Setting Sail

Winter, 4340 by the Human Calendar of Saint Nor Continent.

A blizzard from the north had turned all of Highland City into a world of ice and snow.

While all the residents of Highland City celebrated the annual Dawn Festival, Roland was preparing to set foot upon the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands and embark on an ancient, sacred journey of expansion.

Highland City's eastern port, early morning.

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

At the same time, once the ships had docked, strong slaves emerged from the houses lining both sides of the harbor and continuously carried the goods that had long been prepared aboard.

Beside the merchant ships, Leslie and Roland stood facing each other. Leslie did not say much. By now, his investment in Roland had reached the limit of what he could accept. Whether Roland lived or died from here on out would depend on Roland's own efforts.

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

"Better safe than sorry," Roland replied matter-of-factly.

"Are you really going to develop a territory? The annual output of that little island of yours probably would not even cover a fraction of the cost of hiring this mercenary group," Leslie said irritably.

"Isn't having me enough?" Roland was extremely confident.

Hearing this, Leslie could not help feeling a trace of envy. Indeed, as an apothecary—and one with exceptional talent at that—Roland himself was an enormous gold mine, the kind that would never run dry.

"Fine, then I wish you success in establishing your territory."

"Thank you, my friend," Roland said solemnly and sincerely.

No matter what motives Leslie had for approaching him, Leslie had truly provided Roland with tremendous help.

Whether it was the various supplies or intelligence on the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, both were exceedingly precious to Roland at this point.

"Haha, I look forward to the day you become a noble. When that day comes, we'll go have a proper drink at the Noble Villa," Leslie said with a laugh.

Roland's face reddened at those words. That night a week ago had indeed been rather wild for him.

"Fine. I'll pay next time," Roland agreed readily.

"Then I'll make sure to bleed you dry."

"No problem."

As the two chatted, more than twenty figures hurried over from outside the harbor in the early morning.

When they drew close, the leader proved to be Manager Jon of the Shadow Merchant Guild. Accompanied by a group of warriors, he hurried toward Roland while escorting more than a dozen children who were not very old.

"Young Master Leslie?" The moment Jon saw Leslie beside Roland, his expression froze, and he called out in disbelief.

Leslie looked puzzled.

"Who are you?"

"Young Master Leslie, I am a manager of the Shadow Merchant Guild," Jon hurriedly replied.

"Do you need something from me?" Leslie was even more confused, unable to guess what this Jon who had suddenly appeared wanted.

"No, no, I would not dare disturb you, Young Master Leslie. I came today to deliver slaves to Apothecary Roland," Jon said, waving his hands repeatedly with a terrified look.

"Slaves?" Leslie looked toward the dozen or so thirteen- and fourteen-year-old children behind Jon. There were boys and girls among them. Though haggard, they appeared healthy enough.

"You've only just begun developing your territory, and the situation is still unstable. What do you need these half-grown children for?" Leslie frowned and asked Roland.

"That's a secret. It might benefit you someday as well," Roland replied, imitating Leslie's earlier expression.

"My friend, where is your sincerity?" Leslie cried out strangely.

"Then tell me first why you chose that island closest to the Beastkin Empire," Roland refused to give ground.

"No. The time isn't right yet."

"I have the same reason."

"Fine. I'm always the loser when it comes to you, aren't I?" Leslie said aggrievedly.

"Haha, it's getting late, Leslie. I should be going." This time, Roland suddenly stepped forward and gave Leslie a heavy hug, speaking with some reluctance.

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

But for the sake of enjoying such things for much longer in the future, Roland still resolutely boarded the three-masted merchant ship that had been waiting for him.

After Roland boarded, several staff members from the Terra Kingdom office used a crystal-clear orb to record everything.

Not only that, every year afterward, the Terra Kingdom would send people to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to inspect its own Pioneer Knights. If they found that someone had failed to establish their territory, or had acted cowardly and resorted to opportunistic tricks, their status as a Pioneer Knight would be revoked immediately.

That was why Roland could not avoid this. Such supervision was not merely a decision made by the Terra Kingdom, but a supreme order from the Human Alliance.

But Roland, who had made thorough preparations, was clearly brimming with confidence.

With the protection of the Black Knight Pirates, the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group, and an elite squad of Intermediate Warriors sent by Leslie, if this force still could not successfully establish a territory, then the death rate among Pioneer Knights would not be nine deaths out of ten, but certain death for all.

"Roland, my friend, fair winds," Leslie called from the harbor, waving heavily at Roland, who had already stepped onto the deck.

