Chapter 408: The Ancient Passageway
Rolf immediately ordered the Elite Desert Bandit to dismount. He began to set up a temporary camp here. He had also prepared to stay and wait.
After all, this was an important estuary that connected to the Senwaya Range.
If there were any problems, it would be a huge problem that would directly cause a crisis in “Aaron” City!
It didn’t matter much if the city was exposed. Since Kant was preparing to conquer the Dukedom of Leo, the exposure of “Aaron” was only a matter of time. After all, this important agricultural city in the mountains had to export all kinds of goods.
“Aaron” City was the supplier of raw materials.
The ancient passage was the channel.
Goods could be exported by land and water.
Using the underground city that was once a god’s descendant shelter as a transit point, they could reach the mouth of the river, connect to the vast Resniston River, and then export the goods to the entire human countries and even further regions.
Table salt and date palm were enough to make the merchants to come and trade with them. These goods were the profitable ones in trading!
Kant also planned to build a new village at the mouth of the river.
Including that special building, the lair of the water bandits. In a short period of time, it formed a force that was hard to suppress. It was beyond the imagination of the many noble families in the East County. Kant was able to completely occupy this place.
Behind them was “Aaron”, a city that was suitable for the Rhodok people who were good at defend the city.
As long as the troops were gathered here.
Together with the powerful marine troops, there would be no problem in defending this place.
Not to mention the noble families in the East County, even if the Silver Platter Kingdom and the Crimson Sect joined forces, they would probably not be able to do anything to this place. Especially in the ancient passageway and was the underground city as the middle node.
At worst, they could all retreat back to the underground city and defend it.
After all, the passageway was so narrow.
With a small number of troops defending here, no matter how many troops there were, they would not be able to use them!
This was Kant’s idea. Building a new village here was basically foolproof. Furthermore, there was the water bandits’ lair, which was a crucial recruitment building.
Rhodok troops were defending the city on the ground.
The water bandits from Nord were defending the city on water.
As long as they could clear the rubble at the mouth of the river, remove all the obstacles, dig out and widen the small river in front of them, and merge with the Resniston River. Then, Kant’s idea could be achieved.
They would officially step into the territory of the Dukedom of Leo and step onto the stage of history!
“Guard this place carefully.”
Kant also paid special attention to the surroundings of this hill.
Looking at the gentle terrain of the surrounding mountains and the slightly protruding position of the ancient passage, he cautiously warned Rolf, “If anyone comes here, you must definitely guard here. You must not easily give up on this place.”
Rolf also nodded solemnly. “We will guard this place to the death.”
“Very good.” Kant nodded in satisfaction.
He gently tapped the horse’s belly and rode into the ancient passage.
Behind him, 10 Lion Knights and 50 Lion Squires immediately followed. With a cold and dark air, they completely returned to the ancient passage. Following the faint light that appeared on the stone statue on the wall, they advanced at high speed.
However, Rolf and the Elite Desert Bandits did not follow.
Instead, they set up their tents.
A temporary camp was set up around this hill.
Including the remaining 10 Lion Knights, as well as the 10 Sarrandian Horsemen who had lived by Borg’s side for a long time and were familiar with the river, they stayed behind to help Rolf and the Elite Desert Bandit defend the entrance of ancient passage.
In the ancient passage, the rolling hooves of horses beat on the stone pavement. Even the sound of the river had been suppressed.
They moved forward at high speed.
This kind of neatly cut stone pavement was extremely suitable for riding horses.
It was just like the best racetrack. Although it was not a solid layer of soil, it could still withstand force of the galloping warhorses. Furthermore, the surface of the road was flat, which was a big advantage.
The muddy road in the Dukedom of Leo could be considered very bad for the warhorse.
They spurred their horses forward.
They took a short break on the way.
They reached the underground city in about 24 hours.
It was just within one day.
There was no obstruction. Other than the roar of the warhorse, there was only the sound of the river. However, as the familiar environment entered their eyes, it meant that they were on the right path.
In the vast underground space, the stone buildings that had been passed down from ancient times were standing tall.
A large amount of shimmering moss and fluorescent mushrooms were embellished within.
In the gaps between the stone slabs of the square under one’s feet.
On the rocks at the edges.
On the surface and corners of the city walls and buildings.
Also, on the top of the head, there were a few stalactites that were simply treated but still hung down like inverted cones. They were all underground luminous plants that provided a shimmering light, allowing this space to not be so dark that it was impossible to see.
But at the end of the city, there were several golden lights that refracted an even brighter light source.
That might not be correct.
It should be called a light pillar.
That’s right, it was a bright yellow golden light pillar, just like the light of the sun.
