Chapter 436: Task Assignment

Luo Ning conveyed the news about the Sacred Storm he had learned from Broll to Sophia.

This mage from the Crescent Continent provided a more detailed introduction to the Wind Slaves and Flame Slaves.

Wind Slaves are transformed from high-level knights with wind attributes. This strict requirement directly limits their numbers; they cannot be as numerous as the Soul Witch tribe.

Although Flame Slaves carry a fiery essence, they represent explosive power and are not solely limited to knights with fire attributes.

The creation of Flame Slaves must rely on Golden Knights, and the process of imprinting the "Flame Seal" is excruciatingly painful. Even Golden Knights with robust physiques face a significant risk of sudden death, with almost only one out of ten surviving!

This results in even fewer Flame Slaves than Wind Slaves.

However, if successful, it grants the Golden Knight strength comparable to a Meteor Knight.

"Wind Slaves dominate the skies. Although you have dragons and will have a Griffin Guard in the future, establishing an archer guard is still essential."

Sophia suggested, "I can craft mana arrows. Combined with longbows, they can be used to strike Wind Slaves."

Luo Ning involuntarily showed a bitter smile.

During the siege of the Polant Thief Gang, he obtained an Iron Armored Bristle Bull Bow and over thirty mana arrows. They have been sitting unused in his spatial ring ever since.

On one hand, his current strength no longer requires such bows and arrows. On the other hand, there were few knights with wind attributes above intermediate level in his territory previously, and he didn't know whom to assign them to.

But now, the number of intermediate and high-level knights across various territories has increased significantly, so establishing a mana archer guard should not be a problem.

"I will arrange this matter after returning to the territory," Luo Ning said. "Additionally, if you need any materials for crafting mana arrows, you can request them from my commander, Reidar. He will arrange someone to prepare them for you."

Sophia nodded.

Although she was the daughter of the City Lord of Dawn City in the Human Alliance of the Crescent Continent, revered as "Your Highness," once she decided to stand with Luo Ning, she would not remain idle.

Clearing up the chaotic situation here sooner aligned with their purpose of traveling thousands of miles.

After a few more days, Rulance handled the affairs here, arranged personnel to stay in Goldfeather City, and it was time to depart back to Ursa Mountain Territory.

For Ursa Mountain Territory, the top priority upon returning was not gathering provisions or preparing for war, but holding Luo Ning and Blanchy's wedding at Ursa Mountain Castle at the end of the year.

Originally, Luo Ning wanted to delay for two years, build a somewhat decent castle in Northern Ursa City, and then marry Blanchy.

Unfortunately, this idea was vetoed by Brunor and Garret.

Waiting another two years would mean Blanchy would be twenty-two. In this world, noble ladies unmarried at twenty-two are hard to find.

Moreover, they worried that if something unexpected happened to Luo Ning during those two years, it would be even more problematic.

Thus, the date was set for December twenty-eighth this year.

Although half a year for preparation isn't overly long, it isn't too short either.

Luo Ning didn't need to worry about this. Matters like guest invitations, clothing preparation, venue selection, and activity arrangements would all be handled by officials at Ursa Mountain Castle. He only needed to be present at the time.

Luo Ning's main focus remained on development and offense.

This development wasn't about territorial expansion or management.

Because over the past two years, Luo Ning had established a solid foundation for the basic necessities in Northern Ursa Territory. Now, it only needed to develop step by step.

Swamp Town and Blacksoil Town would eventually become Ursa Mountain Territory's fourth and fifth major grain production bases.

What he aimed to develop now was mana technology: Elron's pharmaceutical industry, ships combining mana and steam, and even steam trains to transport excavated coal to Northern Ursa Port.

Regarding offense, it mainly targeted Moonlight Valley.

With dragons galloping, Luo Ning, Sophia, and others returned to Swamp Town on July first.

Upon arrival, Sophia took Annil and Hamon to Northern Ursa Port. Their five-member team also needed to hold an internal meeting to plan for the future.

Unless unforeseen circumstances arose, Uncle Simon would stay at Northern Ursa Port, repairing ships while also manufacturing more Dawnbreaker ships for Luo Ning.

The remaining four would all go to Shore City, with Sophia assuming the role of commander of Ursa Mountain Castle's sixth knight regiment.

