Chapter 70

After several days, Tang En finally returned to Ellington, and the people accompanying him, including Locke, had already lost all hope in Ellington.

Why? Because from leaving Caspam Fortress to entering Ellington's territory, there wasn't even a single decent village along the way for several days!

Although Ellington's area was much larger than Caspam Fortress, its prosperity was far inferior.

What good things could there be in such a place?

Locke sighed inwardly, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse Tang En, so he continued to follow him.

However, the closer they got to Ellington, the more Tang En's expression became uncertain and surprised.

"Hey? Big Brother Lord, there are several more water wheels by the river..."

Elia happily shouted, "They look so beautiful."

As Elia said, in just ten days, Ellington had changed completely. Not only were there more water wheels, but more importantly, the town seemed to have expanded outward, and a factory under construction could be seen nearby.

Is Fiona really that capable?

Tang En couldn't bother to introduce Ellington to Locke anymore. After bringing them to the only inn in town, he hurried back to the lord's mansion.

Elia also went home to report her safe return.

Just outside the study, he heard a noisy commotion inside.

"Lord Fiona, the charcoal factory is completed. Should we transfer those people to the mint factory? We urgently need to expand our production and storage space."

"Why are you in such a hurry! It's first come, first served! Compared to the mint factory, our soap factory needs a new production workshop even more— the smell in the warehouse is unbearable! It's affecting the workers' efficiency!"

"Hey, Fiona! No matter what these people say, we can't reduce the workforce at the mine! Big Brother's plan will require a lot of iron ore!"

Tang En smiled slightly. It seemed that while he was away, Fiona had done a pretty good job. At least Ellington showed signs of progress.

"Fiona..."

A woman in her thirties, with her eyebrows raised, blocked Tang En, "Who are you? If you want people or money, go to the back of the line!"

Another middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, "Exactly! There's a shortage of manpower and gold coins everywhere. No cutting in line!"

Tang En was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

"Everyone, be quiet."

Fiona pinched her brow, stood up, and sighed, "You're finally back... Hilton, Thomas, this is our current lord, Lord Tang En. You must show respect."

"Lord Tang En!?"

Hilton and Thomas were shocked and quickly bowed to Tang En, "Please forgive us, Lord!"

"Rise."

Tang En gave Fiona a look, and she immediately said, "I know your requests. Please leave for now, and I'll consider and arrange them later."

"Understood, Lord Fiona, but please do so quickly. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can get back on track."

The two left. Brian wanted to discuss the charcoal steel process with Tang En, but Tang En shooed him away, saying they would talk later.

Brian was very upset about this.

"If you don't come back soon, they might think I murdered you and usurped your position..."

Fiona smiled bitterly, "Tell me, what did you gain from this trip?"

Tang En shrugged, picked up a cup, and took a sip of water, then casually said, "Quite a lot. I looted Baron Duwey's treasury, killed him, bought many alchemical materials, and most importantly, I discovered—"

"Wh-what did you say!?"

Fiona's voice rose sharply, looking at Tang En in shock, hoping he was joking.

But Tang En blinked at her and said very seriously, "Yes, it's all true."

"Heavens..."

Fiona fell back into her seat, distressed, "I know your power is great, but directly murdering an imperial noble, especially a lord, is a crime that could bring the imperial army to suppress us. Not to mention, Baron Duwey has the Cardiel family behind him! Do you want to turn Ellington into ruins again!?"

"Don't worry, that won't happen. Duwey's death will keep the Cardiel family busy for a while."

Tang En looked smug, "He died in vain."

"What happened?"

"Baron Duwey made a deal with a cultist, kidnapping little girls from his territory to give to the cultist. This alone is enough to make Baron Duwey infamous for eternity."

Tang En smacked his lips, missing the taste of drinks, but here, he could at least have tea.

"Such a thing... What are you doing?"

Fiona was surprised to see Tang En holding a flame, and the kettle quickly boiled.

"Um, making tea... don't mind me, continue. Tell me about the recent changes."

"Making tea like this?"

Fiona frowned, pulled out some parchment, and began to report the recent changes in detail.

First, with the help of Brian and Edgar, several more water wheels were successfully set up, solving the drought problem in the fields.

Second, the charcoal factory, which Tang En had ordered, was completed a few days ago with the help of the slaves. The factory was simple in structure, with a short construction period, and was located a distance from Ellington, near the forest, for easy access to materials.

Third, Fiona successfully gathered the surviving members of the Golden Rose family to Ellington. They had already started recruiting new members to reorganize the guild—especially after seeing the mint, soap, and the cheap iron tools produced in bulk, they were almost certain of the guild's bright future.

At this point, Fiona felt a surge of emotion. If not for Tang En, how would she have the chance to reorganize the guild?

All these changes, everything, were because of this man!

"Also, the mint factory, after an assessment, plans to increase production. So, Hilton asked me for more manpower to build another mint factory, which needs a production site to match the production process. Thomas's request is similar, but the conditions of the soap factory are worse, with a very unpleasant smell... smell... what smell?"

Fiona sniffed, looking at Tang En in surprise.

Tang En had a small, beautifully crafted box in front of him. The box was so exquisite that it made Fiona sigh in admiration.

But what caught Fiona's attention most was the leaf that Tang En pinched out of the box—

It must be a tea leaf. Tang En casually threw the leaf into a cup and poured the boiling water over it...

A refreshing aroma instantly filled the air.

"Swallow," Fiona subconsciously swallowed, forcing herself to focus and continue, "Also, after seeing the toothbrush you gave me, Hilton thinks there's a big market for toothbrushes, so he wants to build another factory to produce them. I temporarily put it on hold, thinking it needs your input."

"I have no objections, of course it can be done."

Tang En shrugged, picked up a cup of hot tea, and handed one to Fiona, "Try it."

Fiona stared at the golden liquid, emitting an inviting fragrance, "What is this?"

"Tea."

Tang En shrugged.

"Of course I know, but what kind of tea? It smells so good!"

"Um, leaves from the World Tree."

"Oh, leaves from the World Tree... the World Tree!?"

Fiona was completely stunned, trembling as she looked at Tang En, "H-how do you have such a thing? Aren't you afraid the elves will hunt you down!?"

"Why would they hunt me down?"

Tang En sipped his tea, looking comfortable. The World Tree leaves were a consolation prize from a mall lottery, and he had a lot of them. These leaves contained rich life force, which could improve the success rate of potion brewing and enhance the magic affinity of magical equipment.

However, they were of little use to Tang En, so he used them to make tea.

The simulated taste in the game was excellent, different from Earth's tea, so he kept them.

"The World Tree is their mother tree, isn't it? To them, anything related to the World Tree is noble and sacred..."

"Not that dramatic."

Tang En smirked. The elves had a fixed quota for obtaining wands made from World Tree branches, and sometimes they used World Tree leaves as magical materials...

Although the World Tree was indeed considered their mother, taking a few "hairs" wouldn't cause any major issues.

"But... but..."

Fiona didn't dare to drink, fearing she would desecrate the elves.

What she was most concerned about was why Tang En had such a thing!

This was something that ordinary people couldn't possibly have!

World Tree leaves... just the name sounded so grand, and he used them to make tea?

Fiona felt that if she were an elf, she would hunt Tang En down relentlessly upon learning this!

"What are you so excited about? It's just a few leaves..."

Tang En comfortably sipped his tea, lying on the sofa lazily, "The toothbrush I made for you was also made from a World Tree branch. You're worried too late."

"What!?"

Fiona suddenly heard this and almost fainted, her vision going dark.