Chapter 133: Grandfathers Secret

Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation

When he looked at that Great Devil Head, the strange singing voice from that hidden path echoed behind his ear!

He froze.

The Great Devils three eyes stared at Marvin, the expression on his face like a smile, yet not a smile.

Then there was the extremely shabby map, with some words that Marvin was unable to make sense of when looking at it.

This code was an ancient Anzed language that had been changed through some kind of encryption.

Its really related to the Anzed

Great Devil Head Devil

Marvin started pondering.

As everyone knew, Anzeds were Wizards ancestors. It was said that they had a very close relation with Devils. They used each other and occasionally formed an alliance, but in times of need, they would unhesitantly betray the other side.

Anzeds relation with Devils wasnt something people were very clear about, but Marvin knew that Hells language and the ancient Anzed language were very similar.

Someone had once said that Anzeds were Devils descendants.

Opinions differed and as for the true circumstances, even Marvin couldnt know.

He could only deduce from the map that the location of this so called hidden treasure was really under his castle.

As for the words on it, Marvin was unsure about them.

Thus, he asked Toshiroya, "What do those words mean?"

Toshiroya shook his head, "I dont know."

"Then how did you know it was a treasure map and not just a simple drawing?" Marvin sneered, not believing Toshiroyas words.

"Its true," Toshiroya hurriedly swore, "I truly dont know."

"This treasure map was given to me by an old man because I saved his life, he said it was to repay me. This is definitely a treasure map, I had a professional appraiser look at it, but unfortunately, I couldnt find someone to decipher the words. Thus I decided to first find the treasure."

Old man?

Marvin frowned.

Toshiroyas expression didnt seem like he was lying.

He originally thought everything would become clear after grabbing Toshiroya. He hadnt expected things to become more and more complicated.

"Whats your relation to Miller?" Marvin coldly asked.

"Miller? That merchant?" Toshiroya frankly answered, "We met by chance. He said that White River Valley was his territory and he wanted to take back what was his. Thus I helped him, gave him some information and a way of contacting the Gnolls."

Marvin pondered in silence.

Miller was a follower of the Twin Snakes Cult and clearly knew about the matter of the stone in the hidden path. But he seemed to have hidden it from Toshiroya.

And Toshiroya had his eyes on White River Valley because an old man gifted him a treasure map.

Both looked coincidental, but Marvin wouldnt believe his luck was this bad.

Old man Old man...

Suddenly, Marvin grabbed Toshiroyas shoulders, "What did this old man look like?"

Toshiroya was startled by Marvin, but he thought about it and said, "Im not too sure, he was dressed like any normal old man."

"I met him when I was touring Deserts Virtues. He said he was dying of thirst and asked if I could give him some water."

"I normally wouldnt care about that, but I had a noble girl at my side at the time. In order to show off in front of her, I very generously escorted that old man out of the desert and gave him some water to drink."

"Later on, he gifted me a treasure map in order to repay me. I didnt care much about it at first, but later, I whimsically looked for an appraiser and found out that the maps paper was more than 300 years old!"

300!

Marvin took a deep breath.

White River Valley wasnt there 300 years ago!

At that time, even River Shore City was only wild ruins, and the Three Ring Towers had only just begun taking form. The young Leymann had built this power alone. A Legend Wizard would have a very long lifespan after all. This treasure map was from that time?

Marvin suddenly recalled that his own grandfather was also a high level Wizard.

According to his fathers memories, even though his grandfather wasnt a Legend, he was an advanced 4th rank Archmage. He was apparently level 16.

At that time, he had trailblazed through many wild territories for the South Wizard Alliance, integrating these lands into the Wizard Alliances territory. He was rewarded with the Ninth Month Medal as a result.

Logically speaking, with his contribution he could have obtained a territory on par with River Shore City.

But he chose a small territory like White River Valley instead. What for?!

Marvins mind was full of questions.

Looks like its time to go back and search through my grandfathers stuff.

He made a decision.

Marvin then kept interrogating Toshiroya for a while. This guy truly cherished his life. Whenever Marvin asked something, he would answer, and he didnt seem to be lying.

He kept saying that as long as Marvin kept him alive, he would pay him however much he wanted.

But Marvin never had any intention to let him off.

It wasnt because Marvin was vicious and merciless.

But Toshiroya had already crossed his bottom line!

