The next day, Ang arrived early at the Imperial Territory Administration Office and submitted his application along with his decision. To his surprise, the staff worked very efficiently and processed his application quickly.
A middle-aged staff member took out a detailed map, spread it open, and pointed to one area. "Your territory is located forty kilometers north of Pat City. From here to here is the extent of your territory."
Following the man's finger, Ang saw that the marked area on the map was completely empty. There were no villages and no known resource sites. The staff member continued, "This area is currently wasteland. There are no residents and no infrastructure. You will need to plan and build everything yourself. Of course, as an Imperial noble, you also have the right to transfer this territory to another lord and become a free noble yourself. This is expressly permitted by Imperial law."
The staff member's tone carried a trace of professional detachment, but also a well-meaning reminder.
Ang studied the map in silence for a while. Though the conditions of this territory were harsh, its location was not bad. It was only forty kilometers from Pat City and close to his hometown, River Bay City. For someone who had just become a noble, building a territory of his own would be difficult, but it was also full of challenges and opportunities.
"I'm sure." Ang nodded and answered firmly.
The staff member smiled faintly, seemingly a little surprised by his decisiveness. He took out two blank sheets of parchment, placed them within a complex magic circle, and began casting a spell to designate Ang's territorial boundaries. A miniature map soon appeared on the parchment, clearly marking the borders, after which the staff member stamped it with the seal representing Imperial authority.
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