Chapter 353: Visiting Megalith City Again

Time slipped past, and in the blink of an eye, three days had arrived.

Roning summoned all the supernaturals led by Elron, as well as the officials and petty bureaucrats led by Wilson and Chahar, to gather at the Marshcastle Fortress.

Back in Forest Town, Roning had very few men under his command, and the small fortress hall could leave a vast open space even with everyone seated.

But now, the fortress hall of Marshcastle was packed to the brim, and there were even many professional knights, administrative assistants, and others who were unfamiliar faces he had never seen before.

These newly joined knights of the territory had also been very excited over the past two days; after all, they were about to appear before the lord, and at this moment, they were gazing at the lord on the high seat with high spirits, listening intently to his words.

Naturally, Roning first spoke some words of welcome to make them feel the lord's warmth.

Immediately afterward, he recounted his experiences in Golden Feather City.

Information in the Dark North Territory was still somewhat isolated, and until now, the news of Roning becoming a kingdom baron had not yet reached this place.

So when his followers heard this news, they instantly grew excited.

Only when the lord was powerful would their future be brighter.

This was especially true for Rogner and Youssef; they had not expected that this man, who was younger than them, had merely taken a trip to the royal capital and obtained such treatment.

Of course, they did not know that behind this matter lay more of the cooperation between Dark Mountain Castle and His Majesty the King.

Roning did not state it clearly either; he only needed his followers to know that the Dark North Territory had a limitless future.

After a round of encouragement, Roning began to narrate the upcoming planning for the Dark North Territory.

The formation of the territory's knight squads and guards had to continue.

A standard earl should have a knight order, and Roning was currently far from this standard.

In addition, Roning also emphasized the planning for the territory's housing construction, road building, agricultural development, and commercial exploitation.

Particularly with commerce, facing increasing expenditures, the Dark North Territory needed to earn more money next to sustain more people and maintain more infrastructure.

And the most important infrastructure was the construction of Dark North Port and the New Dark North City, for which sufficient manpower had to be prepared in advance.

At the same time, Roning also intended to recruit adult men with good swimming skills in Marsh Town to enlist as sailors, and recruit more professional knights to serve as naval combat forces.

It would be best to begin training as soon as Knight Rhys from Sharp Corner City arrived.

As a series of plans were laid out, whether it was the newly joined members who had a vague understanding of the Dark North Territory, or the old members who were so dizzyingly busy that they had little time to think, all gained a clearer understanding of the Dark North Territory's future.

With goals defined, subsequent construction would achieve higher efficiency.

This meeting lasted from afternoon until dusk before it ended, and Roning was not stingy, keeping these people at Marshcastle on the spot to hold a banquet.

The former housekeeper, Chahar, might have felt heartache for the castle's grain and wine when facing a banquet for so many people, but now he was the financial officer; he only cared about eating and drinking to his heart's content, leaving these matters for Galen, the new housekeeper, to give himself a headache over.

The night was bright with few stars, and the knights who had spent a joyful time dispersed one after another.

Those who had homes in Marsh Town returned to their respective houses, while those without homes stayed the night at the town's inn.

Riggs and Damon, who had joined the Dark North Territory together as good friends, were currently walking shoulder to shoulder toward the inn.

Of the two of them, one was a bronze knight, assigned to Ashen Village in Three-Way Town;

the other was an advanced knight, assigned to the relatively peaceful Forest Town.

"Very extraordinary!"

Riggs thought for a long time before uttering these three words.

Damon, however, deeply agreed with this statement, "I originally thought that the lives of noble lords were all about leisurely enjoying the service of servants, and besides cultivating every day, what they thought about most was how to exploit the residents and slaves within the territory, but today our young lord has refreshed my understanding!"

At the meeting, Roning did not even mention how to exploit the farmers to increase tax revenue; on the contrary, he gave ordinary people many benefits in many policies.

What Damon admired most were those long-term yet clear plans.

Roning gave him the feeling of a true noble, before whom he felt as humble as dust.

"This is our opportunity, Damon."

Riggs took a deep breath; the night wind was very cool, but his heart was burning hot.

