Gute Territory—Baron Olcott

Gute Territory covered more than 3,500 square kilometers, most of it plains. It had a population of over ninety thousand and was considered one of the top noble powers in Cadro Province.

The lord of this land was Olcott Ex, a sixth-generation member of the Ex Family and of the same generation as Velin's father.

Thanks to the Ex Family's traditions, every Ex descendant received a fine education. Those who chose the path of Pioneer Knight were especially determined to build something from nothing and bring glory to their ancestors.

After arriving in Cadro Province more than fifty years ago, Olcott had built this foundation from scratch through his own hard work and struggle.

"Master, a guard has reported that your nephew Velin is here to visit. He has also presented a letter as proof." An elderly Butler entered and reported to Olcott, who was over seventy yet still looked middle-aged.

As a High-Silver Knight, he had only lived through half his lifespan and had at least another sixty-five years to live.

If he made a breakthrough, his lifespan could instantly increase by another two hundred years.

"Hmm?"

Olcott was puzzled. He accepted the letter and saw that it did indeed bear the family crest. He had not returned to the family for more than twenty years, and although they had exchanged letters during that time, most had concerned official business.

After opening the letter and checking its secret mark, he confirmed that the visitor was indeed his nephew. He then began reading the introduction to learn the basic details.

"Call Cowell. He will come with me to welcome my nephew." Olcott straightened his attire and instructed the Butler.

"Yes, Master."

The Butler stepped forward to help Olcott arrange his clothes, then withdrew to summon Cowell, the first heir.

At that moment, at the entrance to Gute City, the central town of Gute Territory, Velin looked over the clean and orderly surroundings. They carried the family's style.

The residents around him were rosy-cheeked and well-fed, far better off than the commoners under the nobles he had passed along the way.

"Belder, it seems this granduncle of mine is a man with great ambitions."

"You are right, my lord," Captain of the Knight Guard Belder replied.

Not long after, a burly middle-aged man strode toward Velin with the bearing of a dragon and tiger. Several knights and a Butler followed behind him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Uncle. I am Velin Ex, the Fifth Son of Earl Eagle." Velin stepped forward, bent slightly in salute, and showed his respect for his elder.

"I'm glad to meet you, Velin. Has Lord Angus been well lately?" Olcott laughed heartily as he replied.

"Everything is well. Under Father's governance, Eagle Territory has grown ever stronger."

"Come, let me introduce you. This is my finest son, Cowell." Olcott took Velin's hand and introduced him warmly.

"Greetings, Cousin." Velin instinctively extended his right hand.

Cowell paused for a moment, then extended his right hand and shook Velin's.

Olcott was also curious about this novel greeting, but as an elder, he found it improper to ask.

"By the way, Uncle, Cousin, since this is our first meeting, I have a gift for you."

Seeing this, Orlando stepped forward carrying an exquisite gift box. He slowly opened it, revealing three Intermediate Magic Crystals inside.

"That is far too valuable." Olcott spoke in surprise, startled by Velin's gift.

In Cadro Province, one Intermediate Magic Crystal was worth five thousand Gold Coins. These three were equivalent to Fifteen Thousand Gold Coins.

His territory's annual tax revenue was only thirty thousand Gold Coins.

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"Uncle, you overstate it. I have only just arrived here and need to gather some information. I cannot do that without your help." Velin replied with a smile, his face full of sincerity.

Baron Olcott exchanged a few polite words, then had the Butler accept the three Intermediate Magic Crystals. He warmly took Velin's hand and led him toward the Castle at the center of Gute City.

Along the way, Baron Olcott showed Velin unprecedented enthusiasm.

"Velin, manpower is the most important thing in pioneering. As a return gift, I will give you two hundred serfs, twenty carts of grain, two hundred spears, and a detailed map of Cadro Province."

"Then thank you, Uncle Olcott." Velin smiled. He had been short on people, and now they had arrived.

Upon arriving at Gute Castle, a Banquet was quickly held.

Inside the Castle hall were fourteen knights under Velin's command and more than sixty knights under Olcott's command.

As the focus of the Banquet, Velin received much attention. More than thirty beautiful girls cast seductive looks his way.

However, he had no intention of considering marriage before the age of thirty, unless the benefits were tempting enough to make him break that rule.

For that reason, he refused every one-night stand proposed by those girls.

"Velin, actually, you could... well, relax a little." Cowell approached Velin with a wineglass in hand and said with a faint smile.

"No, Cousin. As a Loyal Knight, premarital sex is a Desecration of Marriage."

Cowell looked at his utterly serious cousin and smiled awkwardly. "All right, then I won't bother you."

Watching his cousin leave, Velin shook his head with a smile and said nothing.

Everyone had their own freedom. Why should he concern himself with so much?

Soon, the Banquet ended. Velin entered Baron Olcott's study and spoke with him by candlelight for two hours before a servant led him away to rest.

Near midnight, Velin lay on his bed, considering the specific direction he should head next.

According to the information he had obtained from Baron Olcott, the best direction for pioneering at this stage was Southwest of Graylight Wasteland. That region had many plains and abundant resources, but low-level monsters gathered there in great numbers, making it difficult to develop.

Velin was in no rush to settle on that direction.

Over the next half month, he planned to visit the other two Barons of the Ex Family and gather more intelligence before making a decision.

After staying in Gute Territory for three days, Velin bid farewell to his uncle Olcott.

Under the other man's enthusiastic send-off, Velin led his subordinates and serfs toward his next destination.

These two hundred serfs were all young, able-bodied men. In the Cadro Province market, each could sell for thirty-three Gold Coins. They could be used as cannon fodder to charge into battle, or as slaves to reclaim wilderness and cultivate fertile fields for him.

Because the caravan had grown in number and he had to account for the serfs' pace, Velin could only slow down.

Fortunately, Belder was a Knight Squad captain well versed in military knowledge. Under his command, the two hundred serfs were divided into twenty squads, each performing its duties without falling into disorder.

As the days passed, the two hundred serfs increasingly took on the appearance of an army. Only their actual combat strength remained unknown.

May 1st, 9720 of the Radiant Calendar, was an important day.

After nightfall, Velin sat beside the campfire and waited quietly.

The moon hung high in the sky. Soon, it was eight in the evening, and a pleasant female voice rang in his Ear once more.

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