Catastrophe Card King
Chapter 1778 - 540: Shadow Teeth Fortress

Chapter 1778: Chapter 540: Shadow Teeth Fortress

"Mr. Leonard Churchill, why did you pinch my cheek again..."

"Ah, sorry, sorry. It was a reflex."

"It’s not a problem... It’s just... just that Mother said, once I inherit the position of the High Priest, I can’t be giggling and laughing all the time anymore. The High Priest represents the majesty of the Royal Family, and in front of others, I must display enough steadiness and composure to be convincing..."

"Yeah, I think Auntie Garcia is right! From now on, when others are around, you are the Great Priest Smith; privately, we’re still the same as before, alright?"

"Ah... Oh."

"..."

The Joker’s occupational hazard struck again; he simply couldn’t stand to see his audience unhappy.

Especially when it came to friends who’ve been through life and death together.

Leonard Churchill didn’t want to see Tracy Garcia trapped in the gloomy mood of mourning a departed relative.

A Joker can always cheer people up with their comedic performance and a few jokes.

The Bun-Haired Miss was always the most appreciative audience, her face seemingly brightening instantly, the smile returning to her cheeks.

But in truth, Leonard Churchill knew that Tracy Garcia had changed.

From the moment she accepted the inheritance, she had grown into the true Great Priest Smith.

Just like childhood friends, playing games together used to be the happiest thing in the world; but after growing up, the same games can no longer provide the joy they did in childhood.

This is even more the case for Extraordinary Men.

As their understanding of the world increases, it becomes increasingly difficult for human emotions to affect their rationality.

Happiness is hard to obtain, but sadness becomes even more profound.

But Bun-Haired Miss is still willing to play the old games with Leonard Churchill because they’re friends in tacit agreement, and they both can find that bit of familiar joy.

...

Many nobles have staked their claim over the Rune Highlands, with one of the benefits being that transportation has become much more convenient.

Without trains, Demon Beasts are still the best means of long-distance travel.

On this day, in the Northeast of the Central Continent.

Several Greatwing Dragons with hundred-meter wingspans nosedived and landed in a huge temporary camp, flapping their wings to come to a halt.

As soon as the Flying Dragons stabilized, the mercenaries clambered down from the wooden towers on the dragons’ backs. Meanwhile, the people on the ground used simple wooden hoists to unload large quantities of supply materials.

Among those who disembarked from the mercenary ranks were three inconspicuous new recruits.

It was none other than Leonard Churchill, Camilla, and Tracy Garcia in disguise.

They had rushed over from the Imperial Mausoleum in the Rune Highlands because the Alliance Army here had encountered a bit of trouble.

Since they were heading to the East Wilderness anyway, they decided to take a look.

Nowadays, throughout the Central Continent, there are nobles from the Southern Continent clearing the land. The good thing is, transportation has become much more convenient.

Many dangerous areas have been made passable, and nearly all territories can be reached by Flying Dragon transport.

Otherwise, even a Ninth Rank would not dare to fly overtly through an unexplored ruin of the Taren Empire.

The trio simply acquired mercenary identities and caught a ride on a Flying Dragon with the wind.

After several stops, they spent ten days to cover what would have taken several months to travel before.

They arrived at a place on the map from the Taren Era marked as "Shadow Teeth Fortress."

There was a vast expanse of ancient war Relics here.

Three thousand years ago, places where the Taren Empire built cities were generally rich in resources and suitable for large-scale human settlements.

These ruins hold not only a vast amount of existing basic urban infrastructure but also a wealth of mineral deposits, treasures, and access to Alternate Dimension spaces nearby.

The nobles from the Southern Continent who wanted to establish New Cities would first choose these ruinous city sites.

Near the Shadow Teeth Fortress, there is a high-Quality iron Mine Vein.

The current Lord who has taken over is an independent Duke from the Southern Continent—Duke Simon.

Coincidentally, when Leonard Churchill was at the Royal Academy, this Duke Simon was the arch-enemy of the Landon Duchy where his clone had served.

Now that the Southern Continent is united, these independent dukes have lost their constraints, and many have run off to the Central Continent to clear new land.

The fortress is already beginning to take shape; the broken walls have been rebuilt, and stone houses are being erected on top of the ruins.

The city bustles with prosperity and activity, and there is no shortage of people.

However, there are hardly any regular residents in the city; most are Noble Knights and mercenaries responsible for developing the territory, as well as Slaves and Craftsmen working on the city construction.

The Flying Dragon Inn is filled with noise.

"Mercenaries, hurry up to the military camp to report and get paid. Praise Duke Simon’s generosity; now you guys can get paid before you work..."

"Oh, damn slaves, be careful when you’re moving things; that’s material for building the Magic Tower. Don’t damage it!"

"Sergeant, arrange for someone to move the Magic Cannon up to the city wall!"

"..."

Leonard Churchill and his two companions blended into the crowd, following the temporarily conscripted Mercenary Group toward the military camp.

Duke Simon’s Mansion had almost mobilized the entire clan to clear the new city, and there were several Eighth Rank Dragon Descendant experts in the city.

After observing, the city’s defense strength was substantial.

The independent Duke who had stood for hundreds of years in the Southern Continent was not to be underestimated.

Not to mention the endless flow of mercenaries, the military camp filled with well-armored Noble Knights exceeded the number of one hundred thousand.

As they walked, Leonard Churchill explained to Camilla and Tracy Garcia: "This flag indicates Duke Simon, a Green Dragonkin, skilled in poison. At least three Eighth Rank powerhouses are known to be in the Duke Mansion... It is rumored there’s a Ninth Rank Pure-blood Green Dragon behind them, but it hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years. It’s probably still in the Southern Continent and hasn’t come here..."

Just the forces in this city alone would be enough to easily obliterate the East Wilderness from a few years ago.