Chapter Eleven: Wolfish Ambitions

Continuing south along the edge of the snow-covered fields for over an hour, they soon came across dense forests ahead. This forest was called the South Fragrant Leaf Forest, situated directly opposite the North Fragrant Leaf Forest where they had fought before.

The South Fragrant Leaf Forest was a typical mountainous area, shaped like a horizontal “L,” serving to shield the Terres domain from the cold winds blowing in from the distant icy oceans to the northwest in winter. It did not belong to the Manmores’ territory, but they were responsible for its management. Cutting down the trees was forbidden; instead, their duties included monitoring the forest, protecting it, gathering medicinal herbs, hunting animals for meat and pelts, and so on.

It is worth noting that over a decade ago, the Manmores drove away or hunted the large carnivores in the South Fragrant Leaf Forest, especially those in the northern foothills. Thereafter, humans took over the role of predators in the food chain—neither overhunting nor allowing herbivores to proliferate—upholding a balance that ensured sustainability. For Neo, the principle of “taking only what is needed and giving back to nature,” which his father had taught him as a child, was fully understood through observing the Manmores’ management of the forest.

Through this experience, Neo also learned to view things and all forms of life with fairness and objectivity. Before this, like many werewolves, he held a rather extreme view of humans, seeing them as destroyers of the ecosystem. Well, “ecosystem” was a new term Neo had learned shortly before becoming a death row inmate. In the words of werewolves, it would be too lengthy to explain—referring to the sky, earth, mountains, rivers, and so on.

In comparison, the South Fragrant Leaf Forest was what Neo considered his true home. As a hunting servant of the Manmores, he had spent over four years of his youth here. It held many of his memories, and he had left countless traces in it. If given 2–3 days to prepare here, he was confident he could eliminate all those dark minions he encountered during the day in the forests.

Although he knew the chances were slim, Neo still hoped to see Milien at the hunting lodge.

“If she managed to escape through the south gate, this should be her first refuge…” Looking at the giant trees with branches shaped like outstretched hands in the forest, and the ingeniously constructed treehouse atop them, Neo’s heart pounded wildly—more intensely even than when being chased by the Evil Flame Puppets.

Yet with each step closer, his excitement faded. By the time he reached the treehouse, though the door remained closed, he had once again frozen the fervent emotions in his heart. Milien wasn’t there—no sound, no familiar scent, nothing at all. Neo was even certain she hadn’t been here in recent days, because the fragrant herbs she used were picked and mixed by him personally. One of those herbs, stargrass, not only repelled mosquitoes but was also a component in making “prey scent.”

Although Melian wasn’t in the treehouse, it was still necessary to visit here. There were various items such as flint, fire starters, fishing line, hooks, oil wax, deer skin, waterproof tarps, and foot powder. There was also a set of tableware including knives, forks, and an iron rice bucket with a lid that could serve as a dish, along with seasoning packs, sewing kits, medical kits, skinning knives, raincoats, and sleeping bags. This place was one of the secret spots for storing essential travel items—things that Neo had painstakingly gathered over time, all well-designed, practical, and high-quality, far surpassing anything hastily acquired.

Neo took out each item from the hidden compartments in the wooden floor and carried them with him. He glanced back at the room with reluctance, picked up his hunting bow and quiver, then turned to leave.

The second destination was even deeper in the jungle than the treehouse. Although the midnight temperature had frost forming on Neo’s scarf, eyebrows, and even hair tips, the sounds of small animals foraging at night made him realize the area was untouched, giving even the cold a fresh feel.

Neo moved through the jungle faster than on flat ground. Skilled at using the terrain and trees, he moved swiftly and agilely, almost on par with a mountain cat navigating the jungle.

It was a small valley. Due to mineral content, the trees nearby didn’t grow well. Seen from above in summer and autumn, it resembled a scar on green skin. Now, though, it looked much better—the white snow covering that flaw.

About ten years ago, copper mines were discovered here, an event that even caught the attention of Viscount Edrith. Unfortunately, surveys showed that the copper veins were scattered and of poor quality. Given its location, the estimated costs of mining would outweigh the benefits.

Thus, today, there was only a mine shaft about ten meters long and a shabby hut that had been repaired at least three times to barely provide shelter from wind and rain.

Neo called this place “The Armory Valley” because there was a blacksmith’s workshop built by him brick by brick inside the mine shaft. All the tools here were handmade by Neo through careful craftsmanship.

During the years he lived in the Manmores’ household, aside from participating in gladiatorial fights to entertain the nobles, his daily tasks were mostly fixed. In spring, when most animals were mating, Neo’s main job was blacksmith—farmers needed plows and harrows, which often required repairs or even complete reconstruction. Although Tulip Town had its own blacksmith shop, the nobles still wanted to save money. Moreover, Neo’s blacksmithing skills were considered on par with those of Old Macken, as recognized by the townspeople of Tulip Town.

Of course, in reality, Neo’s skills were slightly better than Old Macken’s. This was because Neo not only had talent and was hardworking but also good at thinking critically. Though Old Macken had more experience, he was ultimately a rough man.

Due to headaches, Neo had studied hard since childhood. His knowledge, while not as systematic as that of the noble children from wealthy families, was extensive and varied. In terms of several practical life skills, even if he wasn’t qualified to be a teacher, he was very close.

