"Still, even if it was a dream, I had to seriously consider the future development of my territory."
Shen Mu frowned.
He had also realized the drawbacks of placing his castle and territory inside this apartment building.
"Let's wait until this battle is over. The cramped interior of an apartment building really isn't suitable for Kingdom of Swadia troops to deploy."
Shen Mu pursed his lips.
With the Magic Ball Modifier, though, he was not worried about reconstruction.
As long as he could obtain Map Modification Permission again, no matter how complicated this castle and apartment building were, he could use the Magic Ball's abilities to complete renovations that not only matched his ideas, but also suited practical reality!
As Shen Mu pondered, hurried footsteps sounded on the spiral staircase of the tower behind him.
A Swadian Recruit ran out and reported to Shen Mu, "My lord, the top floor sentry spotted an infantry force of around five hundred approaching our apartment along the road. Initial estimates suggest they'll reach the apartment entrance in ten minutes."
This Swadian Recruit was a sentry stationed on the roof of the Second Floor of the Stronghold Main House.
Using the high ground, he had already spotted the approaching enemy.
They were advancing down the road in a vast, imposing mass.
They made no effort to conceal themselves.
Naturally, they could be observed clearly!
"Mm, I understand." Shen Mu showed little expression as he raised a hand. "Go back."
"Yes, my lord." The Swadian Recruit saluted respectfully, then carried his Long-handled Sickle back up the spiral staircase to the top floor of the Stronghold Main House to continue standing guard.
These Swadian Recruits could not offer much help in a truly brutal battle.
Shen Mu knew their combat strength.
He rose from the lord's chair and made his way to the Second Floor of the Castle Hall.
There were windows here that looked outside.
So Shen Mu only needed to lean his head out to see the troops of Spiritual Realm Creatures advancing toward them from the distant street corner.
Their disorderly appearance showed no real formation.
Leading them were around thirty Blue Star humans, some tall, some short, some fat, some thin.
They strode recklessly through the open streets. Ordinary people they encountered along the way fled in panic into the surrounding buildings, not daring to have the slightest contact with these Diesel Company Troops who were clearly heading to war.
During the Black Tide, many ordinary people like them would go to Diesel Company for protection.
But that protection came from their own devout prayers.
It consumed their minds and souls.
A price had to be paid.
Now that it was not yet the Black Tide, it was better to obediently avoid these savage and violent Diesel Company people rather than provoke trouble.
The convoy members of Diesel Company, who served as captains within the combat system, understood this very well.
"Those apartments up ahead?" Wu Hu, captain of the Eighth Convoy, slowly asked. He stood nearly 1.9 meters tall, weighed over three hundred jin, carried a Flail Hammer, and wore two layers of Chainmail beneath a layer of leather armor.
"Yes, Captain Wu Hu. The apartment where that human lord is located is right ahead." Zhang Caidong, acting as their guide, hurriedly limped after him. His face was twisted in pain, but his tone remained extremely humble. "It's not far ahead."
He had taken three lashes across the back earlier, and the pain still burned fiercely.
Yet his tone toward Wu Hu, whom he addressed as Captain Wu, was exceedingly flattering. "At our current pace, we'll be there in ten minutes at most."
"So it's this close to Diesel Company? Now that's interesting!"
Wu Hu, captain of the Eighth Convoy, sneered. His fat yet exceptionally sturdy body continued striding forward as he barked at the subordinates behind him, "Pick up the pace! Finish this battle before evening!"
"Understood!" The fifteen Official Employees of the Eighth Convoy responded in unison behind Wu Hu.
Their tones were as relaxed as if they had merely come out for a stroll or a vacation.
They did not take this matter seriously at all!
They had every reason to be so arrogant.
As the Eighth Convoy, all fifteen former drivers were Official Employees. After the Necromantic Rules descended, they had enjoyed many benefits under Diesel Company.
For example, they received some of Diesel Company's territory bonuses and could obtain Pigmen as Followers.
They had also gained additional assimilation enhancement effects from Spiritual Realm Creatures!
Now, these fifteen Official Employees were all fat and strong like Wu Hu, proof of those benefits.
In this cruel age filled with Necromantic Rules, they could still live well.
That was inseparable from Diesel Company.
And in their hearts, within the Balihe Street area—
Diesel Company was the strongest!
Especially when they looked at the Ninth and Tenth Outsourced Convoys behind them, with their assorted Spiritual Realm Followers of every kind.
