helping Owen secure the position of Spark Baron.

The attack on Storm Baron likely had the Goldstone Marquis’s fingerprints on it.

After a moment of silence, Owen said, “Continue monitoring the situation in Storm Barony. Report any intelligence to me immediately. Also, have Farid take a patrol around the borders of Norwood and Davin’s territories, under the pretext of hunting bandits.”

Goldstone Province was becoming increasingly unstable, and Owen was no longer willing to wait.

He needed to fully secure his control over Spark Barony.

If Norwood and Davin continued to be obstinate, he wouldn’t hesitate to use other means.

Time passed, and it was now the month of Revival (March).

It had been over ten days since the discovery of Ang McClain’s laboratory.

Coey had sold the blackstone iron from the warehouse through a secret channel, netting nearly seven thousand gold coins.

After setting aside a portion for purchasing military equipment and improving the barony, the rest was invested in the reconstruction of the Blackrock Mine.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

Su Nan, however, was not concerned with these matters.

Upon returning to Blackrock City, he threw himself into his studies and cultivation, paying little attention to external affairs.

After reading the books from the laboratory, Su Nan successfully triggered the learning progress for Puppet Crafting.

Compared to biological modification and potion making, Puppet Crafting was more complex and had a higher barrier to entry.

This skill not only encompassed enchantment knowledge but also included aspects of biological modification and magical item creation.

As a result, the learning progress for Puppet Crafting was slower.

Even with the boost from the Lesser Vigor Potion, after over ten days, his progress had only reached slightly over 10%.

Su Nan estimated it would take until the month of Blazing Fire (July) to fully master Puppet Crafting.

On the other hand, his meditation practice was going smoothly.

After returning from the Blackrock Mine, Su Nan used the Synthesis Cube to combine three Spirit Grass leaves.

[Star Pattern Spirit Grass, Purity 15.33%, consuming it will significantly increase mental energy. The effect varies based on the user’s mental energy; the higher the mental energy, the weaker the effect. It is ineffective for those with mental energy of 20 or higher.]



As expected, the Star Pattern Spirit Grass synthesized by the Synthesis Cube was more potent than the combined effect of the three Spirit Grass leaves.

After consuming the Star Pattern Spirit Grass, Su Nan’s mental energy increased by 1.87.

This was roughly equivalent to two months of meditation.

Thanks to this, his mental energy soared to 5.77.

The increase in mental energy also accelerated his proficiency in the Star Ring Meditation Technique.

Meditation increased mental energy, and in turn, increased mental energy improved meditation efficiency.

The two were mutually reinforcing.

Now, Su Nan’s daily meditation could increase his Star Ring Meditation Technique proficiency by 10 to 12 points.

At this rate, it would take him about seven to eight months to form the second Star Ring.

“However, it could be even faster.”

“Blackrock City is no longer under significant financial pressure, so more gold can be allocated to purchase materials for making Lesser Vigor Potions, which I can then synthesize into more effective potions.”

“This would further boost my meditation efficiency.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end