95: Happy troubles

A system prompt echoed in my mind:

“System Quest: Elevate Lord Level Two

Raise Lord Level to 2.

The Lord’s personal class (one of them) has reached Level 2, and the upgrade is available once 100 villagers are attained.

Currently, 0 villagers can be converted in the territory.

Quest Reward: The host’s spell power, weapon power, and checking advantage are increased by 2%, and by 4% within the territory.

Time Limit to Complete Quest: Unlimited”

Immediately after, another quest popped up:

“System Quest: Build New Stronghold

Using any building materials from Anchor 1 (including the initial stone), set up Anchor 2 at any other location within your territory, and construct any form of Wizard Shack around Anchor 2.

The host can also place the anchor materials into any Wizard Shack designed and built by you. The system will assimilate and transform the building within a certain period, converting it into the system’s new anchor on the Prime Material Plane.

Quest Reward: Anchor Teleportation Network

Anchor Teleportation Network Function One: When the host uses their Sub-Dimensional talent ability, they can choose to teleport to any location within any stronghold.

Anchor Teleportation Network Function Two: The host can activate a small amount of system energy to open teleportation gates between different anchors. Each gate can transport a maximum of 6 people. (Before the system transitions from energy loss to energy gain, it is advisable to use the teleportation gates as little as possible.)

Time Limit to Complete Quest: Unlimited”

My eyes lit up. I only needed to build a basic Wizard Shack, and I would have teleportation capabilities in a few hours. This was a strategic convenience.

The sound of my Adam's apple bobbing as I swallowed was particularly clear in the quiet room.

Even more exciting was the fact that my Lord Level would soon be able to increase again.

Excluding the 3 temporary villagers, I was still 14 people short of upgrading.

However, the two territories were far apart, and our armed forces were severely insufficient.

In the morning’s militia recruitment, 8 men and 3 women responded.

“Eleven people…” The unconscious tapping of my knuckles on the table revealed my anxiety.

The smell of Hand’s wife’s burnt rye bread wafted into my nostrils.

At this moment, Randall was leading John, George, and these 11 new recruits in training in the snow, their military training shouts piercing through the wooden window.

The firelight danced on the parchment map. I sat at Hand’s dining table, engrossed in a happy dilemma.

My fingertips traced the distance between the two territories on the map. Black Panther Fortress, the mage stronghold, was far from the newly acquired territory, forming an exclave.

Both the Professor and Randall had told me that a land deed was just the foundation; true territory required strength to protect it.

Otherwise, not only would other forces covet it, but the threat of wild beasts would also be ever-present.

My fingertips traced the worm-like Wan'an Highway on the map, the pine resin ink slightly sticky from my body heat. The sudden jingle of the Anm Trade Company’s bells echoed in my ears two days ago; those bronze bells hanging from the pack horses’ necks now coincided with the coordinates of the T-junction.

This was a true transportation hub. We had passed through here two days ago, and it was also where we first encountered the Anm Trade Company.

From Naskel in Amn, along the Wan'an Highway northeast, a merchant caravan would normally take over twenty days to reach the T-junction.

Two or three days east would bring them to my current location.

Another two or three days northeast would reach Gorebest.

One day west would reach High Hedge.

Continuing west and then turning north, about 15 days would lead to the famous Candlekeep Grand Library.

The east-west sections of the Wan'an Highway would converge further north, leading to Baldur's Gate and other northern cities.

This T-junction was a vital passage connecting the north-south main artery of the Wan'an Highway, and it was now within my territory.

Building a relay station and inn here would undoubtedly be a profitable venture.

My Halfling teacher had mentioned that the road from the south of Gorebest leading west to the Forest of Fangs was largely abandoned. The Ulcaster School of Magic and Durlag's Tower were both occupied by monsters, making them rarely visited.

If a small town could be developed at the T-junction, its geographical location would be even more advantageous than Gorebest.

Now, with funds and land available, what was most lacking was armed force.

I could first hire mercenaries from Gorebest to resolve the immediate crisis, and then develop the population later, cultivating militias and even an army.

According to the intelligence I had gathered so far, both Gorebest and Baldur's Gate in the north primarily relied on mercenaries for defense.

The more I thought about this plan, the more feasible it seemed.

As the three-dimensional projection of the envisioned town formed in my mind, a needle-like chill suddenly ran down the back of my neck.

This ten-year-old Half-elf body was still growing, and its shoulder blades creaked faintly against the leather armor, as if protesting the immense burden about to be placed upon them.

Outside the window, there was a sudden thud of a new recruit falling and the sound of laughter.

I clutched the half-drawn sketch of the relay station, the rustle of the crumpled parchment startling the jackdaw on the beam.

However, how would Gorebest react?

I heard they were indifferent to beasts and monsters outside their town, as long as their own interests weren't infringed upon.

Building a city here would help them share the defensive pressure from the south, but it would also divert some of the merchants and travelers that originally belonged to them.

As for Amn to the south, according to my game memories from before transmigrating, there were no signs of northern expansion in the coming decades.

To understand the true intentions of all parties, I had to contact their leadership, integrate into the noble circles, and get to know those in power before I could make a judgment.

Thinking of this, I put away the map and began to draft local laws.

Considering the low literacy rate of the villagers, the articles had to be concise and to the point.

First were the constitution and basic laws, establishing the fundamental system and principles of the territory, such as the rights and obligations of villagers, and the powers and responsibilities of the lord and officials. Each was tentatively set at two to four articles.

Second was criminal law, stipulating penalties for illegal acts to maintain village order and safety.

Third was civil law, dealing with civil disputes among villagers, such as property disputes and contractual disagreements.

Fourth was administrative law, regulating village administration, such as taxation and public works construction.

I planned for the village chief to organize a meeting in the afternoon, inviting village elders, wise men, or experienced individuals to participate in the drafting and discussion of the laws.

Each household would send one representative to widely solicit opinions, ensuring the fairness and feasibility of the laws.

Subsequently, the draft laws would be announced, giving villagers half a month for feedback.

After the Midwinter Festival, once I returned from Gorebest, the final legal provisions would be determined, and a promulgation ceremony would be held.

Speaking of education, schools must be opened as soon as possible, and literacy classes must be conducted. Laws must stipulate that children over six years old must attend school.

The tip of the quill bled ink onto the parchment, mirroring my tangled thoughts.

The firelight cast a hunched shadow on the

Compulsory Education for Children

clause.

I don't know most of the people in this world well enough, nor do I know how Irene managed this village over the past few centuries.

I hope to find legal talent in Gorebest.