Anyone coveting his territory would die!

This was the place he would protect with his life. This was his hometown.

However, since Toshiroya was so cooperative, saving him a lot of time, Marvin decided to be straightforward.

A cold light flashed, a mans head fell.

As for the hidden treasure map, Marvin would naturally kindly accept it.

Madelines attack on the Crimson Monastery is in two weeks. I have to put the territory in order in these two weeks.

The most crucial thing right now is to calm the people. As long as I come back, the people wont have too many issues.

And the key is the food issue

Marvin quickly left the forest while thinking about it, returning to the castle.

...

The food issue!

This was a very serious problem.

If it was during peacetime, White River Valleys inhabitants would have surplus food at home, and it would usually not be needed. But the Gnoll invasion injured White River Valleys strength, and then the granary was burnt. The remaining food was certainly not enough to get through the winter.

In fact, Anna had given Marvin some details. According to the current consumption rate, White River Valleys food would be depleted in a week.

Every morning, Anna would carry food from the granary under the protection of the garrison to go to the market under the hill and give citizens a ration based on their registration.

These rations werent enough. Farmers were still working hard to cultivate the land, but the fall harvest was still two months later.

White River Valley was originally quite barren. The amount of wheat and okra that would grow couldnt match that of other fertile territories.

As for raising livestock, there were a few courageous families who started implementing it, but their efforts didnt show much results.

In short, even if Marvins return temporarily stabilized peoples feelings, the current territory was simply in a complete mess!

Although Marvin hadnt been an Overlord in the past, he had played some management games.

The situation of Feinans commoners was more or less similar to Europes Middle Ages. Even if it was a world with magic, the commoners life was, in the end, very ordinary.

Food, house, wife, child, simple hobbies.

These were most of their lifes activities.

And in White River Valley, because there was no slavery, the farmers were at the bottom. Although they were free, they needed to cultivate the land and pay taxes.

Craftsmens treatment was a lot better. Many farmers families would think of ways to let their own child be accepted as a craftsmans apprentice. If they could learn a craft, they might be able to find a place in the small town under the hill. Regardless if it was masons or carpenters, they would all have a better life than farmers.

Up above was the Overlords people, the garrison, Anna, and others.

Because Marvins grandfather didnt have any follower or retainers, the castle was in fact very cold and deserted.

White River Valleys structure was basically this simple.

Such a territory might be instantly destroyed under the waves of attacks of the Great Calamity.

No wonder Marvin had never heard of White River Valley in the past.

But it was different now.

Marvins arrival would change everything.

He had already thought of a series of plans!

The first was the food issue. He could buy food now. After killing Black Jack, he had fortunately gained enough money for one or two years of the territorys expenses.

"Tell Lola to come here," Marvin told Anna in the study.

Anna hesitated for a moment and said, "Young Master, she is a swindler."

"I know," Marvin calmly said, "So Ill personally go to Jewel Bay."

Anna frowned. "You just returned to the territory"

"Its all right. Ill return very fast," Marvin reassured.

"The round trip from here to Jewel Bay takes at least 2 weeks, doesnt it?" Anna doubtfully asked.

Marvin shook his head, "Five days at most."

"Trust me, five days later Ill bring a convoy of food back to the territory. Spread this news out."

"Say its Lord Marvins own promise."

Even if Anna was a bit doubtful after listening, she still did as she was told.

Marvin had already created too many miracles in the recent days. She already had unconditional faith in Marvin.

"Wait!" Marvin suddenly shouted at Anna who was leaving.

He thought for a bit before finally saying, "Never mind, tell Lola to make preparation for a long trip and to wait for me at the city gates tonight."

...

After Anna left, only Marvin was left in the study.

He hesitated for a bit, and then opened a drawer. There was a secret compartment in it.

There was a key hidden in that secret compartment.

No one else knew that there was a hidden door in the castle study. This was something Marvins father had told him at deaths door.

He told Marvin to never open the door. Because that wasnt something ordinary people could come in contact with.

His grandfathers secret was hidden behind that door.

But the current me isnt ordinary.

He picked up the key and pushed aside a bookcase, revealing a keyhole. He inserted the key and slowly turned it.

I really want to see what kind of secret my grandfather was hiding

Then the hidden door opened.

With just a simple glance, Marvin was shocked!

"Its actually"