Victor watched the few people recede into the distance, holding a flicker of hope in his heart.
"Victor, since you dislike slaves, why not simply abolish slavery in your territory?"
"Number 1, I didn't expect you to take the initiative to ask me something like that. Yes, my past experiences made me hate the existence of this system, but I don't believe I have the strength to challenge this world. I need time. I need companions. Now, I'm beginning to find them. All right, this is merely my own wishful thinking. We have more important matters to handle now."
That afternoon, the fleet was scheduled to depart on its return voyage.
Victor rode to the docks and spotted Captain Jack arguing with Powell from afar.
Powell quickly noticed Victor. He immediately tugged at Captain Jack, making him notice Victor as well. The two instantly ended their argument and walked toward Victor.
Victor looked at them and asked directly, "What happened? Is there a problem with the fleet?"
"My lord, the fleet had already been arranged. Both the horses and the herdsmen had boarded and were ready to depart, but the esteemed Steward Powell stopped me again. He insisted that I clear out several more ships to transport sheep and hay. At this rate, the fleet may not even be able to set sail by tomorrow morning," Captain Jack said indignantly.
Powell hurriedly explained, "My lord, it isn't like that. We discovered that there are too many sheep in the territory right now. Even if we mobilize all the herdsmen to gather hay, it will be difficult to stockpile enough fodder to get these sheep through the winter. I thought we could send a batch of sheep back to Bole County, where there is plenty of fodder."
Victor smiled. "I understand. Powell, your idea is a good one, but we have already set the fleet's departure time, so don't make things difficult for Captain Jack. Besides, I have a way to gather enough fodder to ensure all the livestock survive the winter. Let Captain Jack take the fleet and depart."
"I understand, my lord." Powell could only abandon his idea.
Captain Jack immediately brightened. "My lord, there is one more matter I need to report. Look at that transport ship over there."
Victor looked in the direction Captain Jack pointed. A transport ship was docked by the pier on the western side of the harbor. It appeared to be one of the three ships that had run aground earlier.
"Lord Victor, while preparing the fleet for departure, I discovered damage to this ship's hull. It may have been caused when it ran aground earlier. I could only have someone make some simple repairs. Given our current conditions, it will be difficult to fix it properly. To prevent accidents, I do not plan to take this ship with us. Once we return to the territory, I'll bring over a group of shipwrights to repair it properly. The ship can still be used, and it can remain here as a ferry."
Victor nodded. "I trust your judgment. I'll leave the fleet to you from now on, Captain Jack. There is one more thing I need you to do."
"Please tell me, my lord."
"I think the territory has the conditions to try building a naval fleet as well. Please contact your old friends afterward and invite them to Golden Sunflower Territory to help prepare for this work."
"Of course, my lord. They will certainly be very willing to serve you." Captain Jack was very excited, perhaps for the sake of his old friends, or perhaps because he could sail the seas once again.
Victor stood on the dock and watched the fleet sail away. It would not return for another twenty days. By then, the territory would probably have changed dramatically.
A day later, a troop of cavalry entered Victor's territory from the north. They encountered patrolling cavalry and presented their tokens. They turned out to be troops from Black Pine Territory, led by Macut Blackpine.
Upon receiving the news, Victor hurried over to greet them.
Macut already knew that Victor had inherited the baronial title. Coupled with what he had seen of the territory's development, he kept a very humble posture. Even his greeting was respectful. "Esteemed Baron Victor, it has been a long time. Markut of Black Pine Territory has come to fulfill our commercial contract."
"You're being too formal, Markut. We're friends." Victor stepped forward, took hold of Markut, and led him back toward the camp, asking about recent events as they walked.
"Since you've come, that means Black Pine Territory's log rafting has been going smoothly. You should be able to deliver the first batch of light teak soon, right?" Victor asked directly.
"Please rest assured. Although this is our first time rafting logs, we followed your previous suggestions, and things have gone fairly smoothly. The Great Fish River is very suitable for log rafting. It has abundant water, a moderate current, and few reefs. Our rafting workers are simply not very skilled at the process yet, and they often run aground on sandbars near the banks."
"Take it slowly. Pay attention to safety. If the workers suffer accidents, it will greatly affect the work's progress," Victor reminded him.
"Now that we have discovered this low-cost method of transportation, we have signed supply contracts with several nobles along the route, creating considerable income for our family. So we also place great importance on experienced workers and offer them relatively generous treatment."
"Then congratulations. I may need to purchase another batch of lumber. Could you help me see whether you can keep the previous price and provide another batch of light teak? Half the previous quantity will do."
"Victor, you're too polite. Rest assured, we will still prioritize meeting your needs. The first batch of light teak should arrive this afternoon. There are four thousand logs in this batch, and we mobilized more than five hundred lumberjacks. Afterward, a batch will arrive every two days. Adding the second order you placed with me, I'll calculate the price by the log. Everything should be delivered before the river freezes over."
Victor was very satisfied, but also quite curious. The light teak they had agreed upon had all met the standard of five meters in height and forty centimeters in diameter. Judging from those figures alone, the plants of this world truly were remarkable. He wondered just how vast the forests near Black Pine Territory were, for them to supply such a quantity of lumber at such a low price. When he had the opportunity, he would visit Black Pine Territory and see the boundless Black Forest for himself.
After that, host and guest enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Victor invited Markut to tour his territory and told him about the various events that had taken place recently. Markut was greatly astonished. When he learned that Victor had captured more than four thousand herdsmen alone, he expressed immense admiration.
Every Northern Frontier noble captured barbarians as herding slaves, but considering the limits of population and food, their numbers never exceeded half the territory's population. Victor had captured so many herdsmen at once. He truly had the skill to back up his boldness.
That afternoon, endless rafts of logs arrived at Victor's docks along the Great Fish River. Under the joint witness of Markut and Victor, the first batch of lumber was delivered.
Markut and Victor agreed that cavalry would deliver horses to Two Rivers Territory every day for the rafting workers to ride back to Black Pine Territory. Victor stated that he would cover the horses' feed as well as the workers' food and lodging. Markut then left Two Rivers Territory and returned to Black Pine Territory. Before leaving, he invited Victor to visit Black Pine Territory, and Victor promised that after winter had passed, he would go there as a guest.
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