Chapter 118: Promotion to Baron (Part I)

By early September, Velen had submitted his application for a noble title promotion to the Kingdom while simultaneously beginning to assemble and train a core group of elite troops in active preparation for December.

To date, Star-Prayer Lake consisted of three administrative districts: Star-Prayer Town and its surrounding 450 square kilometers, managed by Baird; Orlando Town, covering 600 square kilometers plus a 200-square-kilometer southward expansion, managed by Orlando; and the final tract, a 400-square-kilometer area being developed by Andrew.

Velen visited the barracks beneath the castle. While instructing Kyle on the art of military training—using the five hundred soldiers present as a practical exercise—he reviewed the various documents Baird had delivered. According to the latest reports, his forces numbered nearly four thousand, reaching five percent of the territory's population. Compared to the territory of his uncle, Olcott, the troop numbers were comparable, but the combat effectiveness was incomparable. The structural ratio of soldier apprentices to Bronze-rank warriors within the standing army was particularly stressful. Under normal circumstances, one Bronze-rank warrior commanding ten soldier apprentices was the reasonable standard for a noble army, while one Bronze-rank warrior commanding four was the standard for the Kingdom’s standing legions. Before meeting the Astral Mage, Velen would have needed at least five years to reach the noble army standard, but now, with the supply of black-skinned meat-pigs increasing to support large-scale military training, he was confident he could achieve that ratio within two years.

"My Lord, the provincial capital has sent an official dispatch. Kingdom inspectors will arrive in our territory in a month to begin their review. These are the newly revised promotion rules for pioneers seeking to become barons," Baird said, entering the barracks and walking straight to the training field to hand the document to Velen.

Velen set his files on a nearby wooden table, took the dispatch, and began to read the updated promotion regulations. "Compared to the old rules, quite a few things have changed."

Baird replied confidently, "Even if the Kingdom doubles the difficulty, Star-Prayer Lake will face no pressure."

"Hahaha," Velen closed the dispatch and laughed. "You are right. Even if the Kingdom doubles the difficulty, we have already met the requirements. However, the last time the promotion rules were modified was 150 years ago. To suddenly raise the bar like this—it seems many pioneers have been cutting corners in recent years."

"My Lord is correct," Baird agreed. "I imagine the poor performance of those recently promoted barons during the monster attacks on the western border is what forced the Kingdom to revise the rules."

"Indeed. The Kingdom needs nobles who can manage territories and wage war, not wine-soaked sacks of rice." Velen had guessed as much, though he hadn't expected the Kingdom to act so quickly. "But, can a Church of Life really be completed in one month?" Velen asked, pointing to a new requirement.

"My Lord, the territory lacks many things, but it does not lack people willing to work," Baird replied with full confidence. "Give me half a month, and I guarantee the task will be completed."

"Then I leave it to you. Also, tighten the security in the territory. I have a feeling that by the time we meet the inspectors, the real inspection might already be over."

"Yes, my Lord," Baird replied firmly.

...

In early October, Velen received another message from the Guidance of Destiny: [In an underground cavern 1,000 kilometers west of Star-Prayer Lake grows a patch of mutated Moonflowers.]

The mutated Moonflower, also known as the Moonflower of Grace, was one of the three main ingredients for the Moon-Trace potion, a magical elixir capable of healing the soul. Velen was shocked by the news and longed to retrieve it immediately. However, he was merely a Silver-rank Knight; even a Soul-Intent level knight would likely face a one-way trip into the heart of the Gray-Glaring Wasteland. The realization felt like a bucket of ice water poured over him, dampening his excitement.

"Perhaps I could request the assistance of Lady Hia, but with war approaching, the timing is poor. It will have to wait." The Kingdom was about to launch a retaliatory war against the Gray-Glaring Wasteland, and he did not believe those monster clans would be unprepared. The cavern might well be located directly beneath a monster clan's stronghold, forcing him to plan carefully. "I hope the Kingdom breaks through the full 1,000 kilometers in one go; then I could obtain the flowers without effort. If not, I will have to wait until the war is over to ask Lady Hia to retrieve them."

Meanwhile, five disguised outsiders entered Star-Prayer Lake.

"Captain Leicester, why must we enter Star-Prayer Lake in this getup?" a young man asked, puzzled.

The middle-aged man leading the group looked at the royal scion who had insisted on tagging along and sighed. "Because this lord is difficult to audit. I intend to scout the situation first. If he meets the standards, we will simply join the official inspection team later and follow the process without wasting effort. If he does not meet the standards, we give him time to buffer, so we don't offend anyone without reason."

"What, would he dare to openly target you?" the youth asked, indignant.

The middle-aged man smiled bitterly. "He cannot, but his elders can."

"Isn't the family reputation of the Ex family quite good?"

"The Ex family has a good reputation, but his maternal grandfather, Duke Moravia, is fiercely protective of his own. I cannot afford to offend such a big figure for no reason."

"You are right, Captain Leicester. Duke Moravia is indeed protective." The youth trembled, recalling his father’s stories of his own grandfather being thrashed by the Duke.

"Enough. Once we enter the town, split up to investigate. Do nothing out of line."

"Yes, Captain," the other three replied.

After entering Star-Prayer Town, the five separated. Leicester headed straight for the town’s gathering spot—the adventurer's tavern. It was the best place to gather information, and he certainly wasn't there just for the ale. Upon entering, he sat down, ordered a drink, and quickly blended in with the crowd.

"The Church of Life is built beautifully, but it's a shame there's no priest to allow us to pray to the Goddess of Life," a man said, setting down his mug.

"I truly hope our benevolent Lord can bring a priest back," a man nearby agreed.

"Have you heard? The tax-grain standards are being lowered again."

"Thank the Lord, thank Steward Baird. This year we'll have enough extra money to buy the children some new clothes."

"Other places are suffering from famine, but we are fine here. The Lord must be under the protection of the Goddess of Life."