Setting Sail

In the year 4340 of the Saint Nor Continent's Human Calendar, winter.

A heavy snowfall from the north transformed the entirety of Highland City into a world of ice and snow.

Just as the residents of Highland City were reveling in the annual Dawn Festival, Roland was about to embark on a journey across the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, undertaking an ancient and sacred pioneering expedition.

Highland East Port, early morning.

Three three-masted merchant ships, each ten zhang long, quietly sailed into the harbor and docked at the pier.

Simultaneously, after the merchant ships docked, strong slaves emerged from the buildings on both sides of the harbor, continuously loading the pre-prepared goods onto the ships.

Beside the merchant ships, Leslie and Roland stood facing each other. Leslie didn't say much. At this point, his investment in Roland had reached the limit he could bear. Whether Roland lived or died from here on out would depend on his own efforts.

However, when he then saw the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group suddenly appear, led by O'Neal, Leslie's mouth twitched, and he said helplessly, "Roland, no wonder you asked me to prepare an extra merchant ship. You actually hired a mercenary group?"

"Better safe than sorry," Roland replied as a matter of course.

"Are you going to pioneer a territory? The annual output of that little island of yours wouldn't even cover a fraction of the cost of hiring this mercenary group," Leslie said irritably.

"Isn't my presence enough?" Roland was extremely confident.

Hearing this, Leslie couldn't help but feel a hint of envy. Indeed, as an alchemist, and an alchemist with exceptional talent at that, Roland himself was a massive gold mine, and the inexhaustible kind.

"Alright, then I wish you success in pioneering your territory."

"Thank you, my friend." Roland's expression turned serious, and he said very earnestly.

Regardless of Leslie's attitude towards him, Leslie had indeed provided Roland with immense help.

Both the various supplies and the intelligence on the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands were extremely precious to Roland at this time.

"Haha, I look forward to the day you become a noble. We'll have a good drink at a Noble Villa then," Leslie laughed heartily.

Roland's face turned red at this. That night a week ago had indeed been a bit wild for him.

"Okay, I'll pick up the tab next time," Roland still agreed heartily.

"Then I'll have to bleed you dry."

"No problem."

As the two were talking, more than twenty figures appeared outside the harbor in the early morning, hurrying over.

As they approached, the leader was none other than Steward Jon of the Shadow Merchant Guild, leading a squad of warriors escorting over a dozen children, not much older, who were walking quickly towards Roland.

"Young Master Leslie?" Upon seeing Leslie beside Roland, Jon's expression froze, and he called out in disbelief.

Leslie, hearing this, couldn't help but look puzzled.

"Who are you?"

"Replying to Young Master Leslie, I am a steward of the Shadow Merchant Guild," Jon quickly replied.

"Do you need something from me?" Leslie was even more confused, wondering what this suddenly appearing Jon wanted.

"No, no, I wouldn't dare disturb Young Master Leslie. I'm here today to deliver slaves to Alchemist Roland," Jon said, waving his hands repeatedly, appearing extremely deferential.

"Slaves?" Leslie couldn't help but cast his gaze towards the dozen or so thirteen or fourteen-year-old children behind Jon. There were boys and girls among them, their expressions haggard, but they appeared healthy.

"You've just begun pioneering your territory, and the situation isn't stable yet. What are you doing with these half-grown children?" Leslie frowned and asked Roland.

"It's a secret. It might be beneficial to you in the future," Roland replied, mimicking Leslie's earlier expression.

"My friend, where is your sincerity?" Leslie exclaimed playfully.

"Then you tell me first, why did you choose that island closest to the Beastkin Empire?" Roland didn't back down.

"No, the time isn't right yet."

"For the same reason."

"Fine, you always win with me, don't you?" Leslie said with a hint of grievance.

"Haha, it's getting late, Leslie, I have to go." Roland suddenly stepped forward and hugged Leslie tightly, saying with reluctance.

He was truly reluctant, not to part with Leslie, but to part with the extravagant Frank Street of Highland City.

However, for the sake of longer-term enjoyment in the future, Roland resolutely stepped onto the three-masted merchant ship that had been waiting for him for a long time.

And just as Roland stepped onto the merchant ship, three staff members from the Terra Kingdom's office, holding a crystal-clear crystal ball, recorded everything.

Not only that, but every year thereafter, the Terra Kingdom would send people to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to inspect their own Pioneer Knights. Once they found pioneering to be a failure, or discovered any acts of shirking responsibility or opportunism, their status as Pioneer Knights would be immediately revoked.

This was also why Roland couldn't escape. The supervision in this regard was not solely the decision of the Terra Kingdom, but a supreme order from the Human Alliance.

However, Roland, now fully prepared, was clearly full of confidence.

With the protection of the Black Knight Pirates, the escort of the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group, and an elite squad of Intermediate Warriors from Leslie, if he still couldn't successfully pioneer his territory, the death rate for Pioneer Knights wouldn't be nine out of ten, but ten out of ten.

"Roland, my friend, have a good journey," Leslie said from the port, watching Roland, who had already boarded the deck, and waved his hand heavily.

