93: Alistair's Moonlit Territory

René ended up buying a large quantity of clothing from Field, especially a significant amount of winter cotton garments.

These clothes for ordinary commoners weren't expensive; the fourteen hundred gold coins' worth was enough for everyone in the Red River Territory to use this winter.

Having completed the transaction, Field happily took back his inventory list. Having done twenty thousand gold coins worth of business with René in one go, his attitude towards René grew increasingly cordial.

"Baron René, I didn't expect you to be such a benevolent lord. Like Lord Alistair, you care for your people, even specially spending money to buy them winter clothes."

"The people of Red River Territory are truly fortunate to have a lord like you!"

René only chose to buy these clothes because, upon seeing the large quantity of winter garments Field had brought on the list, he remembered that his own territory seemed to have no reserve of winter clothing.

The reason Field could bring such a large quantity of winter clothes was that Alistair had placed a large order with him. Before setting out, Field thought the several new lords in the Red River Valley area might not have prepared enough winter garments, so he brought several extra shiploads.

He didn't expect to sell one shipload right after arriving at Red River Territory—a great start!

"I can't match Lord Alistair's noble character. I simply don't want these Slaves to freeze to death this winter before they can even be of any use!"

René had no desire to compare himself to that Grand Duke's son. That individual's status was sensitive; any comparison could potentially bring trouble upon himself. Right now, what he hated most was trouble. He just wanted to keep his head down, focus on farming, and develop the Red River Territory.

"Since the transaction is concluded, I shall take my leave, Baron René!"

"Are you leaving in such a hurry, President Field? Won't you come sit awhile in my Red River Fortress?"

"No, thank you. Lord Alistair is waiting for me to deliver the goods over there. I'd better hurry over; after all, we shouldn't keep that lord waiting."

"That's true. Then I wish you a smooth journey, President Field!"

René was merely being polite; he hadn't actually intended for Field to visit Red River Fortress. So when Field expressed his desire to leave, René simply went along with it.

Watching the massive fleet depart, René felt a twinge of envy towards Alistair.

Combined with the fleet Alistair brought last time, these two waves of supplies and population had allowed him to firmly establish roots and gain a foothold in the Red River Valley. He might even be developing faster than René.

After all, his resources were simply too abundant, and he had sufficient manpower.

"Having a good father is really great!"

Sighing with this sentiment, René turned back to begin settling the newly arrived population. Settling over twelve thousand people would require a considerable amount of time and effort.

Several days later, in the northern part of the Red River Valley, on the site of the former Rock Crystal Fortress, a brand-new castle was rapidly taking shape.

Alistair watched the busy crowd, feeling somewhat idle.

His residence was already built: a three-story stone building over ten meters tall, personally conjured through magic over several days by two professional Earth-element Silver Rank Mages.

Now, these two senior Mages from the Rage Bear Territory's Mage Corps were leading their apprentices in constructing various auxiliary buildings within Alistair's castle, as well as the walls for the new town.

Under the magical construction efforts of the two Silver Mages and over a dozen Bronze and Black Iron Rank Mages, coupled with the continuous hard labor of over twenty thousand Slaves, the Bright Moon Territory, established just over two months ago, was already beginning to take shape.

Bright Moon Territory was the name Alistair had given to his domain.

On his first night here, Alistair saw the pristine, flawless moon illuminating the entire Black Mountain Range, a beautiful sight. The Black Mountain Range under the moonlight displayed a special kind of beauty that captivated Alistair.

Immediately, he named his territory Bright Moon Territory and the still-unfinished castle Bright Moon Castle.

This name differed greatly in style from those of the territories belonging to the Raging Bear Family. Butler Bart initially wanted to remind Alistair, but considering they were now far from Rage Bear Fortress, Bart ultimately said nothing.

"President Field, you've arrived!"

"Thank you for making such a long trip specifically; you've worked hard!"

Seeing Field approach, Alistair, who had been somewhat lost in thought, collected his thoughts and began chatting with Field.

