26 – Episode 26 Territory Expansion
＜Episode 26 Territory Expansion＞
Snowver Training Grounds.
There, we gathered the slaves.
Many people from the River Village were also present.
Thousands of people faced a high podium.
Slowly, I ascended to that place.
With each step, the eyes of the crowd followed me.
The tension increased, matching the number of people.
‘It seems I’m not accustomed to this.’
Upon reaching the podium, I took a deep breath.
Only after calming my mind did I open my mouth.
“I, Elwin Frontier, attacked the monster zone with 1,200 soldiers and 150 hunters.”
“In the process, I reported the achievements of defeating numerous goblins, orcs, and two trolls.”
Despite the significant accomplishments, the atmosphere in the open field was heavy.
It was probably because there were casualties this time, unlike before.
“In this expedition, we had 28 casualties and more wounded than that.”
Someone among the slaves burst into tears.
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
On the contrary, the people from River remained composed.
For those who grew up on Monster Island, it was a common occurrence.
I signaled Isaac, standing beside the podium.
After a while, families of the deceased ascended to the podium.
Including the wizards.
“I’ve decided to lift the slave markings from the families of the deceased. Additionally, I will take responsibility for raising their children and provide them with suitable jobs even after they come of age.”
Three seconds of silence passed.
And then.
“Wow!!!”
“Wow!!!”
The slaves, who had been gloomy, suddenly screamed in unison.
In this world, slaves are mere possessions.
Used when needed, discarded when not.
They had been given better rewards than commoners to such slaves.
The monetary reward was replaced with the release of the slave insignia.
They pledged to take responsibility for the child of the deceased until they became adults.
They also promised to provide employment even after reaching adulthood.
A reward that even the commoners who died in the war couldn’t receive.
“Wow!!!”
“Wow!!!”
The cheers continued for a long time before finally subsiding.
In front of thousands of slaves, I released their slave insignias.
With each disappearance of the slave insignia, thunderous applause erupted.
**
A week had passed since returning to Seriver.
Initially, I worried that the slaves might show impure movements due to the casualties.
Fortunately, there were no signs of trouble with the release of slaves and compensation.
In fact, there were even more people working harder than before.
“Slaves are stable now; it’s time to move on to the next stage.”
The construction of the four forward bases was completed.
The problem was clearing out the monsters in between.
Hans led the slave soldiers to subjugate large monster groups.
Hunters took care of the smaller monsters.
It might take time, but eventually, all internal monsters could be dealt with.
“But is this really the right way?”
“Is this method correct?”
The nagging thoughts haunted me throughout the work.
There are various duties of a lord.
However, the lord of Monster Island is different.
Even if lacking in other abilities, as long as you can protect the territory and its people, you are respected as a lord.
Conversely, no matter how outstanding other abilities may be, if you cannot protect the territory and its people, you are not qualified as a lord.
“Territorial expansion, defense. It’s certainly remarkable progress, but is it enough?”
The appointment as a junior lord depended on my father.
“Will my father be satisfied with the achievements now? Does he think I’m suitable as the next lord?”
Bang!
I slammed the desk as I stood up from my seat.
“I need to verify it for myself.”
Thinking alone doesn’t yield any answers.
So, I decided to ask the decision-maker directly.
“What are you suddenly talking about, Lady Soyoung?”
Hans, who was strategizing in the room, asked in surprise.
“Hans, focus on exterminating the monsters. I’ll entrust Isaac and Russell with farming and trade, respectively.”
“May I ask where you’re going?”
I nodded my head firmly.
“I need to meet my father.”
**
Frontier Mansion, 3rd floor.
Brylda sat at her desk, reading a letter.
The eyes reading the letter shook mercilessly.
Along with it, her face quickly turned red.
Later, even the hand holding the letter trembled.
“Is this… true? Elwin has occupied this much land?”
If the contents of the letter are true, it’s more than 10% of the original Frontier territory.
No, 15% would be accurate enough.
“Half is right, and half is wrong.”
“What does that mean? It’s either true or not true.”
“We cannot claim complete occupation since there are still many monsters remaining within the territory. The key lies in blocking the influx of external monsters while organizing the internal ones.”
Brilda gently stroked her chin.
Her reddened face gradually regained its original color.
“So, what you’re saying is that it’s still in progress?”
“Yes.”
“Marie, what do you think? Can Elwin turn that place into a human territory?”
Marie bowed her head as if expressing regret.
Then she spoke.
“With the current forces, it is possible.”
“What did you say!?”
“Smartly enough, we only targeted the southern coastal area. The monsters that inhabit there are Black Goblins and Black Orcs. They are opponents we can defeat if we have enough troops.”