"The Dark North Territory needs hands everywhere. As long as we actively serve the lord, we can definitely achieve accomplishments unimaginable before!"

"I think so too!"

Damon deeply agreed once more.

In fact, it was not just him; everyone present today was conquered by Roning's planning, and all believed that the Dark North Territory would get better and better.

Roning did not know what the people below thought; he merely built his territory step by step according to his own plans.

Anyone who could keep up with his rhythm would naturally be put in important positions, while those who could not would be gradually eliminated.

The next day after breakfast, Roning summoned Carlos out on the open landing pad in the backyard.

The giant dragon sized him up and down, saying in a deep, muffled voice, "I feel a stronger sense of oppression from Master; your strength seems to have grown more powerful!"

Roning leaped onto its back and smiled, saying, "The current me is already a Meteor Knight and a Grand Magus."

Carlos, who had soared into the air, could not help but exhale a long breath; this master of its was rising in strength too quickly, giving off an surreal feeling.

One man and one dragon raced toward the direction where Boulder City was located.

Along the way, Roning instructed Carlos, telling it to visit the Dark Mountain Magical Beast Mountain Range when free to see if it could find Storm Demonic Wolves.

If it could, it should catch two male wolves in advance, so there would be no worries when Black Tiger came into heat.

Marshcastle was very far from Boulder City, but at Carlos's speed, they arrived above Boulder Castle in just over two hours.

The former master of this castle, Corentin Hansen, commander of the Fifth Knight Order of Dark Mountain Castle, had already been tried after being captured; if he was lucky, he had already been born for several months by now.

And this Boulder Castle, which had a corner of its city wall blown up, had now become Roning's possession.

Corentin was countless times wealthier than Rayson, so Boulder Castle was naturally much more magnificent than Marshcastle.

If possible, Roning really wanted to move this castle back to the Dark North Territory, which would better suit his current status.

Carlos slowly landed before the main gate of Boulder Castle, and Roning walked toward the gate after jumping down.

"Halt, stranger!"

The two guards with unfamiliar faces at the gate immediately shouted. Facing Roning who had suddenly stepped across the drawbridge, they chalked it up to negligence for not discovering him in advance.

Roning smiled, not lowering himself to the level of these guards, "Where is Maken? Have him come out to see me."

The two guards exchanged glances. Maken was the current manager of Boulder City; what was this young man's background to call him directly by his name upon arrival?

"What are you looking for Lord Maken for?"

Just as Roning was about to explain, he saw a familiar figure walking out from inside; it was Knight Dandy who followed him.

Dandy originally wanted to see what was happening here, but did not expect the lord to suddenly appear.

"My Lord, why are you here!"

Dandy hurriedly stepped forward and shouted loudly, "This is Lord Roning, Earl of the Dark North Territory and the master of Boulder City. You two fellows, can't you even remember the appearance and characteristics of the lord?"

The two guards instantly trembled with fear; they both came from ordinary backgrounds and did not know much about nobles, so they had not thought much of it at the first sight of Roning's silver hair.

Berated by Dandy, the two hastily dropped to one knee, apologizing profusely, terrified of offending the lord and receiving punishment.

"This is your duty; I saw your seriousness and attentiveness."

Roning smiled and gestured for the two to stand up; as guards watching the main gate, the performance of these two was qualified.

Is Macken in the castle?”

Dandy shook his head, inviting Ronin inside as he explained, “There was trouble in the city—a caravan causing disturbances. Lord Macken took a knightly squad to handle it and left me behind to guard the castle.”

“A knightly squad?” Ronin raised an eyebrow. Where on earth had Macken gotten a knightly squad?

If he remembered correctly, when they’d been assigned, Macken had come with only Woton and Dandy.

Oh, if one added Selin, that made three.

Dandy smiled and explained, “All of them were recruited by Lord Macken in Stonehaven. Including Lord Macken himself, we now have twelve professional knights—just enough to form a proper knightly squad.”

Hearing this, Ronin couldn’t help but laugh.

He’d told Macken he could assemble his own team—but he hadn’t expected him to form an entire knightly squad.

“Go tell Macken to come see me once he’s finished with his business.”

Ronin added, “Oh, and bring Selin along too.” (End of chapter)