That's not how you use a witch!

Chapter 11 He actually managed to support a witch?

[Current Witch: Medallion]

[Status value: 42%]

[Cumulative purification amount: 501/1000]

[Stage Target (500) Completed]

[Additional privileges unlocked: Assault Protocol - Penetration]

[Agreement Content: When the contractor and the contracted party deal damage, there is a 5% chance to nullify the target's next skill; for each Assault Agreement, an additional +5%. (Note: Skills are limited to magical and arcane abilities.)]

[Remaining upgrade nodes: 1000]

The next morning, Ronan woke up to find that the third node had been unlocked, and it was an output-oriented upgrade that he liked.

"Not bad, this time it's a more advanced silence effect..." Ronan smiled. Although the description of the agreement was a bit luck-based, the benefits were still considerable. A surprise trigger during battle might just turn the tide of the fight.

In this way, if a conflict were to break out with Viscount Vance, the odds of victory would be even higher.

Of course, Ronan preferred to resolve issues through dialogue; resorting to force was always a last resort, at least for him in the early stages of his business.

After breakfast, the militia's marching slogans rang out outside the window. Due to a diplomatic meeting today, the training arrangements were temporarily handed over to Bart.

Although he couldn't fully understand Ronan's intentions, the chief knight still meticulously carried out all the requirements Ronan had given him.

In just one week, these farmers, who originally only knew how to cultivate the land, have become upright and sturdy with firm steps. When they march in formation around their territory, holding their spears tightly and shouting "One, two, one" in unison, the scene is quite impressive.

Ronan was very satisfied with this.

While this level of skill is far inferior to the strongest army on Earth in my previous life, it is already outstanding on this land with an excellent matchmaking system.

"My lord, Viscount Vance of the Mountain Territory has arrived! He is accompanied by a witch. They will be outside the territory in no more than fifteen minutes."

At this moment, a guard came to report.

"A mere viscount can actually afford to keep a witch?"

Ronan was slightly surprised—the original owner had very little contact with Vance before, only being taken to visit her once by his father, but according to his memory, contracts and training witches were extremely expensive.

Besides the exorbitant contract and notary fees, there are also regular purchases of various training resources and combat equipment from the church, such as energy-replenishing crystals and various drugs to suppress the symptoms of contamination. Furthermore, dedicated supervisors must be hired to oversee the training. This whole system would be too much for an average viscount to handle.

Ronan is an exception; instead of training witches as war machines, he treats them as iron maidens, which is why he has little cost.

Ordinary lords wouldn't do this, because in the mainstream ideology promoted by the church, "fighting to the death" is the proper way for witches to achieve salvation, and it's also the most profitable way for the church...

Of course, the mountainous region has iron mines and blacksmiths, making it a regional resource center. If it really wanted to spend money, it wouldn't be that it couldn't afford it.

Viscount Vance bringing along the witch he'd spent a fortune training was clearly a way of flexing his muscles.

"Then come with me to greet them. It would be rather impolite for me, the host, to stay indoors when guests come to visit."

Ronan stood up with a smile.

"Ronan, I'll go with you."

Maddie immediately stepped forward. "If they are hostile, I will subdue them."

"Yes, I feel at ease with you here."

This was also Ronan's intention—in fact, even if Madale hadn't contacted him, he would have taken her with him.

"By the way, have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet."

"How can this be? We need to fill our stomachs to fight a tough battle."

Ronan went back and got a piece of bread and two boiled eggs, which he handed to Madonna with a smile.

The girl blushed slightly as she took the food and buried her head in it. Just moments ago she was a stalwart warrior, but now she looked like a high school girl who had forgotten to buy breakfast and had been caught by the teacher.

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Outside the thorny thicket, beside the carriage road—

"Oh my god."

When Vance saw the well-organized militia column marching around the territory from afar, his eyes widened to the size of duck eggs.

If he hadn't grown up in the Western Territory, he would have definitely thought that imposing group wasn't soldiers from the Thorn Territory, but rather an elite honor guard composed of the Royal Knights.

The vast swathes of thorny bushes I remember have almost vanished, replaced by newly plowed fields.

The farmers were clearing land, and although there were no foremen with whips urging them on, they worked with great enthusiasm. People were chatting and laughing, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation.

For the first time, Vance felt he couldn't understand these farmers anymore—was farming such an interesting job?

What exactly did my new neighbor do in less than half a month?

"Lilith, am I under some kind of illusion? Was everything I saw real?"

He turned to the witch beside him, who was wearing a plain long dress and had short, sky-blue hair, and asked her.

"Sir, if I haven't been under an illusion either, everything you saw should be real."

"Lilith," the witch said timidly, her bewildered eyes like those of a kitten arriving in a strange room for the first time.

"This is incredible..."

Vance murmured, more confused than ever.

Recently, many merchants have been placing large orders for and selling so-called high-quality and inexpensive pig iron from the Thorn Territory, causing the number of pig iron orders from the Mountain Territory to shrink considerably.

To be frank, Thorn Collar didn't dump iron at excessively low prices, nor did it disrupt the market. However, the quality of their pig iron was simply too good, even better than that of Mountain Collar, a long-established iron brand.

Vance bought some samples and had his men copy them, but the iron produced was noticeably different, with many air bubbles and uneven texture.

Vance's visit was motivated by two reasons: firstly, to discuss trade matters and protect his own interests; and secondly, to be curious about the iron smelting technology used in Thorn Territory and see if they could make money together.

However, so far, he hasn't seen a single wisp of smoke from the blast furnace, which is highly unusual. Could it be that their new iron smelting method doesn't produce smoke?

Just as he was feeling confused, a group of people came into view; it was Ronan and his guards.

Vance's gaze fell on the girl in the black robe walking beside Ronan: her pink eyes, which shone with an unusual light, indicated that she was a witch!

"A mere baron can actually afford to keep a witch?!"

Vance's mouth dropped open.

From the very first second he stepped into the border of Thorn Territory, he was in shock; everything was completely different from what he had imagined.

"Uncle Vance is here! Welcome, welcome! How have you been?"

Ronan strode up to Vance and, with the courtesy due to a junior, extended his hand.

"...Thank goodness. I remember when I last came here, it was quite desolate, but it has changed a lot now. My nephew is truly a promising young lord."

Vance wiped his sweat and shook hands with the most composed and elder-like manner possible.

"Uncle Vance, you flatter me. I still have a lot to learn and improve upon."

Ronan responded with a smile.

Meanwhile, Madale stared intently at the witch named Lilith, her gaze sharper than a steel sword used to slay evil beasts, as if she would strike with full force if the witch made the slightest disturbance.

However, her worries were clearly unfounded—the moment their eyes met, Lilith's imposing manner deflated, and she avoided her like a mouse seeing a cat.

"It is quite hot today, isn't it? Please follow me to the meeting room. I know Uncle Vance has a lot to say to me. Coincidentally, so do I."

"Excellent...excellent..."

Vance nodded, beads of sweat sliding down his forehead.

Actually, it's not hot today; in fact, it's a bit chilly. In another month or so, winter will arrive.

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