“Anyway, that’s impressive! Just the area Elwin has taken over is more than 10% of the original territory!”
Brilda’s face turned red again.
On the other hand, Marie’s expression remained unchanged.
“It’s something you can do as well, Madam. We can take it over immediately just by dispatching knights and troops.”
“Oh, really? But why did you leave that land unattended?”
“Because it is not necessary. Monster Island cannot be cultivated like the continent. Even if we occupy the land, the gains would be minimal, while the area we need to defend would increase. That’s why we left it as it is.”
Just as Brilda was about to speak again, a knocking sound was heard.
“Madam, a letter has arrived.”
“Come in.”
The maid placed the letter on the desk and left.
Brilda unfolded the letter, seeming annoyed.
And then.
“Elwin has departed for the northern frontier region.”
“To meet the lord.”
“Is that something to say so casually? Why would Elwin meet her husband? It’s to protect the position of Lady Soyoung!”
“The person closest to the position of the next lord is Master Gibson. Currently, Elwin lacks the strength to face a large monster.”
Marie brought up Elwin’s story of fighting trolls.
“… Fought trolls with 700 troops and defeated two trolls.”
“Now she’s even capturing trolls.”
Marie stated the next part in an emotionless voice.
“During that process, there were over 100 casualties.”
“A hundred? Over 10%. As you said, she doesn’t have the power to face large monsters.”
Brilda leaned back in her chair.
Then she closed her eyes and fell into thought.
Perhaps that’s why. She couldn’t hear Marie’s next words.
“However…”
Marie also noticed Brilda’s state and remained silent.
The next content was closer to a future outlook than reality.
And if Brilda heard that content, she would be excited once again.
So, I swallowed my words.
**
Frontier Territory, northwest.
The land where the fiercest battles in the territory take place.
I arrived there.
Frontier Army.
Commander’s tent.
“Why have you come this far?”
Those were the first words my father said when I entered the tent.
Knowing my father’s personality, I wasn’t surprised, and I began presenting my prepared content.
First, I took out the staff of Karian Frontier and the troll leather I hunted from the outpost.
“Father, this is the ancestral staff found in the old castle and the troll leather I hunted.”
My father slowly examined the staff and leather.
Then, he said indifferently,
“It’s indeed Karian’s staff. However, it falls short compared to the staff passed down to the lords through generations. And…”
My father pointed out holes in the troll leather.
“How many fought to capture these trolls, exactly?”
“700 soldiers and 50 hunters.”
He shook his head with a disdainful expression.
“Just for trolls…”
What I’m saying now is not sarcasm, but pure sincerity.
My father was always straightforward.
“Father, we have acquired territory in the southern coastal region.”
“…”
“It accounts for 15% of the existing territory.”
“…”
Even on such vast land, my father’s expression did not change.
I became anxious.
I went straight to the point.
The reason I came here.
“Father, I have stabilized the area near the river. Furthermore, I have reclaimed a wide territory. Can I… Can I become a lord?”
I met my father’s emotionless eyes.
There was no trace of concern in his eyes.
‘Did he really make up his mind?’
“Do you want to hear my answer?”
“Please tell me your thoughts, Father. Please tell me how I can become a lord.”
My father silently folded the troll leather. He placed Karion’s staff on top of it.
“Take this with you.”
What could this mean?
“What do you mean?”
“What you gained is yours.”
…
“And I will answer the question you asked in a week. Follow me until then.”
Han-gyeol felt relieved.
It wouldn’t be strange to be kicked out of So-yeongju right away.
From the next day, he followed his father.
Early morning when the sun was rising.
A monster battle occurred.
There were 40 trolls among the monsters.
Frontier soldiers deployed a barricade.
The knight order set out, bypassing the troops.
Frontier Knight Order.
From Noble mtl dot com
One of the core forces in the territory.
Before the knights clashed with the trolls,
The magic of the magician group attacked the trolls.
About half of the trolls suffered serious injuries from the magic attack.
Following the knight order’s attack, the trolls were annihilated.
They fought five battles in a day.
Apart from minor skirmishes, it was about that level.
The monsters were diverse as well.
During the week with my father,
Goblins, orcs, and
the number of trolls and ogres I defeated during that time easily reached the hundreds.
Monsters that are rarely seen, such as minotaurs, manticores, and basilisks, also appeared.
And together with my father and the elite forces of the frontier, we defeated them all.
Everything I had done so far felt like child’s play.
Now I understood why people on the continent referred to it as Monster Island, and the reason was clear.
.
.
One week later,
Commander’s Barracks.
“Can you defend the territory and its people from them?”
