18 – Winter Hunt
＜Chapter 18 – Winter Hunt＞
We continued to subjugate even after that,
and we completed the subjugation of the area that was once a human territory.
“Lady So Yeong, entering the forest is dangerous.”
Hans is right.
The individual combat capabilities of the slaves were quite weak.
In the forest, we couldn’t maintain our formation like we do now.
In other words, the moment will come when we have to fight according to our own judgment.
“Instead of rushing into the forest as a group…”
I gathered the hunters again.
And explained the plan.
“Do you mean to lure them out?”
“We can’t lead the slaves into the forest. So we have to bring the monsters out. Can you do it?”
“It’s possible, but we need more compensation. It seems like a risk…”
“Of course, I will pay more.”
From then on, the battle strategy changed.
Outside the forest, the slave soldiers formed their ranks and waited in the open field.
The hunter lured the monsters towards that place.
The waiting slave soldiers defeated the monsters.
They dismembered the dead monster corpses.
They obtained loot.
The hunter lured the monsters again.
They repeated this method several times during the hunting,
until the sun passed its zenith and was halfway to the west.
“Now it’s time to go back.”
“We’ll only dismember the goblin corpses and return to the village.”
Day 1 of monster subjugation.
No casualties.
230 Black Goblins slain.
Obtained a large quantity of monster loot.
After safely completing the first day of subjugation,
they continued with six more subjugations.
In one week, they hunted down 1,100 Black Goblins.
Other villagers from the River also killed many Black Goblins.
Even black orcs were captured, more than ten of them.
**
The winter in Monster Island is similar to that of Korea.
The temperature drops and it snows.
“Has the distribution of clothing been completed?”
“We have distributed clothes purchased from the mainland. However, the clothes from the mainland are thin, so we plan to provide additional leather clothes.”
The clothes from the mainland were made to suit the mainland climate.
They were not sufficient for the winter in Monster Island.
“It must be expensive. How about getting multiple sets of clothes from the mainland?”
“That is also possible.”
“For this expedition, purchase clothes. We have funds because of the monster materials from Busan.”
“Understood, Master.”
Many people in the island wear monster leather clothes.
They have excellent insulation and defense capabilities.
So far, it’s fine.
The problem is the high price.
It’s at the level of expensive coats that rich housewives in Korea like.
We can’t provide such clothes to 500 slaves.
The slaves also worked hard to prepare for the winter.
They cultivated the fields and
I sealed the gaps in the building.
I also checked the livestock shed where animals seek refuge from the cold.
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And so, winter arrived.
.
.
Whooiiing.
Whooiiing.
“Today, Lady Soyoung is praying again.”
“Yeah, she never takes a day off.”
“She could do it inside. No need to do it outside every time.”
“They say it’s because she’s the goddess of the land.”
“hehehe, so that’s why.”
The voices of villagers passing by can be heard.
The sensation of cold snow hitting the skin is felt.
Nevertheless, I maintained my posture.
The legs kneeling on the ground start to itch.
Even though I wore gloves, both hands clasped together feel numb.
‘I should have worn thicker clothes.’
Outwardly, I was a devout follower of the goddess of the land,
But my heart was different.
“I have to use up all my mana quickly and go inside.”
People took shelter inside the building amidst the raging snowstorm.
But I couldn’t do that.
Once my mana was full, there was no recovery.
I had to keep using it to increase my total usage.
And every day, I saw the results of using my skills.
Land Restoration (Lv 4)
“Great!”
I used up all my mana and returned to the building.
Grandfather handed me warm water.
“Thank you.”
“Do you rest on a day like this?”
“I can’t stop praying to the Goddess just because the weather is bad.”
“hahahaha, you’re so faithful. She must have blessed you with the ability to cultivate the land.”
At that moment,
the mission text changed.
[Mission]
Breeding livestock on Monster Island (Complete)
[System]
Mission complete.
You will receive one skill point.
“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
“Oh no, it’s nothing. The water just tastes really good.”
A steep slope appeared.
As the Earth Restoration skill level increased, the mission was now complete.
“hehehe, water is just water. Sit down and rest.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
While melting my body,
someone knocked on the door.
“Master, it’s Isaac.”
“Come in.”
Isaac, with snow piled up on his head, came in.
“Master, I have good news. Both the cow and the sheep have given birth at the same time.”
“Oh wow.”
My stomach was full, and finally the offspring were born.
“You’ve done well. Take good care of them as the weather is cold.”
“Yes, Master.”
After Isaac left, Grandfather slapped my back.
Bang! Bang!
“This is truly wonderful. The livestock has given birth again.”
[System]
Analyzing the situation, it presents an appropriate mission.
[Mission]
Large Farm Operation (In Progress)
HINT) Respected Farmer Skill
‘Large farm? Respected farmer?’
‘Couldn’t learn it before?’
To acquire the Respected Farmer skill, one needed to own a farm of a certain scale.
I opened the skill window.
The Respected Farmer skill was unlocked.
Upgrading Land Recovery to Respected Farmer.
‘With this, I can aggressively expand, right?’
I adjusted my posture.
And with a solemn voice, I spoke.
“Grandfather, I have something important to say.”
Bang! Bang!
“hehehe, why does our cute grandson’s voice sound like this?”
“Grandfather! I have something to say!”
Aggressive expansion.
Upon hearing my plan, even Grandfather expressed concern.
It can’t be helped.
Population of River Town: 700.
