Catherine's breathing quickened in response to Nalant's sudden action.
Although there was a wall behind her with nowhere to retreat, Catherine did not do anything rash. Instead, she kept her head down, knowing that Nalant was not the kind of lecherous nobleman.
Nalant wasn't a pervert, but he knew that to persuade a girl like Catherine, who was used to being alone and keeping her thoughts to herself, you needed to be more assertive than her to stir her emotions.
That's the kind of way she'll listen to you.
"Well, do you know why I have this title? It's because the God of Glory sometimes gives me guidance in my dreams."
"For example, I've only been in Storm Territory for three months, and I've already found four Sprite. This is the blessing and guidance of the God of Glory."
"And the appearance of Dark Creature will also be guided by the God of Glory!"
"Before you appeared, I had already received guidance from the God of Glory, so the appearance of those Dark Creature was not because of you! Nor because of Sherry and Vivian!"
"Is... it true?" Slightly nervous, Catherine listened to Nalant's words and finally couldn't help but look up.
She thought of the training grounds Nalant had set up outside Wheat Leaf Village, and also of Nalant's composure in dealing with the Dark Creature at the border. Hearing these words, she couldn't help but believe them to some extent.
Of course, she desperately hoped it was true, because only then could she convince herself to stay in the castle and no longer be all alone.
"Of course it's true. You can ask Sherry and Vivian when I've ever lied to them!" Nalant nodded, striking a pose of grandeur. " Catherine, I hope you won't think about bringing bad luck anymore. This is my castle. If you really are the Daughter of Misfortune, then I care more about you than you do!"
"So promise me, you'll stay in the castle and learn Battle Qi with Vivian and Sherry. In the future, you'll help me fight against the Dark Creature and protect Storm Territory!"
"And I will save many more Daughter of Luck like you in the future!"
"Um!"
Finally, Catherine nodded emphatically to Nalande!
Over the next two days, Nalant wasn't too busy, because with Mario as the civil official, he didn't need to worry about many things personally.
His brick-making plan had already begun in the last two days, as the stonemasons had, at his request, built a small experimental brick kiln that was more than two meters high.
The brick kiln currently only accepts a few dozen bricks at a time, but that's enough for the experiments.
There's still no information about the process of firing the pottery jars, so Nalant simply had his men fire some haphazardly first.
He vaguely remembered hearing somewhere that when firing these clay products, the fire should not be too intense in the early stages, otherwise the temperature would rise too quickly and the bricks would crack.
So he gave Mario these instructions and then left it to him to carry them out.
After all, firing bricks in this primitive kiln is a process that can't be completed in just one or two hours. Even if the kiln is small, it would probably take at least two or three days. He doesn't have that much free time to watch over the brick kiln.
That morning, as Nalant ate breakfast, he listened to Mario, the civil administrator, give his daily report, as was his custom.
Today's report contains two important pieces of news, one good and one bad.
The good news is that the first watermill in Storm Territory, which he ordered to be built, was finally completed yesterday afternoon. After Nalant inspects it today, the people of Storm Territory will be able to grind wheat on their own land.
The bad news is that, due to the arrival of the barbarians Boris's army a few days ago, Storm Territory is running out of food and can only last for a little over a month at most.
" Mario, how long until the next wheat harvest?"
Having barely survived the third invasion of Dark Creature, Nalant was now facing a food shortage, leaving him somewhat speechless.
"My lord, the wheat will take about two more months to mature. However, although the wheat is growing well, there are too few farmers in Storm Territory, and the barbarians are about to settle down. They don't know how to farm, so even with wheat taxes, we may still not have enough food for the second half of the year."
"If you don't plan to let the barbarians farm next quarter, then you need to prepare in advance and go to other territories to buy grain when the harvest is plentiful."
"At that time, grain prices wouldn't rise, and it would be easier to buy grain!"
It must be said that Mario is a qualified and excellent civil servant. He not only thought about the current situation, but also had long-term plans, even considering the food problems that might be encountered in the next quarter.
"We need to find a solution to this problem!" Nalant also felt troubled after hearing this, as the food crop in this world was relatively simple, namely wheat.
Although bananas and other fruits still exist in some places, they are not a mainstream food.
Because of low wheat yields, most territories are reluctant to sell their grain, and often even money cannot buy it.
Nalant's territory had too few people, making it more difficult than other territories. The grain produced by a few serfs was simply not enough to support too many 'idle people'.
Now that these barbarians who can't farm have been added, the problem has become immediately apparent.
But barbarians with such physical attributes are meant to be guards or builders, not farmers.
"I'll send someone to Black Rock Territory to inquire in a couple of days. If they have surplus grain, we'll buy it. As for the next season's grain, remind me again when the harvest is in full swing!"
Nalant had no other choice but to buy it.
"Yes, sir! As for the inspection of the mill..."
"I'll go after I feed the Fire-Spitting Lizard. Have the craftsmen wait there for a while!"
After Mario finished his report, he left the restaurant.
"If only this world had potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and the like! These crops are high-yield!"
"It seems we should take a look at the situation in the sea first; the ocean can actually help alleviate some of the food demand!"
"As for other methods, increasing the number of serfs in the territory is a bit difficult at the moment. The duchy did not have any major wars in the first half of the year, so it was not easy to buy slaves. Moreover, there were no bankrupt free citizens in Storm Territory willing to come and become serfs!"
Purchasing food with money is only a temporary measure. If Storm Territory wants to truly grow stronger, it must become self-sufficient in food.
Otherwise, in an emergency, if the food supplies are in the hands of others, it could easily put them at a disadvantage.
Outside Black Rock Territory Castle.
"Phew, finally back! This time was so lucky... so exciting!" Arriving at his castle, Boris was actually still feeling a bit unsatisfied with the thrilling experience.
Especially since the carriage behind him was equipped with two catapults, which meant that he would be a nobleman on par with those counts in the future, which was incredibly prestigious.
"My lord, you've finally returned! Bero Bello of Barley Valley visited the Baron's Castle yesterday and has been waiting for you inside!"
" Bero, why didn't he tell me he was coming to see me!"
"Haha, Boris, given our relationship, there's no need for such formalities when I come to visit you. Sending a visiting card would be too much trouble!" Just then, a young man of about Boris's age walked out of the inner gate of the fortress.
"That's true, but Bero, if you had sent someone to ask beforehand, you wouldn't have had to wait for me in the castle all day!"
Boris didn't take Bero's casual remark to heart, because he and Bero had a very good relationship; they were not only friends but also classmates.
Although Bero was a knight, his father was one of the few viscounts in the Tulip Territory.
"Speaking of which, I'm very curious, Boris, where exactly did you go? Your butler told me you went to Storm Territory, that Land of Misfortune. I think your butler must be joking with me!"
"I'm so sorry, Bero, my butler wasn't joking with you, I really did go to Storm Territory!"
Thank you to "Book Friend 20180328123904703" for the generous donation!!!