Chapter 292: Setting Off

On that day, when Luo Ning raised the issue of insufficient population in the Northern Wuhai region with Viggins, the latter promised to muster ten or twenty thousand people and also asked Kabir to draw some from Brilliant City—but no specific numbers were mentioned at the time.

Luo Ning had originally thought five or six thousand would be more than sufficient, yet he never expected Kabir to assemble a full ten thousand—and even beat Viggins to it.

It was clear that Kabir cared deeply about his younger brother-in-law’s affairs; his attitude toward Luo Ning had not always been this way.

The reason lay in the staggering transformation of Luo Ning’s status, position, and power compared to his former self.

Before Luo Ning was stripped of his inheritance, Kabir’s position had been somewhat awkward.

After all, if Breton inherited the marquisate, Kabir, as commander of the Wushan Fortress Knights, would owe allegiance to Breton.

That in itself was not problematic—except that Breton was McKinney’s brother-in-law, Luo Ning’s brother-in-law.

Should the Haid family harbor any designs against him, Kabir’s situation would mirror that of Viscount Marvin of Pasture City—left vulnerable and exposed.

The reality had indeed been so: his relationship with Ballington had always been strained, and the recent dispute over command only deepened their mutual disdain.

Now, with Luo Ning’s meteoric rise and the favor of Rulans, Kabir’s anxieties regarding the Haid family naturally diminished.

And thus, he took Luo Ning’s affairs seriously, eagerly anticipating his alliance with the Audin family—hence McKinney’s deliberate removal of Eileen and her whispered warning to Luo Ning.

Luo Ning harbored a quiet resentment toward others meddling in his actions; after all, freedom was being infringed upon.

Yet he knew McKinney’s caution was reasonable.

Though his former self’s past had been disgraceful, back then he had never intended to marry into the royal family—indulgence in dalliances was forgivable.

Now, the outside world could already guess at the prospect of marriage. Though Luo Ning and Eileen had nothing between them, if malicious minds chose to spread rumors and smear his name, he would find himself utterly defenseless.

The night passed without word.

The next morning, Luo Ning went specifically to thank Kabir, strengthening their bond.

He then visited Viggins to finalize the approximate timing for the transfer of people.

Luo Ning planned to transport all twenty-five thousand of them back to Northern Wuhai.

With this population, the development of Northern Wuhai—the reclamation of farmland, the expansion of mulberry cultivation—would see tremendous advancement.

As for the exploitation of the Crimson Mountain Iron Mine, he had no doubt that the influx of population from Giant Rock Domain would resolve any issues.

Having settled these matters, Luo Ning bid farewell to Rulans, departing Wushan Fortress with the latter’s personal letter addressed to King Bruno.

On the hill behind the fortress, Karlos waited—loyal, dutiful, as a mount-dragon should be.

“Come,” Luo Ning said, extending his hand to help Eileen up.

Throughout the journey, she had remained silent—a stark contrast to her usual vivacity.

Eileen hesitated, then, realizing she could not climb up on her own, reached out and was pulled onto the dragon’s back.

Yet where her heart had once soared with excitement on the way here, it now sank with gloom on the return.

No sooner had she settled than she attempted to create distance between herself and Luo Ning—not because his embrace was unwarm, but because such closeness was improper.

“If you keep fidgeting, Karlos won’t be pleased,” Luo Ning teased with a laugh, pulling her firmly into his arms.

She struggled briefly, but to no avail—she could only submit to being held.

“My lord, this isn’t proper. If anyone sees us, it will damage your reputation—and anger His Majesty.”

Luo Ning couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’ve even changed how you address me. Did my sister McKinney teach you that?”

“No. I overheard nobles discussing it outside the banquet hall yesterday.”

Truly, no matter where one went, someone was always whispering behind one’s back.

He smiled, tightening his hold on the girl. “You’ve been so listless all journey—did you not sleep well last night?”

Eileen murmured an affirmative. Not just one night—she hadn’t slept at all.

