Residents Regain Hope

Loren descended from upstairs to the first-floor lobby, where Fiana and Butler Bohr were already waiting.

"Good day, master."

The white-haired Bohr immediately placed his hand on his chest and bowed, his every movement exuding noble elegance.

The cool and distant Fiana gave a slight nod, not speaking.

Loren didn't mind, offering a smile to Butler Bohr.

"Good morning, Bohr."

After speaking, he glanced around. "Where are Deen and Ariel?"

Butler Bohr replied, "Master, Mr. Deen has gone to gather the residents of the territory. He said he aims to complete the census task you assigned today. Miss Ariel is assisting him."

Loren chuckled. "The Deputy Speaker of the City Hall is assisting her assistant?"

"Have Ariel come back. When did Deen become qualified to order my deputy around? Tell him if he doesn't finish the task today, he can go manage the horse stables in the backyard. I noticed yesterday when I passed by that there seemed to be a lot of horse manure that hadn't been cleaned up. Perhaps he'll be a qualified laborer."

Butler Bohr smiled faintly. "Master, while Ariel is assisting Mr. Deen, she is also looking for suitable officials for the City Hall. After all, we have too few talented people on hand."

So few that we can only find talent among slaves who don't even know how to read...

Speaking of this topic, Loren's brow furrowed.

"After this Bloody Day, I will go to Decker City again. I will find a way to solve the population problem."

Population was a major issue. He had even realized it would inevitably be a persistent difficulty for the Gray Eagle Territory in the future.

Without people, everything else was just talk.

The entire Gray Eagle Territory currently had less than 500 people. On Earth, that would be the population of half an elementary school.

Pathetically few.

What was even more critical was that the Gray Eagle Territory was located deep within the Endless Wasteland, making it impossible to recruit ordinary citizens. In the short term, they could only acquire population through Decker City.

Butler Bohr nodded. "Master, perhaps you don't need to be so anxious. After all, even the most powerful city in the North, Decker City, took three hundred years to build. We still have time..."

Loren shook his head.

The Bloody Day was the greatest destabilizing factor. Even Decker City dared not take the Bloody Polluters hidden in dimensional planes lightly.

Moreover, the Demon Overlord whose divinity he had stolen was still searching for his whereabouts.

Although the divinity had been devoured by the system, the Archdemon Bloodline within him would not disappear. The danger was constant, and he could not be careless.

He had to make the Gray Eagle Territory stronger as quickly as possible, and the City of Brilliant Moon had to be truly established, not just an empty slogan.

"Let's go, come with me to see the census progress."

Without dwelling on the issue, Loren turned and walked out.

Butler Bohr immediately followed closely behind.

They left the manor, stepped across the withered yellow grass in front, and arrived at the street where the residents lived.

From a distance, they saw a large circle of people gathered in an open space nearby, forming two lines. Two wooden tables were neatly set up, and several residents in tattered clothes sat behind the wooden tables, questioning those standing opposite them one by one.

The bearded Deen and Ariel observed from the side, pulling out and questioning any promising individuals they found.

Guard Officer Kool, along with over twenty Human Soldiers, maintained order. Although the scene was somewhat noisy, everything was under control, and no disharmonious situations occurred.

Seeing Loren approaching, the residents in line immediately became nervous. They lowered their heads, not even daring to look him directly in the eye.

Looking at the timid, weak, and listless slave residents, Loren's brow furrowed.

But he didn't say much about it. Even changing the face of the territory wouldn't happen in a day or two.

All of this required time.

"Good day, Lord Loren."

"Lord, we welcome your arrival."

Loren nodded slightly at Deen and Ariel.

"How is the census going?"

Deen, whose beard was as thick as a dwarf's, said cautiously.

"Lord, we have already surveyed over 50 people, but only three are literate."

He then gestured to the individuals sitting behind the table.

"Ariel has already transferred them to the Ministry of People's Livelihood."

After speaking, he stole a few glances at Loren, as if afraid of being blamed.

Three literate people?

Loren looked at the long queue of people and was speechless.

If it was calculated like this, out of more than 170 people, there might not even be ten literate ones in the end??

There was something he wanted to say but wasn't sure if he should.

"Are there any talents in construction?"

Loren looked at Ariel.

Other matters could wait, but repairing the Arrow Tower was urgent. He didn't have time to wait until the next time he went to Decker City to buy slaves.

"Lord Loren, a total of thirty-two people have voluntarily declared experience in building houses. Additionally, three others participated in the construction of Arrow Towers and city walls in other cities.

Although their experience isn't extensive, it's sufficient for repairing the Arrow Towers of the City of Brilliant Moon."

Ariel's weak voice made Loren breathe a sigh of relief.

He looked in the direction the girl indicated. On the other side of the queue, over thirty people were gathered, separated from the main crowd.

"Assign all of them to the construction department.

Furthermore, the construction of the Arrow Tower will be a test. Whoever performs the best will be appointed as the head of the construction department.

Others who perform well can also be hired by the construction department and become employees of City Hall.

Once hired, they will automatically gain the status of third-class citizens, and City Hall will pay them a normal salary.

I believe they will work hard."

Ariel's eyes lit up. Being hired could mean escaping their slave status?? This was a huge temptation!!

She suspected these slave residents would unleash unprecedented enthusiasm.

"My Lord, perhaps informing them of your benevolence will be even more effective."

Loren glanced at Deen, who had spoken, and slowly nodded.

"Ariel, you go and announce it."

Deen had protected Ariel too well. This girl with unlimited potential clearly needed more experience.

Deen watched Ariel smile, his beard twitched, and his heart felt even more bitter. Why didn't my Lord ask me?

With each passing day, he felt his daughter drifting further away from him.

Ariel looked at the encouragement in Loren's eyes, and her heart instantly gained courage. She turned and walked towards the dozens of people nearby.

A moment later, under the girl's somewhat soft voice, the crowd, who had been extremely anxious just moments before, suddenly erupted with incredibly fervent cheers.

"Praise the Lord!"

"We can really become employees of City Hall? And receive a generous salary?"

"Goddess above, this, this is simply unbelievable!"

"Miss Ariel, are you an angel sent by the Goddess? We praise you!"

Although most of them didn't understand what third-class citizen status meant, it was still better than being a slave.

Moreover, becoming an employee of City Hall meant receiving a normal salary, which was beyond their wildest imaginations.

In an instant, the goodwill these residents felt towards Ariel and Loren surged dramatically. The dead, lifeless eyes now began to show glimmers of hope.

The residents nearby, upon hearing the treatment offered to the construction workers, were filled with envy. Without even realizing it themselves, their own hearts began to stir.

Since City Hall was willing to hire slaves of low status and grant them third-class citizen status.

Then perhaps the great Lord would treat them similarly.

With this thought, many people's eyes gradually brightened.

In a way Loren hadn't anticipated, the once lifeless slave residents now showed a spark of vitality.