The better ones were Gnolls and Wild Goblins, which could at least serve as battlefield mainstays.
The worse ones included Ratmen, Lizardmen, Goblins, and the like.
They could manage a one-sided battle, but when it came to a tough assault—
They were probably terribly fragile!
"Still, they're good enough to use as cannon fodder." A trace of disdain flickered in Wu Hu's eyes.
That was all these outsourced Temporary Workers were good for.
They were worked to death in ordinary times.
When danger came, they became cannon fodder.
Diesel Company did not support idlers, after all. Since they enjoyed Diesel Company's prestige and protection and did not have to wander outside while constantly worrying about hordes of Undead Monsters—
Then when the crucial moment came, they had to be prepared to become cannon fodder!
This did not even need to be said aloud.
It was the current Unspoken Rule of Diesel Company.
These Temporary Workers from the Outsourced Teams understood it in their hearts as well.
They remained silent along the way.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the residential complex of four apartment buildings where Shen Mu was located.
"Captain Wu, that guy's castle is inside this apartment building."
Zhang Caidong eagerly pointed the way.
He had gone to great lengths to earn this chance to guide Wu Hu of the Eighth Convoy.
Merits and faults could offset each other.
If they truly achieved something, then considering his efforts, perhaps they would casually reward him with something or record a merit for him. That would make it worthwhile!
"I know." But Wu Hu did not even glance at him and merely snorted.
Looking at the seemingly ordinary apartment building, mockery appeared in his eyes. "A castle hidden inside an apartment building really is well concealed. But since we know about it now, he should obediently hand over the Lord's Crystal Core. Maybe then our boss will even put up a memorial tablet for him!"
"Huff, haha, hahaha!" The Official Employees behind him immediately burst into wheezing laughter.
Even the Contract Workers of the Ninth and Tenth Outsourced Convoys joined in.
Their smiles were somewhat forced, however.
As they looked toward the apartment entrance, the anger and humiliation of being looked down on and oppressed in ordinary times filled their eyes with bloodshot veins.
Even the Gnolls, Wild Goblins, and weaker but still combat-capable Spiritual Realm Creatures following behind these outsourced Contract Workers seemed to sense their masters' anger and humiliation. They howled as well, rubbing their hands together in anticipation of battle.
Because they all knew—
If they won, then they outsourced Contract Workers could also enjoy rewards from Diesel Company.
For example, Spiritual Realm Food cultivated by Diesel Company, allocated beauties, or even some Mark Fragments to help replenish their Followers.
Otherwise, who would risk their lives for Diesel Company?
"Captain Wu Hu, what tactics should we use next..." Zhang Caidong eagerly spoke up from the side, wanting to say something.
After all, he knew just how formidable the human elite soldiers who had appeared in the long corridors of this apartment building were!
And most importantly...
He had only reported discovering a new human lord.
He had not reported that he had already encountered and fought that lord, only to be forcibly driven from the apartment building by the other party's elite troops!
"Shut up." Wu Hu directly raised a hand, cutting off Zhang Caidong's attempt to discuss tactics.
His thick legs carried him into the apartment entrance.
His tone was extremely impatient. "Everyone, just charge in after me! End this quickly! Does a newly emerged human lord really think he's anything special!?"
"Hahaha! Follow the captain! Charge!" The Official Employees arrogantly echoed him.
So did the Contract Workers.
Every one of them looked at Zhang Caidong with ridicule and contempt. He was clearly somewhat timid, as though the whip had lashed all spirit and vigor out of him.
Just as Wu Hu had said.
He was only a newly appeared human lord.
At most, he had a small castle and fewer than a hundred human troops.
He had not had enough time to locate various lost or descended Spiritual Realm Marks, nor acquire the Undead Monster Descent Nexus that appeared at the nodes of different space-times.
How could he contend with more than five hundred of them?
Perhaps a single charge would directly drown those fewer than one hundred humans!
"..." Zhang Caidong's eyes flickered at the sight.
He opened his mouth.
But he closed it again, glancing at the seven Gnolls still remaining behind him.
With gloom and a hint of vengeful delight in his eyes, he said in a low voice, "Then we'll follow them in too!"
PS: You got it. I'll make changes after this battle! Village mode activated! Oh, and if you've made it this far, please send more recommendation votes and monthly votes. I'm begging you.
Before you continue