46: The world

After a day of studies, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Moonlight filtered through the branches and windowpanes, casting dappled shadows.

In the night, subtle sounds seemed amplified, and the earnest advice of my four Halfling mentors echoed in my ears.

A year ago, the escape route designed for me by the four Halfling teachers was: first, hide in the forest, and once I had honed my skills, find a way to leave the forest and live in a human town, then later find an opportunity to recruit mercenaries to escort me to Creek Valley Village to complete the mission.

I fell into deep thought.

They assumed that for me, a human town would be safer than the forest.

It wasn't that I didn't want to go to a human town; previously, I couldn't leave, but now with the system anchor, the Wizard's Hut has become a base I must defend.

After several upgrades, the Wizard's Hut's defensive strength was enough to resist the invasion of common beasts.

Why not say it was absolutely invincible? Just taking Wizard Wedell's spellbook in my hand, it recorded no less than a dozen spells powerful enough to destroy this place.

The appearance of the system territory panel made me realize that the growth of territory strength was as important as personal strength.

Only by developing both equally could my overall strength become greater.

The Halfling's mission deadline was still long, but that didn't mean I didn't need to go outside to replenish supplies.

Also, the territory's population needed to be replenished as soon as possible; if I could recruit seven more people, the Lord's level could be promoted to Tier 1.

At that time, I would also receive a 1% increase in spell power, weapon power, and advantage on checks, and within the territory, a 2% lifelong bonus, and this bonus would become even more significant as the level increased.

For example, a 2% increase for a Tier 1 spell and a 2% increase for a Tier 9 spell are both 2%, but the difference in their power amplification is like heaven and earth.

The closest human settlement to this place was Candlekeep, but it was difficult for outsiders to enter.

Besides that, Goresberte was the nearest human town, a journey of less than 15 days.

According to Randall and others, by their adult pace, walking and running, and then traveling day and night for the latter half, it took them about 11 days to get from Goresberte to here, including time spent detouring.

This distance was actually acceptable; even if it took a month for a round trip, purchasing supplies once a year wouldn't waste too much time.

Currently, the route from the east to Goresberte seemed much safer than venturing north through the territory of the Sea Hags.

The Halfling supply team also took this eastern route, and among the dozen or so people, at least five were experts with strength comparable to Randall's.

They had safely traversed this path through the eastern forest, but they didn't believe I could safely travel this path alone again.

Now with the addition of Randall and two farmers, would the situation improve?

The question was, how did they manage to get in?

Along that path, just from what I knew, there were a pair of black bears and a large group of wildcats occupying it.

And it was currently the season for black bear hibernation... Wait, hibernation?

I suddenly sat up in bed.

Bears hibernate, but what about wildcats?

Snow covered everything, and the rivers were frozen.

Would wildcats change their hunting range due to food scarcity, temporarily migrating their hunting territory?

Would other large predators do the same!

Was it because of the snowy weather that they were able to break in?

In other words, this season was the safest time for that route.

When spring arrived and flowers bloomed, it would become dangerous again.

The next morning, I gathered Randall and the others in the living room for a meeting.

First, I proposed my hypothesis regarding the reason for the safe route.

Randall believed this hypothesis was very likely close to the truth.

John stated that if this were true, it being the Month of the Year's End, the upcoming Deepwinter Month and Winter Claws Month would be even colder, gradually warming up only in late Dusk Claws Month.

We still had over two months, plenty of time to procure supplies.

However, at this time of year, prices for all supplies would rise, especially in the days leading up to the Midwinter Festival.

"Before the Midwinter Festival, flour prices will rise as high as dragon fire," John said with an exaggerated expression.

George said that the Midwinter Festival was just over a month away, and he missed home.

I cleared my throat and announced that I planned to go to Goresberte soon to purchase supplies.

On one hand, it was to replenish the territory's needs; on the other, I had accumulated a good amount of animal hides and well-preserved animal meat, as well as many mountain delicacies, and wanted to see if I could sell them for a good price in town.

Then we would purchase some grain, arrows, weapons and equipment, trap tools, and so on.

"Next month, animal meat will sell for triple the price! Animal hides will sell for five times the price!" George interjected, his gaze fixed on the deer hides piled in the corner, as if he could already hear silver coins clinking among the furs.

When I suggested that each of them make a few new sets of clothes, and that John and George could also take the opportunity to visit their families, the two young men sprang up like unleashed hounds, stomping the hardened white sand floor with a thud.

Randall maintained his noble demeanor throughout, until the discussion turned to recruitment matters.

"Seven people isn't many," Randall said. "There are plenty of poor people in the slums willing to trade their freedom for bread, but what you need now are warriors who can sleep soundly amidst wolf howls!"

John and George fell silent; they came from humble backgrounds, their families relying on farming for nobles to make a living.

This year, neither of them had managed to secure opportunities to farm for others, which was why they wanted to try their hand at being mercenaries.

Randall felt a bit uncomfortable. He continued, "Although I possess noble blood, I don't consider myself superior to common folk. Our blood is the same. It's just the way of the world; too many poor people are just trying to survive."

"That's true," John added. "Many people would fight tooth and nail for the honor of becoming your Lord Mage's subject. Lord Mage, do we really only need seven people?"

I nodded and said, "The space here is limited. Once my strength grows and the territory expands twofold, it won't be too late to accept more people."

"So there will be more opportunities in the future!" John brightened up. "George and I will ask our families and friends; I'm sure they'll..."

"No!" Randall interrupted John. "With me here, don't even think about bringing just anyone in!"

John shrank his neck and said nothing more.

"Ryan, My Lord." Randall turned to me. "Leave the matter of recruiting personnel to me; I guarantee I will select the most excellent candidates for you."

"Okay... okay." My answer settled the matter.

I had originally thought it would be a difficult task; who would want to live in this remote, dangerous forest?

However, coming from their mouths, it sounded so smooth and reasonable.

Was the world truly so harsh here?

Was hunger truly more terrifying than the risk of being eaten by wild beasts?