After returning to the castle, Velin immediately ordered the construction of two ranches north of the castle, one covering three hundred mu and the other five hundred mu. He planned to begin breeding Black-skinned Meat Pigs and Luo Niu Camels first, expanding their scale in preparation for future troop training.
Because it was Velin's order, Belder directly transferred most of the commoners into the construction effort. Even the able-bodied Freemen repairing roads in the territory were pulled to the north of the castle to build the ranches. As for the newly arrived Freemen, there was even less need to mention them—they were all sent over, so the lord's orders could be completed as quickly as possible.
Gathering the strength of most of Lake of Star Prayer's able-bodied men, the two ranches were largely completed in less than ten days, with only some details left to be refined.
On January 15th, 9722 of the Radiant Calendar, all fifteen of Velin's Guardian Knights gathered in the castle for the annual summary meeting.
After a year apart, the brothers Orlando and Hebrew had matured considerably. Andrew and the others who worked alongside them had subtly come to regard them as their leaders.
"Greetings, my lord."
Inside the meeting room, the fourteen men rose to their feet and bowed when they saw Velin enter.
"Sit. Everyone, sit."
Velin walked to the seat at the head of the table, smiling as he spoke to the others before taking his seat.
At his words, the fourteen men sat down on their stools.
As Velin's personal guard, Kyle moved behind him and watched everyone present.
"A year ago, I promised that whichever side won would receive my reward."
"Now, begin your reports."
"We'll start with Orlando's group."
Orlando rose at once, bowed to Velin, and began his