Urgent Need for Grain and Fodder

In the early morning, Karl had just woken from a short sleep when the precise prompt in his mind arrived as expected:

[Daily quests have been updated]

[Quest Content]: Travel to Fran City and purchase ten thousand jin of grain. (Incomplete)

This quest came at just the right time, like an alarm bell, reminding Karl of a crucial matter that had almost been overshadowed by the busy reconstruction work.

They were still extremely reliant on external food supplies! Carnford was far from self-sufficient.

As soon as he sat down behind the simple desk in the castle's main hall, Old Morrell hurried in, holding a new ledger, his face showing obvious anxiety.

"My Lord, I have an urgent matter to report to you!" Morrell's voice was a little rushed. "I took stock of the granary inventory last night, and our current grain reserves, mainly rye and wheat, are less than five thousand jin! At the current consumption rate, it can only last for half a month at most! The dried meat and preserved meat are almost depleted, and there's very little soybean left. The spring planting crops have just been sown, and distant water can't quench immediate thirst..."

Karl's heart sank; the situation was more serious than he had imagined.

He immediately replied, "This is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I plan to personally lead a team to Fran City immediately to purchase grain."

Morrell let out a long sigh of relief upon hearing this, and his anxiety immediately lessened by more than half. "That's wonderful! Your wisdom is unmatched, my Lord! I will prepare the shopping list for you right away!"

He immediately bent down, using Karl's desk, picked up a quill pen, dipped it in ink, and quickly began writing on a piece of parchment. He not only listed the types and quantities of grain but also roughly estimated the required funds based on market prices.

Karl, meanwhile, got up to arrange personnel. Brendan was now the Military Chief, responsible for the entire territory's defense and training, and could not be easily dispatched. Richter was the core of the City Defense Army captain and also needed to be on-site.

The best candidate was undoubtedly Roland. He was a newly promoted Second-Order Knight, his personal combat power sufficient to handle ordinary dangers on the road, and his personality was steady and reliable.

"Roland!" Karl called the young knight over. "Gather five of the most capable battle soldiers and prepare to depart immediately. We'll ride to Fran City and be back quickly!"

"Yes, my Lord!" Roland accepted the order and immediately went to select his men.

Soon, the seven-person team was assembled.

Karl, Roland, and five veterans carefully selected from the battle soldiers, all of whom were skilled riders and possessed excellent combat power.

They brought the territory's remaining ten horses. Three would be used to carry supplies, and the seven of them would ride, planning to travel light and fast to save time.

Just as they were preparing to depart, Brendan and Richter arrived together, both with worried expressions.

"My Lord!" Brendan spoke first, his tone heavy. "The journey to Fran City is not short. Although we have basically cleared the monsters on the road, there's no guarantee against bandits or scattered monsters. It's too risky for you to go personally! Let me or Richter lead the team!"

Richter echoed, "Indeed, my Lord. Carnford can do without us, but it cannot do without you! Please reconsider!"

Karl looked at his two loyal subordinates, his heart warmed, but his attitude was firm.

Of course, he couldn't tell them it was a system quest, so he had to find other reasons.

"Precisely because I am the Lord of this territory, my personal presence during the procurement will demonstrate our sincerity and urgent need, perhaps allowing us some convenience in price and quantity," Karl said, patting Brendan and Richter on the shoulder. "Moreover, Carnford's defense and internal management cannot function without the two of you. Your roles here are more important than mine. Rest assured, with Roland and elite soldiers accompanying me, everything will be fine."

His reasons sounded plausible. Although Brendan and Richter were still worried, they could no longer insist and could only solemnly bow. "Please be careful, my Lord! Return soon!"

At this moment, Morrell also finished writing the list and took the corresponding gold coins from a locked chest. He put them into a heavy bag and handed it to Karl.

Karl took the list and the money bag, slung the bag over his shoulder, and mounted his horse. Roland and the other five soldiers also mounted theirs.

"Let's go!" Karl pulled the reins and led the way towards the newly installed wooden gate on the gentle slope down the mountain.

Under the watchful eyes of the remaining soldiers, craftsmen, and citizens, filled with worry and anticipation, the small group of horsemen galloped out of Carnford, kicking up dust as they sped towards Fran City in the south.

Karl and his group of seven rode their horses at full speed, barely stopping along the way. Finally, on the afternoon of the next day, they saw the familiar, reassuringly massive city walls of Fran City in the distance.

After loudly announcing their identities and purpose to the guards on the city wall, and following a brief confirmation, a small gate on the side of the wall, only wide enough for a single rider, was slowly opened.

Karl led his team in single file.

As soon as they entered the city, Karl was somewhat surprised to find that the always expressionless Recorder from the Governor's Office was waiting for him not far from the gate.

Karl quickly dismounted and hurried to the Recorder's side, placing his right hand over his chest and performing a standard military salute. "Respected Recorder, Your Excellency, it truly humbles me that you would wait here personally."

The Recorder maintained his usual business-like, cold demeanor, nodding slightly. "Lord Karl, there is no need for such formality. Waiting here was the Earl's order. The Earl wishes to see you. Are you available at the moment?"

Karl's heart stirred, and he immediately replied, "Yes, of course! Please lead the way, Recorder."

The Recorder nodded and instructed a subordinate behind him, "Take these brave warriors to the post station and see that they are well-treated."

Then, he gestured to Karl, "Lord Karl, please follow me."

Roland and the others looked at Karl with some concern. Karl nodded to them, signaling that he was fine, and then followed the Recorder towards the center of power in the Northern Border—the Governor's Office.

The path was familiar, as was the heavy oak door.

The Recorder pushed open the office door and walked in with Karl.

Earl Rochefort was sitting behind his large desk, seemingly reviewing documents.

Hearing the movement, he looked up. Upon seeing Karl, his face immediately broke into his characteristic, somewhat playful smile.

"Oh? And who do we have here? Our valiant 'Carnford Dog Slayer,' Lord Karl von Schmidt?" The Earl put down his quill pen and leaned back in his chair. "What's wrong? It's only been less than half a month, hasn't it? You couldn't wait to rush back to Fran City? Were you driven back by a large force of Sauron? Or has the desolation of Carnford exceeded the imagination of a Duke's son like yourself?"

Karl was long accustomed to the Earl's teasing style. He stepped forward a few paces and bowed respectfully but not subserviently. "Your Excellency jokes. Although Carnford is difficult, everything is developing in a positive direction. I have returned because of the territory's reconstruction matters, and I am here to report to you and procure some urgently needed supplies."

"Report?" Rochefort raised an eyebrow, seeming slightly interested. "Tell me, how is that pile of broken rocks of yours progressing?"

Karl took a deep breath and began to report clearly and concisely. "Thanks to you, the initial reconstruction of Carnford has been smooth. We have cleared the main ruins, repaired some defensive fortifications, built semi-subterranean dwellings sufficient for winter for all personnel, restored key facilities like the barracks and blacksmith shop, found a stable water source, and have already begun spring planting."

He paused, then continued with even more shocking news. "During this time, we defeated and completely annihilated a Goblin tribe called 'Black Tooth' that attempted a night raid on the camp, capturing their accumulated stores. Furthermore, we discovered a high-quality flint mine on the cliff north of Carnford, with a small amount of associated iron ore. We have already begun building platforms for mining. Currently, the personnel in the territory are stable, and morale is high."