At the Pioneer Alliance's base, the camp on the edge of the eastern bank still retained the rough appearance it had had during the earliest days of development.
Dust rose beneath their feet. Tents stood in orderly rows, while the wooden Lookout Tower creaked in the wind.
Butler Fed led Hard on a circuit around the camp.
Hard sat atop his horse, frowning as he surveyed the surroundings. He was clearly quite dissatisfied with the sight before him. "Fed, why did Uncle send me here? What future could a place like this possibly have? Magical Beasts are everywhere, there's no one around for miles, and there isn't even a proper city wall."
Fed held the horse's reins, his expression unchanged, though his tone was somewhat heavy. "Young Master Hard, the Count has high hopes for you. Though this land has yet to be developed, it holds enormous potential. He believes that here, you can temper your will and establish great achievements."
"Great achievements?" Hard snorted. "If Uncle were willing to send me an Enchanted Armament squad, I could clear out a huge stretch of land within three days."
"The Enchanted Armament Regiment can only be deployed on the front lines. That is a rule jointly established by several Grand Dukes of the Empire."
Fed stopped and turned to look at the soldiers training nearby. "Even the Count cannot mobilize them at will."
Hard clicked his tongue and muttered disdainfully, "I really don't understand what those Grand Dukes are thinking. They insist on fighting the Lizardmen to the bitter end. Why can't they negotiate? Draw a boundary and let each side develop on its own."
"Young Master Hard!" Fed's expression changed as he hastily lowered his voice. "Watch your words! If that reaches the ears of the Grand Dukes, not only