Andrew stood on a large ship. The cold weather made it seem like it was about to snow, but as he looked at the approaching lakeside dock, his heart calmed down a lot.
Their expedition was quite fruitful; they brought back not only many people but also a large quantity of ore. Furthermore, their surprise attack was flawless, allowing them to capture the valley without paying any price.
They then ransacked the valley, taking everything that was usable with them.
He can still picture Arthas returning, furious and crazed.
Andrew was wrong. Arthur wasn't particularly angry; he was just frantically trying to exonerate himself. After all, the items weren't his; his life was.
The new members of the guard were overjoyed. When they could see the large waterwheel of their territory, they danced with excitement on the boat. This was a great achievement, and each of them would receive a small piece of land. This made them, who had always been envious, the envy of others.
Elm and the others remained expressionless. Although Cedar had told them that this was a territory they could never have imagined, they didn't have any particular thoughts until they actually saw it.
But seeing the jubilation of others, they were still puzzled. There was no need to be so happy about going home!
The guards' ecstasy, though incomprehensible to them, was something Sugi knew—that he too would soon possess his own land.
"Fir trees, why are you so happy?" Elm finally asked the fir trees.
"Elm, you'll understand in time. Once you're in the territory, just do your job properly."
The cedar tree didn't say anything, fearing that the elm tree wouldn't be able to accept it; he'd rather let the elm tree experience it for itself gradually!
Ed was still looking at the copper coin in his hand when the noise outside suddenly interrupted him.
"My lord, Lord Andrew and the others have returned and are at the dock by the lake."
Ed quickly got up and went to the lakeside. When he saw a large group of people loading ore at the lake, Ed's heart was completely relieved.
"Lord!" the crowd at the dock called out to Ed in unison.
Ed felt a surge of excitement for the first time. So this is what it feels like when everyone shouts the same thing! No wonder everyone wants to be the protagonist.
"My lord, we've brought back all the ore and the miners from there this time." Andrew was no longer as cautious as before; now he was more excited.
Maybe it feels good to steal from others!
"Yes, everyone, thank you for your hard work. Transport all these things to Red Iron Village." Ed plans to vigorously develop Red Iron Village, since ironware is key later on, and he must protect and develop that place first.
"And what about the miners?" Andrew continued.
"They're all going to Red Iron Village to mine iron ore. Cedar, you go to Red Iron Village first and stay with them for a while." Ed planned to have Cedar reassure them, since they had just arrived and the weather was getting cold, so they wouldn't be able to mine for more than a few days.
"Yes, my lord." Cedar had no objections, nor would he. He could use this opportunity to discuss some matters with Elm and the others.
"Andrew, you shouldn't go out for a while. Make sure the guard team is well trained, and get the police squad in Cedar Tree sorted out as soon as possible. The defenses at the iron ore mine must be in place."
Ed didn't want his hometown to be attacked, even though it was very remote, deep in the mountains, he still wanted to be on the safe side.
"Yes, my lord, I will strengthen the defenses of the mines and Crimson Iron Village from now on."