Chapter Ninety-One: The Summary Meeting

After returning to the castle, Verin issued an immediate order: two ranches were to be built on the north side of the fortress, one covering three hundred acres, the other five hundred. The plan was to begin raising black-skinned meat pigs and giant ox-beasts at once, expanding production in preparation for future military training.

Because it was Verin’s command, Baird directly drew most of the commoners into the work. Even some of the free young men and women who had been sent out to build roads within the territory were pulled north of the castle to construct the ranches, and the newly arrived free settlers were needless to mention: all of them were sent over, so that the lord’s order could be completed as quickly as possible.

With nearly all the able-bodied adults of Lake of the Starfall gathered together, the two ranches were roughly completed in less than ten days, leaving only details to be refined.

On the fifteenth day of the first month of the year 9722 of the Radiant Era, all fifteen of Verin’s guardian knights assembled in the castle to attend the year-end summary meeting.

A year had passed, and Orlando and his brother Hebrew had both grown considerably more mature. Andrew and the others who worked under them had gradually come to regard them as their leaders.

“Greetings to our lord.”

Inside the meeting room, the fourteen men rose and bowed as Verin entered.

“Sit. All of you, sit.”

Verin took the seat of honor with a smile and then sat down himself.

At his words, the fourteen men took their seats.

As Verin’s personal guard, Kiel stood behind him and watched everyone present.

“A year ago, I promised that whichever side prevailed would receive my reward.”

“Now, begin your reports.”

“We shall start with Orlando and his men.”

At the words, Orlando stood, bowed to Verin, and then began his report: “During this one-year campaign of expansion, we have developed six hundred square kilometers of territory, established one frontier town, three villages, two logging camps, one mine, one blue-and-purple horse breeding farm, and twelve outposts. The population now stands at eight thousand five hundred, and thirty-two thousand acres of land have been reclaimed.”

“As for the military, aside from the fifteen knight attendants and three companies totaling one hundred and fifty soldiers taken by our lord, we now have eight hundred troops, including three hundred professional soldiers, all of whom have reached the level of warrior apprentices. The remaining five hundred are militia, and roughly one third of them have also become warrior apprentices.”

“Our division now has ninety-five knight attendants: thirty-five under my command, thirty under Hebrew’s, and thirty knight attendants under Andrew and the apprenticeship system.”

“As for supplies…”

A few minutes later, from Orlando’s report, Verin had a basic grasp of the situation in the newly expanded region.

All in all, the newly opened territory far exceeded Verin’s expectations, and it also proved Orlando’s ability.

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“From this moment on, the frontier town will be renamed Orlando Town and will serve as a subordinate administrative district of Lake of the Starfall. The military quota is set at eight hundred; you are to fill the remaining positions yourself.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Orlando answered excitedly at the words of his lord.

Seated beside him, Hebrew was even more excited than his brother; had it not been for the solemn setting, he would have leapt to his feet in excitement.

After allowing Orlando to sit, Verin turned to Baird and gestured for him to begin.

“Lake of the Starfall originally covered one hundred and fifty square kilometers. Over the past year, it has expanded northward by three hundred square kilometers, bringing the total to four hundred and fifty square kilometers. There is one town, three original villages, and four villages established in the past three months, making a total of seven villages, along with five logging camps, one salt mine, six blue frost grass herb gardens, and six outposts. The population exceeds sixteen thousand, including seven thousand newly relocated free settlers.”

“The military consists of one thousand six hundred men: five hundred professional troops, three hundred garrison troops, and eight hundred militia. Both the professional troops and the garrison have already become warrior apprentices, and about one hundred militia have embarked on the path of becoming warriors. There are thirty-seven knight attendants.”

“As for supplies, there are sixty thousand gold coins, fifteen million catties of grain, and five hundred and fifty sets of leather armor…”

As expected of Baird, even against a gifted man like Orlando, he still managed to hold a steady advantage.

Looking at Baird, whose eyes were ringed with heavy dark shadows, Verin nodded in admiration, then said to the others, “I declare Baird the winner.”

No one objected.

The facts stood before them, leaving no room to dispute their lord’s judgment.

Even Orlando had to admit that this time, Baird had won.

Not to mention anything distant, but take blue frost grass, that magical plant, for example: without Baird’s careful discovery, Lake of the Starfall would never have gained an economic pillar capable of sustaining its rapid development.

“Kiel, have someone bring in the chest.”

“Yes.”

A few minutes later, two knight attendants carried a large wooden chest into the meeting room.

Verin stepped forward and opened it. Inside were many items: six low-grade magic crystals, a mithril dagger, three sets of fine-quality knight armor, three fine-quality knight longswords, and a seven-colored flower of life, all neatly arranged within.

“From this moment on, these belong to Baird and the squad he leads. As for how they are divided, you may decide that yourselves.”

After settling the affairs of the previous year, Verin returned to his seat of honor, leaned back against the chair, rested his chin on his left hand, and said, “This year, we have three goals.”

At his words, Baird and the others straightened their posture and turned their attention toward him.

“First, expand northward and claim at least four hundred square kilometers of territory.”

“Andrew, Greg, Mike, Doxius, Alfred, Adolf.”

Each time Verin called a name, a guardian knight would stand and bow.

“The six of you will be separated from Orlando’s command and form a new expeditionary squad. I will assign you two hundred troops, three thousand people, and a portion of supplies. I hope that by this time next year, you will bring me a surprise.”

“We will not fail in our lord’s trust. We will stake our lives to complete the mission.”

Verin nodded, then gestured for them to sit before continuing.

“Second, absorb population. Take advantage of this favorable wind to expand the territory’s population as much as possible.”

“Lake of the Starfall and Orlando Town must both prepare well, establish the necessary industries, and draw in more people, while preventing unrest and protecting the security of the territory.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Baird and Orlando answered at once.

“Randolph.”

A knight of unremarkable appearance stood and thumped his chest in salute to Verin.

“From this point on, you will remain at my side and be responsible for planning the layout of the five industries. The task is heavy, and I hope you will prepare yourself well.”

“I understand.”

Randolph received the assignment calmly, without much excitement.

“In this new year, let us give our all and make our homeland ever stronger.”

“Randolph will remain. The rest of you are dismissed.”

“Yes.”