Chapter 275 - 273: Some Affairs in the Territory

Chapter 275: Chapter 273: Some Affairs in the Territory

The clatter of hooves from the Guards echoed across Black Forest Island as they carried the news of Duane’s return to everyone of importance.

Smoke rose early from the kitchens of Forest Castle as Auntie Mara and the butcher bustled about, preparing a lavish banquet.

In the meantime, Duane didn’t get a moment’s rest. A constant stream of people came to see him, and he had to listen to his subordinates’ reports.

"My Lord, during your absence, four Guards successfully broke through and became Basic-level Warriors."

Kaelon continued, "Furthermore, after training night and day, John successfully advanced to become a Middle Level Warrior just over ten days ago!"

Duane wasn’t particularly surprised by the Guards’ breakthroughs. After all, with the aid of the Chrysanthemum Fire Soup, anyone with a decent constitution had a chance of achieving it.

However, he placed great importance on the fact that John had become a Middle Level Warrior.

Around this time last year, John had been the last of the group drinking the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup to achieve a breakthrough.

Duane remembered how dejected John had been at the time. He had even voluntarily given up his allotment of Fire Source Beast Bone Soup, which had ultimately led to the thirty-bowl-per-person limit.

Now, a year later, this same ordinary young man—who had been the last to become a Basic-level Warrior—was now the first to advance to Middle Level Warrior.

This rate of advancement proved that John’s talent was quite impressive.

As one of the core followers who had been with him from Lakefront Manor to Black Forest Island, Duane didn’t mind giving him some special consideration.

"Let John pick a Breathing Skill. You and Raymond will be responsible for teaching him."

Duane thought for a moment, then added, "Increase his pay. Also, teach him Combat Techniques like Gale Slash and Fighting Qi Slash. And give him three bowls of Red Sun Soup to solidify his Cultivation."

Kaelon grinned, thanking Duane on John’s behalf.

As the one who had guided both John and Jack, Kaelon was deeply gratified to see someone he had mentored achieve success and earn their Lord’s appreciation.

After seeing Kaelon out, Duane met with General Affairs Consultant Julian, Ralph the butler, Population Registrar Liss, and others.

By all accounts, the Territory’s development was progressing steadily—

A site for the Red Brick Factory had been chosen and its foundation laid;

Another six hundred laborers had recently been shipped to Black Forest Island by Baron Jick and were assigned to clear land for the Hot Spring Mountain Tea Garden;

Yanger’s Blacksmith Shop had now produced several batches of farming tools, but it was still not enough to meet the demand;

Through awareness campaigns, mandatory orders, and other measures, the sanitation conditions in the homes of pregnant women had improved significantly;

In particular, punitive measures had been enacted to address the drinking water issue, forcing the inhabitants to abandon the unsanitary practice of sharing water sources with livestock. This had led to a sizable reduction in the number of people falling ill recently.

Besides this good news, there were, of course, some conflicts as well.

Black Forest Island had taken in several thousand foreign laborers, and there was no shortage of troublemakers among them, resulting in several bloody brawls.

Although Kaelon, Raymond, and the others had quickly suppressed the incidents and punished the instigators, conflicts still flared up from time to time.

Duane wasn’t too worried about it. He just needed his subordinates to handle things and prevent any large-scale incidents from erupting.

If these people remained defiant and continued to instigate trouble, he could always make an example of them to warn the others.

"My Lord, you’re finally back!"

Simone, having rushed back from the Hot Spring Mountain Range, was the last to arrive at the castle.

He said excitedly, "I heard from Kaelon and the others that you’re a Count now! And that you’re marrying Miss Natalia! Your accomplishments are truly astonishing!"

"The title of Count is merely nominal. For now, I am still the Baron of Black Forest Island."

Duane smiled, rising from his desk and leaving the study. "Follow me!"

Without a second thought, Simone followed Duane, saying, "I heard from Ownington that he’s going to the Silver Jade Territory with Commander Kaelon. But I’m afraid it won’t be secure here on Black Forest Island without an Earth Tier Warrior present. If you don’t mind my saying so... I would be willing to go!"

Duane laughed. "Raymond also wanted a chance to prove himself in the Silver Jade Territory, but that assignment has already been given to Kaelon."

Leading the development of a new Territory was a dangerous task, but it was also one that promised great rewards and recognition.

Raymond and Simone were both indebted to Duane for his support and were eager to repay him. They also yearned for a chance to advance, so naturally, neither wanted to pass up such an opportunity.

Duane understood this perfectly, but he didn’t change his mind.

"I’m taking you to meet someone. I trust that after you do, you won’t want to leave Black Forest Island anymore."

"Oh?"

Only then was Simone’s attention pulled back to the present. He realized he had followed his Lord all the way to the castle’s rear courtyard.

Just then, from within the courtyard, he heard Vera’s laughter, like the tinkling of silver bells, along with another woman’s playful shouts.

’That sound...’

His eyes flew wide and a jolt shot through his body. He froze in place as if he had been struck by lightning.

Duane glanced back. "What is it? Do you recognize her voice?"

"My Lord..."

Simone’s voice trembled, his eyes filled with a hope that bordered on disbelief.

"Yes."

Duane answered in the affirmative. "Your wife, Constance, is here. She has become one of my followers and will be living on Black Forest Island from now on."

Unable to hold back any longer, Simone bounded into the courtyard.

He froze when he saw the person inside.