Luo Ning summoned the Minister of Affairs Wilson, the Minister of Finance Chahar, Northern Ursa Territory's defense officer Reg, and transport officer Rogna.

Before mobilizing troops, provisions must be prepared. While ensuring Northern Ursa Territory had sufficient food, Luo Ning needed to transport provisions to Red Mountain Town, Stone City, and Purple Thunder Territory for storage.

When battles commenced later, it would eliminate the hassle of transporting large quantities of provisions within short periods.

After arranging these matters, evening had arrived.

Rogna and Chahar left Luo Ning's study side by side.

"Is the Lord mobilizing provisions to prepare for war?" Rogna was somewhat puzzled.

"Perhaps!"

Chahar was also worried.

He had just received orders to financially support Simon's ship construction and Sophia's mana arrow crafting needs, both related to war.

Now, Northern Ursa Territory was thriving, and he hoped this situation wouldn't be disrupted by war.

But they also knew sometimes war wasn't up to their wishes. They could only wholeheartedly support the Lord's decisions, as they had done throughout their journey.

In the study, Reg and Wilson hadn't left yet.

To retrieve the Griffons sooner, Luo Ning needed to quickly build shelters for them.

It didn't need to be overly elaborate or luxurious; just something sturdy to shelter from wind and rain, with dry grass for resting.

Comparatively, preparing ample meat was the challenge.

Fortunately, the western region had the Beast Mountains. Later, Karlos could lead them to forage.

Additionally, with Northern Ursa Territory's large population now, various livestock industries had developed, greatly increasing the number of cattle and sheep raised. Providing some food for the Griffons was barely feasible.

Besides building shelters for the birds, issues like housing for the hundred thousand people Brunor would soon send also needed resolution.

Bearing the entire burden on Northern Ursa Territory was difficult, so Luo Ning planned to distribute these hundred thousand people among Northern Ursa Territory, Stone City, and Purple Thunder Territory.

He hoped these three places would soon become major cities with populations of hundred thousand.

Wilson knew busy times were ahead again.

Honestly, following the Lord, he had witnessed increasingly grand scenes. Now, they were even building shelters for Griffons, the kingdom's symbol.

"Reg, these are the first batch of Griffin Knights I've selected."

Luo Ning handed the roster to Reg, which included names like Elron, Reg, Rogna, Karada, Lusen, Jofrey, Tom, David, Rees, Yusef, totaling ten people.

Among the ten he designated, except for Elron, the rest included nobles who had pledged allegiance to him, civilians from the populace, powerful knights, and promising talents with weak current strength but high potential.

Reg saw his name and felt instantly excited. He never imagined that as a fallen noble, he would one day ride a Griffin symbolizing noble status!

"Thank you, Lord!" He couldn't help bowing in gratitude.

"You can thank me later once you confirm you can adapt to high altitudes."

Luo Ning assigned his task: "There are still five adult Griffons coming. I will organize a competition among knight squad members from Northern Ursa Territory, Stone City, and elsewhere. The top five winners will have usage rights for the remaining five Griffons. This matter is entrusted to you."

This was also a form of honor competition, stimulating the knights' fighting spirit in the territory.

"Yes, Lord!"

Reg confidently said, "I guarantee to select the most suitable individuals!"

Luo Ning waved for him to leave, then asked Wilson, "How has the territory's population changed recently?"

"My lord, the population under your governance has surpassed the threshold of three hundred thousand!" Wilson exclaimed excitedly. "During this period, Marquis Lord has successively sent over seventy thousand people to the Northern Wu Territory. Additionally, Linchuan City, Horse-raising City, Brilliant City, Lakeside Town, and Sharp Corner City, perhaps emulating Marquis Lord's actions, have also successively sent over twenty thousand to you."

Luoning nodded slightly; Lulansi remained, as always, fully supporting Luoning, personally giving him the population equivalent to a large city.

With so many people, plus the thousands born in the Northern Wu Territory, and the seventy-eight thousand from Purple Thunder Territory, indeed it approached three hundred thousand.

However, he hadn’t expected other nobles to also send people.

"Have Elron allocate a few bottles of the next batch of potions to the nobles who supported me. This is to express gratitude for their assistance."

Luoning said, "Also, I remember that population management officer is called Oumai? Have him quickly send me the list of the newly added population."

Wilson bowed, "Yes, my lord, I will go notify immediately and have Oumai send the list as soon as possible." (End of this chapter.)