Chapter 698 393: Neil Morton's Disappearance (Part 2)

"Rajos, is there still no news from the Northern Territory?"

Taking a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Thor pondered slightly and then looked at Rajos, inquiring with a hint of questioning.

"My lord, not yet!"

"But three days ago, orders came from the Kingdom to begin evacuating the Northern Border Knight Order."

Rajos spoke respectfully.

"Three days ago?"

"Understood, starting today, keep an eye on the Northern Territory and report any news to me immediately."

"Also, the Eagle Merchant Association can start preparing to formally return to the Blazing Kingdom in three months."

"Whatever you need, you can come to Eagle City."

Thor knocked on the table again, then spoke in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

Rajos spoke respectfully.

"Go!"

"Additionally, head to the castle to receive a bottle of Essence of Life."

Thor waved his hand, then signaled for Rajos to leave.

"Thank you, my lord."

Rajos' expression brightened, quickly bowed, and thanked him.

He then stepped back and left the study.

Afterward, Thor called for the current Chief Civil Servant of Eagle Ridge.

A moment later.

The door was gently knocked.

"Come in!"

Thor spoke.

The door creaked, and a figure pushed the door open and walked in.

"My lord!"

Scott spoke respectfully.

"What is the current situation in Eagle Ridge?"

Thor spoke.

"Yes, my lord!"

"Currently in Eagle Ridge, the population of Eagle City has reached 370,000, Falcon City has a population of 180,000, ...."

Scott pondered slightly, then began to report.

As the new Chief Civil Servant, Scott was extremely familiar with the situation in Eagle Ridge, easily reporting the current state even without any documents.

"530,000 people?"

"Scott, this population is not enough. We need more. Currently, the mobile population of Eagle City has already reached 450,000 to 500,000. I need you to make sure that the permanent population reaches this number over the next few years, and the mobile population breaks the million mark, can you do it?"

Lightly tapping the table, Thor then looked at Scott, speaking in a deep voice.

"This!"

Upon hearing Thor's words, Scott's brow couldn't help but twitch.

450,000 permanent residents and over a million mobile residents.

This is undoubtedly a terrifying number.

Even at its peak, Loren City wouldn't reach such a figure.

And to do this in a few years, it's almost impossible.

"My lord, the Northern Province probably doesn't have such a large population."

Scott hesitated for a moment but still spoke with difficulty.

No other choice, he knew now was the time to raise concerns rather than face unmanageable problems later.

"Don't worry about the population. Recently, there will be a large influx of people into the Northern Province and even from the Eagle Merchant Association."

"What you need to do is to retain these people; can you do it?"

Thor waved his hand, speaking calmly.

He understood Scott's concerns.

He made such claims because he had confidence.

Now, with the Three Northern Countries suffering heavy losses, many nobility have been destroyed, resulting in countless displaced civilians, which provides the best source for population replenishment.

With the current scale of the Eagle Merchant Association, attracting hundreds of thousands, even millions, is possible.

Currently, the Eagle Merchant Association's reach extends far beyond the Tulip Kingdom, to the Purple Gold Flower Kingdom and several surrounding ones.

Furthermore, with the subsequent expansion into the Blazing Kingdom, the absorbable population will only increase.

"I'll definitely do it."

Scott's tone turned firm, his voice resonant.

"Good!"

"Three years, at most three years, I need to see your results. If you can achieve this, the next cycle for Chief Civil Servant will still be yours."

Upon hearing Scott's words, Thor nodded with satisfaction.

"Thank you, my lord."

Scott appeared slightly excited and quickly spoke.

Currently, the entire Eagle Ridge was on track, and every term as Chief Civil Servant provided unimaginable benefits to a family or lineage.

Apart from some potential authority, even the merit points earned exceed many knights' rewards.

Only some Knight Captains can compare.

For many ordinary families, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And if he could serve consecutively, Scott was even confident in getting his three descendants into the Knight Order.

If all three descendants joined the Knight Order, their family would truly leap forward.

Of course, Thor was yet unaware of this excitement when he finished instructing and waved for Scott to retire.

Scott also bowed and left.

Thor then handled some territorial affairs.

Before he began to rest.

The afternoon sunlight gradually bathed the surroundings.

A new day gradually came to an end.

Thor stood up, stretching lazily.

Preparing to inspect the territory's Knight Order.

Just then, a faint glow emitted from his student badge.

"Hmm?"

His body paused slightly, Thor's expression showed some surprise.

Yet, his heart moved, allowing his Spiritual Power to touch the student badge.

"Buzz!"

A ripple spread, white mist enveloping the surroundings.

A moment later.

Thor's figure descended into Canaan Academy.

And at the moment of his arrival.

A glow descended directly from high above.

Then, a familiar figure appeared.

"Master Amory?"

Seeing the appearing figure, Thor felt a little surprised.

The person before him was the first mentor he met upon entering Canaan Academy, also an old acquaintance of Neil Morton.

Thor didn't expect this person would take the initiative to contact him.

"Thor, have you seen Neil recently?"

Amory's voice sounded urgently.

"Neil?"

"Master Amory, isn't Lord Neil still at the Academy?"

Thor paused, speaking with doubt.

"No!"

"I've already checked the relevant information, and there's no trace of Neil."

Amory spoke anxiously.

"Master Amory, this shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Lord Neil should be nearing the breakthrough to the Divine Domain, or already has, likely still practicing there."

Thor pondered slightly, speaking.

He felt somewhat doubtful.

Amory seemed overly anxious.

It's only been a short time. Holy Sanctuary practices are often lengthy; just a few months shouldn't be an issue.

"Thor, my worry is precisely about his breakthrough to the Divine Domain."

Amory smiled bitterly, his expression showing helplessness.

"This?"

Thor froze, his expression puzzled.

But soon, Thor realized.

His eyes focused.

He recalled Neil Morton's past information.

"You're aware, aren't you?"

"Neil is likely to venture once he breaks into the Divine Domain. With Neil's power, the outcome remains uncertain even if he breaks through."

Amory smiled bitterly, expression anxious.

"This!"

Hearing Amory's words, Thor too fell silent.

Having previously gathered information, Thor knew Amory wasn't joking.

This situation clearly indicated a serious problem.

Of course, he could choose to ignore it.

After all, he owed Neil Morton nothing.

Yet, after these years together, Thor held a rather positive opinion of him.

Especially recently, hearing about his trouble, Neil had swiftly reached out from miles apart.

If Neil now faced difficulties and Thor took no action, Thor felt uncomfortable within his heart.

As he stood in thought.

His student badge lit up once more.

"Amory, please wait a moment, Dean Ryze is contacting me." Seeing the message, Thor was momentarily stunned but still spoke to Amory.