Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start - Chapter 398 - 372: Setting Sail
Although Lurans’s recent operation didn’t require Ronin to provide support in the form of troops or supplies, that didn’t mean Ronin had nothing to do.
Shore City’s defenses needed to be strengthened to prevent new Thief Gangs or similar organizations from carrying out premeditated sabotage.
However, with Ridder and Macken there, along with the newly formed Eighth Knight Order being transferred over, there shouldn’t be any problems.
So, after relaying this message to the two of them, he returned to Wubei Territory.
It was almost April, and the spring planting was at a critical stage.
With the successful planting of potatoes and rice, they would harvest a batch of seeds for these two crops this year, allowing for large-scale cultivation next year.
Wubei Territory’s population was growing, and with it, the number of talented people of all kinds.
Ronin had already instructed Wilson to publicly select master farmers to join the ranks of Wubei Territory’s officials, appointing them as agricultural assistants and establishing the position of agricultural officer.
This selection method, which disregarded class and valued only ability, gave all the commoners a measure of hope.
Although officials were not nobles, their status was at least a step above the Free People.
“My Lord, the Chief Steward is currently overseeing administrative affairs in Black Earth Town. He specifically instructed me to submit this personnel list to you.”
A young man in simple linen clothes stood before Ronin’s desk, timidly handing over a stack of papers. It was a list of the personnel Lurans had Wiggin transfer to Wubei Territory after the annual festival.
Ronin hadn’t ordered Wilson to compile these statistics this time, but the latter had made a habit of it and did so automatically.
’To be honest, Wilson had no idea what the Lord needed such a list for.’
Ronin smiled and took the list. He glanced at the numbers—an increase of more than twenty thousand people.
At the same time, text popped up before his eyes:
[“Population Prosperity” achievement unlocked. Attribute Points +1500, Energy Essence +3000]
The completion of this achievement tier meant that the registered population in Ronin’s territory had now surpassed one hundred thousand.
He checked and saw that the seventh tier of the Population Prosperity achievement required a population of three hundred thousand.
“I don’t believe I’ve seen you before. What’s your name?”
Ronin asked casually. It was true that there were now many Political Assistants, Knights, and other such figures whom he didn’t recognize.
“My Lord, my name is Omar!”
The young man was a little flustered. Although the Lord sitting before him was younger than he was, the man’s aura made him feel extremely tense.
Ronin nodded. “Tell Wilson for me, in addition to registering new arrivals, he also needs to register all newborns and remove the deceased from the records. Have him scout for suitable personnel. In the future, we will appoint officials specifically responsible for population affairs.”
Omar’s eyes lit up. ’Another new position. This means more opportunities for us.’
“As you command, my Lord. I’ll go inform the Chief Steward right away.”
Ronin turned his gaze to his Attribute Panel. He had 1,776 Attribute Points and 3,225 Energy Essence.
He invested all his Attribute Points into his Knight Level.
His current progress reached Silver Moon Level (7776/10000). He was still over two thousand Attribute Points away from Perfection, and over fifteen thousand away from a breakthrough.
’Looks like it’s going to take some effort for me to become a Proud Sun Knight and a Great Mage.’
「The next morning.」
Ronin set off for Rapids Island.
High in the sky, Carlos soared on his wings.
Ronin checked the dragon’s power progression:
[Frostfire Wings Carlos]: Sixth-level (68/12500)+
As a descendant of Legendary Creatures, Carlos also only needed points added and did not require any aptitude enhancement.
But there was no denying that his demand for Energy Essence was enormous.
He was only at the Sixth-level, yet the Energy Essence he required already surpassed that of a Silver Moon Knight.
It was also undeniable that a Sixth-level Giant Dragon was not on the same level as a Golden Knight.
Since Ridder, Macken, and Elron were relatively limited in their potential for growth, Ronin invested all 3,225 of his current Energy Essence into Carlos.
In an instant, the Heaven and Earth Elements around the Giant Dragon beneath him erupted into chaos. Its body swelled, growing a full size larger in the blink of an eye. Its total length now approached thirteen meters!
“ROOOAR~”
Carlos roared in excitement, “Master, my Power has grown stronger!”
Ronin couldn’t clearly perceive exactly how much stronger he had become.
But he could feel that Carlos’s scales had become denser and harder, and his flight speed had increased significantly in an instant.
’It was just a little disappointing that no scales had been shed during this upgrade.’
’Normally, a Giant Dragon probably only sheds its scales naturally when breaking through to a new level.’
“Who do you think is stronger, you or Macken?”
Carlos was in a great mood and feeling very full of himself. “Puny Macken? I could end his life with a single one of my claws.”
“Alright. When we get back, I’ll have him spar with you.”
Ronin was very curious to see just how high a Giant Dragon’s combat prowess could reach.
“Huh? On second thought, let’s not!”
’After all, Macken is a Silver Moon Knight,’ Carlos thought, suddenly feeling a little insecure. ’If I, the one and only Giant Dragon in the world today, lost… wouldn’t that be a huge loss of face?’
By the time Ronin arrived above Rapids Island on his Giant Dragon, Karda and his men were already at the port, preparing to set sail.
There were two ships making the trip to Wubei Territory this time: a passenger ship captured from the White Whale Pirate Gang, and a cargo ship purchased from Screaming Island, now fully loaded with lumber.
Ronin had the Giant Dragon hover in the air while he used Wind Wing Magic to fly down and land on the warship.
“Karda, how are the preparations?”
Faced with the sudden arrival of their Lord, everyone was clearly stunned.
Fortunately, Karda and Lusen knew their Lord had a Giant Dragon, so they recovered quickly.
“My Lord, everything is ready. We were just waiting for your arrival to set sail.”
Ronin looked at the two ships and nodded in satisfaction.
“Have the traveling party and the stay-behind contingent been arranged?”
His second-in-command, Lusen, saluted and announced, “My Lord, for this trip, I and Keane will be accompanied by two Intermediate Knights and three Basic Level Knights.”
Karda added, “The rest of us will remain here to guard Rapids Island.”
Ronin didn’t interfere with such arrangements. Rapids Island was not yet stable, so it was indeed safer for the stronger Karda to stay behind.
“Take these. Consider them a strategic reserve for Rapids Island.”
Ronin tossed him a package containing various Magic Scrolls, including Fire Dragon Devouring Heaven, Fireball Skill, Blast Flame Skill, and Healing Skill.
In addition, there were several bottles of Support Enhancement Potions and Awakening Potions for Karda to distribute.
Karda knew what was inside. Ronin had mentioned it to him before.
“Thank you, my Lord! I will be sure to distribute them appropriately!”
Ronin nodded and looked at Vic. “Captain, set sail when you’re ready!”
“As you wish, my Lord!”
Vic struck the Copper Gong, and its clear sound echoed across the entire dock. “Setting sail~”
The crew and Sailors chimed in. Some weighed anchor, others raised the gangplank and hoisted the sails.
Soon, the ships began to move slowly, sailing away from Rapids Island in the direction Ronin had indicated.
Karda watched the ships grow smaller in the distance. He, too, wanted to go along and see what Wubei Territory was really like.
But if he left, Lusen would have to stay behind. Lusen’s strength was on par with Laren’s, and he might not be able to keep Laren in check.
Although Karda had Ronin’s backing and could deal with Laren, he had always given the man leeway, considering that keeping him around would strengthen Rapids Island’s combat power.
Laren showed him respect, but he was always starting disputes with Lusen, Aidan, and the others.
’I’ve given him enough chances,’ Karda thought, his gaze hardening. ’If he doesn’t behave this time, he’ll have no one to blame but me.’
