Based on the location he had chosen, Arthur was granted three hundred square kilometers of the Northlands. It was to be his first pioneering land.
He had already chosen a name for it: Crimson Vale Territory.
The name was twofold. It was a nod to the crimson emblem of his House Beaumont, and a private memorial to the homeland he could never see again.
In Duke Conrad’s estimation, the land was merely more habitable than other parts of the North.
But to Arthur, armed with the knowledge from his The Oracle, this territory was a king’s ransom disguised as a barren wasteland.
For one, the rivers teemed with life. Every spring and autumn, they would welcome a massive fish migration, providing a steady, renewable source of food. Fish was rich in calories and protein, enough to sustain his people and bolster the stamina of his soldiers. He might even find rare magical specimens, like the coveted Boreal Crystalperch.
Then there was the geothermal activity—a virtual miracle in the frozen North. The heat vented from the earth, warming the surrounding soil enough to grow cold-resistant crops. More importantly, it would help his people survive the brutal, unforgiving winters. The combination of fish and grain would be enough to feed his populace, with a surplus left over to sell. In the Northlands, food was the most valuable commodity of all.
As a bonus, the geothermal vents had created several small hot springs. The thought of soaking in their warmth while the bone-chilling northern winds howled outside was a delightful one.
But what truly made his heart race were the territory’s mineral resources.
The common Cold Iron Ore was nothing special; it was plentiful throughout the North, a basic material for forging weapons and armor. But hidden on the edge of his land, undiscovered, lay a rich vein of Magic Marrow.
Magic Marrow was the key ingredient in crafting alchemical explosives, much like the sulfur of his past life. It was a substance alchemists would kill for. Of course, he currently lacked the capital to begin mining it, and his own power was still too weak to defend such a prize from covetous eyes.
But one day, he would use it to shake the very foundations of this world.
The thought of magic-infused gunpowder shattering a knight's charge… it was a thrilling prospect.
Abundant food, natural warmth, and veins of both iron and Magic Marrow… this land was a godsend, a paradise that had no business existing in the desolate North. And his intuition told him that the potential of Crimson Vale Territory went far beyond even this.
Seeing Arthur clutching his pioneering certificate, lost in a daze with a faint, foolish smile on his lips, Duke Conrad couldn't help but tease him. "Are you planning on staying for dinner?"
The Duke’s voice snapped Arthur out of his euphoria. He cleared his throat lightly, composing himself. There was one last piece of business to attend to.
He raised a hand, signaling his knights to bring forward two heavy chests.
When the first was opened, three live Boreal Crystalperch thrashed within, their silvery scales shimmering under the firelight.
Duke Conrad’s eyes widened in surprise.
Boreal Crystalperch! It was a rarity that even he, the Governor of the North, had trouble acquiring. And this young man had brought three of them? The fish was not only a delicacy, but its bone essence could strengthen a knight’s body and vitality—an invaluable aid for those stuck at a bottleneck in their training. As it happened, his own daughter was struggling to advance past the initial stage of an Elite Knight. This fish would significantly increase her chances of a breakthrough.
Before he could speak, however, Arthur smiled. "Consider these three a gift to you, Your Grace."
Duke Conrad was stunned for a moment, his expression growing complex as he studied the young man. To simply give away something so precious? Was this boy truly that generous? He himself would find it hard to part with such a resource, let alone offer it so casually.
But before the Duke could puzzle it out, Arthur opened the second chest. Inside were another three Boreal Crystalperch.
This time, Arthur grinned. "These three, however, are for trade."
"You crafty young fox." Duke Conrad finally let out a laugh, nodding in appreciation. "Speak, then. What is it you want?"
Arthur didn't hesitate. "I need people. Slaves, soldiers, craftsmen, and knights."
Hearing this, Conrad was now utterly convinced of one thing: this young lord was not here to simply bide his time and wait for death in the frozen wastes. He had every intention of carving out his own power in this harsh land.
A flicker of amusement danced in the Duke's eyes. "And how many do you want?"
"The more the better," Arthur said with a slight smile. "Of course, I will make it worth your while."
"Hah, you drive a hard bargain. You can buy slaves at the market yourself. As for soldiers… I can give you fifty."
"One hundred and fifty," Arthur countered, holding up a single finger.
"Too greedy," Conrad said, shaking his head. "One hundred and twenty, at most. I have a batch of recruits who haven't finished their training. You can have them. My veteran soldiers are out of the question. Thirty craftsmen, and not one more, unless you think I run a charity."
Arthur let out a sigh and nodded. "Alright. And what of the knights? I would prefer fully-fledged knights."
Conrad snorted. "Fully-fledged knights? In your dreams."
"Apprentice Knights, then?" Arthur pressed.
The Duke’s fingers stilled. He fell into a contemplative silence for a moment before finally speaking. "Ten Apprentice Knights. And three full knights. They will be under your command, but their ultimate loyalty remains with the Northlands."
A smile touched Arthur’s lips. He extended his hand. "Deal."
Conrad glanced at him, a grin spreading across his own face as he shook the offered hand. "Clever boy. Try not to die too quickly out there."
The bargaining was a success. Arthur had exchanged six Boreal Crystalperch for the personnel he so desperately needed. He scanned the list before him, a satisfied curl to his lips.
One hundred and twenty soldiers. They were green, but they were a start. With some proper training, they would form a competent garrison. Thirty craftsmen were not many, but it was enough to build houses, lay roads, and construct the basic infrastructure for Crimson Vale Territory. And ten Apprentice Knights, plus three full knights, would be a massive boost to his personal forces.
The deal had gone better than he’d expected. Duke Conrad was far more generous than he had imagined. In any case, he had secured what he needed most.
After the territory contract was signed, Duke Conrad glanced up to see Arthur still standing there. "The deal is done. What are you still doing here? Are you waiting for me to throw you a farewell banquet?"
Arthur laughed and turned to leave.
"However," Conrad said suddenly, his voice taking on a meaningful tone, "you'd be wise to visit the slave market. Buy some workers. Relying on refugees alone will not be enough to build your territory."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. He would have gone even without the reminder. After all, two very specific talents were waiting for him there.
The Duke gestured to a nearby official. "Take him. And tell those profiteers not to fleece him like a fat sheep."
"Yes, my lord." The official bowed, then motioned for Arthur to follow.
Arthur gave the Duke a final nod. "Thank you for your goodwill, Your Grace."
The Duke merely waved his hand in dismissal.