"I still don't know my manservant's name," Field said to the butler.
"My lord, his name is Clay Pot. He's sixteen, and both his parents are farmers. The cook is called Dinner Plate, and the maids are Scissors and Sparrow."
In this world, only people with learning, nobles, or those who wielded supernatural powers had pleasant-sounding names.
For example, Field's full name was Field Rose. Rose meant the flower, but as a name, simply calling him Rose was more fitting. It was like President Bush Jr., whose full name was George Walker Bush. You could translate it as George Walker Shrub, but that would sound far too strange.
"My lord, is there anything you need?" Clay Pot's voice trembled with fear when his name was called.
He was worried he would be dismissed. He had slacked off for ten minutes while mopping the floor yesterday.
"The makeshift bed you laid out in the carriage was very soft. Without it, I might have been rattled to pieces on the journey." Field spoke casually and snapped his fingers. "Kao, reward Clay Pot with one silver coin."
Everyone drew a sharp breath.
The others immediately shot him envious looks. One silver coin was worth more than six days' wages.
Clay Pot froze for a moment before his face lit up with wild delight. He threw himself at Field's feet and kissed his boots. "Goddess above, thank you for your generosity!"
"Lucky brat." Scissors pouted, thoroughly displeased. What was so special about making a bed? She could even warm one.
Clay Pot silently swore to himself, I'll never slack off again, not even for a minute.
"I'll make a selection once a month. Any of you can earn a silver coin as a reward, as long as you perform well. Everyone has a chance. A cook preparing delicious meals, a maid cleaning a room thoroughly-things like that won't escape my notice."
Everyone's breathing quickened. They exchanged glances and saw fierce competition burning in one another's eyes.
The corners of Field's mouth rose slightly. From now on, silver coins would light a fire under their work. More importantly, this would encourage things like reporting misconduct and tattling. Field needed them to do that. His subordinates banding together was not necessarily a good thing; they might collude to deceive their lord.
"All right, get back to work." Field smiled at everyone and waved to dismiss them. They immediately hurried away, but after taking two steps, the butler hesitated and returned. Field asked in puzzlement, "What is it?"
"My lord, ah, while this may not be appropriate to say, as your butler, I feel obliged to offer you some advice." Ever since entering the Nightfall Territory alive, Kao had stopped his constant complaining and begun taking his work seriously.
Field raised his eyebrows. "Speak freely."
"It concerns race. You seem to have given the Demihumans a path to advancement, promising them the chance to become Freemen. But... Demihumans aren't like us. They're stupid. Er, forgive me, but apart from Lady Ashina, there seems to be no need to grant the others their freedom."
Field considered this for a moment. "We're in the Cursed Land now, surrounded by death. As the proverb says, when you're in Azeria, do as the Azerians do."
"Our Nightfall Territory should have rules of its own. Tomorrow, I'll announce a set of laws that applies to everyone. You'll understand then."
That evening, Field took out paper and a pen to draft a plan for developing agriculture in the Nightfall Territory.
In Chinese characters that only he could understand, he wrote, "Raiding and exploration."
My territory has absolutely nothing. If I want to develop quickly and accumulate the means of production, two hundred people alone won't cut it.
Even the land was full of toxins.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
"My lord, it's me." Ashina's voice came from outside.
Field's plans required Ashina's support. "Come in. I've been waiting for you."
"Good evening, my lord." Ashina wore a shortened maid's outfit, her long, slender legs held in a bashful stance and a slightly shy expression on her face. Freed from the hardships of slavery, her skin, like cool jade, could finally see the light of day again. Even her feet had that same cool elegance, her long, pale toes exquisitely beautiful. "What can I do for you?"
Perhaps he was imagining it, but the atmosphere immediately became suggestive.
Field slapped his forehead. No wonder Ashina was acting so coy.
Anyone would get the wrong idea if he summoned a young woman to his room in the middle of the night.
"Ahem. This is about the territory's development."
"Oh." Ashina immediately lowered her little hands, which she had not known where to put. She sighed in relief, though she felt a faint disappointment inside. "My lord, I have no experience in administration. I may not be able to help you."
Before becoming a slave, Ashina had merely been one of the Freemen, the daughter of a wolf Demihuman hunter. She could neither read nor write and knew nothing about administration.
"That's all right. You can learn, and I'll teach you step by step. Besides, you're a Chosen One. You have an inherent advantage."
The greatest leap in social status in this world was becoming a Chosen One.
Someone could be facing execution one moment, then become a Chosen One the next, and the local nobles would immediately declare them innocent and welcome them as an honored guest. After all, the gods never chose the wrong person.
This was also why the lower classes were unwilling to rebel against their lords. Everyone had a chance to rise in status. If their daughter or wife became a Chosen One, they would naturally never have to worry about food or clothing again.
"I've decided to raid my younger brother." Field opened with a bombshell.
Ashina was stunned. Am I supposed to be hearing this?
"All right. You have my unconditional support!" Once she was certain Field was not joking, Ashina considered it for a moment. "You aren't a cruel or evil man. I can sense that."
Back when she was still a slave, Field had never abused her or done anything utterly depraved while she slept. On the contrary, he was the most unusual person she had ever met.
He could even treat Demihumans as equals. Well, perhaps he even liked them a little? That might have been her imagination, but there was no doubt that Field was a gentleman!
"Thank you." Field poured Ashina a cup of black tea. "It's a long story."
He still remembered the vicious, twisted look in his younger brother's eyes. It truly left him unable to eat or sleep in peace.
His younger brother had threatened to kill the people he cared about. Field was not a pushover like the original owner of this body, someone others could manipulate at will.
Hit back hard! And I have to start preparing now.
"I'll explain the reasons to you in time. I need your help training a light cavalry unit, one created specifically for raiding."
Field's dear second elder sister had provided him with twenty warhorses as "aid." Now they would come in handy.
After they settled on a plan, Field convened an assembly of all his subjects the next day. Even every slave had to attend.
Everyone who arrived had their attention drawn to the wooden chest beside Field, which was piled high with silver and copper coins.
Rather than launching straight into a lengthy speech, Field took out a list.
"Members of the guard, come forward to collect your rewards when I call your names. One silver coin for each Corpse Ghoul killed. I keep my word."
Before you continue