102: Selling land

Chapter 101 Selling Land

“When I grow up, I definitely want to be like Lord Arthur!”

Lucas Haven declared loudly, jumping excitedly.

“Then you should learn all your characters first,” Kayden poured a bucket of cold water on Lucas without mercy. “You can’t even write your own name completely.

Dreaming of becoming a person like Lord Arthur is simply a pipe dream.”

Lucas made a face at Kayden: “You’re no different. Among us, how many can read?

“Isabella counts as one, Katu at most half.

“Even if I can’t read, I can still be Lord Arthur’s guard.”

Lucas’s words clearly encouraged many children.

They immediately started discussing what kind of people they wanted to become in the future.

“When do you plan to tell them the Lord’s command?”

Katu asked Isabella, who was rubbing a silver coin.

“They’re in high spirits right now, let’s talk about it tomorrow. How about your side?”

Katu turned to look at his Chult compatriots walking beside him.

Compared to the children in the caravan, his compatriots appeared more mature and steady.

After all, they were trained and cultivated as warriors.

They had struggled to survive in the perilous jungle since childhood.

This made them lack the ability to communicate normally with ordinary people.

Later, the Amn people killed their relatives, destroyed their homes, and enslaved them.

This made them even more withdrawn and distrustful of others.

However, after coming to the Pioneer Group, they felt much more at ease.

In the team, they didn't have much to do; apart from a small amount of chores, it was mostly training.

This was not difficult for them, at least much easier than dealing with other people.

“We are trained warriors who absolutely obey orders,” Katu replied, “Don’t worry.”

After a moment of silence, he asked Isabella: “Then what kind of person do you want to become?”

Isabella smiled slightly, put away the silver coin, and replied: “It’s enough for me just to be able to serve Lord Arthur.”

After speaking, she drew a Mother Earth symbol on her chest.

“I forgot, you are a follower of Mother Earth,” Katu said.

Arthur awoke in the early morning and sat up from his bed.

Yesterday, Lookout Fort had entered a state of full martial law, and some logistical personnel had been transferred to a nearby town.

Regardless of whether Arthur’s words were true or false, the commander would not take the matter of Night Mist lightly.

Everyone in the Pioneer Group also had to comply with the martial law regulations.

Arthur collected himself and opened the intelligence panel to check it.

Intelligence with follow-up content does not disappear after execution.

Before the martial law, he had dispatched Airo’s reconnaissance team to investigate the three areas that needed negative energy to be cleared.

And there was new progress regarding the intelligence about the Black Goat Caravan:

[Blue Intelligence (Follow-up)] Due to your clearing of Hearthfire Village, the frequency of undead creature attacks will significantly decrease.

It is recommended to continue clearing the following areas to curb the spread of negative energy:

1. Digre's Farm.

2. Maple Leaf Forest.

3. Horse Tail Village.

[Blue Intelligence (Enhanced)] The Holy Scripture can dispel the Night Mist, but cannot completely eliminate it.

Each time the Night Mist is dispelled, it needs three to four days to re-gather.

[Green Intelligence (Synthesis/Follow-up)] The Black Goat Caravan is preparing to purchase a disputed piece of land from the Bull Family and Kalinsan Remnants.

You can send an envoy to acquire the land at a higher price.

[Green Intelligence] The Night Mist will be enhanced in seven days.

[White Intelligence] Survivors from Digre's Farm, Maple Leaf Forest, and Horse Tail Village have formed a cult that worships the Night Mist, and they will wander and plunder nearby.

[White Intelligence] Godwin, Paul, and a group of soldiers’ loyalty has significantly increased.

The children’s attitude towards you has turned to reverence, and the Pioneer Group’s morale has risen.

Among all the intelligence, what made Arthur feel most at ease was naturally the intelligence that could dispel the Night Mist.

As for how much the Night Mist would be enhanced in seven days, and whether it would resist the power of the ley lines, Arthur was not worried about these for the time being.

His biggest concern was still the movements of the Black Goat Caravan.

The Black Goat Caravan represents the merchants of the west, and they would never acquire a piece of land here without reason.

As soon as he got out of bed, he heard Vanka report at the door: “My Lord, Sir Godwin requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

As soon as Godwin entered, he said: “My Lord, everyone in the Pioneer Group is armed and ready.”

Arthur asked: “Has the last transfer team also left?”

“Yes, they just left. The commander has already ordered that no one is allowed to leave the fortress without permission.”

“At least let the children—”

Before Arthur could finish his sentence, Godwin interjected: “My Lord, I have already persuaded them, but no one is willing to leave.

“You are their hope and spiritual pillar now; they all believe that staying by your side is the safest.”

Arthur nodded, got up and walked out, saying: “Since that’s the case, is the map Forni gave in your room?”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Good, let’s go to your room, I have something to discuss with you.”

Godwin took out the key and opened the door.

Ever since Arthur gave him the map to keep, he had Iron Shovel put a lock on his room door.

Godwin’s room was very simple, with only a bed, a table, and two chairs. The table was neatly stacked with various documents.

He walked to the bed, pulled out a locked box from under the bed, opened it with a key, and took out the map from inside.

The Pioneer Group had a total of three maps: one was the eastern Amn map obtained from the dwarf craftsman,

Another was the hand-drawn map provided by Forni and Molly.

And there was one map that Flora and the mountain people were still drawing.

These three maps must not be leaked, otherwise, they would cause big trouble.

So, to be safe, besides the map they were currently drawing, Arthur entrusted the other two to Godwin for safekeeping.

Godwin took out both maps and spread them on the table.

Based on the information in the intelligence, Arthur found the land for sale on the map Forni had given him.

He pointed his finger at that location and asked: “The Black Goat Caravan wants to buy this piece of land.

“Tell me, why would they do that?”

Godwin was first stunned, then carefully examined the map.

After a long while, he confirmed: “My Lord, is this true?”

“When have I ever joked about such things?”

“No, no, no, I just— I just find it a bit hard to believe.”

Godwin looked at the map again and said: “My Lord, I think it’s best to call everyone else to discuss this matter together.

“Although I don’t know much about the territory of the Bull Family and the Kalinsan Remnants,

“But the land the Black Goat Caravan wants, from a strategic point of view, is close to the only road leading to Qingfeng Valley.

“And the Black Goat Caravan actually represents the merchants of the west.

“If we want to expand outwards in the future, they can easily block the road.”

Arthur nodded. Even someone like him, who didn’t understand military strategy,

Could see that if that piece of land fell into the hands of others, it would be a thorn in his side and a lump in his throat.