- Fantasy Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence
- FLDI Chapter 156
After arranging everything, Thor finally returned to the Eagle Territory. The discovery of the giant vipers was indeed surprising, but it wasn’t something that could be monetized immediately.
For now, there were only a few giant vipers, and the priority was to expand their population as much as possible.
Only this way could there be a consistent and substantial output in the future.
Thor understood this clearly.
As for entrusting this task to Allen, Thor had full confidence.
Allen’s unique affinity for all living things had already shown remarkable effects, even managing to keep the transplanted Tree of Life thriving. The benefits to the giant vipers would likely be even greater.
All that was left to do now was to wait for the harvest.
—-
Three days later.
Thor returned to the Eagle Territory.
At that moment, the Eagle Territory was bustling.
A significant number of noble lords had gathered here.
Among them were the eight pioneer lords of Dressrosa, Barbrus from the West, and Baron Pape and Baron Joz from the Maine Alliance—over eleven pioneering lords in total—making the small Eagle Town extraordinarily lively.
These lords were busy studying the operations of the Eagle Territory.
Thor, upon his return, was slightly surprised but soon smiled knowingly.
He fully understood why these pioneering lords behaved this way.
Compared to other pioneer lords, Thor, armed with memories of a past life, had a completely different approach to territorial development.
What might seem ordinary to others carried significant differences in practice.
These pioneering lords were smart enough to recognize the uniqueness of the Eagle Territory. Naturally, they sought to learn and explore its methods.
Thor had no intention of stopping them.
Now that they were part of the Eagle Commerce Guild, their growth would ultimately benefit him as well. Their strength was tied to his own.
—-
Inside the castle, a banquet was held.
Thor insisted that everyone attend.
After the banquet ended, Thor gathered the eleven lords in the meeting room.
As they entered, the lighthearted atmosphere shifted to one of solemnity.
“Brother Tono, how are things progressing?” Thor asked, his gaze directed at Tono.
Tono, after a moment’s thought, shared his findings. “So far, 27 pioneering lords have decided to withdraw. Among them, 11 large iron mines, 7 large copper mines, and a total of 17 sites producing Nau have been identified.”
Thor nodded, then turned his attention to Rachos.
“Sir, currently, around 170,000 people are being sold by the withdrawing lords in the West. Since the Habsburg Commerce Guild controls the slave trade, transactions are being conducted on a small scale. If we act quickly, we might intercept a portion of them,” Rachos reported respectfully.
Thor fell into thought.
Another voice broke his silence.
“In the Northwest, three more lords are preparing to withdraw, including one with a large iron mine, three small copper mines, and one small silver mine. No population transactions have been detected yet,” Jili reported softly.
Thor nodded slightly.
“So, currently, there are 12 large iron mines, 7 large copper mines, 3 small copper mines, 17 Nau production sites, and one silver mine, as well as 170,000 people for sale,” Thor summarized.
“Our first objective is to secure these mines. The small copper mines can be excluded, but we must take all 12 large iron mines, 7 large copper mines, the silver mine, and the Nau production sites. As for the population, let’s aim to intercept 120,000 of the 170,000.”
Thor tapped the table as he spoke. The others remained silent, waiting patiently.
Eventually, Thor’s calm voice resumed, spurring excitement in the room.
Such vast resources were unimaginably valuable.
However, amidst the enthusiasm, Rachos voiced his concern.
“Sir, securing these resources will be challenging. Managing 12 large iron mines, 7 large copper mines, one silver mine, and 17 Nau sites will require over 37 locations, each needing at least one knight to guard. But we only have 23 knights available.”
“Additionally, intercepting 120,000 people is bound to attract the attention of the Habsburg Commerce Guild,” Rachos added, frowning.
Thor, however, remained composed.
“Twenty-three knights are sufficient. The remaining locations can be supplemented with groups of ten regular knights and twenty squires. If issues arise, the Commerce Guild can provide support.”
“As for the population, don’t worry. The Habsburg Commerce Guild is too preoccupied to interfere with us right now.”
Thor’s confident tone reassured Rachos, who quickly nodded despite lingering doubts.
“Everyone, this is our opportunity. We must act swiftly!” Thor declared.
“Within three months, I want these areas secured. If we can expand further, even better!”
“Once we succeed, the Eagle Commerce Guild will undoubtedly rise to prominence.”
The lords, stirred by Thor’s words, responded in unison, their enthusiasm palpable. Their flushed expressions reflected visions of a brighter future.
After the meeting, the pioneering lords dispersed swiftly.
The knights from the Maine Alliance also followed suit, ready to act.
Three days later, Thor, after managing the affairs of the Eagle Territory, left with Perlos and Anna for the Western regions.
Partly, this was to oversee the Commerce Guild’s expansion and prevent potential problems.
But Thor also had another motive: the elven girl mentioned in a recent intelligence report.
With Anna, a half-elf, by his side, Thor was eager to bring the elf girl into his fold. Her addition could accelerate his territory’s development.
