novelraw Chapter 110: The Baroness’s Request
Chapter 110: The Baroness’s Request
Chapter 110: The Baroness’s Request
The first light of dawn crept through the curtains as the manor stirred to life. Around five in the morning, Raven rose from his bed and took a quiet breath before heading to the washroom.
The cold water struck his skin, clearing the last traces of sleep from his mind. After a brief bath, he dressed neatly and made his way downstairs.
In the main hall, Jacob, Sam, Fiona, Edger, Drake, Lorelai, Pierce, Lian, Albert, Roland, Augustus, and Westin were already assembled. Their travel gear was neatly arranged beside them, each carrying a packed backpack. The soft murmur of conversation filled the air as sepoy mercenaries and young knights gathered around, offering farewells and well-wishes.
Raven’s eyes swept across the group once before he spoke.
“Shall we depart?”
Without another word, he walked toward the manor’s entrance, his long coat brushing lightly against the floor. Jacob and the others fell in line behind him. Outside, the morning mist hung low over the road, and the distant caw of crows echoed from the treeline.
A carriage stood waiting at the gate. Raven stepped in without pause. Meanwhile, Jacob collected the luggage from the young knights, placing each item into his spatial ring with practiced efficiency. Once everything was secured, he led the group toward the nearby stable.
The horses were already saddled and ready. Within minutes, the team mounted up — Jacob, Lorelai, Pierce, and Augustus positioned themselves in front of the carriage, while Sam, Fiona, Roland, and Westin rode behind, forming a disciplined escort.
Their destination was Ythendale Town.
The rhythmic clatter of hooves soon filled the morning air as they departed from the estate grounds. The journey stretched for five hours, passing through forests, rolling plains, and a few small hills.
When the sun reached its peak, the tall watchtowers of Ythendale came into view.
As the group entered through the southern gate, a black Brougham carriage trimmed with golden lines stood waiting. Its polished surface reflected the sunlight like a dark mirror.
The carriage door opened. A woman stepped out — her long gown brushing lightly against the cobblestones. Dark auburn hair framed her sharp, composed features. She looked at Raven and smiled faintly.
“I’ve been expecting your arrival, Mr. Holmes.”
Raven stepped out of his own carriage and gave a polite bow.
“Greetings, Lady Elara. I’m just surprised that a noble is coming all the way to the gate to receive a mere knight.”
Elara’s gaze drifted to the escort formation behind him. Her eyes lingered briefly on Jacob before moving across the others.
“I have never seen a rural knight being escorted by an Expert Walker, and almost a dozen Radiant Walkers,” she said, her tone carrying a subtle hint of amusement.
Raven managed a restrained smile.
“May I know the reason for your presence at the gate?”
He already knew she wouldn’t be here just for pleasantries.
Elara’s expression softened. “The war arrived much earlier than I anticipated,” she said. “And I have a feeling that this war might not be a simple one.”
Her voice lowered slightly, the confidence in it wavering for just a moment. Then, after a pause, she continued,
“Though it might seem shameless after receiving such a precious gift, I want to get a few more armors with similar healing effects. Please don’t worry about the cost.”
Raven’s brows furrowed slightly. In truth, he could forge several such artifacts within a couple of weeks — but the materials were another matter entirely.
Elemental crystals were the heart of every artifact, and he had a very small amount of crystals. For the enchantment to last, he needed at least a Rank-2 Life Elemental Crystal, a resource far rarer than coin could easily buy.
“Can we talk inside the carriage?” Raven asked after a brief pause.
Elara nodded. “Of course.”
Before entering, Raven turned toward Jacob. “Get the tickets for the next train,” he said.
Jacob inclined his head. “Understood, My Lord.”
Raven followed Elara into her carriage. The door closed behind them with a soft click as the wheels began to move, rolling steadily down the cobbled street.
The carriage’s wheels rolled smoothly over the cobblestone road, its motion broken only by the occasional creak of wood. Inside, soft sunlight filtered through the window curtains, brushing over the two seated figures.
Raven sat opposite Baroness Elara, his expression calm yet calculating. The faint shimmer of the monocle on his left eye reflected her image as he finally spoke.
