Chapter 148: The Third Town of Star Prayer Territory

By August, the area pioneered by Andrew had reached 2,500 square kilometers.

A year ago, the newly pioneered territory was merely 400 square kilometers, and now it had expanded to this extent, truly embodying the practice of land-grabbing through sheer expanse.

The population in the newly pioneered region exceeded thirty thousand, with villages of all sizes scattered like stars across the landscape. Some settlements consisted of only three to five households and a dozen residents, existing purely to assert sovereignty.

Consequently, Velin now faced a severe issue: re-planning the newly pioneered region to extract its maximum potential.

The impacts brought by the Famine Sacrifice had passed; going forward, the rate of population growth within the territory would slow down, which would similarly cause the pace of territorial expansion to decelerate.

After all, a territory's area is not always better the larger it is. Only with a reasonable demographic structure, a citizenry loyal to its magistrate, and a complete regulatory system does a pioneered territory truly belong to one's self.

On September 1st, Velin, accompanied by several knights, headed toward the newly pioneered region.

Under Andrew's guidance, Velin thoroughly inspected various districts, much like when he had first arrived at the Lake of Star-Praying, gaining a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the information regarding this area.

"My Lord, the center of the newly pioneered region is a tributary of the Yellow Sand River. I have named this tributary the Blue Gauze River," Andrew said, pointing to a clear river at the foot of the hill and explaining to Velin.

"Why is that?"

Looking down from the hill, the river was estimated to be no more than thirty meters wide at its broadest point, flowing from southeast to northwest.

"Please follow me, My Lord."

Driven by curiosity, Velin followed Andrew along the river all the way downstream.

After more than twenty kilometers, crossing a hill, a natural lake appeared before everyone's eyes.

Riding on his Red-Phosphorus Horse and gazing into the center of the lake, the entire body of water looked like a piece of blue gauze laid flat across the earth.

"I never imagined such a beautiful place existed here," Velin could not help but praise.

Andrew pointed to the distant lake and explained, "My Lord, this lake is named Blue Gauze Lake, hence the river that empties into it is called the Blue Gauze River."

"This place was originally the starting point for a pioneer's domain. Three years ago, the settlement he established was destroyed in a monster attack, and he himself died in that disaster. Therefore, it reverted to ownerless land, and I occupied it eight months ago."

"It seems this man lacked fortune; a pristine, naturally endowed starting point—he possessed the luck, but lacked the strength to guard it," Velin shook his head, commenting to Andrew.

Andrew did not pick up the thread of conversation, continuing instead, "My Lord, this place is an exceptional location to build a city. I suggest taking this as the center to establish an administrative region that can manage the surrounding areas."

"Very well, proceed according to your suggestion," Velin nodded and said, "I will have the Luo-Ox Ranch of Star-Praying Town relocated here, but the rest will require your efforts. I cannot tilt resources toward you indefinitely."

"I understand, My Lord," Andrew replied.

"Now that the new administrative center has been decided, you may name this town yourself."

Velin looked at Andrew, leaving the naming rights of the new town to his discretion.

Andrew pondered for a moment, ultimately forgoing the hidden prompt in Velin's words and choosing a name that followed his inner conviction: "Let us call this town Blue Gauze Town."

Hearing this name and seeing his liege nod, Kyle recorded the name in the newly designated area on the map—Blue Gauze Town, becoming the third small town in the Star-Praying Territory, following Star-Praying Town and Orlando Town.

According to the latest administrative division, the newly pioneered region would allocate an area of 850 square kilometers to Star-Praying Town, while the remaining 1,650 square kilometers of land would be split into two parts.

One part would serve as the administrative management area of Blue Gauze Town, encompassing 1,100 square kilometers.

The other part would be a buffer pioneering zone, entrusted to Blue Gauze Town for proxy management, covering an area of 550 square kilometers.

True to its name, this latter section would develop freely. At the present stage, Velin would not invest any resources into its development; whatever it managed to evolve into would depend entirely on its own fortune.

Calculated this way, Orlando Town's area would become the smallest among the three small towns, measuring a mere 800 square kilometers.

"Within two years, we cannot expand outward any further because we cannot digest more."

"However, this does not mean we will halt our pace of pioneering."

"Therefore, I hope Blue Gauze Town can develop within these two years. By then, it must at least serve as the hub connecting Star-Praying Town to the northern regions. Can you accomplish this?"

Having heard Velin's words, Andrew fell silent, then bowed and pledged, "Within two years, your subordinate will undoubtedly develop Blue Gauze Town."

"I believe in your capability. I hope you can bring me a surprise."

After concluding this inspection, Velin returned to his routine schedule.

Starting from September, the Star-Praying Territory officially formed a pattern consisting of three towns and two zones: namely, Star-Praying Town, Orlando Town, Blue Gauze Town, the Frigid Zone, and the Buffer Pioneering Zone.

...

In mid-September, the four Green-Vine Trees produced their first batch of sap, which Randolph personally escorted with a detachment to the castle.

Velin came to the training ground, looked at the pale-green sap in the specialized iron barrel, and listened to Randolph's report.

"My Lord, this is the first yield from the Green-Vine Trees, totaling sixteen pounds."

"Additionally, Green-Vine Mountain currently has nine Green-Vine Trees, among which four are mature large trees and five are saplings."

"How long until the Green-Vine Tree saplings reach maturity? Has an estimate been made?" Velin asked Randolph.

Hearing this, Randolph replied, "Twenty-five to thirty years; it should fall within that range."

"The growth duration is troublesome, but it cannot be resolved at the present stage."

Velin recalled the growth-acceleration magic recorded in the Book of Druids. One only needed their druid profession to reach the Silver rank to learn it, but it was only effective on ordinary crops.

For special plants like the Green-Vine Tree, at least a Gold-rank druid would be required.

Suddenly, Velin thought of a potential solution. Didn't the Adventurer Tavern have a ready-made druid professional? He just didn't know if the other party possessed this ability.

"Prepare the Green-Vine Tree sap for storage, and accompany me to visit someone this afternoon."

"Understood, My Lord," Randolph replied respectfully.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Velin led several people to the Adventurer Tavern to visit Argenta.

On the second floor of the Adventurer Tavern, Velin and Argenta sat facing each other, with Kyle and Randolph standing behind Velin, while the rest waited on the first floor of the tavern.

"My friend, it has been a while," Argenta poured a glass of wine for Velin and asked with a hint of curiosity.

Velin picked up the wine glass, brought it to his lips, and took a gentle sip.

"Argenta, your brewing skills are getting better and better."

"Thank you for the compliment." Argenta gladly accepted Velin's praise.