Chapter 38: Transformation and Inheritance (Part 2)

The neatly planned farm in Darknight Manor, with its lush crops and healthy livestock, failed to catch Chris’s attention at all. However, when the mage saw the three statues standing in front of the under-construction villa, he rushed over in disbelief.
Fortunately, this person had no hostile intentions and did not attack, so it did not trigger a reaction from the Tree of Life. The combat puppets and golems also remained in place, not entering attack mode.
“This… Mage Donald, do these three statues contain alchemical devices?”
Hearing the question, whose voice was distorted due to shock, Donald hadn’t expected the other party to spot the uniqueness of his puppets right away. After all, the puppets manifested through the Book of Truth were perfectly constructed. If they sat motionless, they would resemble real statues and go unnoticed by ordinary people.
But since the other party had already discovered the secret, he had no choice but to tell the truth. Given the other’s status as a Bronze-tier master, he likely wouldn’t try to take his puppets.
“That’s right. These three are my alchemical puppets, placed here to protect the manor while I’m away!”
Clearly, Donald had miscalculated, underestimating the appeal of such alchemical puppets to a seasoned mage.
Upon hearing this, Chris’s shock was beyond description.
“Alchemical puppets… ancient alchemical creations lost for a thousand years!”
“I must get these puppets from this young mage for research!”
With that thought, the Bronze-tier mage turned to Donald, his expression stiff but his gaze intense. “I want these three puppets for research. Give me an offer!”
Compared to Master Donald’s profound expertise in alchemical enchantment, Chris, a Bronze-tier master, loved nothing more than studying ancient relics left from antiquity. These alchemical puppets were exactly his taste.
Donald was caught between laughter and tears and said hesitantly, “Master Chris, these puppets are the most important defense force of my manor. You know their value. If they’re taken for research, they won’t be able to be repaired for a while…”
Before Donald could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the mage with a poker face.

“You needn’t worry at all about the safety of this manor! I’ll have Morgan and the other one come here to work on alchemical puppets together until you return. This manor and its inhabitants won’t suffer the slightest harm! Now, state your conditions!”
Ignoring MasterChris’s stiff tone, Donald was filled with surprise. The mage Morgan mentioned byChris was one of the other two bronze-tier peak mages in the guild—both on the verge of advancing to silver rank and highly influential figures in the northern county’s mage community.
With these three masters guarding the manor, it was unlikely that any foolish thieves would dare trouble them. If some reckless enemy did show up, their fate would depend on their luck!
Donald believed that even if the enemy sent someone of silver rank, they would hardly fare well against the wrath of three bronze-tier peak mages.
“Since you say so, Master, then go ahead and study these three alchemical puppets as you wish. Just give some elemental crystals as compensation! I leave the safety of the manor to you!”
With that, Donald lifted the defenses on the three alchemical puppets and ordered them to cooperate withChris in every way.
As soon asChris gained temporary control over the puppets, aside from sending his mage pet, a red-beaked falcon, to deliver messages to the other two mages, he immersed himself in studying them, ignoring even their master, Donald.
He had already prepared to strengthen the manor’s defenses, and now, with three bronze-tier peak mages guarding it, Donald felt even more at ease. He could leave without concern now.
Just before heading to the battlefield, another small incident occurred.
“My lord, please take us with you! We want to follow you to the battlefield!”
Upon hearing the call for enlistment, William’s two sons, ignoring their parents’ objections, volunteered to join their master in battle. As knightly servants, it was indeed their duty.
Though they both possessed skills comparable to mid-level black-iron warriors, differing from the newly recruited manor guards only in terms of combat experience, the two boys were still children, the oldest being only fifteen. Still, Donald had to consider their parents’ wishes.
Instead of rejecting their request immediately, Donald sent for their parents.
When William and his wife came to see Donald and found both sons there, they immediately guessed what had happened.

“My lord, the two children are inexperienced. Please do not blame them!”
Donald shook his head and smiled. “William, your sons are very brave. They wish to follow me to the battlefield. But considering their young age, I came to ask for your opinion as a couple.”
He had thought they would surely refuse to let their sons accompany them to war. Unexpectedly, William said, “As servants of my lord, they should follow him and fight bravely to achieve glory. Eli is still too young; going out would only cause trouble for my lord. But Eric will be of age in just over two years and is already almost as mature as an adult. Let him go with my lord to gain experience. Besides, my lord needs someone to serve him!”
Even William’s wife, Isabella, though reluctant to see her son leave, agreed with her husband’s decision.
Seeing this, Donald could only say, “Very well! Eric and Clinton will go with me. George and Bush, stay behind to protect the estate. Codd and William, try to minimize going out after I leave. Focus on managing the estate and farm affairs—there’s no need to worry about anything else! I’ve prepared the share of Moonlight Wine for next month. A mage will come to collect it then!”
Although Donald was an heir to a hereditary noble family, he had lost the right and authority to recruit private soldiers since his fief was taken away. Even if he fought, he could only do so alone, at most allowing two knight servants due to his status as a knightly family. If he brought more men, he might easily be accused of amassing forces with malicious intent and could end up in prison before even reaching the battlefield.
Of course, he could hire warriors, but the cost was high, and they might betray their employer later for rewards. Traditional mage followers could fight alongside him, but the choice had to be careful. Once chosen, they had to be responsible until the end. So far, Donald had not found any followers whose talent and potential were worthy of his attention.
Fighting alone was Donald’s best option at the moment. Moreover, with the ability to summon an army, it was equivalent to having a thousand-strong army with him. So he didn’t need any private soldiers or servants.
But since William wanted his son to gain experience, it would be fine for him to take Eric along. A young sapling that isn’t exposed to storms won’t grow into a towering tree. Donald, who had high hopes for his two young servants, naturally wouldn’t refuse them this opportunity.

Having decided to take Eric along, Donald also brought Clinton to handle minor matters along the way, leaving only George and Bush to command the newly recruited estate guards. After arranging everything, without waiting for the other two mages to arrive, Donald packed up the items prepared for him by the old butler, mounted three fine warhorses, waved goodbye to everyone in the estate with Eric, and headed straight for the front lines.