"They're even of different races. Demihumans and humans really can become friends." Field nodded in satisfaction, wondering whether he could use the two women as examples to promote the idea. He followed them discreetly.
Then, a moment later, Field regretted doing something so stupid. Both women squatted down together, their legs forming an M, exposing filthy, dirt-caked backsides, and began shamelessly taking a dump.
Field's pupils shook. Unable to believe what he was seeing, he cried, "Holy shit! My eyes!"
They're just pissing and shitting right on the road! Is there no law anymore?
"Is that strange?" Kao rubbed his nose without even furrowing his brow. He had long since grown used to it. "Lowborn peasants are filthy like that."
The butler thought nothing of it. Such sights were everywhere in the Holy Griffin Empire, and indeed across the entire continent. Roads, streets, and even corridors were full of excrement, with flies buzzing around and rats happily roaming through it.
Even the maids who served Field secretly relieved themselves in corners of the house, because it was dark and frightening outside.
Kao privately speculated, Perhaps his lordship simply enjoys peeping, but is too embarrassed to admit it in front of me.
Besides, the first thing Field had done before heading to Nightfall Territory was buy himself a plaything. Although that plaything had become a Chosen One, Kao firmly believed that was merely luck.
After all, what noble wasn't a pervert?
"I was so busy dealing with the territory's affairs that I forgot about this." Field pressed his temples, trying to lower his blood pressure. He suddenly remembered that the Middle Ages had been an era of terrible sanitation, which had even led to massive outbreaks of the Black Death.
He had always traveled on horseback, and the tall horses had kept him from noticing the excrement in his territory.
Field wiped the sweat from his forehead. As a modern man, he would never allow such medieval squalor in his own territory.
"Filthy, unsanitary conditions breed viruses and cause diseases like the Black Death."
The butler could not understand. "Excrement and... er, what are viruses?"
"Kao, I'm issuing an important law right now. From now on, no one is allowed to relieve themselves wherever they please in public. All excrement must also be collected in a designated pit." Field wagged his index finger, then clasped his hands behind his back. "First, make sure everyone remembers this decree. Anyone who violates it will receive warnings for the first three offenses, then fines after that! One copper coin for slaves, three for Freemen."
"Fines?" Kao's eyes immediately lit up. "You're an economic genius."
Field frowned. "It's just a fine. What does that have to do with economics?"
"Quite a few lords already collect breathing taxes and blinking taxes, but an excretion tax-I mean, an excretion fine-is your own invention. What a brilliant idea! If we can implement it, we'll bring in a huge amount every day."
The butler was delighted. He had struggled to get over Field's earlier waste of eggs, but now that he saw Field's talent for "extortion" was just as impressive as his talent for "squandering money," Kao immediately felt reassured. It seemed Nightfall Territory's finances would hold out for a long time.
"This is what a noble ought to do." Kao bowed respectfully. "You are a model noble."
Speechless, Field waved a hand. "Go carry it out."
Then Field continued training the guards.
Only when Ashina returned to the territory at noon did Field release the guards, who had been wailing and begging for mercy. He sent them off to eat, then summoned the newly returned Ashina.
"How did it go? Was the trip to the Granary smooth?"
Field opened the Mini-Map. All the skull markers at the Granary's location had been wiped away, leaving it looking wonderfully clear.
Ashina playfully poked out the tip of her tongue, then stretched languidly with irresistible charm. She blinked and said teasingly, "Thanks to you, clearing out the Corpse Ghouls went very smoothly."
"The only pity is that there was nothing valuable in the Granary. The mountains of wheat had been completely corrupted, and even most of the Granary itself had collapsed." Ashina took out a pouch containing a sample of the Granary's wheat.
"That was to be expected. Go get some rest."
After several battles, Field had realized that sending ordinary soldiers along with Ashina merely made things harder for her. He therefore planned to split his forces into two groups. Relying on her immense combat strength and mobility, Ashina would sortie frequently to clear out the ghoul hordes gathering nearby. For now, the guards would focus on training, spending their remaining time clearing out small groups of stragglers.
Field himself would supervise the soldiers' training and, whenever he had nothing else to do, massage Ashina's legs and rub her tail and ears.
Everyone had a clear role, and everyone had a bright future!
And so Field spent a week in Nightfall Territory. The territory expanded five thousand square meters into the woods to the east. That was smaller than a soccer field, but it was still a decent achievement.
Expanding the area under his actual control was difficult. First, they had to use the Mist-Driving Lamp to disperse the local mist. Then the guards had to eliminate the Corpse Ghouls, after which the slaves removed every trace of corruption, including vegetation and small animals. Only once all of that was done could Field's power as a lord permanently shelter the land. They also had to ensure that no new Corrupted Creatures invaded it.
Field had already worked out the pattern.
"Hey, idiot! Be careful carrying that wine barrel! If you keep being so careless, I'll give your ass a good, hard kiss with my boot! Then I'll shove your head up a sow's asshole!"
The butler's furious roar came from downstairs.
"It's time to head to Highcastle Province." Field set down his quill and stretched. Scissors, the maid beside him, immediately handed him his coat.
Nightfall Territory had no source of food, and its provisions were being consumed quickly. It would likely be a long time before the fields produced anything, so food had to be imported through trade.
Downstairs, Field met Wildcat, the leader of the guards. He and the guards stood at attention. Although they still looked crooked and their formation was dreadful, Field was extremely pleased. The extra food provided every day had not gone to waste. At least the guards were no longer so thin.
"My lord, we want to be your shield!" Wildcat declared loudly, his heart full of respect for Field, their benevolent lord. "Take us with you!"
"Haha, you've always been my shield, but right now I need you to protect the territory." Field patted his shoulder.
For this trip, he was taking only Iron Hammer and two others as guards. However, Field would also bring Ashina and all her Raider Cavalry. One Chosen One and twenty cavalrymen already made for a very respectable escort.
After carefully explaining the defensive arrangements, Field turned and left.
"His lordship is a true noble, a benevolent lord with a warrior's spirit," Wildcat said with feeling. Ordinary lords would never repeatedly venture into the death miasma.
Before you continue