Oren City Ruins.
Grand Duke Oren had been extremely busy lately, because resources for building the city had gradually arrived from the north. Massive stones from deep within the mountains had been hauled here by magical beasts with dragon bloodlines.
There were also enormous numbers of slaves. These slaves came from this land, and every one of them bore the brand of an Armored Bear's paw on their shoulders, marking their identities.
This was also the most crucial source of Grand Duke Oren's troubles. The resources from the Northlands had long since been allocated; those nobles would not give him even one extra stone. But these slaves...
He had to make sure they stayed alive.
What mattered was Ryan's will. He did not want these slaves dying on the road to building a city for Grand Duke Oren. He wanted them alive.
This gave Grand Duke Oren a terrible headache. How could such a massive construction project possibly be completed without deaths? Forget a few deaths—he had been prepared for tens of thousands to die. He had even planned to use what remained of his wealth to purchase more slaves from the nobles.
For example, those people before him with bear-paw brands on their bodies were excellent candidates to die building the city. But Baron Ryan's demands were simply excessive.
Were they even slaves anymore?
He had never seen a noble feed slaves white bread!
"No one builds a city without people dying."
Members of the Oren Family complained as well. After all, when the Grand Duke's orders came down, they would be the ones carrying them out. When Baron Ryan questioned the matter later, Grand Duke Oren would place the blame on them.
"But what are we supposed to do?"
Grand Duke Oren was somewhat angry too. Not a