Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

Furthermore, if the Lord encountered any trouble, the Wind Speech Tribe was willing to offer unconditional aid.

Levi didn’t know what percentage of the Magic Crystal Ore Fulina owned, but for her to value it so highly, it certainly wasn’t a small amount. For the Wind Speech Tribe to be willing to offer twenty percent under these circumstances was more than just sincere—you could say they were sparing no expense.

Of course, this also indirectly proved that the Laurel Tree was even more important to the Elves than he had imagined.

Levi shook his head slightly and pushed the parchment back.

Ash’s brow furrowed. ’Is this Lion Hunter Knight just like all the others, his greed like a Giant Stone rolling down a cliff?’

But his next words made her flush with shame.

"Ash, I came to help you before because of Fulina. As for the matter of the Laurel Tree, I didn’t really contribute much."

Levi began, smiling faintly. "Compared to these things, I actually care more about our friendship."

"Our... friendship..." Ash studied the excessively handsome human before her. Even with all she had been through, she couldn’t help but blush slightly at such a direct statement.

It just wasn’t very noticeable in the candlelight.

"I think the Wind Speech Tribe and High Cliff Castle should maintain a friendly relationship from now on."

"The Wind Speech Tribe is located deep in the Wilderness and has no way to acquire many things, like weapons, equipment, and various daily necessities. High Cliff Castle happens to have these things. We could establish a trade route and exchange goods."

"I read in a book once that the most reliable relationships are those bound by mutual interest."

Having said so much in one breath, Levi slowly took a sip of hot water and awaited the Elf Queen’s reaction.

So-called debts of gratitude had their limits. While the Elves were certainly willing to give him twenty percent of the Magic Crystal Ore for now as a show of thanks, over time, someone would inevitably grow dissatisfied.

Besides, the Lord currently had no great use for Magic Crystal Ore, and it would be a shame to sell it off directly. It was better to leave it for the Elves.

Establishing trade between them would be far more beneficial to High Cliff Castle’s development.

And generally, the grander a person’s ambitions, the less they care for such paltry sums.

Only then did Ash realize she had misjudged him. For some reason, she felt a trace of disappointment deep down.

She observed the Lion Hunter Knight closely, trying to see if he was joking.

Ultimately, she concluded that he was serious.

"Levi, you are the most different human I have ever met." Ash extended her small hand to Levi. "From now on, the Wind Speech Tribe and High Cliff Castle will be the closest of allies. I will establish a trade caravan to High Cliff Castle. I hope we have a pleasant partnership."

"Of course." Levi grasped the Elf Queen’s small hand and shook it twice.

"By the way, I’m leaving tomorrow morning," Levi said, remembering something he needed to mention.

"So soon?"

"The war is over, and everything has been resolved. There’s nothing to do here, so it’s better to head back early. I’ve been away for almost a month now," Levi said, shaking his head.

"I wish you a safe journey," Ash said, offering her sincere blessing.

In the end, the two of them talked late into the night before Ash reluctantly departed.

’This Lion Hunter Knight was only eighteen or nineteen in human years, yet he knew all sorts of strange and curious things and stories. I couldn’t help but become engrossed, and by the time I came to my senses, it was already the middle of the night. I’ve met many people, but Levi is the first I’ve found truly interesting.’

...

「With the Southern Alliance Army dealt with and the Wind Speech Tribe’s crisis averted, it was naturally time to return.」

Unlike the high-spirited pride of their journey here, the High Cliff Castle Warriors were much more subdued on the way back.

The reason was the few wagons in the middle of their formation, which carried coffins similar to those used by the Holy Light Church. Inside were the High Cliff Castle Warriors who had fallen in the recent battle.

There were twenty in total, including both Feder Warriors and Beastman Barbarians.

"My Lord, you are the first person I’ve known who is willing to give fallen Warriors a proper farewell," Leiden said, riding a lame horse. His voice was filled with a complex mix of emotion, admiration, and respect.

When an ordinary Warrior died in the Wilderness, those with the means might cremate them on the spot, but most were simply left exposed to the elements, to eventually be consumed by the land.

Even among humans, most were simply cremated together in a single pyre. This was the first time he had ever seen someone provide special coffins to bring the fallen back to their homeland.

"I can’t control what others do, but these are my men. I promised to bring them home, and I won’t go back on my word."

Levi didn’t want to dwell on the topic. He sat atop Biefeng, his high vantage point giving him a wide field of view.

His heart wasn’t made of stone. He was deeply saddened that these veterans, who had followed him from the very beginning, were now laid to rest here forever.

But he was the head of this large family. Anyone else could show their grief, but he couldn’t remain sad, as it would severely affect morale.

Buji seemed to sense Levi’s mood. It stood on one of Biefeng’s heads with its small, bare feet, making strange movements as if trying to cheer him up.

The Three-headed Dog was very displeased with this little thing jumping around on its heads. But ever since the Lord had given it a sound beating and made it understand that its status was the lowest of all, it no longer dared to bare its fangs and intimidate Buji.

’This little thing might be small, but it’s the real deal,’ it thought. ’Completely untouchable.’

Levi held out a finger, and Buji flew over like the wind to sit on it, nuzzling its head against his cheek.

For some unknown reason, this little creature that had hatched from the Stone Egg showed an extraordinary dependence on and closeness with Levi.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!