“If you can provide me with a few Rank-3 Life Elemental Crystals or Rank-2 crystals, I can craft armors similar to the one I gave you before, My Lady — perhaps even stronger.”
His voice was steady, but his mind was already working through the details. The armor he had gifted her previously was forged using a Rank-2 Life Elemental Crystal. It was enough to sustain the Rejuvenation Shell spell a dozen times before exhausting its core. Once depleted, the armor would require a rune master to replace the elemental stone — a costly and time-consuming process.
But with a Rank-3 crystal, there was no need to worry about depletion at all. It would turn the armor from a temporary safeguard into a long-term relic of protection.
Across from him, Baroness Elara leaned back, her gloved fingers tapping the armrest in thought. “Rank-3 crystals…” she murmured, her brows furrowing.
“I only possess seven Rank-1 Life Elemental Crystals and one Rank-2 crystal in my treasury. But I do have a few Rank-2 other elemental crystals.”
Her tone carried frustration, not at Raven, but at the reality she now faced. “Those crystals have been accumulated by my family for centuries. Even trading for a single element crystal would be troublesome.”
She now realized why it was hard to get even a common rank artifact.
A faint sigh escaped her lips. “So there’s no other option but to face the reality, huh?”
Raven said nothing at first. Then he spoke again, his tone professional and composed.
“The Rejuvenation Shell spell is a wide-ranged one, My Lady. As long as you and your knights are not fatally injured, all wounds within the armor’s influence will be healed upon casting. But remember — it has a cooldown period.” He paused for a moment and then added.
“If I can use the Rank-2 life elemental crystal you have, I can make another Battleplate armor for you.” Raven suddenly took a silver armor from his spatial ring and placed it on the table.
“This is the inferior version of the ‘Battleplate Armor’ I created. Though it’s a common rank artifact, it is highly durable and has a ‘Regeneration’ spell engraved inside.”
Elara inspected the armor and soon asked.
“Can I get seven of these along with another ‘Battleplate Armor’?”
“I’ll send the armors to your town after engraving the spells.”
Raven said.
“That would be very helpful. Once this battle is over, I’ll do my best to help you in every possible way.” Elara said as her eyes softened slightly, the brief glint of gratitude flashing through them, her eyes softening
“So,” Raven continued, shifting the conversation, “how many men are you planning to take to the battlefield, My Lady?”
Elara straightened her posture, her voice returning to its commanding tone. “Unlike the knight households, nobles like us are required to take most of our forces to war. I plan to bring two thousand men.”
The carriage began to slow, the wheels grinding softly as it came to a halt. Elara turned her gaze toward the window, then to Raven. “You can see them for yourself.”
She opened the door and stepped out gracefully, the hem of her gown brushing the earth. Raven followed shortly behind her.
They had arrived at the Grass Villa, a vast training ground covered in open fields and trimmed greenery. At the entrance, rows of soldiers stood in perfect formation — men and women alike, clad in crisp green military uniforms. The glint of polished blades caught the sunlight as they raised their heads in unison, their discipline evident in the silence that followed.
Raven’s eyes swept across the formation, noting the uniform rhythm in their stance, the quiet determination in their expressions.
“I already sent most of my men to the Gearford and told them to station there. The rest of my army and I are planning to depart tomorrow morning. After that, we have to move to the assigned territory on horses. Though most of my men are only Apprentice Walkers,” Elara said beside him, “they’ve all been trained to wield the sword for the past six months.”
‘She recruited commoners recently and trained them to become walkers, huh?’
Raven’s gaze swept across the gathered soldiers.
‘I can only see three Radiant Walkers as leaders of each unit,’ he noted silently.
None among them carried the weight or aura of an Expert Realm powerhouse.
‘It’s understandable. If she possessed an Expert Walker, her household would have risen in rank by one.’
Compared to her, Raven’s forces were leagues ahead—he had a dozen Radiant Walkers and two Expert Walkers under his command.
In military strength, his house already surpassed a Baron’s house.
‘No wonder she came to the entrance to receive me,’ he thought as he turned toward Elara.
“If there is any urgent situation, send a word to Oakvale Town, My Lady,” Raven said calmly.