Her features were just as delicate as he remembered, though her eyes held a hint of weariness from all she had endured.

Constance, too, snapped out of her daze. They gazed at each other for a long time, neither speaking a word.

After what felt like an eternity, Simone stepped forward and pulled Constance into his embrace, and they both began to sob quietly.

Vera, who had been laughing just moments before, was infected by the atmosphere, and the family of three embraced, weeping together.

Duane watched from a distance with a smile. ’The path to get here was winding, but it has a happy ending.’

He slipped away quietly, not wanting to disturb the family’s touching reunion.

「Night fell, and the banquet began.」

The main hall had been furnished with several new long tables and benches. Duane had summoned all the Civil Officers, military commanders, and his new followers.

A quick count revealed there were thirty-three people in total.

Fragrant whole roasted lamb, rich Chrysanthemum Fire Soup, spicy steamed fish, and a variety of seafood were all served, paired with newly purchased wine. The supposedly barren Black Forest Island was putting on a surprisingly luxurious display for its new followers.

"My Lord!"

Simone and Constance raised their cups and knelt on one knee before Duane. It was both a toast and an oath of fealty from the couple.

Duane accepted the gesture, draining his cup in one go. He then took the opportunity to introduce Constance, Simone, Lune, and the others to the group.

Nothing was more convincing than having the scions of Nobility, a Level 4 Mage, and both Earth Tier and Human Tier Warriors among his followers.

This lavish banquet served not only to welcome the new arrivals but also to greatly bolster their confidence.

"The Territory is now entering a period of rapid development!"

Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Duane began to lay out the next phase of development tasks.

"Soon, Count Kais will be sending an additional 1,200 laborers and 3,000 Slaves. On top of that, Marquis Sean will be sending another 5,000 Slaves."

Duane looked toward his General Affairs Consultant, Julian. "The laborers will be tasked with clearing the tea garden. Of the eight thousand Slaves, assign five thousand to clear farmland on the Southern Plain. The remainder will be sent in batches to the Silver Jade Territory."

Julian nodded in response. "Before they arrive, I will arrange for people to go to the plain and build a temporary settlement."

Duane nodded. "Kaelon, Ownington, the two of you will depart within the next two days. Take a group of men and head to the Silent Shore to rendezvous with Sir Trenton. You’ll be responsible for surveying the Silver Jade Territory and constructing a temporary outpost to accommodate the personnel who will follow. I will conduct an inspection around September."

The two men accepted their orders. A new Territory meant a new beginning.

"Raymond, you will take a Guard Squad and oversee the defenses during the development of the Southern Plain. Gaius, you will lead a team to forge a road from Thorn Valley to the Southern Plain."

"Simone, Constance, I’m leaving the defense of the Hot Spring Mountain Range to you."

As one task after another was assigned, Duane’s throat grew dry from all the talking, but by the end, everyone was perfectly clear on their duties.

As Duane had said, the Territory was in a phase of growth, and this group was full of ambitious people. Not one of them was unwilling to do their part well.

"Your Lordship!"

Lune rose to his feet.

As the strongest of the new followers and the grandson of a nobleman, Lune had naturally become the center of attention among them.

"I admire your clear logic and the meticulous way you’ve arranged the Territory’s affairs, but it seems you’ve forgotten about us!"

A fervent glint shone in his eyes. "Please, assign us a task! We also wish to contribute to Black Forest Island!"

"Yes, Your Lordship!"

Clint and Ross, the two Human Tier Warriors, as well as Hubert and the three other Advanced Warriors, all rose to their feet, asking for an assignment.

Seeing everyone else receive an assignment while they were left with nothing to do made them feel quite anxious.

Duane chuckled. "You are all very powerful. That’s why I need you to rest and build up your strength."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "In a short while, I will be taking you into the Secret Realm to clear out the Demon Beasts within!"

’A Secret Realm?’

’Demon Beasts?’

They all instinctively thought they had misheard. Only one question filled their minds: ’Black Forest Island has a Secret Realm?’

When they heard it was a hostile Secret Realm, and especially upon learning it contained Level 5, 6, and 7 Demon Beasts, their expressions turned grave.

’This is a high-risk mission.’

Simone took a swig of wine and laughed. It was as if the impulsive young man he used to be had returned.

"My Lord, for a mission this dangerous, you must take me along!"

He continued, "If you only take the newcomers, people might think you’re deliberately sending them to their deaths."

Duane couldn’t help but glance at the man, who looked years younger now that he had shaved his beard clean.

’Perhaps this is his true nature,’ he thought.

’It’s for the best. With more followers, motivations become more complex. It’s a good thing if they can keep each other in check.’

As expected, Lune and the others were displeased by the remark. They protested earnestly, "Sir Simone, we harbor no such thoughts!"

Duane laughed and quickly intervened.

’It’s good for my subordinates to keep each other in check, but not if the infighting becomes too vicious or the conflicts run too deep.’

"Simone meant no harm, and his point is reasonable. It’s true that sending you into such a dangerous place right after your arrival isn’t entirely appropriate."

But Lune insisted, "My Lord, now that we have sworn to follow you, we do not fear danger!"

Duane nodded, pleased. "I can feel your courage. However, the environment in the Secret Realm is unique. The Basic and Middle Level Warriors will not be going."

He mulled it over for a moment, then adjusted his plan.

"In three days, with the exception of Kaelon, who has other pressing matters to attend to, all Warriors of Advanced level and higher will accompany me to cleanse the Secret Realm!"