Chapter 393: Setting Sail

Although Rulance’s campaign required neither troops nor provisions from Ronin, it did not mean the young lord was left with nothing to do.

Defense at Coast City needed to be bolstered in the near term to thwart any premeditated disruptions from newly formed bandit groups.

Fortunately, with Raydal and McKen present, and the newly integrated Eighth Knight Order deployed there, things were well in hand.

Thus, after conveying the orders to his two commanders, Ronin returned to the North Crow Territory.

April was fast approaching, and the spring plowing was entering its most critical phase.

With the successful planting of potatoes and rice, this year’s harvest would yield a solid stock of seeds, allowing for large-scale cultivation by next year.

The population of the North Crow Territory was swelling daily, and with it came a rising tide of capable individuals.

Ronin had already instructed Wilson to openly select farming experts to join the ranks of the territory’s officials as agricultural assistants, while establishing a dedicated post for an agricultural officer.

This merit-based selection, which disregarded social class in favor of sheer capability, kindled a spark of hope in the hearts of the common folk.

An official might not be a noble, but the position still elevated them above ordinary freemen.

"My Lord, the Chief Administrator is currently presiding over government affairs in Black Soil Town, and he specifically charged me with delivering this roster to you."

A youth dressed in coarse hemp cloth stood before Ronin’s desk, nervously proffering a stack of papers detailing the personnel Rulance had ordered Wiggins to transfer to the North Crow Territory after the annual festival.

Ronin had not explicitly ordered Wilson to compile these statistics this time, but the latter had grown so accustomed to the task that he did it out of habit.

Truth be told, Wilson had no inkling as to why the Lord required such meticulous lists.

Ronin offered a faint smile as he accepted the documents, casting his eyes over the figures to find an influx of over twenty thousand people.

Simultaneously, glowing words materialized before his eyes:

[Achievement "Thriving Population" unlocked. Attribute Points +1,500, Energy Essence +3,000]

The completion of this tier signified that the registered population within Ronin's domain had officially surpassed one hundred thousand.

He checked the interface and noted that the seventh tier of the Thriving Population achievement demanded a headcount of three hundred thousand.

"I don't believe I've seen you before. What is your name?"

Ronin asked casually; there were indeed so many administrative assistants and knights now that he could no longer recognize them all.

"My Lord, my name is Omer!"

The young man spoke with palpable excitement, for although the lord seated before him was younger than himself, the aura Ronin exuded filled him with trepidation.

Ronin nodded. "Tell Wilson that in addition to registering newcomers, he must also log the births and purge the deceased from the records. Have him look for suitable candidates, as we will establish an official post solely dedicated to population management in the future."

Omer’s eyes lit up at the mention of a new position, which promised even greater opportunities for men like him.

"By your command, My Lord. I shall inform the Chief Administrator immediately."

Ronin shifted his gaze back to his attribute panel, which now displayed 1,776 Attribute Points and 3,225 points of Energy Essence.

He channeled all the Attribute Points into his knight level.

His current progress stood at Silver Moon rank (7,776/10,000), leaving him a little over two thousand points shy of peak mastery, and over fifteen thousand points away from a breakthrough.

It seemed Ronin would have to exert considerable effort if he wished to become a Blazing Sun Knight and a Grand Archmage.

Early the next morning, Ronin set out for Torrent Island.

High in the heavens, Carlos spread his wings and soared.

Ronin glanced at the creature's progress:

[Frostfire Wings · Carlos]: Tier Six (68/12,500) +

As the progeny of a legendary creature, Carlos only required points to grow, bypassing the need to elevate his innate aptitude.

Yet there was no denying that the beast’s appetite for Energy Essence was staggering.

At a mere tier six, his requirements already eclipsed those of a Silver Moon Knight.

Equally undeniable, however, was that a tier-six dragon belonged to an entirely different realm than a Golden Knight.

With Raydal, McKen, and Elrond relatively constrained in their current growth, Ronin invested all 3,225 points of Energy Essence into Carlos.

In an instant, the elemental forces of heaven and earth around the dragon became violently turbulent, and the beast's frame expanded rapidly against the wind, growing a full size larger until its length approached thirteen meters!

"Roar!"

Carlos howled with delight, "Master, my strength has multiplied!"

Ronin could not gauge the exact magnitude of the increase.

But he could feel that Carlos’s scales had grown denser and harder, while his flight speed experienced a significant surge in a single heartbeat.

Regrettably, this advancement did not cause any scales to shed.

Under normal circumstances, a dragon would likely only cast its scales naturally upon breaking through a major rank.

"Who do you think is stronger now, you or McKen?"

Carlos was in high spirits and brimming with arrogance, "Silly McKen, I could end his life with a single claw."

"Very well, when we return, I shall have him spar with you."

Ronin was genuinely curious to see the true heights of a dragon's combat prowess.

"Ah? Perhaps we should forget it!"

Carlos grew a little sheepish; after all, McKen was a Silver Moon Knight, and if the only dragon in the world were to lose, it would be an utter embarrassment.

When Ronin arrived over Torrent Island astride the dragon, Kalada and the others were already at the harbor, preparing to hoist the sails.

The fleet bound for the North Crow Territory consisted of two vessels: a passenger ship plundered from the Beluga Pirates, and a cargo ship purchased from Screaming Island, laden to the brim with timber.

Ronin commanded the dragon to hover in the sky while he conjured Wings of Wind to glide down onto the warship.

"Kalada, how go the preparations?"

The sudden descent of their lord left the crew visibly startled.

Fortunately, Kalada and Luxen, well aware of the lord’s dragon, recovered their composure swiftly.

"My Lord, everything is prepared. We were merely awaiting your arrival to set sail."

Ronin inspected the two vessels and nodded with satisfaction.

"Have the personnel for the journey and the garrison been settled?"

The deputy, Luxen, offered a salute and spoke clearly, "My Lord, Gene and I will accompany you, along with two intermediate knights and three novice knights."

Kalada added, "The rest of the men and I will remain behind to guard Torrent Island."

Ronin did not micromanage the arrangement; Torrent Island was still unstable, and leaving the stronger Kalada behind was indeed the safer course.

"Take these; consider them the strategic reserves for Torrent Island."

Ronin tossed a bundle to Kalada containing a variety of spell scrolls, including Fire Dragon's Feast, Fireball, Exploding Flame, and Healing.

In addition, there were several bottles of auxiliary enhancement potions and awakening potions for Kalada to distribute as he saw fit.

Kalada knew the value of the contents, as Ronin had mentioned them during his last visit.

"Thank you, My Lord. I will ensure they are allocated wisely!"

Ronin nodded, turning his gaze toward Vik, "Captain, if you are ready, set sail!"

"As you wish, my lord!"

Vik struck the brass gong, its crisp sound echoing across the dock. "Set sail~"

Crew and sailors joined in, some retrieving anchors, others retracting gangplanks and hoisting sails.

Soon, the vessel crept forward, sailing away from Rushing Island in the direction Ronin had indicated.

Karrada watched the ship recede, yearning to follow and see what the Ubei Domain truly held.

But if he left, Lucien would stay behind—his strength equal to Rahn's, perhaps unable to subdue him.

Though Ronin supported Karrada in handling Rahn, he had always spared the man, believing his presence would bolster Rushing Island's combat strength.

Rahn showed deference but continually clashed with Lucien, Edan, and others.

"The chances I've granted are enough. If you misbehave once more, don't blame me." (End of Chapter)