Chapter 136 : Chapter 136

Chapter 136. Territory Meeting

After finishing a noisy but fairly pleasant lunch together with Gulu.

Eli had originally wanted to send this overenergetic marmot off to play by herself, but Gulu stopped him with her two little paws on her waist.

“Hey, hey! Human lord! Do not even think about running away!” Gulu glared at Eli with her beady eyes.

“Since you are back, you must go with Lord Gulu later to have an audience with Her Highness the Princess!

“Her Highness has slept for a very long time. Maybe she will wake up soon! You have to go report your work!”

Eli looked at her bossy appearance and found it both amusing and somewhat helpless.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded. “All right, I understand. Once I finish handling the territory’s affairs, I will go.”

“That is more like it!” Gulu patted her belly in satisfaction. Only then did she hop and skip away in the direction of the fishery.

After sending Gulu away, Eli gathered his thoughts and instructed the attendant guarding outside the door.

“Go summon the administrators. In half an hour, we will hold a meeting in the council hall.”

“Yes, Lord!”

Afterward, Eli took the lead and entered Obsidian Territory’s council hall.

Compared with when he had left, this place had also undergone obvious changes.

The walls were no longer exposed, rough logs. Instead, they had been covered with smooth wooden boards and even brushed with a layer of varnish.

The original crude long wooden benches had been replaced by chairs with backrests.

Although they were still simple, both comfort and solemnity had improved considerably.

Most striking of all, on the wall behind the main seat where he sat as lord, two brand-new flags hung crossed together.

Painted upon them was the crest of House Pendragon—the black dragon with outspread wings. It symbolized their sovereignty over this land.

Each administrator who received the notice entered the council hall one after another.

When they saw Eli seated in the main position, their faces all revealed joy and respect.

“Lord, you have returned!”

“Good day, Lord!”

“It is truly wonderful to see you return safely!”

Eli smiled and answered them one by one, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Before long, the council hall was filled with people.

Old John, Hadi, Estor, Leon, Aika, Scholar Alva, Ulu, and the rest of the core team had all arrived.

Eli swept his gaze across the room and quickly noticed that two people were missing.

Master Glenn and Captain Buck.

He looked at Leon and asked, “Leon, did Master Glenn not come? Is he still at the mine?”

Leon hurriedly rose, his face carrying a trace of shame and unease.

“Reporting to you, my lord, Master Glenn... is indeed in the workshop.

“But he seems to be fully focused on forging something extremely important.

“You know Master Glenn’s temper... it is eccentric. I... I did not dare forcibly disturb him, for fear that I might affect his inspiration...”

Seeing this, Scholar Alva stroked his beard and smilingly smoothed things over.

“My lord, you need not concern yourself with that stubborn old fellow with his terrible temper.

“Once he starts forging something, he would not bother paying attention even if the sky collapsed.

“If you have any instructions, I will go to the workshop after the meeting and pass them on to him. He still gives this old man some face.”

Eli came to a sudden understanding. He also knew something about Master Glenn’s personality, so he comforted Leon.

“It is fine, Leon. You did the right thing. We cannot disturb Master Glenn’s work.

“After the meeting ends, I will personally go to the mine and meet him.”

Only then did Leon let out a breath of relief and sit back down.

Eli asked everyone again, “Then what about Captain Buck?”

Aika immediately rose, his expression becoming somewhat more serious. “Reporting to you, my lord, I was just about to report this matter.

“A few days ago, we received an urgent request for aid from Lord Brandon in Lucerne City.

“He said that soldiers patrolling outside the city had encountered a probing attack from a small, unidentified armed force.

“Although they repelled the enemy, they were worried that it might be the prelude to a larger assault.

“After Captain Buck received the news, he judged the situation to be urgent. He made a prompt decision and personally led two hundred elite soldiers and some Black Crow Knights to Lucerne City to provide support.”

Eli’s brows furrowed slightly. A probing attack from an unknown force?

At this sensitive time, it was most likely the remnant federal forces entrenched in Storm City or other strongholds.

The only thing unknown was which federation faction they belonged to...

Aika continued reporting, “However, please rest assured. The day before yesterday, we received a letter that Captain Buck had sent back by fast horse.

“In the letter, he said the matter had already been resolved. It seemed to be only a small band of wandering bandits.

“They might have wanted to take advantage of the chaos and plunder, but they have already been routed.

“Once Captain Buck finishes handling the follow-up defense arrangements, I believe he will lead the troops back to Obsidian Territory soon.”

Bandits dared to attack a city?

Eli nodded and cut off the thoughts in his mind.

“Mm, I understand. Captain Buck responded appropriately. He has worked hard.”

Although Aika described it lightly, alarm bells had already begun ringing in Eli’s heart.

The remnant federal forces had begun to grow active. This was by no means a good sign. They had to heighten their vigilance.

Afterward, a smile appeared on Eli’s face, and his gaze swept across every administrator present.

“All right. During the period when I was away, Obsidian Territory has seen such tremendous development and change. Every one of you has contributed greatly to this!”

Hearing Eli’s praise, the administrators, who had originally felt somewhat nervous after seeing him frown.

Immediately relaxed, and smiles of relief and pride appeared on their faces.

The atmosphere in the council hall instantly became cheerful.

“No, no, my lord, you praise us too much!”

“This is all what we should do!”

“That is right. The main reason is still that you laid such a good foundation, my lord. We merely followed your plans and carried them out!”