Together with those glowing plants, it finally made this underground city light up. Even though it was as dark as the rainy day, there was absolutely no problem with the basic vision. It didn’t matter even if there was no torch lighting.
Kant and his Lion Knights, who already had extraordinary powers, also had very good vision. They could still see things in this dim environment
They rode forward.
The entire dungeon had been cleared, and there were still ashes in the corner.
Faint negative energy was still lingering in the dark, but the entire dungeon was filled with weak positive energy, as if it were spread out by the light pillars.
Of course, that was indeed the case.
“Rest for now.”
Kant gave the order.
Since they had arrived at this underground city, it meant that their journey wouldn’t be too far.
It would take about half a day to gallop from here to the temple at the bottom of “Aaron” City. This was already a very close distance, and it was entirely thanks to the stone pavement built from ancient times.
Even if one walked on two legs, it would take one day to go back and forth.
If one relied on boats, it would be even faster.
This subterranean river originated from the bottom of “Aaron” City, all the way to the mouth of the hill river in the East County.
When going downstream, even a merchant ship that was full of goods could go directly to the mouth of the river by following the gentle current without having to open its sails. The time needed was estimated to be less than one day.
Even if it was going upstream, it could still move rapidly between the gentle current with the paddle.
Not to mention there was a breeze.
It was the wind from the Resniston River.
The mouth of the hill river was the corner of the big river. The erosion of the current caused the air to flow through countless possible ancient passageways. In this enclosed and relatively gentle space of the subterranean river, it formed the wind that was going against the current.
The specific reason could not be studied in detail.
But in the end.
As long as it was combined with paddling and sailing, the speed of the boat was no less than that of going downstream.
This was the advantage of the new village that located at the mouth of the river in the future. The new village would directly connect to the important “Aaron” City and receive the supplies form it so that it could develop faster.
This new village would develop faster than “Aaron” that it used to be.
Kant was now capable of doing so.
The virtuous circle has begun.
Whether it was ordinary supplies or war preparedness, they are guaranteed by the establishment of castles and cities. As for the new village, whether it was used for exporting supplies or military purpose, it could receive support from Kant’s castle and city.
The support included early manpower and investment, and solutions to problems encountered in the development process.
A bonfire was lit.
A little baked bread and dried meat filled their stomachs.
Water sack was also heated in the ashes beside the bonfire, providing hot water for drinking and washing.
After a short rest in the stone house, Kant and the others finally set off again, galloping along the old passage, along the once-familiar road, and moving on.
About half a day passed.
A bright light appeared in front of them.
It was the flickering of torches, and at the same time, a low wall appeared at the end.
When Kant and the others walked in, they realized that it was not a low wall. It was clearly a troop of Rhodok Spearmen holding their spears, guarding against them.
It was clear that the spearmen who were stationed in the temple at all times were very conscientious.
They noticed that there was an inexplicable rumbling sound.
They immediately organized themselves.
Not only were there spearmen at the front, but the crossbowmen also holding Rhodok crossbows, and the Ravenstern Rangers were all ready to shoot.
Of course, this war was not going on.
How could they attack their most respected supreme lord?
“Lord!”
The soldiers stationed here bowed one after another.
At the same time, they quickly disbanded their formation and made way for Kant and the Lion Knights behind them to pass through.
Even within the temple, James, who was originally stationed here, had brought elite soldiers like Rhodok Sergeants, the Rhodok Sharpshooters, and the Ravenstern Sharpshooter to this place.
They had received the news that an unfamiliar cavalry team was approaching, and they had come because they were afraid that something unexpected would happen.
“Lord Kant!”
James hurriedly bowed.
When he saw the figure riding his horse, he quickly walked over and said in pleasant surprise, “I really didn’t expect that it would be you. Could it be that you came from the opposite side of the ancient passage?”
“That’s right.” Kant nodded. “The path has already been opened.”
“This is great!” James sighed.
Their plan was succeeded.
They left the temple.
They also came to the city on the peak of the mountain.
Kant left the cave tunnel and raised his head slightly. The stars in the sky were shining brightly, and the moonlight shone on the ground. Obviously, it was night now, and the night was very deep.
“It’s in the middle of night.”
James also reported the time.
“Oh.” Kant nodded. “It’s so late.”
“Please go to the city hall to rest first, my lord.” James also said respectfully, “The development of the city has now reached a stable period. When you have a good rest tomorrow, you will be able to discover the perfection of this city.”
“Very good. I look forward to it.”
Kant nodded.
When he looked at the outline of the city in the night, he smiled happily.
The development of the city was very good.