Chapter 509: Changes in Wubei Territory

As the Battle of Misthaven drew to a close, the two kingdoms sank into a brief truce.

To honor the nobles who had distinguished themselves in war, Bruno set the victory banquet for month’s end—not at Goldenfeather Palace, but at Mistfort.

This place, unconquered in his youth, was also the final regret of his father, King Auduin IV Klinsman.

Now that the city had fallen to Auduin, it was only fitting that he, as the reigning monarch, should come here himself.

The feast would serve as both celebration and reward; those who led the assault on Misthaven would surely be richly compensated—none more anticipated than Ronin.

Many whispered that His Majesty would elevate this young earl, so newly titled, yet again in rank.

Just as Broar and the others had said within the walls of Mistfort, in their eyes, Ronin was already the next duke of the Kingdom of Auduin.

Upon receiving the invitation, Ronin felt genuine anticipation. Becoming a duke would elevate him significantly, bringing him closer to legend, and granting him greater advantage in the struggles against foreign races yet to come.

Yet all this remained speculation. How exactly the king would reward Ronin’s deeds in battle depended solely on Bruno’s will.

But Ronin would not sit idle, awaiting fate’s decree.

He sent Blanche back to Goldenfeather City—ostensibly a visit to her family home, but in truth bearing two quiet hopes.

First: elevation to duchy.

Second: the lands stretching from Watchtower Keep to Moonlight Valley to be formally annexed into his domain, forming part of his future duchy.

To make such demands might seem arrogant, even presumptuous, inviting suspicion and resentment. Yet Ronin refused to do nothing, to surrender entirely to chance.

Besides, he was not asking without offering.

In the wars ahead, the Kingdom of Auduin stood to gain greatly.

And Bruno could voice his own terms—this was negotiation, not ultimatum.

Ronin entrusted Carlos to escort Blanche to Goldenfeather Palace, while he himself returned to Wubei Territory by Windshadow Technique.

By Imperial Year 971, most of the year had passed, and in that time, Wubei had undergone sweeping transformations.

The first change its people truly felt was the growing population—even Mountain Hollow Town, once a remote backwater, now saw caravans large and small coming and going, purchasing locally made paper to sell beyond the borders.

Though parchment still held prestige in the Ushan region, many had begun using the convenient, affordable “Mountain Hollow Paper.” Cost alone made it far cheaper than parchment, reducing the price of books and allowing knowledge to circulate more freely than ever before.

Beyond rising numbers, Wubei’s key industries were gaining renown.

First, coal mining: drawing laborers to dig, it also revealed this strange new resource to outsiders. In neighboring Horsepasture City, Viscount Marvin had discovered similar veins in his lands and traveled specially to Marsh Town to learn excavation techniques.

Then came the spread of looms. With Master Darn unveiling a new flax-weaving machine, Wubei’s domestic flax could no longer meet local textile demand.

Thus, raw flax had to be imported continuously, turning Threefold Town increasingly into a textile factory.

New industries meant abundant employment.

In recent years, grain harvests had flourished, and common folk found more ways to earn coin.

Even with Ronin often absent, the people praised this tireless lord who had brought them an unforeseen life.

Beyond these changes, Wubei now had its own academy.

Wubei Academy comprised three campuses: the main campus taught language, mathematics, and other fundamentals to all eligible students; the other two were reserved for knights and mages respectively.

The mage campus lay within the mysterious valley housing the teleportation array.

Archmage Berola, the academy’s figurehead dean, had grown so obsessed with studying the valley’s teleportation circle and the ancient runes binding Carlos that she nearly wished to move her entire laboratory into the caverns.

Lastly, there was the rise of New Wubei City.

Ronin knew little of urban planning, but that did not stop talents in the field from joining its construction.

Now the city took shape—especially the fortress castle, still less than one-third complete, yet already impressive in scale and majesty.

Ronin cared little for castles, but Wilson and Chakhar insisted: this was the heart of the territory, the origin point. Without a proper seat of power, they lacked dignity.

“Milord, letters from Thunderland and Rapids Island.”

The manservant Garen bowed, handing over several sealed missives.

No longer the simple, wide-eyed boy he once was, Garen now wore fine, costly linen garments.

Yet even so, he approached Ronin with careful deference.

Ronin raised an eyebrow. Macken and Kalada usually sent griffins for urgent matters—why resort to letters now?

He opened them. Both began with reports on regional development and knightly orders—secondary details.

Their true purpose: a plea to join future battles.

They longed to take part in campaigns as valuable as Mistfort.

Alas, Ronin had brought only the Moonlight Valley knights, leaving Rapids Island and Thunderland behind.

For two men driven by ambition, battle was what they craved.

Ronin chuckled—so this was why they wrote.

Now he faced a dilemma.

Rapids Island had been intended as a counter to Screaming Isle.

Yet the Fleming family had gone quiet, causing no trouble—Ronin couldn’t very well provoke them.

Should he turn pirate and raid ships himself?

As for Thunderland, it was meant to deter movements from the Duchy of Vela.

But Andreah, like Maelon, had refrained from forming shadow organizations like the Blackgold Brotherhood. Macken sat idle, restless.

“When we go to war with the Kingdom of Trisia, I’ll bring Macken over.”

Ronin studied the map. “Hmm. Send Wilson to survey Thunderland—see if a road can be carved northward to the coast. Build a dock, link Thunderland and Rapids Island.”

Screaming Isle served as the southern maritime route to Vela’s Crimson Front.

Which meant Ronin’s ships could sail along the coast, circumnavigating Vela entirely.

Once the great ironclads were built, their mere presence would be a threat.

“Garen, relay my plan to Wilson. Have him organize a survey team. For funds, let him petition Chakhar.”

“Yes, milord!”

After Garen left, O’Malley, the official overseeing population records, arrived with Wubei’s latest census data.

As he handed over the thick dossier, familiar words shimmered before Ronin’s eyes:

【Conquest Achieved】: +8000 Attribute Points, +16000 Energy Essences

Blanche had mentioned Wubei City had surpassed one hundred thousand souls. Now, it was confirmed.

“Tell me of Wubei City’s labor force,” Ronin said, gesturing for Bella to pour tea for O’Malley.

Simon had completed the steam locomotive modifications and laid the first experimental rail. Next came large-scale railway construction.

Ronin needed vast numbers of hardworking, skilled, obedient laborers—of the highest quality. (End of Chapter)