Number of slaves: 500.
But what if we were to purchase 1,500 new slaves?
The number of slaves would overwhelm the town’s residents.
Even now, there are whispers of unease among the River Town residents.
However, can River Town accommodate 2,000 slaves?
Nevertheless, it’s something that must be done someday.
“Can we buy 1,500 slaves?”
“It’s possible.”
1. Slave merchant Russell is making a small profit by trading slaves.
2. Turnip sales. Turnips are cultivated for livestock feed, mainly to prepare for the winter when grass doesn’t grow. Some of them were sold to Alencia.
3. Revenue from the Gray Matap Farm.
4. Monster products. There are plans to subjugate additional monsters during the winter.
5. Livestock revenue. There are no plans to directly sell livestock yet. However, products like milk and eggs obtained from them continue to be sold.
6. Wheat harvest. Winter wheat will be harvested in spring.
“So, you’re planning to buy slaves with the money you earned. Without purchasing land.”
“If we migrate to Seriver, there’s no need to buy land.”
**
During the winter,
They additionally subdued the monsters.
When they had time, they also repaired the wooden barrier surrounding Seriver.
And so, the winter passed.
“Lady Soyoung, the wheat harvest is complete!”
“Leave only what we need to eat and load everything onto the wagons!”
“Understood!”
Travelling around the Frontier Territory, they exchanged wheat for monster byproducts.
Once all the exchanges were done, they headed towards the continent.
On the way, they stopped by the grey demon’s cultivation ground to use the land recovery skill.
They didn’t forget to settle accounts for profits with Alensia.
“Lady Soyoung, the Kalas Checkpoint is in sight.”
Kalas’ privately-owned checkpoint.
There, they paid a 30% toll fee.
The amount was quite substantial due to the large quantity.
Even the people from the village, escorting from the top, witnessed this scene.
“Don’t cause any trouble.”
A 30% toll paid to Kalas privately.
Certainly, it was a considerable sum.
However,
This situation was not necessarily entirely bad.
Due to tolls, the grain prices on Monster Island are maintaining a high level.
Thanks to that, one could make a significant amount of money through farming.
For now, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.
When they arrived at the top of Justice,
a merchant waiting at the entrance came into view.
“Lord Elwin Soyoung, I’ve been waiting.”
“The people?”
“A total of 300 households. We have prepared 1,512 individuals.”
They followed the merchant,
and there, many slaves were lined up.
Confirming 1,500 was no small task.
After checking for any health issues, they paid the fee.
They also received the slave tags.
“Please use our services again, Lord Elwin.”
“Indeed. As long as you continue to provide good slaves at a good price like now.”
The slave trader gracefully greeted.
“Don’t worry about that…”
**
They returned to the River Village with 1,500 slaves.
There was a discomfort with such a staggering number.
‘You seem uneasy despite the prior explanation.’
First, the slaves were classified.
Children and women were separated.
They would stay by the Dongri River.
They would raise the children and manage the three cultivation sites of Dongri River.
And the men, along with somewhat older children, moved to the Seri River.
They passed through the wooden barricade surrounding Seri River and settled inside.
Thanks to the repairs made during the winter, there were no problems in using it.
In the village square, 1,400 slaves were arranged.
It was the combined number of existing slaves and the newly arrived ones.
“This is Seri River Village. It will also be the place where you all will stay from now on.”
A heavy silence descended.
The newly joined slaves looked around with anxious eyes.
“I have released the slave marks of the children. I have no intention of using adults as slaves any longer.”
Just like the existing slaves, recognition of property rights was granted, and the money collected was given the right to revive themselves.
Managing 2,000 slaves is not an easy task.
In the worst case, it could lead to a rebellion.
Providing hope to the slaves is to prevent such incidents.
‘But that’s not all.’
Everyone was purchased as a family unit.
Women and children were left behind in Dongri River.
Officially, it was for their safety, but it also served as a hostage situation.
Of course, even with this measure, there was no guarantee of safety.
This was also why they hesitated to aggressively expand.
“If we add the system’s abilities here…”
Respected Farm Owner (Lv 1)
Raises the loyalty of affiliated farmers.
Hope, hostages, and the system’s abilities.
They gambled on these three things.
A gamble that instantly increased the number of slaves by 1,500.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
There were unexpected benefits as well.
On the way back from buying slaves.
Marie, Allenia’s personal maid, came to find him.
“Alzenia has provided support with 200 soldiers.”
“Alzenia?”
He had met Alzenia on his way to the continent.
Originally, he only intended to receive the profits and part ways, but she brought up various things.
How was the situation on the farmland?
Are the slaves causing trouble?
Why are you heading to the continent, and so on?
Since it wasn’t a secret, he told everyone.
Especially when he mentioned buying 1,500 slaves, Alensia’s eyes sharpened.
‘Was it irritation that I thought, or was it actually concern?’
Soon, she nodded.
Alensia worrying about me. That’s strange.
It’s probably because of ensuring the safety of a fellow trader rather than genuine concern.
If I were to die, I wouldn’t be able to use the Grey Demon’s Cultivation Site.
Then Alensia’s plan to entice the Grey Demon would also fail.
‘Regardless of the reason, we must make good use of the 200 soldiers.’
The first day was a break, and from the next day, land cultivation began.
During the day, they focused on cultivating the land.
In the evening, military training was conducted, mainly for adult males.
That’s how Serriver slowly took on the form of a living village.
