Just a short while ago, an apprentice scholar had declared that Baron Leech Clarence—the new heir to his late father's castle—had little more than a day to live. Fortunately, the apprentice added, Baron Leech would be able to pass the last moments of his life in a painless coma.
After his passing, Baron Leech's younger brother, Leo Clarence, would inherit the barony and the dilapidated Porcupine Castle. And when Leo, in turn, returned to the embrace of the Four Gods, he would pass the title and fiefdom on to his eldest son, ensuring the Clarence line would continue forever.
That was, of course, assuming Baron Leech actually died.

'So, what is that yellow dot?'
'My golden finger is summoning tombstones? Am I supposed to crush people to death with them?'


Just as Leech was discussing construction plans for the watchtower on the coastal headland with a craftsman, a message arrived.


"Yes, it's—it's a message from Lord Hawkwood Linsen," Radish said with a nod.


Traveling from the Three-fork River to the Eastern Gorge, one could indeed pass through Porcupine Territory by taking a slight detour, but Leech hadn't expected the Baron of Three-fork River Castle to make a special trip to visit him.


Because "on the way" was a bit of a stretch.


Leech turned to the craftsman. "Build the watchtower just as I described. It needs to be at least 120 feet high. Materials are not an issue; I will arrange for men to go to Pig Spine Valley to quarry stone."


'He didn't understand why a watchtower needed to be so tall. Did they plan to see the entirety of Porcupine Territory from up there?'


Chapter 278 - Chapter 263: The Grand Goal of Rescuing 500,000 Slaves