Anna’s presence might even prove advantageous if the elf girl was someone she knew.
As for her ties to the Campbell family, Thor wasn’t particularly concerned.
The Campbell family might have been a force to reckon with for the old Dressrosa, but to the current Dressrosa family, they were hardly intimidating.
—-
Meanwhile, in the Western regions, the Eagle Commerce Guild had already sprung into action.
Over a month had passed, and the lords preparing to withdraw were becoming increasingly desperate. Some had already fled.
Among the 27 lords, three had already departed, leaving 24 remaining.
Fortunately, the lords holding substantial resources had not yet made their moves.
For these giants, retreat was no simple matter.
Especially now, as the crisis has yet to fully erupt, they hold onto a sliver of hope, thinking they might further minimize their losses.
However, as time drags on, other lords have begun to sense something is amiss.
Their attempts at liquidating assets have grown increasingly difficult.
They’ve been forced to lower their prices again and again.
But even so, the number of willing buyers dwindles by the day.
—-
The Middle Danube
This area, located at the heart of the Danube River, has been cultivated by the Spencer family for over a decade. Thanks to the favor of his father, Sage Spencer received significant support, allowing him to develop his territory.
In just ten years, his territory reached a population nearing 100,000, with unprecedented strength surpassing most inland baronies.
If not for a lack of merit, Sage might not only have secured the title of baron but even had a shot at becoming an earl.
Yet, the sudden onset of the Divine Revelation forced Sage Spencer to decide on retreating.
Still, the immense resources and the vast amount of gold he had invested in the territory were hard to let go of. For the past month, he had been busy clearing out the assets of his domain.
At first, things went smoothly.
But as time passed, complications piled up.
Inside the Castle
“Damn fools!!”
“Are those idiots crazy? They’re selling off everything! Do they want everyone to know we’re planning to run?”
“This is sheer stupidity!”
Sage Spencer cursed furiously, his face livid.
He never expected that the biggest obstacle in liquidating his assets would come from the other lords planning to flee alongside him.
If it weren’t for their actions, he might have managed to clear out a significant portion of his holdings by now.
But their involvement had caused his progress to stall, with less than 10% of his assets sold.
At this rate, it would take at least half a year to clear everything.
Waiting half a year would be futile—by then, the Divine Revelation would already have arrived.
His father had already given the order: he must withdraw by the end of the month at the latest, or risk unforeseen disaster. Time was running out.
As Sage Spencer fumed, a gentle knock sounded on the door.
“Come in!”
Suppressing his anger, Sage responded curtly.
A knight entered shortly afterward.
“My lord, Lord Jili of the Dressrosa family seeks an audience,” the knight reported respectfully.
“Jili? What is he doing here?” Sage frowned and instinctively refused. “No, I won’t see him.”
“As you wish,” the knight replied and began to withdraw.
But before he could leave, Sage stopped him.
“Wait!”
“Take him to the reception room.”
Sage’s expression shifted, his eyes flickering with thought.
“Yes, my lord,” the knight replied, still somewhat puzzled, before quickly carrying out the order.
At the Castle Gate
Jili was soon escorted into the castle.
“Ah, my esteemed friend from the Dressrosa family, welcome!” Sage Spencer greeted with a smile.
“Lord Sage, I hope my unannounced visit hasn’t caused any inconvenience,” Jili replied with a smile, stepping forward for a brief embrace.
“My friend, your arrival is nothing but a pleasure. How could it be an inconvenience?” Sage responded warmly.
“I thought you’d feel that way.”
“And, my friend, once you learn the purpose of my visit, you may be even more delighted,” Jili said with a lighthearted chuckle.
“Oh?” Sage’s eyes brightened. “My friend, you’ve piqued my interest.”
“Lord Sage, are you currently selling slaves?” Jili asked directly, skipping pleasantries.
“Oh, indeed I am,” Sage admitted with a gleam in his eye. “My friend, you must understand, I have far too many slaves. Are you interested?”
“I assure you, my slaves are the strongest and healthiest. What’s more, unlike the Habsburg Commerce Guild’s exploitative practices, my prices are incredibly fair—just ten silver coins per slave.”
Sage’s enthusiasm grew as he spoke, his eyes practically glowing.
“No, no, my friend,” Jili said, shaking his head with a gentle smile. “You may have misunderstood.”
“Oh, misunderstood? How so?” Sage asked, his curiosity evident as he focused on Jili.
“A few months ago, the Northern Province suffered an orc invasion. Every orc tribe left behind peculiar pieces of parchment, each inscribed with Titan script. Coincidentally, the Dressrosa family has someone capable of interpreting Titan script. My friend, do you know what’s fascinating? The content on each piece of parchment is identical.”
Jili spoke with a smile, his tone calm as he studied Sage Spencer’s reaction.
The notion of ten silver coins per slave was absurd. Was he mad, or was Sage Spencer out of touch? Slave prices in the West had already plummeted to two or three silver coins each.