Mobilizing the Serfs, the First Pioneer War Begins

After purchasing the serfs for 540 gold coins, Thor bought a large quantity of daily supplies, especially food.

After all, with another three thousand people added, his population had risen from nearly one thousand to nearly four thousand. The consumption involved was naturally on an entirely different scale.

In fact, food consumption was the biggest expense.

Each person consumed 0.4 to 0.5 pounds of food per day. For three thousand people, that was twelve hundred pounds a day, or thirty-six thousand pounds a month.

Food prices throughout the Northern Province had nearly tripled, if not more.

Originally, a pound of buckwheat in Frost Moon Province cost around three Copper Coins. Yet in Frost Moon Province, a pound of food cost more than ten Copper Coins, and at times could even soar beyond twelve Copper Coins.

And that was only buckwheat.

Wheat was even more expensive.

Wheat in Frost Moon Province probably cost ten Copper Coins per pound, while in the Northern Province, it cost fifty Copper Coins.

Even if the three thousand people ate nothing but buckwheat, their daily consumption would cost at least 306,000 Copper Coins a month—more than 3,600 silver coins, or thirty-six gold coins per month. If they ate wheat, the cost would exceed 180 gold coins. And that was only one month's consumption.

Over a year, that would amount to more than a thousand gold coins.

Honestly, even an ordinary Viscount family might not be able to sustain that.

Even pioneering descendants of Count families would struggle to reach that point in a short period.

After all, not every family was like Count Engel Dreyrosa, who had casually provided support amounting to more than a hundred thousand gold coins.

Even for a Count family, that was an enormously heavy financial expenditure.

Under such circumstances,

this was precisely why most Pioneer Lords could not hold out long enough to meet the kingdom's assessment standards.

But for Thor, he could still support it for the time being.

The gold coins Count Engel Dreyrosa had given him directly numbered well over ten thousand.

Not to mention one year—even two years of expenses would clearly be covered.

And with the iron mine,

the coming economic issues would not be much of a problem either.

There was even less need to worry about it.

That evening,

Ryan returned with several dozen knights.

The Blazing Oil had been brought back.

At the same time, the Habs Merchant Guild's three thousand sturdy slaves were delivered as well.

The next day,

the group set out once more in a mighty procession.

They headed back toward Eagle Ridge.

This time, compared to their first trip to Eagle Ridge, the scale was undoubtedly much greater.

They did not even encounter a single magical beast along the way.

And because the route had already been covered once before, Daily Intelligence offered no new gains during this return journey.

Ten days later, the group returned safely to Eagle Ridge.

The arrival of more than three thousand people instantly made the entire Eagle Territory lively.

The original five hundred people, in particular, immediately grew nervous. What had once been a competition among only five hundred people had suddenly become one among three thousand five hundred, increasing the numbers sevenfold. How could they not be anxious?

Thor paid no attention to their competition.

After returning to camp, he promptly summoned Steve.

When Steve appeared,

Thor could not help but smile.

The fluctuations of Life Source Power around Steve were clearly much more intense now.

That undoubtedly meant Steve had crossed that crucial threshold.

"Steve, you broke through?"

Thor spoke with a smile.

"Yes, my lord!"

Steve was grateful and excited.

A Great Knight. He had thought he would need at least several more years, and if his luck was poor, perhaps even ten years. Yet he had never imagined that after following Thor, he would break through to Great Knight in less than a few months.

It felt like a dream.

"Good, very good!"

"It seems you haven't disappointed me. Spend the next few days stabilizing your realm. In three days, we begin our operation."

"Oh, and remember to send people to learn more about that Goblin Tribe. I need more accurate information."

Thor nodded, his tone turning solemn.

"Yes!"

Steve quickly nodded.

He soon withdrew.

Once Thor confirmed that Steve had broken through, the last trace of worry in his heart vanished.

All that remained was to prepare for the attack.

Time passed swiftly.

Three days went by in the blink of an eye.

Over those three days, Steve completely stabilized his Great Knight realm. At the same time, they gained a relatively clear understanding of that large Timid Goblin Tribe.

That large Goblin Tribe likely numbered between five and six thousand goblins.

That was not a small number, but it was somewhat less than expected. It had not reached the terrifying figure of seven or eight thousand.

Meanwhile, they had also thoroughly scouted the surrounding terrain.

Inside the room,

Steve and Ryan had both gathered there.

"Let's begin the operation."

"Are all the weapons ready?"

Thor spoke as he looked toward Steve.

"My lord, everything is ready!"

Steve nodded respectfully.

"Good!"

"Then let's set out!"

Thor nodded, excitement stirring in his heart.

This would be his first battle since arriving in the pioneer territory. If he could successfully seize that iron mine, the entire territory's development would enter a period of rapid growth. Its significance would be immense.

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Steve and Ryan were equally excited, and both hurriedly answered.

As the two approached,

more than three thousand serfs across Eagle Ridge were gathered together.

Over the past three days, news of Eagle Ridge had spread throughout the area. Even the newly arrived three thousand serfs could not help but feel excited and thrilled.

They actually had a chance to be freed from serfdom. Though that chance was exceedingly slim, it truly existed. How could they not long for it?

Over these three days, the serfs had worked with unprecedented diligence.

When the lord summoned them,

not a single person dared be negligent.

Figure after figure assembled.

Everyone was filled with anticipation, curiosity, and nervousness.

Just over a month ago, when the lord had gathered them, some among them had been freed and made commoners. Perhaps this time would be the same. How could they not hope for it?

Although there was still a month left before the promised time, everyone could not help but entertain such fantasies.

Amid their anticipation and hopes, their lord—the master of Eagle Ridge—walked toward them from afar.

"My lord!"

"My lord!"

"Master!"

"Master!"

Voices rose one after another as knights and serfs alike bowed respectfully.

Every gaze directed at Thor was filled with hope and anticipation.

Under the attention of everyone present, Thor stepped onto the raised platform.