"Goodbye, Leslie," Roland also waved his hand heavily.

Then, the three merchant ships, under the command of a burly man with a full beard, turned their bows, headed north, set sail, and slowly departed from Highland City, heading towards the Azure Sea Region of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

After leaving Highland City, Roland immediately convened the first meeting before pioneering the territory in the captain's cabin.

There were not many attendees, only five people including Roland.

James Cameron, the steward in charge of one hundred slaves and various supplies.

Captain Fili Leif, a captain of three merchant ships who had been active in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands for over thirty years.

Artur Diaz, the captain of an elite squad sent by Leslie to ensure Roland's safety, a Level 5 warrior.

O'Neal Grey, the leader of the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group.

These four individuals did not belong to Roland's subordinates up to this point, but due to various factors, they were now temporarily under Roland's command.

James Cameron was the steward responsible for coordinating slaves and supplies, and still belonged to Leslie.

Fili was specially assigned by Leslie from his maritime trade fleet to help Roland temporarily stabilize the early situation of the territory. More importantly, he was to conduct potion trade with Roland.

As for the elite warrior squad led by Artur, they were ostensibly taking orders from Roland, but in reality, they were also Leslie's people.

O'Neal's situation was even simpler; his relationship with Roland was one of employment.

However, without the help of his family behind him, this was the extent of what Roland could achieve. It was also thanks to Roland's good luck in encountering Leslie; otherwise, Roland would not have been able to gather such assets and set off to develop his territory with such fanfare.

After the three arrived, Roland, without any pleasantries, spread out a nautical chart of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands on the table and said to Fili, "Captain Fili, the fleet will first head to White Whale Island to rendezvous with the Black Knight Pirates, and then proceed directly to our destination."

"Understood, Pharmacist Roland." Fili nodded, showing no surprise, as he had evidently received prior notice.

"Including the time taken to detour to White Whale Island, how many days will it take us to reach our destination?" Roland looked at the sea chart and continued to ask Fili.

"Reporting to Pharmacist Roland, it will take approximately ten days."

"Meaning we'll waste three days?" Roland frowned slightly but did not change his itinerary because of it.

He had a compelling reason to visit White Whale Island.

"Yes, Pharmacist Roland," Fili confirmed.

"Alright, plan the sailing route according to this itinerary," Roland finally ordered.

"Your command will be obeyed." Fili replied respectfully. Although he was not Roland's subordinate, he was well aware of Roland's standing in Leslie's heart, hence his humble demeanor.

After nodding slightly, Roland turned his gaze to Steward James. The man was in his thirties, with slightly curly short hair and well-defined features. Overall, his appearance was significantly more striking than the other three.

"Steward James, based on the current personnel, how long will the food supplies we have on hand last?"

In response to Roland's inquiry, James showed no panic. Instead, he directly took out a somewhat yellowed notebook from his bosom.

James consulted his notebook as he answered Roland's question.

"Reporting to Pharmacist Roland, we currently have a total of ten tons of black rye, two tons of wheat, two tons of barley, and half a ton of various meats. Originally, this would have lasted for half a year, but now, with the addition of the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group, it is estimated to last only two months."

Upon hearing this, Roland fell into a moment of deep thought. He was aware of the supplies, as Leslie had informed him earlier. However, he had since hired the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group, so Roland wanted to know how long his food would last with an additional hundred hungry mercenaries.

But the drop from a six-month food reserve to just two months sent a shiver of danger down Roland's spine.

In the chaotic Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, food was the foundation of everything. Without ample food, Roland feared he would be killed by his starving slaves and mercenaries before he could even fall to his enemies.

"Captain Fili, when you return next month, please purchase another twenty tons of black rye, and five tons of wheat and barley from Leslie for me."

"As you command," Fili replied immediately.

"Captain Artur, report the professional levels of your subordinates." Roland's gaze shifted again, falling upon Artur.

Faced with Roland's decisive manner, Artur felt a palpable pressure and quickly replied, "Reporting to Pharmacist Roland, including myself, our squad currently has one Level 5 warrior and nine Level 4 warriors."

"Good." Roland asked no further questions, instead recording the information reported into his chip.

In fact, most of Roland's current inquiries were for Nuwa to gather comprehensive information and perform precise risk assessments.

If Roland overlooked anything during the process of developing the territory, Nuwa could immediately provide a risk warning.

After gaining a basic understanding of his current assets and personnel, Roland chose to dispense with further pleasantries. His serious gaze swept across the four men before him, and he said with great solemnity, "Everyone, by the will of fate, you have gathered here today."

"Therefore, I hope that for the time being, you will fight alongside me and work together to build this territory. I will surely reward you afterward."

Upon hearing this, the four men's expressions immediately turned serious. If these words had come from someone else, they might not have taken them to heart.

However, coming from a pharmacist, and one with such exceptional talent, if they could truly gain his friendship, it would undoubtedly bring immense benefits to their future.

Therefore, after exchanging glances, the four men replied in unison, "We are willing to serve you."

"Excellent." A brilliant smile appeared on Roland's face.

At this moment, his makeshift team was initially formed.