Then There Was Only One Answer

Lu Ban needed manpower.

But not these numb, silent townspeople, nor these knights who had no combat ability, and certainly not these nobles who were lost in entertainment and knew only how to indulge in wine and women.

Not even the Court Mages.

What Lu Ban needed were professionals with initiative—people who could gather quickly, propose plans, and put them into action.

What Lu Ban needed were builders and warriors who were unafraid of sacrifice, hardworking and brave, and determined to better themselves.

With that thought, Lu Ban quickly came up with an idea.

If there was anyone who could rapidly adapt to an environment different from reality, make changes in the shortest possible time, begin construction and development, and remain unafraid of failure and death, then there was only one answer.

Lu Ban told the knights to wait where they were, then immediately ran toward the baron's house.

As he ran, Lu Ban shouted, "I've thought of it! I've thought of it!"

Hearing Lu Ban's words, Xiya and Trist both came out, with Baron Jero following behind them.

When Baron Jero saw the red-clad knight, his expression changed drastically. He hid behind Xiya, seemingly terrified of the knight.

"What happened?"

Xiya looked at the red-clad knight crawling on the ground, then at Lu Ban, unsure what he had done this time.

"I've thought of how to save the Night Country with this bunch of vermin," Lu Ban said.

"Vermin?"

Baron Jero was puzzled.

"I mean these kind and adorable townspeople, along with these fully armed knights," Lu Ban corrected himself.

"Did you discover something?" Trist asked. He had long since grown accustomed to Lu Ban's strange ideas.

"Baron, are there any swamps or similar pools of water nearby?" Lu Ban asked.

"Swamps? Pools?"

Baron Jero clearly did not understand