Lord of Rot

A group of people gathered, singing. Someone started beating a drum, and others clapped along to the rhythm. The sound traveled so far that it made even Leech stop in his tracks out of curiosity.

”To the music, I stagger and sway.”

The singer was Big Beard.

”My hand upon her foot, she said to me, ’Young man, you’re too low.’”

The people nearby seemed to know the song and sang along: ”Stagger and sway.”

Big Beard continued to sing: ”My hand upon her knee, she said to me, ’Young man, you can be a little freer.’”

The crowd: ”Stagger and sway.”

”My arm wrapped ’round her waist, she said to me, ’Young man, you’re too hasty.’”

The crowd: ”Stagger and sway.”

”My hand caressed her thigh, she said to me, ’You’re doing very well.’”

The crowd: ”Stagger and sway.”

”My hand I placed upon her rump, she said to me, ’Let’s go lie down on the lawn.’”

Everyone together: ”Haha, let’s all stagger and sway!”

Amidst the lively singing, Iron Valley’s first bonfire party was declared a resounding success.

...

A long cry from the Horse-headed Eagle tore through the air. It skimmed the surface of the sea for some distance, churning the water into waves.

A fish leaped from the sea.

Rocket dove abruptly, catching the fish in its beak.

With a flick of its head, the fish flipped through the air and was swallowed by Rocket’s gaping beak.

”GULP.”

Since leaving with Leech, Rocket’s temperament had grown much more spirited.

The trip from Iron Valley to Porcupine Territory took less than an hour.

During the flight, Leech clung tightly to Rocket’s neck. Otherwise, he would have likely been battered off by the furious wind.

Furthermore, only a Transcendent like him, whose body was physically enhanced, could withstand such high-speed travel.

”SCREEE—”

Upon arriving in the skies above Porcupine Territory, Rocket tilted its head back and let out a long cry.

The Porcupine People who were working heard the sound and all looked up. They knew this sound meant their Lord had returned.

Rocket landed in an open area within Porcupine Castle.

A male servant came jogging over and presented a prepared wet towel to Leech.

”Thank you.”

Leech took the wet towel and quickly wiped his face.

He instantly looked much less travel-worn.

”Has anything happened recently?” he asked casually as he walked into the castle.

’Nothing major could have happened. The ravens always get messages to me as fast as possible.’

The male servant knew the Lord wasn’t asking about the territory’s development—it wasn’t his place to comment on such things. His mind worked quickly as he grasped the Lord’s intent. ”Yes, Lord,” he said. ”The chefs and the blacksmiths worked together to invent the waffle maker you spoke of.”

Leech raised an eyebrow.

He wasn’t particularly fond of waffles himself, but the machine’s existence meant they could create new styles of ice cream. When it came to perfecting his cuisine, Leech always maintained a great enthusiasm.

It was already the end of May, and summer was approaching. What could be a more perfect afternoon than one spent with an ice cream cone?

Leech said, ”Their creations always surprise me.”

He had only mentioned the cones, not how to make a waffle maker. The fact that the chefs were able to create one meant they had really dedicated themselves to the task.

’Looks like I’ve found a candidate for this month’s Silver Moon reward.’

Leech said to the male servant, ”Have someone get some rabbits, fish, and chicken to feed Rocket.”

”Yes, Lord.” The male servant nodded and left quickly. He knew that feeding Rocket was also an important task.

He hadn’t taken more than a few steps into the castle when he saw Qingtian, the black cat with a glossy coat.

”Meow~” It ran over obediently and jumped into Leech’s arms of its own accord.

Leech casually stroked the cat.

After learning of Leech’s return, the entire staff of the castle sprang into action, like a precision machine kicking into high gear.

Leech sat in his office, looking at the Brass Dragon on his desk.

During the time he was away, the Brass Dragon seemed to have truly become a small decorative trinket.

”MROW!”

Qingtian reached out a paw and swatted at the Brass Dragon on the desk.

”Aah, I’m done pretending! Hold still, hold still!”

The Brass Dragon shouted and flew up, but it had no idea that flying in front of a cat was just like waving a teaser wand. It completely captured Qingtian’s attention. If Leech hadn’t been holding it, the cat would have already leaped up to pounce on the Brass Dragon.

”That’s enough,” Leech said, holding Qingtian in place to stop its squirming.

”Phew, I’m saved,” the Brass Dragon sighed, wriggling its body.

It looked at Leech. ”How long are you back for this time?”

”I’ll be staying for a while. I won’t be leaving anytime soon.”

’The development of Iron Valley has already been assigned to specialists.’

’Porcupine Territory, on the other hand, doesn’t have enough skilled people. I need to be here to help supervise.’

’Of course, he had to admit he also just wanted to enjoy his noble life for a bit. Life in Iron Wall Castle was a little too rough.’

KNOCK KNOCK. A knock came at the door.

”Come in.”

”Lord, this is my latest creation.”

Oak Basin approached Leech, holding a glass with a silver spoon in it.

In the middle of the glass was a serving of pink ice cream.

”This is?”

”Strawberry-Berry Ice Cream,” Oak Basin said, adding, ”It’s not too sweet.”

She was well aware of Leech’s preferences; it couldn’t be made overly sweet.

Leech handed Qingtian to Oak Basin, asking her to take the cat out in a moment, then picked up the spoon and gently scooped a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.