The morning sun rose, winter gradually passed, and hints of green appeared across the land.
Large numbers of farmers had been conscripted and were working with their heads down.
Derek rode around on horseback, making an inspection.
Progress was a little faster than he had expected.
Augusta Territory was relatively prosperous, at least within Saint Myra Province. It had ample water and fairly fertile land.
Derek went back and forth checking, making sure everything was proceeding according to plan.
Then he returned to Augusta City. Its general outline had already taken shape, and the blacksmith shops' furnaces burned day and night.
"Send all surplus weapons, including the heavy armor, to the storehouses."
Derek gave the order, which also included the Old Count's commission.
In truth, all the weapons and equipment were stored in the military camp's warehouses. The city itself did not yet serve any purpose.
In the vast city, only a few commoners and skilled workers such as low-ranking smiths remained.
Derek stood atop the inner wall, which was beginning to take shape, his gaze gradually turning cold.
Was victory worth the sacrifice?
He already had an answer in his heart.
Sorry, I can't be a saint.
At last, he returned to the military camp.
A full twelve thousand private soldiers within the territory were training, scattered among military camps in several locations.
Their daily expenses were enough to leave any noble staring in shock.
Even the Perez Family could not withstand such consumption.
The same was true for Derek. Maintaining an army of this size would be enough to bankrupt him within a year.
If he had not ransacked Saint Myra Province once, he would already have gone bankrupt.
Wages alone exceeded fifteen thousand gold coins a year. With basic equipment included, it came to twenty thousand gold