Chapter 65: Inspecting the Frontier Town

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At four in the afternoon, outside the Pioneer Town, Hebra, clad in armor, paced anxiously at the town gate.

Andrew, noticing his agitation, stepped forward to reassure him, "Hebra, there's no need to be nervous."

"Brother Andrew, the lord is coming to inspect. How should I report? Usually, my elder brother is in charge," Hebra replied, his face tense with worry.

"Don't fret. If the lord asks, I will assist you. There's no need to worry so much," Andrew said kindly, seeing the boy so anxious that sweat beaded on his brow.

"Ah..."

Hebra regretted not volunteering to hunt down the wandering kobolds.

Soon, the sound of hooves echoed from afar, and two figures appeared in the distance.

"Form ranks!" Hebra moved to the front of the formation and shouted orders.

The five infantry companies, more than thirty knight attendants, and three hundred militia quickly assembled, displaying their best discipline.

Andrew and five other Silver Knights donned their helmets, standing silently behind Hebra, the acting commander, awaiting the lord’s arrival.

Riding atop a phosphor-red steed, Verin gazed into the distance, his eyes sweeping over the Pioneer Town and the neatly arrayed troops.

"My lord, welcome to Pioneer Town. Acting commander Hebra reports to you," Hebra stepped forward, pounded his chest in salute, and spoke loudly.

"Good, you've grown," Verin dismounted, approached Hebra, and placed both hands on his shoulders, studying him closely.

"Where is Orlando?"

"My lord, my elder brother is outside, hunting the wandering kobolds. I've already sent word to him."

"Then let’s inspect the troops first and see what you’ve accomplished," Verin said, not wasting time in the absence of the main commander.

He moved before the six Silver Knights, recognizing their familiar faces.

"Andrew, Greg, Mike, Dosius, Alfred, Adolf."

"It has been a long time."

Led by Andrew, the six Silver Knights saluted with a proud pounding of their chests, signifying their deep respect.

"We greet our lord."

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Verin continued his inspection of the troops.

Every soldier in the five companies of the regular army had advanced to Warrior Apprentice, with many having risen to Intermediate Warrior Apprentice. This left him very pleased with Orlando’s progress.

Among the three hundred militiamen, nearly a hundred had also become Warrior Apprentices.

Andrew nudged Hebra, prompting him to start his report.

Stepping before Verin, Hebra forced down his anxiety and began, "My lord, since the beginning of the pioneer campaign in January, three months have passed. Through our combined efforts, we have established a town, two villages, three logging camps, cultivated six thousand acres of land, built a one-hundred-acre orchard, and constructed five outposts."

"Additionally, we discovered an iron mine to the southwest of Pioneer Town. Its reserves are unknown, and preparations for extraction are underway."

"During the campaign, we killed over fifteen hundred goblins, more than five hundred kobolds, and over thirty gnoll marauders. For military merit, we have thirty-three goblin chieftains, twenty-one kobold heads, and twenty-eight gnoll heads as proof."

"Finally, the materials harvested during the campaign are..."

At this point, Hebra faltered, unable to recall the specifics. Andrew stepped forward to continue the report to Verin.

"My lord, as the person responsible for warehouse management, I will continue."

"Mm," Verin nodded, signaling him to proceed.

Relieved, Hebra stepped aside, leaving Andrew to handle the "stage."

"My lord, over these three months, excluding consumed supplies, the pioneer force currently holds 421 gold coins, 1,732 silver coins, and 6,738 copper coins. Grain stores total 270,000 pounds, with 180,000 pounds confiscated from monster tribes."

"In terms of weapons, we have forged 127 iron swords, 373 spears, twenty crossbows, three ballistae, three thousand arrows, thirty-seven sets of leather armor, seven sets of iron armor, six excellent-grade staffs, and two excellent-grade maces."

"Other items include six hundred pounds of fruit wine, thirty pounds of royal honey..."

Upon completing his report, Andrew stepped aside, awaiting Verin's instructions.

"Excellent work," Verin praised as he surveyed the surroundings, "In three months, you have achieved much. I am gratified and expect even greater accomplishments by January next year."

Receiving the lord’s praise, everyone present felt deeply honored.

A whinny rang out.

Following the sound, all turned to see over thirty knights approaching rapidly.

Seeing the flame motif on their breastplates, Verin knew Orlando had returned.

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"My lord, welcome," Orlando dismounted, removed his helmet, revealing golden hair, and saluted.

Verin stepped forward, embraced Orlando, then said, "You've matured and accomplished much—well done."

"It is only because you provided the stage, my lord, that I have achieved anything. Everything comes from you," Orlando replied earnestly, not taking credit for himself.

"Come, show me the town you have built," Verin said.

"Please follow me, my lord," Orlando took up the task of guide, leading Verin to tour the fruits of his labor over the past three months.

As night approached, in the administrative hall, Verin met privately with Orlando and Hebra.

Half an hour later, having listened to Orlando’s plans for the next nine months, Verin gave no further guidance.

"Proceed as you see fit. If you fail, I will cover for you. I hope you both will truly become my right and left arms."

Verin fixed his gaze on Hebra, saying, "You should learn more from your brother. Today, your report needed Andrew’s help."

Orlando immediately spoke, "Rest assured, my lord, I will supervise Hebra in all respects. You will not be disappointed in any regard."

Hebra, hearing this, lowered his head, not daring to look at Verin or his elder brother.

"Don't be so serious. Sit, let’s talk about other matters."

Verin invited them to sit and shifted the conversation to other topics.

Early next morning, Verin departed Pioneer Town with Kael, setting out for Star Prayer Lake.

From then until the kingdom’s army assembled, Verin would refrain from meddling in the domain’s affairs, leaving everything to Baird and Orlando.

"Over these two months, training must be doubled to avoid lagging in cultivation."

Meanwhile, Baird began following Verin’s instructions to purchase surplus grain from neighboring domains in batches.

This action was quickly noticed by local nobles and pioneers.

Some mocked him and made a fortune selling grain, some pondered and sold small amounts for profit, and some, after a bit of thought...