However, Chris's expression remained solemn,

"I'm afraid things are not that simple."

"I believe my team's whereabouts have not been leaked, yet we still suffered an ambush."

"They had been lying in wait for a long time and predicted my marching route."

"Not even my deputy knows this."

Chris's words gradually wiped the smiles off Gang Le and Rein's faces.

...

...

This winter, Frost Leaf Town has not had any leisure.

The prey brought back from Razor Plain made the town busier.

The draft horses pulled carts creaking, with the carcasses of wild deer, bison, and boar being continuously hauled into town, piling up like small mountains.

"Don't be lazy, hurry up and get to work!"

Lawrence shouted, his voice overpowering the clamor of the crowd,

"The Lord has instructed that tonight everyone gets to taste what fresh meat is like!"

Processing the hunting spoils inevitably creates some scraps, adding in some innards, it's enough to make a fresh and sumptuous dinner for everyone.

"Thank you, my lord!"

The slaves took the prey one by one into the house to defrost.

The Wildman butchers sharpened their knives, waiting for the prey to thaw before skinning and quartering.

These prey had already been bled out, otherwise, everyone could also enjoy a fresh blood pudding meal.

The Wildman butchers skillfully separated the bright red muscle under their knives, cleaning the bones thoroughly.

The edible innards were carefully picked out, cleaned, and sent for curing.

The processed meat chunks were sent to the smokehouse to be turned into jerky for storage.

The skinned animal hides were spread out on wooden frames, where the leather workers nimbly scraped off excess fat with bone knives.

The complete pelts were meticulously cleaned, dried, and rolled into bundles, stacked in the warehouse for future trade.

As for the remainder, they are processed and kept for making armor linings.

Some will be made into fur coats, gloves, and hats, distributed to slaves who work in the winter.

The town was busy.

After Rod gave the plans for the press to the carpenters and Blacksmith Shop, he found himself with some free time.

The wheat seeds had been sown almost a week ago, and every two days, Rod would stroll around the fields.

Normally, wheat seeds would germinate about a week to half a month after sowing.

The cold weather might make them sprout a bit later.

Rod was unsure of the properties of the mutated snow wheat, so he felt compelled to check on them every day.

Sometimes, he knew he should wait two more days before going.

But Rod just couldn't help wanting to see.

This feeling was like buying a lottery ticket and waiting for the draw, knowing it's too early, but still unable to resist refreshing the countdown.

During this time, the children of the Snow Rabbit People were sent to the manor.

Rod found time to test all the children's spiritual power, but the results were disappointing

— Not a single child had a spiritual power exceeding ten points.

Of course, these children are all under sixteen, and their spiritual power might change as they grow.

Though the possibility of such a change is very small.

But Rod still recorded those children who were tested, especially those whose spiritual strength was near ten points.

Rod decided to have them participate in another test before they turn sixteen.

Rod wandering in the fields allowed Night Fury and Thunder more time together.

Night Fury galloped across the Desert, with Thunder closely following, flapping its broad wings.

Sitting on the horse, Rod found this scene quite dashing, except his face and knees were frozen cold.

And the solitary Frost circled in the skies above the Desert, hunting as a lone dragon.

However, Frost did not become irritable due to Night Fury and Thunder's close relationship.

Rod became curious, could Frost also be a female two-legged flying dragon?

Rod did not dwell on this question.

After patrolling over two hundred acres of farmland, he returned to Frost Leaf Town.

Upon returning to the manor hall, Luna and Otto came to meet him.

"Good day, my lord."

After Luna curtsied, she reported,

"My lord, the plan for your herb garden has been configured, but some seeds are missing."

"Hmm, elaborate,"

Rod looked at Luna, listening to her report.

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