Mission

A week passed in a flash, and Benjamin Moonfall was angry.

'To think that he would not even greet his uncle...It seems like I have to go to the castle myself', he thought to himself.

---

Frozen City Castle - The Red Keep

As he entered the castle, he was pretty jealous.

'I thought it was a punishment to be exiled in this forsaken city, but he is like a local lord here. People love him, and he lives in luxury'

Indeed, Drake's hunts had granted him a bit of wealth, which he invested in paintings, sculptures and buildings. Naturally, he didn't just build nice houses for his citizens. He also made a nice castle for himself, filled with servants, paintings and sculptures as well as a small garden in order to rest comfortably. Only training was not any good. He needed to stay sane, and this was part of his luxurious hobbies.

Actually, it was Fang Zheng, the head of the Wooden Merchant Union, who invited him to weekly parties. Drake met a lot of his subjects this way, mainly wealthy ones. Among them stood artists and people who knew how to enjoy life.

Of course, it's not like he had much time for himself as he bore a lot of responsibility as the Lord of Frozen City. If not for his biochip synthesizing information, micro-managing juridic cases, checking progress on the various projects, micro-managing the manpower in order to advance the development of the city and expansion of farmlands, he would have a hard time sleeping, not to mention training or enjoying life.

As Benjamin moved in the castle, he realized that there were at least 20 guards with preparatory knight physiques in the hall. Servants were all well trained as well.

'What kind of force is he growing in here? I am afraid that he will have a complete army by the end of the 3-years-period...', Benjamin thought with apprehension.

He had already witnessed the morning training in the Frozen Knight Order Temple. It was impressive. Drake taught them formations, while pointing out individual flaws in written reports. It was a unique way of teaching which required extremely high vision and concentration.

"Welcome to the Red Keep, Uncle Benjamin", Drake said in a low voice.

Benjamin was shocked. How could a man change this much in one year?

Drake no longer was a well-built youth. Even veteran knights didn't exude such an aura. Drake's eyes, posture, and physique made it look like he had gone through hundreds of life and death battles.

"I...You...How did you do all of that?", Benjamin blaberred

"Haha", Drake laughed, "Have you come here to praise me?"

"You...", Benjamin groaned. He couldn't find anything to say. He truly was admirative of what his hated nephew had done.

However, Drake was a revengeful man. He hadn't forgotten what his uncle had done to his parents.

"Why have you come here?", Drake asked

"The family sent me to investigate and check on your progress...", he said, "We also heard of a possibility that you might have killed a few trainees in the process"

Drake shook his head: "Some spies were hiding among trainees. I killed them. I don't know who they were reporting to, but I killed them nonetheless. Will you punish me for it as well?"

Benjamin gasped: "You admit...to killing trainees belonging to the Moonfall Family?"

Drake laughed: "There is not trainee belonging to the Moonfall Family. All of the members from the Frozen Knight Order are individuals who swore loyalty to me, rather than the Moonfall Family. All of them are under my protection, under my leadership. They won't obey anyone other than me"

Benjamin: "The elders won't like that-"

Drake pressured Benjamin: "Don't talk to me like that, uncle"

Benjamin's eyes widened. He could feel Drake's magic power. It was...as strong as a beginner acolyte about to breakthrough. It was even higher than his own magic power!

'What incredible magic power...', he appraised

Drake then said: "I have to prepare for a hunt. I will not allow your presence in my keep any longer. Both you and I hate each other. Cause any trouble, and I will personally kill you. I could make subtile threats, but you might not understand them"

Benjamin's face paled right away. Almost instinctively, he took a step back.

"Wait...", Benjamin said with great difficulty. Talking was like approaching a lion, "The main family also issued an additional order. It wants you to solve a problem that has arisen recently in the Nyagaru Forest. It is only 8 kilometers away from Frozen City and you were the nearest Moonfall Acolyte, so the patriarch requested your assistance"

Drake nodded: "Give me the mission missive then. What are you waiting for?"

Benjamin swallowed his pride and obeyed.

[Mission - Giant Python Subjugation

The beginner-rank giant python has been spotted in the Nyagaru Forest. It has already conquered the forest, and might reach the intermediate rank if it continues to feast on the wild beasts inside in the coming years. Eliminate the giant python before it reaches intermediate rank.

If it has already reached intermediate rank by the time you come across it, an elder will be dispatched.

Your reward will be given in advance in the hands of Benjamin Moonfall who volunteered to act as the messenger for this mission]

Benjamin then took out a ring with jealousy: "It is a low-grade artefact. It can be used to cast the blessing [Sharpness] on your sword. You can charge up to 3 units of mana in the ring, that can be used for three blessings. The blessing only last for one attack. People like you, walking the path of body refinement, would kill for such an artefact"

Drake frowned. It was too good of a reward.

'Biochip, what is a Giant Python?'

[Giant Pythons are a species of snake that can grow indefinitely. In its stage of infancy, its size can reach up to 40 meters. It has extremely big apetite, and despite its large size, it is quite agile. It has wiped out cities in the past, but it normally stays in its territory unless it is provoked. It is very difficult to kill because of its size and ability to destroy army formations with ease.

Giant Python can also petrify its targets and turn them into crystals. However, this can be averted as long as you do not cross its stare. Its strongest attribute is its vitality, which can reach 20 points in adulthood, and 10 points in its infancy]

'The family wants me to take care of such a monster? Seems like I will have to prepare siege weapons to subjugate it', Drake thought.

Benjamin hesitated before telling: "Although I am your uncle, I don't want to see you die in vain. There is a reason why the family gave you this ring. Giant Pythons cannot be killed with knights or an army. It has abnormally high vitality, and extremely vicious petrification spell. I would recommend you build some catapults and fight it from a long distance and lure it in a trap"

Drake was surprised: 'Benjamin...Why would he give me useful advice? We hate each other...But am I the only one who wanted him dead? Or perhaps family links are really valued in this world...I might have been too harsh on him. A trap is a good suggestion though'

"If that is all, then I will have to take care of some minor threats in the territory before attacking the snake. Thank you for the information, it seems that I misjudged your intentions...", Drake said with a softened look

Staying silent for a while, Drake then ordered: "Evangeline, please hire the Ice Wolf Mercenary Group to scout the Giant Python and keep tabs on it. I want them to give me a detailed report on its activity, and its habits. Tell them I will agree to free their leader Jack Butterfly if they obey me, in addition to 500 gold coins"

Benjamin's eyes widened.

Jack Butterfly, also known as the Bonecrusher, was a very strong man. He was a veteran knight who had killed dozens of knights in the last territorial war. For Drake to have subdued such a man, it could only mean that he was stronger than Jack himself!

"Arthur! Ready the Frozen Knight Order Cavalry. We have to get rid of the bandit handouts in the North. A mercenary has given us their location. It might be a trap, but it is useless if we have horses"

Benjamin was shocked to see a man getting out of stealth, and nodding before disappearing once again before his eyes.

'What kind of experts did he gather in a year? The girl who passed by me also seemed crazily strong and agile!'