"It is my honor to serve you, Young Master Alistair!"

"Before I came, His Highness the Grand Duke specifically summoned me and instructed me to bring more supplies for you, Young Master Alistair. The Grand Duke hopes you can live comfortably here."

Field faithfully relayed the Grand Duke of the Raging Bear's instructions to Alistair word for word, then bowed respectfully to Alistair once more.

Through the Grand Duke of the Raging Bear's attitude, Field sensed that this rumored unfavored son of the raging bear was not neglected by the Grand Duke. On the contrary, he received the Grand Duke's concern and care.

This made Field extremely respectful towards Alistair.

Everything he had came from the Grand Duke of the Raging Bear. The Grand Duke's attitude was his directive. Since His Highness the Grand Duke cared for Alistair, then Field would do his utmost to serve this young master well.

"I understand. Thank you for conveying the message, President Field!"

Alistair showed little reaction to the Grand Duke of the Raging Bear's concern, as if the concern wasn't directed at him.

He turned his gaze back to the territory under construction.

"How is it?"

"It's beautiful here, isn't it?"

Field was momentarily stunned by this question, which was completely unrelated to their previous topic. He hadn't expected Alistair to ask such a thing instead of inquiring about the Grand Duke of the Raging Bear. However, he steeled himself and answered Alistair.

"It is indeed very beautiful, Young Master Alistair. The mountains and forests here are truly more magnificent compared to those around Rage Bear Fortress."

The Black Mountain Range was vast and imposing. Viewed purely for scenery, it indeed possessed a unique beauty. But within this beauty lurked deadly dangers.

Field was well aware of the dangers of the Black Mountain Range, but he wouldn't say anything to dampen the young master's spirits.

"Yes, it is beautiful here, and quiet too. No noise like at Rage Bear Fortress!"

"My dear father chose a good territory for me. It's far enough from Rage Bear Fortress to ensure that those who don't wish to see me, and those I don't wish to see, will never meet again. How wonderful!"

Field lowered his head, pretending not to hear Alistair's words.

"On your way here, you passed through Red River Territory. Did you see that Baron René? He promised me a Magic Wolf mount. I wonder how the training is coming along?"

Hearing a part he could respond to, Field hurriedly looked up and answered.

"I met Baron René. He purchased quite a few Slaves and supplies from me. However, I didn't know about his promise to train a Magic Wolf mount for you, Young Master."

"I could ask Baron René on my way back!"

"No need. On your way back, don't mention the Magic Wolf. Just tell him that when the heavy snow falls, I will invite him to Bright Moon Castle for a visit and to share an evening banquet."

Thinking of that young lord who rode a White Wolf, Alistair grew somewhat curious about how Red River Territory had been faring lately.

"What did you think of Red River Territory when you came through? I heard the Fel Orcs invasion caused heavy losses in Red River Territory, and the Derrick Family is now reduced to just Baron René. I wonder if he needs any help?"

Alistair thought that if René needed help, he wouldn't mind having Field assist him.

Field recalled his observations at the Red River Territory docks and the farmland he saw along both banks of the river.

He immediately recounted everything he saw and heard to Alistair in great detail.

After hearing Field's account, Alistair was also somewhat surprised.

"I didn't expect Baron René to be such a capable lord. He cares so much for his people, unlike other nobles."

"And it seems he even intends to break the Millennium-old Iron Law. How interesting!"

The farmland in Red River Territory that Field described had completely broken away from the model of ordinary noble farmland in the Northern Frontier. Both Alistair and Field, who knew of the existence of the Millennium-old Iron Law, understood perfectly well what René was doing.

After seeing what René was doing with the farmland, Field was also astonished. He had been pondering what to do about it the entire journey. He had a good impression of René, so he wondered whether to remind the Baron.

Now that Alistair had asked, he could conveniently pass the question to him.

"Young Master Alistair, Baron René's actions are clearly against the rules. Does it need to be reported to the Grand Duke?"

"Or should we remind Baron René?"