“Overthinking only breeds anguish. Better to cherish the present—sleep well, right here in my arms.”

Eileen turned her head toward him, gathering courage to ask: “Will you leave me, my lord?”

Luo Ning looked into her lips, cherry-red and close enough to kiss, into her hopeful eyes—and without thinking, lifted his hand to gently brush her nose.

“No.”

Such an intimate gesture sent Eileen’s face flaming crimson to her ears; she shut her eyes tight, too shy to open them.

Luo Ning laughed aloud. “Sleep well now.”

She dared not speak again, turning her side and pressing her face against his chest, feigning slumber.

Luo Ning did not know what love felt like—he only knew that being with Eileen brought him joy, just as it had during last winter’s snowball fights at Mountain Keep, when he’d even felt, faintly, the echo of his life on Earth.

As for marriage alliances, lovers, and such matters—he had said it himself: overthinking only brought trouble. He had been reborn into another world; wasn’t it better to live lightly, joyfully?

Karlos spread his wings and glided steadily through the high sky, soon returning to Marsh Fortress.

The army had withdrawn nearly twenty days ago. Aside from Ridal and Joffrey, who remained in Crimson Mountain Town, Maiken, Rogner, and others had already returned to Northern Wuhai.

In the fortress hall of Marsh Fortress, Luo Ning gathered Wilson, Chahar, Maiken, and others, announcing his elevation to Count of Northern Wuhai—and the acquisition of Giant Rock Domain and Crimson Mountain Town as enclaves.

Naturally, his retinue erupted in cheers and celebration. From baron to count, the higher their lord ascended, the greater the benefits for them in the future.

Rogner and Krami exchanged glances, each reading the same sigh in the other’s eyes.

Though Northern Wuhai had yet to produce its first baron, they both sensed that Viscount Marvin’s decision to have them follow Luo Ning had been wise.

Beyond announcing his promotion, Luo Ning also intended to reward the knights and soldiers who had joined the campaign.

His rewards, of course, would not be titles.

Not only was he unwilling to grant titles and lands, but even Ridal’s battlefield merits fell short of qualifying for a barony.

So Luo Ning’s reward was gold—three times each man’s monthly salary as compensation for the campaign.

Three times the salary might sound modest, but it amounted to nearly six hundred gold coins—far from insignificant.

Added to the spoils each retainer had personally seized in battle, no one left dissatisfied.

“Next, I shall travel to the capital. Only David and Tom will accompany me. The rest of you will receive assignments.”

David and Tom blinked, then broke into wide, delighted grins.

The capital—the place they had never dreamed of visiting—now lay within reach!

Others could not hide their envy—not merely for the opportunity, but for the two men’s favor with their lord.

Sometimes, status was not measured by rank, but by proximity to the center of power.

As long as David and Tom avoided grave errors and continued to grow in strength, their futures would be bright.

Luo Ning then laid out the responsibilities for each.

Maiken would take two knights and a company of infantry to assume control of Giant Rock Domain; its administration would be handled by Magistrate Selin and several newly trained assistants.

All civil affairs in Northern Wuhai would be overseen by Wilson and Chahar, with Elron and Jennie holding the fort.

Rogner’s task was to safely transport all twenty-five thousand people provided by Viggins and Kabir back to Northern Wuhai.

Beyond civil matters, Luo Ning also ordered military expansion.

Though Ridal would soon take command of the Fifth Knightly Order of Wushan Fortress, Northern Wuhai needed its own knightly unit.

Typically, a standard count commanded at least a full knightly order.

Luo Ning currently had only a single knightly squad—nowhere near enough.

Thus, whether it was the Ubei Domain or the Stone City, both needed to recruit sufficient soldiers for training.

Yet, compared to training common soldiers, the scarcity of professional knights was the critical issue.

Luoning could only rely on Rogner to travel far and wide, promoting the policies of the Ubei Domain and selecting suitable knights to join.

This was bound to be no task accomplished swiftly. (End of Chapter)