The news of victory from the north was like a powerful shot of adrenaline injected into the high-speed war machine that was Blackwood Fortress.
Colin could almost foresee the earth-shattering transformation his legions would undergo once the steady stream of iron ore and coal was transported back to Blackwood Fortress and fed into Berg's roaring furnaces.
However, the surprises seemed far from over.
Just after he finished arranging follow-up support for Hask's northward expedition and preparations for receiving the 'Shattered Claw Tribe' tribe,
another team he had sent deeper into Blackwood Forest to explore eastward also sent back a messenger.
Unlike the aggressive and high-speed arrival of the Wolf Rider messengers, this messenger's arrival was silent, filled with a tranquility that blended perfectly with the forest.
He was a Deer-folk.
A young Deer-folk scout with eyes as calm as still water.
He had no mount, having crossed hundreds of miles of peril-filled dense forest alone using legs naturally suited for long treks thru the woods. His leather armor was covered in marks from thorns and branches, and several minor scratches lined his face, yet his breathing remained steady and long.
He simply appeared quietly at the entrance of the castle's Council Chamber, as if he hadn't returned from the remote depths of the forest, but had merely taken a stroll in the castle gardens.
"Chieftain."
He performed a standard hand-to-chest salute toward Colin, his voice clear and steady.
"I have been ordered by Captain Kate to bring back the progress report of the eastward exploration team."
Colin motioned for him to step forward. He held high expectations for this team led by the Deer-folk Kate, composed of Deer-folk and some Fox-folk warriors, which focused on exploration and mapping. He was eager to know how many more secrets were hidden in this Blackwood Forest that had nurtured them but remained full of unknowns.
From a waterproof animal-hide pack on his back, the Deer-folk messenger took out a thick roll of animal hide with a map drawn on it, along with several cloth bundles tied with vines.
He first spread out the map, which clearly marked their exploration path over the past half-month with different colored symbols.
"My Lord, we have ventured about two hundred miles to the east." The messenger's finger traced slowly across the map. "Everything we saw was dense primeval forest. The terrain is complex, filled with swamps and cliffs. We failed to find any demi-human settlements, nor did we find any significant metal veins."
At this point, a trace of subtle disappointment tinged the messenger's tone. In his view, failing to find new allies or precious resources like iron ore meant the mission could hardly be considered a success.
Colin's face, however, showed no disappointment. He nodded calmly.
"Continue."
Exploration was inherently full of uncertainty. Being able to confirm what an area *did not* have was valuable intelligence in itself, allowing Colin to eliminate incorrect directions in his future strategic planning.
"Yes, My Lord." The messenger seemed encouraged by Colin's calm reaction. He opened the first cloth bundle.
"Although we found no mineral veins, we did not return empty-handed."
As the bundle opened, a fresh and peculiar herbal fragrance, a mix of dozens of different plants, instantly filled the Council Chamber.
Inside the bundle were several carefully processed plant samples of various shapes, neatly arranged.
"The Deer-folk elders in our team, relying on knowledge passed down thru generations, identified and collected these rare herbs in the depths of the forest."
The messenger pointed to a plant with fine red patterns along the edges of its leaves and introduced it: "My Lord, look at this. We call it 'blood-leaf grass.' If crushed and applied to a wound, it can stop bleeding very quickly."
He then pointed to a strange flower that looked like transparent jello and emitted a cool sensation.
"This one we call 'ice gel flower.' It can effectively relieve the pain caused by burns and swelling."
"And this, 'Calming Mushroom.' When dried and ground into powder, taking a small amount can serve as an excellent analgesic, allowing wounded warriors to sleep peacefully..."
The messenger introduced the uses of each herb like he was reciting family treasures.
Colin listened quietly, showing a look of interest. Blackwood Fortress's medical system had always been a concern of his. Aside from his own limited supply of healing potions, other medical means were basically stuck in the primitive stage of applying herbs. The discovery of these herbs was undoubtedly a huge supplement to the territory's existing medical system.
He picked up the so-called "blood-leaf grass" and observed it carefully.
However, when his gaze swept over several other seemingly unremarkable plant samples in the bundle that he hadn't picked up yet, the expression on his face suddenly froze.
In an instant, hisempire was slowly unfolding in his mind. And he was the artist holding the brush.