In the year 862 of the new calendar, in the season of Blaze, in May.
Taal dukedom, Western border.
Storm Wind City.
The crimson sun hung in the sky like a gigantic furnace, radiating light and heat, as if the air itself would catch fire.
Within the castle built against the mountain.
In the dark and damp dungeon, covered in moss, a faint smell of decay permeated the air. Along the walls, torches were inserted at intervals, producing crackling sounds.
Tread, tread, tread!
The heavy footsteps gradually echoed, causing the torchlight on the walls to sway. On the ground, several silhouettes were reflected, distorted by the dragging.
Gradually, the silhouettes reached the depths of the dungeon.
With silver-white hair and a tall figure, Duke Phil of the Western border led the way. A solemn expression on his face revealed a hint of gravity.
Suddenly, Duke Phil stopped in his tracks.
Crash-bang!
In a nearby cell, a dark figure pounced towards Phil, but was restricted by the chains behind, only managing to extend a withered and twisted arm.
Duke Phil remained expressionless, taking a torch from the nearby wall.
In the flickering light, everyone could finally see the figure in the cell.
It was a humanoid creature, emaciated like a skeleton, with flesh rotted away. Bones were visible in the abdomen and chest, and in its ash-gray eyes, a glint of bloodthirsty madness flickered.
Witnessing this scene, everyone involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.
"Is this... the legendary ghoul?"
Behind Duke Phil, a burly knight in black-brown armor looked at the creature resembling a decaying corpse with a trace of astonishment on his face.
"Could it be that the ancient legend of the 'Demon Tide' is true?"
Beside him, another man dressed as a scholar frowned slightly.
"It can't be wrong!"
Duke Phil's eyes were grave as he faintly said, "According to ancient records, when the Demon Tide sweeps in again, darkness will engulf everything!"
"Three years ago, ghouls appeared in the Western border, two years ago, people witnessed werewolves in the black wilderness, and now even ghouls have crossed the Desolation Great Wall!"
"Perhaps, the Demon Tide is truly approaching!"
Saying this, Duke Phil took a deep breath and said solemnly, "If the Demon Tide is inevitable, then we must prepare in advance."
"Only by unifying the thirteen cities of the Western border can we gather the strength to face the Demon Tide!"
Duke Phil's eyes flashed with a hint of ambition.
As the ruler of the Western border, Phil controlled nine cities. However, among the thirteen cities of the Western border, there were still four that did not belong to him. Although they were nominally in a lord-vassal relationship, in reality, those four cities were independent entities.
For years, Phil had been trying to unify the thirteen cities of the Western border, becoming the true sovereign of the Western border, but he had not succeeded.
Now, with the Demon Tide looming, Phil had finally made up his mind.
He wanted to unify the thirteen cities of the Western border and fulfill his lifelong wish.
---
At the same time, in Night Raven City.
In the study on the second floor of the castle, Sauron sat there, holding a piece of intelligence. On the table in front of him were fruit plates and ice cubes.
Next to him, the crow Rall stood on a perch.
"The Crusaders were wiped out?"
Sauron looked at the intelligence in his hand, a pensive expression on his face.
This intelligence had been sent from the capital to Night Raven City three days ago. According to the information, about five days ago, the Crusaders, who had been ravaging the southern border, had already been subdued, personally led by Princess Hestoria.
This battle took only half a month!
The overwhelming majority of the Crusaders had surrendered. Only the leader of the Crusaders, along with a few followers, managed to escape, but they could no longer stir up any trouble.
Now, Princess Hestoria had become a hero of Taal dukedom. The public's praise for her was growing, and even the old king intended to declare her as the heir, pending Hestoria's return to the capital.
It seemed like everything was developing in a direction favorable to Sauron.
However, for some reason, a vague sense of foreboding arose in Sauron's heart.
"Hopefully, it's just my imagination."
Sauron shook his head, his thoughts moving, and the data panel appeared before his eyes.
---
Name: [Sauron]
Occupation: [High-level Knight], [Level 1 Apprentice]
Strength: [5], Physique: [4.7], Agility: [5.1], Spirit: [2.3]
Passives: [Snow Eagle Breathing Technique Lv4 (15/100)], [Red Snake Breathing Technique Lv4 (25/100)], [Darkness Ritual Lv2 (15/100)]
Skills: [Three Styles of Archery], [Seven Swords of Breaking Army]
Runes: [Dark Soul Wave], [Raven Spirit], [Power of Bull], [Spirit Control]
Status: [Normal]
---
It had been over half a month since the assassination attempt by the female assassin Mary.
With the threat from Snake Shadow resolved, Sauron's life returned to normal. His daily routine consisted of either cultivating the Breathing Techniques or practicing the Meditation Method.
Relying on the magic potions refined by Frost, Brute Bull Breathing Technique had quickly reached its limit, condensing the [Power of Bull] rune.
In addition to this, after such a long period of effort, the Darkness Ritual Meditation Method had finally leveled up, and the [Spirit Control] rune was condensed.
Now, in Sauron's Sea of Consciousness, there were already four runes!
"Snow Eagle Breathing Technique! Red Snake Breathing Technique!"
Looking at the data panel in front of him, Sauron's face showed a thoughtful expression.
These two Breathing Techniques had progressed rapidly during this time, but the later stages of cultivation increasingly depended on magic potions.
However, Sauron didn't have the corresponding magic potions for cultivating these two Breathing Techniques.
The golden blood elixir given by Princess Hestoria had long been consumed. Therefore, in order to push these two Breathing Techniques to the limit, Sauron had to figure out a way to obtain some magic potions.
After pondering for a moment, Sauron summoned Frost the scholar.
In Taal dukedom, concocting magic potions had always been the job of scholars, a skill that any scholar aspiring to be recognized must master.
"Frost, scholar."
Sauron looked at Frost and presented his needs.
After hearing Sauron's request, an awkward look appeared on Frost's face.
"Is there a problem?" Sauron raised an eyebrow.
For a wise and older scholar like Frost, preparing some basic magic potions should not be a problem.
"Preparing magic potions is not an issue for me."
Frost sighed, holding out his hand, "But, where do the materials come from?"
"Fief Lord, there's one thing I must remind you."
"Ever since you bought
those two Breathing Techniques from the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce, there's not much money left in Night Raven City's accounts."
"If nothing unexpected happens, in two months, we'll be facing a financial crisis!"