The Wizard: Starting with the Omniscient Cube

Chapter 24 The Hyena Riders Attack

Lin Wei looked at the well-shaped horseshoes on the forging table and was in a good mood.

"Keep forging. This level of blacksmithing can only support commoners, not a standard knight like me."

……

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye, and it was the Green Festival in March. Lin Wei turned nineteen.

[Forging experience +2, after being tripled by Deep Blue Surface, experience +6]

[Forging: Tier 3 (520/3000)]

Setting the newly forged spear aside, Lin Wei said, "Phew, let's leave it at that for now. After forging to the third tier, the experience points required are too many, and it won't be possible to level it up in a short time."

For the past six months, he has mainly focused on improving his forging skills. When he gets tired of forging, he practices breathing techniques.

Lin Wei has also made some progress in his breathing techniques and combat skills. His main task going forward will be to upgrade the Heron Breathing Technique to the fourth level.

As for the blacksmithing works, Lin Wei took them all to his armed territory.

Lin Wei's forging skills are now a level above the old blacksmiths in the Earl's territory, and no worse than the senior blacksmiths in the Duke's territory.

With equipment support, the combat power of the soldiers in the territory has been greatly improved, and the losses have been greatly reduced, which has further alleviated the pressure of gold coins.

Several major events have occurred in the past six months.

First, the plague that had disappeared reappeared, and it was more severe than before, with an average of one death or injury for every hundred civilians.

The wandering legion, which had previously opposed Father Saint Mercy's forces, has come forward to declare that the plague can be resolved by paying gold coins to purchase their Water of the Wanderers and beginning to worship the God of the Wanderers.

Lin Wei then realized that whether it was Father Saint Reliance, the wandering god, or any other rebellious or righteous god from other countries, they were all birds of a feather.

They all wanted to seize the faith of the common people and spread their doctrines.

Upon seeing this news, Lin Wei felt conflicted: "Royal power reaping from lords, and divine power reaping from faith—neither of them are good things..."

"The only right path is to improve my own strength; otherwise, the sickle will fall on my head sooner or later."

He also learned that these so-called priests, such as Father Saint Reliance, were like legends, and no one had ever seen them.

However, miracles occasionally occur on the mainland, reminding people of their existence.

Lin Wei finally concluded: "He is still too weak. Neither these high-sounding charlatans nor those mysterious wizards are at a level that I can reach."

As a lord, he had no choice but to obediently buy the water of wandering and distribute it to the common people.

Fortunately, the price is cheaper than the previous holy water.

Although he was unhappy, Lin Wei's strength continued to improve silently.

This year, even fewer earls have been able to survive, accounting for only about 20%.

The other earls either went bankrupt and had their territories reclaimed, or were killed by bandit knights and had their fortunes looted.

The dukes, who used to spend money lavishly, began to cut back on their food and clothing. Some dukes even extended their reach to neighboring earls' territories, secretly extorting money from them through various means.

"Go outside and catch your breath. Today is the day I'm supposed to meet Drake."

Lin Wei left the basement.

……

At this moment, in the Swan Territory, the Swan Prince was still reviewing the intelligence sent by his subordinates.

Prince Swan frowned: "Huh? Why are the Azure Lion Territory and Grizzly Bear Territory still paying this year's military expenses? Didn't I send that guy, Brown, to handle it?"

"And what about the breathing technique I need? How do you do that?"

A man who looked like a butler bowed, sweating profusely: "Sir, Brown has not returned for half a year."

"Brown probably ran into some trouble along the way. These things happen all the time. After all, he's just a practice rider. It's not safe outside his territory."

"Hmm, you're right. Send someone else to check on this place, just in case it fails again."

Prince Swan gave a casual reply and continued with his work.

After the butler left, he found a tall and strong knight and instructed him, "Ross, with your standard knightly skills, you should be able to easily pacify the two earldoms of Chengshi and Grizzly Bear, and find the 'Grey Heron Breathing Technique'."

"Make sure you handle this perfectly, don't let anything go wrong."

"Yes, ma'am."

……

Lin Wei met Drake, who had arrived as promised.

Drake: "Master, Father has no potions this year due to a lack of materials for making Focus Potion."

Lin Wei: "Are we lacking materials?"

Since using the Focus Potion for cultivation, Lin Wei has become somewhat addicted, and his breathing technique cultivation speed has increased by at least 30%.

"What specific materials are needed? Are they easy for us lords to find?"

Drake explained, "This focus potion is actually quite simple to make. The core ingredient is a type of honey called ancient flower honey, and the other ingredients are not difficult to obtain."

"Ancient flower nectar?" Lin Wei asked, puzzled.

Drake nodded: "This ancient nectar is collected by the extraordinary honeybee, and it is extremely precious."

"The strength of an adult honeypot bee is close to that of a Grand Knight, making them difficult to deal with."

Drake said, "Every year during the Golden Harvest Festival in September, lone knights often team up to search for these honey pot bees. If you are interested, you can come to Rose City to sign up."

Lin Wei: "March? That's about six months from now."

It's September now, and in six months he'll have just reached the fourth level of the Heron Breathing Technique.

That way, your ability to protect yourself when you travel will be greatly improved.

"Then I will participate as scheduled. When you go back, you should try to get more gold coins. My territory's expenses are too high."

Drake replied respectfully, "No problem, Master."

After the Rubik's Cube was captured, its domineering nature became apparent. Drake acted entirely according to Lin Wei's wishes, prioritizing Lin Wei's interests in everything he did, while otherwise remaining his normal self.

Lin Wei asked, "By the way, what about the wizard-made boots your father, Duke Rose, bought? Have you received them yet?"

Drake: "Not for now. Father said he'd save it to motivate my training. The 500,000 gold coins have consumed several years' worth of taxes in the Rose Territory, plus interest payments to the Crocodile Duke and the Rock Sheep Duke."

Lin Wei grinned: "No rush, these boots will be yours sooner or later, and they'll be mine sooner or later too."

After Drake left, Lin Wei went to a restaurant and started eating and drinking to his heart's content.

At this moment, in the dense forest outside Chengshi Fort.

"Am I sure I didn't come to the wrong place? The soldiers patrolling the castle look well-trained and have good weapons."

"Is this the normal state of a count's territory? Shouldn't they all be bankrupt by now? The count's territories we've passed along the way are all in a state of chaos."

Ross, a standard knight who came from the Swan Territory, looked puzzled.

He was originally a lone rider known as the Hyena Rider.

However, lacking the means to earn resources, he joined Prince Swan's ranks and often did shady things for the steward.

For example, making the heir to a territory suddenly disappear.