Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 230: Chapter 224: Baisha Port’s Olive Branch

Raylo looked to Barrett at his side.

”Barrett, starting today, begin a territory-wide recruitment for Knight Apprentices. Also, issue a public announcement to register every subject with magical talent—man, woman, or child. We and Amber Territory need to get the construction of the Magic Academy underway as soon as possible.”

”Yes, my lord!”

Barrett’s eyes shone with excitement.

A powerful army needed fresh blood and the support of Magic Power.

Now that the Black Stone Army had returned from a great victory, it was the perfect time to expand its ranks.

Finally, Raylo’s gaze turned to his Personal Guard Captain, Ed.

”Ed, as for those prisoners...”

He paused, his voice devoid of any warmth.

”Continue to recruit Knights with clean records from among them. They will join the army as Sin Soldiers.”

”As for the fanatical believers of the Light Deity and the die-hards who refuse to surrender, send them all to the mines of Ironthorn Territory. Let them spend the rest of their lives in the dark, contributing the last of their worth to the prosperity of Black Stone Territory.”

”As you command!”

Ed replied in a deep voice.

「Half a month passed.」

Black Stone Territory awoke to the morning sounds of clanging and hammering.

The sun crested the eastern ridge, casting its golden rays over the vibrant land.

From a window in Black Stone Castle, one could see hundreds of artisans and subjects bustling with activity on the open ground outside. The foundations for the Valen Family’s new manor had been dug, and massive stone blocks were hoisted slowly by cranes, positioned with precision under the artisans’ direction.

Nearby, the smelter and Forging workshops were already taking shape, their tall chimneys pointing toward the sky, as if eager to spew the black smoke that symbolized wealth and power.

Long lines formed at the territory’s recruitment stations, filled with young people eager to make a name for themselves, their eyes shining with hope for the future.

Barrett’s resonant voice echoed across the square as he personally supervised the selection of each Knight Apprentice.

According to Barrett’s report, thanks to Black Stone Territory’s growing reputation, many young people from other territories had recently come to sign up, seeking the opportunity to become Knights and achieve greatness.

Raylo stood by the window, quietly watching it all.

The air was filled with the smells of earth, sawdust, and sweat—chaotic, yet full of life.

Not far behind him, Coal Ball was still a completely drained ”cat pancake,” sprawled on the soft carpet without even the strength to move a paw. Only when a servant brought a milk paste with added Magical Beast Meat would it manage to lift its head and let out a few pathetic purrs.

Ever since its spatial ”warehouse” was emptied, Coal Ball had lost all its spirit. It had been in this ”cat pancake” state for half a month with no sign of recovery.

”My lord.”

The voice of a Personal Guard sounded from outside the door.

”An envoy claiming to be from Baisha Port is outside the castle requesting an audience.”

’Baisha Port?’

Raylo raised an eyebrow.

It was the southernmost port city in the Duchy, famous for commerce and wealth.

Black Stone Territory was located inland and had never had dealings with such a prosperous commercial center.

’I know why this envoy from Baisha Port is here,’ Raylo thought. ’According to my intelligence, he should have arrived in Black Stone Territory long ago.’

’It seems that, under orders from Marquis Orlando, he decided to visit only after a period of observation.’

”Have him brought to the reception hall.”

”Yes.”

When Raylo walked into the reception hall, the envoy was already waiting.

He wore a well-tailored formal suit of deep blue silk, the cuffs and collar embroidered with silver thread in a crest of waves and sailboats—the emblem of the Orland Family of Baisha Port.

Two attendants, both very young, stood behind him.

Seeing Raylo, the envoy immediately placed a hand on his chest and bowed, his posture neither servile nor overbearing.

”Respected Earl of Black Stone Manor, Lord Raylo. I come on behalf of Marquis Orlando to extend his most sincere greetings.”

”Please be seated, Envoy.”

Raylo sat in the main seat. Moonlight silently leaped onto the armrest beside him, retracted its claws, and crouched down, its pale golden eyes calmly watching the guest.

The envoy took an exquisite, long rosewood box from an attendant’s hands.

”My master, the Marquis, has heard of your heroic achievements on the northern border and how you have safeguarded the peace of the Duchy. His Lordship is filled with admiration for your bravery and wisdom.”

The envoy’s words were formulaic, but Raylo could sense the sincerity within them.

He did not reply, merely gesturing for the man to continue.

”A Giant Dragon soaring through the sky deserves the most beautiful of companions.”

The envoy opened the wooden box and took out a parchment Scroll tied with a silk ribbon.

”The Marquis wishes to betroth his most beloved youngest daughter, Miss Avril, who has just turned eighteen, to you. He hopes to form the strongest of alliances with you through this marriage.”

’A marriage alliance?’

Raylo was not surprised.

He took the Scroll and untied the ribbon.

The parchment was not a marriage contract, but an astonishingly long gift list.

”One Sea View Manor in Baisha Port, ten shops on the commercial street.”

”Five of the newest Three-Masted Armed Merchant Ships.”

”One thousand tons of Refined Steel Ingots, one hundred kilograms of Mithril, and two hundred Magic Stones of various levels.”

”One hundred thousand Golden Dragons.”

...

The gift list was densely packed with materials, properties, and money. Its value was extremely high, far exceeding Raylo’s expectations.

Marquis Orlando’s offer was nothing short of extravagant.

Raylo’s fingertips traced lightly over the gift list as his mind raced.

The Orland Family of Baisha Port was one of the Duchy’s old merchant noble families, with wealth that could rival a nation’s.

But the common weakness of merchant families was their lack of military strength. In a world where the strong were revered, immense wealth without sufficient power to protect it was like a juicy piece of meat that would attract countless hungry wolves.

Marquis Orlando was a smart man.

What he valued was the formidable military strength displayed by Raylo and Black Stone Territory.

A powerful army was enough to deter any riffraff who dared to covet Baisha Port’s wealth.

As for Raylo’s status—the esteemed Black Stone Manor Earl and the Duke’s second son—there was nothing inappropriate about a marriage to a Marquis’s daughter.

This was a calculated political investment.

The Orland Family was trading wealth and resources for a powerful military ally to secure their family’s trade routes and territorial safety.

And for Raylo, Baisha Port’s wealth and maritime power were exactly what he needed most to develop his territory and expand his armaments.

The needs of both parties complemented each other perfectly.

”I have received the Marquis’s sincere offer.”

Raylo placed the gift list back on the table, revealing no emotion.

”I have also heard of Miss Avril’s fine reputation.”

A smile appeared on the envoy’s face as he quietly awaited what came next.

He knew that a man of high standing like Raylo would never make an immediate decision based on a single gift list.

”Please convey my thanks to the Marquis,”

Raylo said.

”The development of Black Stone Territory has just gotten underway, and matters are pressing. Once the territory is more settled, I will personally travel to Baisha Port to visit the Marquis and Miss Avril.”

He neither agreed nor refused.

Visiting in person was, in itself, a statement. It showed the other party sufficient respect while also leaving him room to maneuver.

The envoy was clearly very satisfied with this. It was the best result he could have hoped for.

”Baisha Port will make every preparation and await your arrival with the utmost hospitality. You will always be welcome, my lord.”