“Exactly. It is all thanks to your guidance, my lord!”

Eli raised his hand in amusement and interrupted their flattery. “All right, all right. That is enough polite talk.

“Now, all of you give me a detailed report on the specific progress and results of your respective responsibilities.

“Old John, you start.”

Old John, who was responsible for construction and overall planning, rose.

Although he was no longer young, he was still hale and hearty, and his voice was loud and clear.

“My lord, I believe you saw it when you returned. Our current city wall has nearly reached eight meters in main height.

“Its thickness has also increased considerably, and its defensive strength has greatly improved. Moreover, the project is still ongoing.

“As for housing construction, fortunately, no new large-scale influx of slaves has arrived recently.

“So I arranged for us to prioritize improving the living conditions of the current territory residents, upgrading them from communal shacks to sturdy wooden houses or stone houses.

“Because this matter directly concerns their own interests, everyone’s enthusiasm has been very high. As a result, progress has been smooth, and you have already seen the results.

“Along the way, we also hardened and widened the main roads inside the territory.

“We also updated some of the rough facilities in the lord’s keep, such as the council hall, warehouses, and so on.”

Eli kept nodding, his face full of approval. “Excellent work, Old John!”

Old John chuckled, yet he did not forget to support his colleagues.

“This is also thanks to Administrator Estor’s timely manpower allocation, the tool support provided by Administrator Leon, and the cooperation of the other slave administrators.”

Next, Hadi, who was responsible for agriculture and waterworks, rose.

He gave a detailed report on the reclaimed farmland area, crop rotation, newly built irrigation channels, and the operation of the fishery.

All production figures had increased significantly compared with before Eli left.

Eli likewise gave him affirmation.

After that came Estor, the young internal affairs steward who had become much steadier.

He reported clearly and methodically on the current reserves of key supplies in the territory’s warehouses, including stored grain, salt, iron materials, cloth, and so on.

His conclusion was that the reserves were enough to support the territory’s operation for several months, and their sources were stable.

Afterward, Leon reported on the stable output of the mine and the operation of the workshops.

Aika supplemented this with the construction of the intelligence network and the usual security patrol situation.

Whenever each administrator reported, Eli listened carefully and occasionally raised one or two key questions.

Once everyone had finished reporting, a heartfelt smile appeared on Eli’s face.

“Everyone has done very well!” he affirmed once again.

“Clear rewards and punishments have always been my principle. I will remember everyone’s contributions this time.

“Later, I will give corresponding rewards according to each person’s contribution!”

Upon hearing this, the administrators all revealed delighted expressions.

Eli paused, then continued, “There is one more matter concerning the future development direction of the territory.

“I originally intended to discuss it with everyone today. But Captain Buck is absent, and this matter is closely tied to the military affairs he is responsible for.

“So we should wait until he returns, then discuss it in detail together.”

He looked at everyone. “Does anyone have any other questions or suggestions?”

At this moment, Old John hesitated for a moment, but still rose.

“My lord... well... may I ask, what about Lady Aila? Why did she not return with you?”

After Old John asked this, the others suddenly reacted as well.

“That is right. Why did Lady Aila not come back?”

Eli thought for a moment. Facing these core members of his team, he felt that it was necessary to reveal some information, but he could not explain everything.

He chose his words carefully. “Actually... there have been some new circumstances regarding Aila’s identity.

“She... through a fortunate coincidence, has reunited with her family.

“Her family is the La Roche Family of the Western Frontier.

“So she will temporarily remain in Thorne City and reunite with her family for a while.”

“The La Roche Family?!”

“Lady Aila... is a La Roche?!”

“Gods above! That is the ruler of the Western Frontier, the Golden Lion La Roche!”

This news was like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, setting off enormous waves in the council hall!

All the administrators were stunned speechless, especially Hadi, who had been born in the Western Frontier.

He was directly rooted to the spot, muttering.

“Aila... La Roche? My lord... this... this is truly...”

Even Scholar Alva, who had always been steady, could not help asking.

“My lord, then you... then our Obsidian Territory... and the La Roche Family...”

Eli waved his hand, signaling for everyone to calm down for the time being. “This matter is a long story, and it involves some... complicated family affairs.

“As for the specific details, once I sort things out, I will find another opportunity to tell you in detail later.

“For today, it is enough for everyone to know about this situation. You can go back and digest it first.

“All right, the meeting ends here. Dismissed.”

The administrators left the council hall one after another with faces full of shock and countless questions.

They whispered about this explosive news in groups of two or three, their expressions somewhat dazed.

Hadi deliberately slowed his steps and fell to the very back.

After everyone else had gone out, he carefully approached Eli.

Eli looked at him with some amusement. “What is it, Administrator Hadi? Is there something else?”

Hadi rubbed his hands and lowered his voice.

“My lord... that... this subordinate has something to say, though I do not know whether I should say it...”

“Say it.”

“It is just... that...”

“My lord, you must make more of an effort!

“You and Lady Aila should soon... cough, cough... If our future little lord can possess the noble bloodline of the La Roche Family.

“Then... then the future of our Obsidian Territory will truly be limitless!”

After saying this, he did not even wait for Eli’s reaction. As though afraid of being blamed, he quickly turned around and ran out of the council hall like a wisp of smoke.

Eli was left standing there alone, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

That Hadi... what exactly goes on in his head all day?

But this is indeed a problem.