He meticulously recorded the acquired blueprints into the Lord's book and stowed the scrolls, bloodstones, and various other trinkets into his backpack.
This backpack was not a system generated one.
Rather, he had crafted himself from leather straps.
The flame ring adorned his left hand, and with his palm open, he silently invoked flame fireball.
A fireball roughly the size of a fist materialized above his palm, radiating intense heat.
Yet his hand remained untouched by any searing sensation.
With a swift motion, he aimed at a dilapidated stone tablet not far away and released the fireball.
A resounding thud echoed as the fiery sphere struck its target.
The tremendous destructive force shattered the stone tablet in half, and despite the absence of combustible materials, the surface of the stone ignited, burning for approximately 3 minutes.
Satisfied with the fireballs potency, Fong Ho nodded approvingly.
After its use, the flame fireball entered a cool down period of 1 hour.
Having tested the ring's capabilities, Fongghao redirected his attention to the laboring skeletons awaiting orders below.
Ascending a higher step, he addressed them with a commanding voice.
Your next task is to dismantle the ancient fortress and organize the materials accordingly.
He had rallied all labors to expedite the collection of sufficient materials for upgrades within the shortest time frame possible.
The skeletal labors commence their tasks, taking up the hose from the carts and setting to work.
You're tasked with overseeing the carts, ensuring all goods are transported back to the territory.
Fungho left behind five 0000 skeletal soldiers with 1,000 dedicated to car transportation, returning the materials collected by the laborers to the domain.
The remainder was assigned to securing the vicinity, primarily guarding against wandering beasts and monsters that might pose a threat.
The skeletal soldiers began to load the furniture from the castle courtyard onto the carts, hauling them towards the territory.
Fonggho remounted the cart and opened the lord's book to pass the time.
Upon opening the tome, he received several private messages.
Fong Ho, do you still have iron pots? Can I trade Earth S trace for an iron pot? Earth S trace had been discovered while constructing blue-level spirit fields.
Yet most were unaware of its potential uses, rendering it largely useless, even if obtained.
Fong Hao pondered briefly before responding.
There are plenty of materials to forge an iron pot.
If you provide one more piece of iron, I can craft one for you.
After a moment of silence, the sender replied, "All right, when will it be ready?" "In about 20 minutes.
I'm currently in the wild awaiting my return.
Thank you, Fongghao.
At present, blueprints remain scarce.
Items crafted from these rare blueprints have become highly coveted.
Many, having acquired such blueprints, demanded exorbitant prices for their manufactured goods.
In contrast, Fong Hao's offerings appeared quite reasonable.
However, they remained oblivious to the fact that with the 100fold enhancement, Fong Ho would profit regardless of his pricing.
Cutting off the first conversation, another private message arrived.
Handsome, I wish to trade for some iron axes.
Are you there? Is everything all right? Due to Fong Ha's previous state of divine intervention, directing the skeletal soldiers in battle against the castle's monsters, he had not noticed the influx of private messages.
The sender had sent several in quick succession, appearing rather anxious.
"Yes, I can trade iron axes.
How many do you need?" Fonhao responded.
15 iron axes at a price of 45 units of iron.
Correct? The other party promptly replied, indicating they were also utilizing the Lord's book.
Upon hearing the offer, Fong Hoa was momentarily takenback.
Although he had been in this world for several days, it was rare to encounter someone able to offer such a significant quantity of iron at once.
It seemed that this individual had discovered a reliable source of iron resources.
That is no problem.
It will take about 20 minutes.
I'll craft them upon my return to the territory, Fongo assured.
Great.
By the way, would you mind sharing how you acquired such an abundance of iron ore? Fonhow inquired once more.
While iron was not considered a particularly rare resource, it was indeed challenging to obtain at this time.
There's nothing to conceal.
A nearby iron mine has been discovered, allowing for some resource extraction.
By the way, do you have an iron pickaxe? I could trade for that.
The individual concluded their explanation with an additional remark.
Exchanging 15 iron axes does not solely serve the purpose of timber harvesting.
A portion of them is designated for equipping the valiant warriors, for in their realm, iron axes are indeed considered weapons.
I have yet to acquire the blueprint for the iron pickaxe.
Once the iron axes are prepared, I shall reach out to you.
Thank you kindly.
With that, the conversation between the two concluded.
The caravan was drawing near to the territory, just as I intended, to peruse the public channel for ongoing discussions.
The distant echoes of furious battle cries pierced the air.
The skeletons in the vicinity of the territory are not known for their boisterous shouts.
This implies that a conflict is unfolding nearby.
A sense of urgency gripped Fong how as he ascended to the top of the cart, gazing towards the source of the commotion.
Indeed, in the distance, close to the territory, a convoy of freight wagons had been encircled by the skeletal soldiers.
A fierce confrontation was underway.
With the skeletons exhibiting their fearless ferocity, the opposing forces suffered severe casualties.
Their annihilation was merely a matter of time.
"You shall transport the spoils to the storage area outside the territory," Fungha commanded as he leaped down from a cart.
The skeletal soldiers, laden with goods, continued their march toward the territory while Fong Ho advanced towards the battleground, ceased the assault and encircle them.
Fong Ho's voice rang out.
All skeletal soldiers halted their attacks, surrounding the adversaries before them.
Chapter 29.
The pigheaded men before them stood a mly crew of pigheaded creatures.
their heavy breaths escaping in ragged gasps as their crimson eyes fixated upon the encircling skeleton soldiers.
This band constituted a merchant caravan from a nearby village.
Tasked with transporting goods to the manim orc market for trade.
Upon passing through this territory, they had stumbled upon an abundance of resources neatly enclosed by wooden palisades.
Fueled by avarice, the pigheaded men conceived a nefarious plan to pill for some of the goods, intending to profit handsomely at the market.
However, their clandestine endeavor was thwarted when patrolling skeletons detected their theft, igniting a fierce skirmish.
The cacophony of battle soon attracted the attention of additional skeletal warriors from the vicinity.
By the time the pigheaded men realized the gravity of their predicament, they found themselves enscconced in a veritable sea of bones.
Despite their fervent attempts to fight back, escape proved feudal as a relentless combat wore on.
Their numbers dwindled tragically from 100, only a mere 20 remained.
Just as despair began to envelop their hearts, and thoughts of surrender crept in.
The skeletons abruptly ceased their assault, forming a tight circle around the belleaguered group.
The pigheaded men exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes reflecting confusion.
Contemplating whether to seize this unexpected opportunity to break free, they were startled when the skeletons parted, creating a pathway.
In the next moment, astonishment washed over the pigheaded men as a young human male emerged from the throng of skeletons, surveying them with curiosity.
What brings you to this place? Fonggho inquired in a measured tone.
Though they bore the appearance of swine, the pigheaded men were far from foolish.
Observing the skeletons deference towards the human, they quickly grasped the potential for survival this encounter presented.
After some deliberation, one among them spoke up.
Esteemed sir, I am Parker.
We are but a merchant caravan that has mistakenly crossed paths with your soldiers.
The pigheaded Parker s small eyes flitted nervously between Fong How and the Skeletal Sentinels, his mind racing with questions about how a mere human could command such a formidable legion of the undead.
"Oh, is that so?" Fongha replied with a slight smile, his gaze drifting to the merchant carts.