"Leslie, goodbye." Roland waved heavily as well.

Then, under the command of a burly, bearded man, the three merchant ships turned their bows northward, raised their sails, and slowly left Highland City, heading for the Azure Sea Region of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

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

There were not many attendees. Including Roland, there were only five people.

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

Fili Leif, captain of the three merchant ships and an old captain who had spent more than thirty years navigating the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

Artur Diaz, captain of the elite squad Leslie had sent to protect Roland, a Level 5 Warrior.

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

For the time being, these four did not belong to Roland's subordinates, but due to various circumstances, they were temporarily under Roland's command.

James Cameron was the manager responsible for coordinating the slaves and supplies, and he still answered to Leslie.

Fili had been specially transferred by Leslie from his maritime trade fleet to help Roland stabilize the situation during the early stages of his territory's development. More importantly, he would trade potions with Roland.

The elite warrior squad led by Artur appeared to follow Roland's orders, but they were actually Leslie's people as well.

O'Neal was even simpler. His relationship with Roland was purely one of employment.

But without the help of a family behind him, this was already the limit of what Roland could accomplish. He had been fortunate to meet Leslie; otherwise, Roland could never have assembled such a foundation and set off in such grand fashion to establish a territory.

Once the three had arrived, Roland skipped the pleasantries. He spread a nautical chart of the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands across the table and said to Fili, "Captain Feli, the fleet will first go to White Whale Island to meet with the Black Knight Pirates, then head straight for our destination."

"Understood, Apothecary Roland." Fili nodded without the slightest surprise. He had clearly received word in advance.

"Including the detour to White Whale Island, roughly how many days will it take us to reach our destination?" Roland continued, looking at the chart.

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

"So we'll be wasting three days?" Roland frowned slightly, but he did not alter the route because of it.

He had a reason why he absolutely had to visit White Whale Island.

"Yes, Apothecary Roland," Fili confirmed.

"Mm. Plan the sailing route according to this itinerary," Roland finally ordered.

"I will obey your command," Fili replied respectfully. Although he was not Roland's subordinate, he knew very well how important Roland was to Leslie, so his attitude was extremely humble.

Roland nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze to Manager James. The man was around thirty years old, with short, slightly curly hair and well-defined features. Overall, he looked considerably better than the other three.

"Manager James, based on our current personnel, how long can the food we have last?"

Facing Roland's question, James showed no panic. He directly pulled a somewhat yellowed notebook from his pocket. As he read from it, he answered Roland's question.

"Reporting to Apothecary Roland, we currently have ten tons of rye, two tons of wheat, two tons of barley, and half a ton of assorted meat. It originally could have lasted half a year, but with the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group added, it is estimated to last only two months."

Roland fell into brief thought. He already knew about the supplies, since Leslie had told him before, but he had hired the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group afterward, so Roland needed to know how long his food could last with over a hundred mercenaries with large appetites added to the equation. The food reserve had fallen directly from half a year to two months, and that number gave Roland a sense of danger.

In the lawless Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, food was the foundation of everything. Without ample food, Roland feared that before he could die at the hands of his enemies, hungry slaves and mercenaries would slaughter him first.

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

"Understood," Fili immediately replied.

"Captain Artur, report the class levels of the people under your command." Roland shifted his gaze again, settling it on Artur.

Faced with Roland's brisk and decisive manner, Artur felt a wave of pressure bearing down on him. He hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Apothecary Roland, including myself, our squad currently has one Level 5 Warrior and nine Level 4 Warriors."

"Good." Roland did not ask further questions, merely recording the information Artur had reported into the Chip.

In truth, most of Roland's questions at this point were meant to gather and complete information for Nuwa, allowing her to conduct accurate risk assessments.

Should Roland overlook anything during the construction of his territory, Nuwa could immediately issue a risk warning.

After gaining a basic understanding of his current resources and manpower, Roland did not waste words. His serious gaze swept over the four people before him one by one before he said solemnly, "Everyone, by the workings of fate, we have gathered here today."

"Therefore, I hope that in the time ahead, you will fight alongside me and build this territory together. Once it is done, I will certainly reward you."

The four immediately grew solemn as well. Had those words come from someone else, they might not have taken them seriously.

But the one saying them now was an apothecary, and one of exceptional talent at that. If they could truly gain his friendship, it would undoubtedly bring great benefits to their futures.

Thus, after exchanging glances, the four answered in unison, "We are willing to serve you."

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

At that moment, his makeshift crew had taken its initial shape.