High competence means quick learning, broader thinking, greater creativity and logic, clear goals with well-thought-out plans—things that cannot be compared to those who rely on simple living and management theories or instinctive reactions. Summer is the season with the most intensive training throughout the year, involving not only Neo and another gladiator, Martha, but also six guards from the Manmores’ family, including the head guard, along with a group of over 30 militia members from the town. Unlike true wealthy people or high nobles, the Manmores’ residence was half villa and half fortress, leaving no space for indoor training. So what season could be more suitable for intensive training than this one, when farm work is light and the weather is so good that sleeping outdoors at night poses no problem? For the young men of this world, a love for combat is an instinct deeply rooted in them. Being able to dedicate whole days to training, though hard, also brings joy—such as hunting in the mountains, fishing in rivers, and simulated battles in small teams, all of which are filled with endless fun and little stories. Every year during this season, Neo enjoyed it too. As a noble’s personal gladiator, his life was far less dull and oppressive than in a dedicated gladiator camp, where death loomed overhead. During his time at the Manmores’ house, Neo’s combat skills didn’t improve dramatically, but he laid a solid foundation, including in theory. He also experienced normal life and learned many lessons. Throughout his life, whenever he recalled those days, he felt more nostalgia and gratitude than humiliation from being a slave and later being wronged. Neo believed that without that experience, even if he had survived in the arena time and again, his heart would have withered prematurely. He might have ended up like those arena heroes—famous but indulging in wine and women, then quickly abandoning it, ultimately finding no joy left and choosing to die in the arena. That was considered a relatively glorious life for a gladiator—struggling, fighting, succeeding, falling. The world in their eyes was too gloomy and narrow; their lives bloomed only for the arena, which made millions of people cheer passionately. Autumn is undoubtedly the harvest season. Although there’s less blacksmithing work than in spring, there’s still plenty. Additionally, many edible, medicinal, and economically valuable plants in the mountains need to be collected, and Neo was involved in this. It also prepared for winter hunting. Nobles who went into the mountains didn’t want to encounter dangerous traps, and guides weren’t gods. Their ability to serve as guides came from continuous field research in the area, as rain, landslides, and even plant growth could bring significant changes to the mountains. Winter, especially after the first snowfall like now, is the perfect time for winter hunting, also known as “fur hunting.” The animals in the mountains donned their winter furs, and humans wanted to possess the elegance and warmth those furs brought, so hunting ensued. It was also a fashionable sport passed down among nobles for ages.

“This winter is at least a happy one for the animals here,” Nio said as he stepped through the snow, wading deeper into the mine tunnels. The wooden beams and pillars supporting the tunnels were already cracked and decayed, giving them an ancient, forgotten appearance at first glance. But once you went deeper, in a rather inconspicuous corner beneath a large rock, there were tracks that could be pushed aside with little effort, leading to a small side passage that now connected directly to Nio’s forging room.

After removing the furnace, anvil, and simple tool racks, the remaining space in the forging room was not even enough to fit a single bed. There wasn’t even a box here; Nio used shallow cavities carved into the stone walls to store his belongings. Unfolding the bundle made of patched leather, several pieces of armor that truly reflected Nio’s forging skills came into view in the darkness: a brass wind wolf helmet, brass layered gauntlets, brass rune-leg armor, brass leather-bottomed greaves, and two cross-shaped swords made of blue steel.

These four sets of brass armor were the result of Nio gradually collecting ore from these abandoned mines and refining it into weapons. During the manufacturing process, he discovered that the ore contained at least two unknown metal elements—rare, difficult to extract, and causing many challenges during forging. Yet, when used to create armor, they enhanced its overall performance, making it lighter while also improving its strength and durability—qualities far surpassing those of mass-produced equipment made using steam presses and similar machines.

As for the blue steel cross swords, their main material was obtained through bartering. The cross shape was chosen for its simplicity, clarity, and practicality. During forging, Nio incorporated as much of the rare element from the brass as possible. After hundreds of repeated forging sessions and prolonged tempering, the swords developed countless blue streaks across their surfaces, giving them a unique appearance. Due to their high hardness, they were named “blue steel.”

There’s a saying among warriors: to judge the excellence of a warrior, look only at how much he values the weapon he uses. A weapon is an extension of a warrior’s limbs. A skilled warrior’s weapon may not necessarily be a legendary or exquisite blade, but it must be the most suitable for him—and very often, it was crafted by him himself. His knowledge of its length, weight, texture, and other characteristics is thorough, and he treats it as a precious treasure, caring for it with great attention.

Nio also held deep affection for these pair of blue steel swords, as they had been his weapons for many years. Through repeated repairs, modifications, and refinements, they took on their current form. Holding these swords, Nio felt a connection as if they were part of his own body; he could sense everything about them effortlessly, as if touching his own flesh.

Having obtained the equipment, it was natural to arm oneself. In addition to armor, there was also a set of undergarments and a leather jacket to wear with the armor, which fit much better and were more comfortable than the civilian clothes he was wearing from Solace City. Thus, most of his old clothes were replaced, leaving only a cotton robe, a cloak and scarf, and large gloves. The weather outside was bitterly cold, and although these clothes were cumbersome, they were essential. Moreover,Neo didn’t throw away the old clothes but put them in his backpack.Neo originally had a tattered canvas backpack, a supply left by Adrian; since he now had a better one, there was no need to carry a backpack, sleeping mat, water bladder, or ropes anymore.

The last batch of items, including the breastplate, were still in the town and could not be obtained for now.Neo left Hidden Valley and made his way to the edge of the jungle, then headed west until he saw a river. The Bow River, with its numerous tributaries, flowed from south to north, diagonally passing by Tulip Town before turning northwest, forming an arc that resembled the bowstring, hence its name.

There was a bridge near Tulip Town over the Bow River, and the riverbed had been dredged several times. With the water freezing over in winter, it was the only area that was overall lower than the ground level, making it an ideal place to hide.Neo’s plan was to use this river to approach Tulip Town and look for an opportunity to sneak in. Of course, not now, but before the dawn of Ghosts’ Return.