111: Labor teams arrive

Griffon!

Known as the rulers of the land and sky!

A fantasy creature well-known in Lister's previous life, it combined the strength of a lion with the keenness of an eagle.

However, in this world, it was not a legendary fantasy creature, but a powerful and long-lived asexual magic beast.

Compared to the Purple-Eyed Magic Lion, its bloodline level was slightly lower, but its popularity was much higher.

Generally, extraordinary powerhouses among humans would tame it after capturing it to use as a mount and a powerful combat force.

Griffons in this world are divided into two types: Full Griffons and Demi-Griffons. The former has a balanced fusion of the two creatures' bloodlines and possesses wings, while the latter's bloodline fusion is unbalanced and lacks wings.

However, there is no saying which of the two is stronger or weaker; it's just that the balance of bloodline fusion differs, and their potential as magic beasts remains equal.

Of course, due to the balance of the bloodline, Full Griffons are relatively more docile, while Demi-Griffons are more violent.

Therefore, Demi-Griffons are much harder to tame, but this doesn't mean Full Griffons are easy to tame. After all, they are both magic beasts with significant wildness.

There are two ways to completely tame them. One is to stand alone in front of them when they hatch from their eggs.

This way, it would develop a strong sense of closeness to the first human it sees after birth, similar to the position effect and imprinting phenomenon from his previous life.

Of course, because they are magic beasts, different from ordinary animals, and human appearance is very different from theirs, it's at most a sense of closeness.

But through subsequent proper taming, it is still easy to establish a firm bond and succeed in taming.

This method of taming is the fastest and safest. As long as the tamer doesn't do anything reckless in the future, betrayal is unlikely.

However, because Griffons are very protective of their eggs, it's difficult for humans to obtain ownerless Griffon eggs.

Therefore, this method, which is almost like succeeding with one's eyes closed, hardly ever occurs.

Every Griffon egg that appears on the market triggers a scramble among nobles, Extraordinary Beings, and wealthy merchants, and they are often unavailable even at high prices.

The second is the most common way: capturing them after birth but before they are fully grown.

Then, Extraordinary Beings use their own strength to crudely suppress them. Although it's somewhat difficult and violent, it's the most direct and effective way.

However, compared to taming a Purple-Eyed Magic Lion, taming a Griffon is much, much simpler.

After all, the mortality rate for stealing an egg from a Purple-Eyed Magic Lion is too high; no one would do it.

And even if one truly obtains a Purple-Eyed Magic Lion Egg, taming it is very difficult because its wildness is too great.

The fact that Bai Ze can be so close to Lister now can only be said that the Pixies provided a great deal of help.

As for now, Lister didn't know if the divination referred to a Full Griffon or a Demi-Griffon, but no matter which it was, he would do his best to get it.

While he was lost in thought, the sound of knocking came, followed by Thomas's voice from outside the door.

“Master Lister, magistrate Hobbes has returned with a large number of laborers dispatched by the Viscount Territory and is waiting outside the castle.”

“They're back already? That was fast!” Lister said with a look of surprise.

Without hesitation, he hurried out of the room and quickly went outside the castle gate with Thomas.

Brutus and Spartacus were waiting respectfully outside the gate.

Although both were covered in dust from the road, compared to Spartacus's high spirits, Brutus's face looked very weary.

Lister was not surprised by this. After all, Brutus was an ordinary person, and this exactly showed how hard he had been working.

The round trip from Ironthorn Territory to Connor Territory took only five days. While not outrageous, it far exceeded Lister's expectations.

He immediately showed a look of sincere concern and said, “You two have worked hard, especially you, Hobbes. You've worked too hard; your health is your most important asset.”

“You are my right-hand man. The future development of the territory depends on you, so you must take good care of your body from now on.”

“Now, go and rest. I will personally arrange for the laborers.”

“Thank you for your concern, my Lord. I'm just a little tired.”

Brutus thanked him, feeling moved, and then said seriously, “Regarding the labor negotiations at the Viscount Territory, I need to report to you immediately. It won't be too late to rest afterward.”

Seeing the responsibility for work in his eyes and that hint of stubbornness, Lister felt helpless and could only agree to his request.

Soon, the three of them arrived at the location of the Soldier's barracks below the castle slope.

At this time, dense figures were waiting there constrainedly, with low-voiced discussions echoing within.

Seeing this, Brutus reported, “Lord Lister, the labor dispatch negotiations went very smoothly. Viscount Kimler did not make things difficult.”

“However, due to the Beast Tide and heavy rain a few days ago, Connor Territory suffered many casualties, and the houses and roads leading to surrounding territories were significantly damaged.”

“Therefore, they need manpower for repairs now. Additionally, most freemen are unwilling to serve as laborers, so for the time being, they could only send us 1,000 people, and almost all of them are Serfs and Slaves.”

“However, since we didn't have many people with us this time and the road was difficult, only over 300 laborers came with the first batch.”

“For the rest of the laborers, Lord Lister, you will need to send more Knights and Soldiers to the Viscount Territory to escort them back.”

After hearing the report, Lister nodded and replied with a smile, “You've done very well. I originally thought sending five or six hundred laborers would be good. Having so many more is a very big pleasant surprise. It must be the result of your negotiations.”

He had estimated before that since the population of Connor Territory was not large and it had suffered two major disasters—especially the Beast Tide which killed many people...

So he had already prepared himself for having very few laborers. Now that there were so many more, he couldn't think of any other possibility besides Brutus's ability.

“Lord Lister, you flatter me,” Brutus said modestly, but he did not deny it.

Since it was his credit, he naturally had no need to deliberately erase it.

This was not only due to his character but also because he knew Lister was unwilling and disliked his subordinates doing so.

Wise, sagacious, clear in rewards and punishments, generous and decisive—these had always been the beautiful labels he had for Lister in his heart.

Facing such a lord, he believed the best thing to do was to show his abilities to the fullest and not hide them; otherwise, wouldn't he be failing Lister's appreciation of his talents?