Chapter 53: Dividing into Teams

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“As for the evaluation criteria, you have all seen them, so I won’t elaborate further.”

Everyone exchanged glances, then turned their eyes to their own lord, awaiting further instructions.

Veylin did not keep them in suspense. He announced the assignments directly: “The construction department remaining at Lake of the Wishing Stars will be led by Baird, with Cassius, Imogen, and Orion as members, retaining three squads of soldiers. All other troops are allocated to the pioneering department, which Orlando will command. All Silver Knights, except Raymond, are to join this team.”

“Two-thirds of the territory’s weapons and a third of the food supplies are to be transferred as well, along with the selection of a thousand inhabitants, all assigned to the pioneering department.”

“One year from today, there will be an evaluation to determine the outcome.”

“I hope you can present me with an answer that satisfies me.”

“Rest assured, my lord—we will do our utmost to accomplish our respective tasks,” the fourteen individuals replied in unison, standing and voicing their resolve with unwavering determination.

With such generous rewards, none were willing to forfeit this opportunity.

“Very well. Raymond, stay behind; the rest of you may go and make preparations.” Veylin dismissed the council with a wave of his hand.

Moments later, the vast hall was silent, leaving only Veylin and Raymond.

“Raymond, how goes the caravan’s formation?”

“My lord, the caravan is ready: twelve wagons, eighteen packhorses, three warhorses. We have twelve drivers, fifteen porters, fifteen guards, two cooks, and a physician with some medical knowledge. Including myself, forty-six people in all.”

“Good,” Veylin nodded. “You have two days to select merchandise, then I’ll take you to establish our trade route.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Raymond bowed and departed from the hall.

Meanwhile, after leaving the hall, Orlando brought his younger brother back to their camp at the village at the mountain’s base, preparing for today’s training with their contract-bound followers.

“Brother, this is our chance to prove ourselves, to show our worth to the lord,” Hebrew said excitedly, pumping his fists as they walked.

“It’s an opportunity, but also a responsibility,” Orlando replied calmly, turning to his brother, his face composed and without excitement. “Steward Baird has only four people. Besides our lord and Raymond, almost all the high-level fighters are under my command.”

Seeing his elder brother’s expression, Hebrew reined in his excitement and asked, “Is there a problem?”

“No major problems,” Orlando shook his head. “This is a chance for us to be tested, to lead and pioneer a territory on our own. We must seize it, or else the two of us will simply remain as guards by the lord’s side.”

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“What’s so bad about being a guard?” Hebrew looked at his brother in confusion.

…

Unknowingly, the two brothers had arrived at the encampment of their sworn followers.

“Train hard, and don’t let me down.”

“Understood, brother. I’ll do my best.”

Orlando nodded and walked to the left section of the camp.

On the training grounds, seeing thirty contract-bound youths working hard, Orlando nodded with satisfaction, his hands clasped behind his back as he began his inspection.

The thirty boys, all about thirteen or fourteen, doubled their efforts at the sight of their master. Born as slaves and serfs, they longed to become useful, not to remain worthless.

After making a round, Orlando took a wooden training sword from the rack and assembled his thirty followers.

Soon, thirty sweat-soaked boys stood before him, awaiting orders.

“Today, our lord has entrusted me with an important task… What I’ve just explained is our mission. This is our test and a chance to prove our worth.”

“You exist because of me; I exist because of our lord.”

“By the Goddess of Life, for our lord, we are willing to give everything.” The thirty boys, faces earnest, recited their daily oath as usual.

Orlando then began to channel the light within him, linking the thirty through their battle energy.

On the square, a faint red aura enveloped the thirty-one of them. From afar, the sphere glimmered, though its outline was indistinct.

Standing atop the castle tower, Veylin gazed down at the scene below, watching Orlando’s determined training and smiling with satisfaction.

“The effect is promising from afar, though I wonder about its combat power. In this contest, I hope to witness your growth,” Veylin mused aloud, stroking his chin.

Unconsciously, he had come to regard Orlando and Hebrew as if they were his own sons.

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…

Over the next two days, Veylin had Baird take over all affairs related to Lake of the Wishing Stars.

Apart from the materials allocated to the pioneering department, all remaining resources at the lake were handed to Baird to manage.

At the same time, Veylin began establishing a personal treasury, separate from the territory’s finances.

In the castle’s dimly lit cellar, Veylin admired his collection of private treasures by candlelight.

Three hundred pounds of secret silver, fifty pounds of mountain copper—nearly ten percent of the entire territory’s reserves. In addition, a chest contained three sets of exceptional full knight equipment, ten intermediate magic crystals, one advanced magic crystal, and fifty magic pearls. A wooden rack held thirty special sheets for making magic scrolls, six bottles of magic potion, three pounds of purple gold sand, thirty-two elementary spellbooks of various types, and three knight breathing techniques manuals.

To the left, three wooden chests each held ten thousand gold coins—the least valuable things here.

From now on, all these would be his personal collection.

“Everything in the territory may be mine as well, but using it must be considered carefully. My private treasury, however, is different.” Smiling at the treasures before him, Veylin spoke quietly to himself.

“Perhaps, even the territory’s supplies could be managed with a dual system: one set for regular use, one for reserves in case of need.”

Inspired by this thought, Veylin immediately resolved to put it into practice.

After leaving the cellar, he summoned Baird to the castle.

“My lord, you sent for me?” Baird responded at once, setting aside his tasks and hurrying over.

“Baird, I have an idea and wish to hear your opinion.”

“Please share it, my lord.”

Leaning back against the stone throne, Veylin spoke slowly. “For our territory's storage system, we could apply a seventy-thirty principle: seventy percent of goods for regular, visible use, thirty percent as a reserve for emergencies. What do you think?”