Field had considered buying more slaves, but unfortunately, he was short on money.
To survive in the deadly fog, even without accounting for monsters, simply breathing required fog-repelling lamps. These magical items were sold exclusively by the Church, and they were expensive.
On top of that, feeding and caring for more than two hundred people was no small expense.
"Well? Did you get the loan?" Seeing the butler emerge from the Merchants' Association, Field hurried over to ask. But when he saw that Kao's expression was fouler than a rat that had been dead for three days, he immediately knew the answer.
"I'm sorry, my lord. Even the greediest merchants refused to lend us money once they heard your name." Kao spread his hands. "After all, the Northern Frontier Province is synonymous with hell. Even the Royal Expeditionary Army was wiped out there. No merchant would willingly throw money away."
"That doesn't make sense. I only received my appointment today. How are the merchants so well informed?" Field had planned to take out a loan. If he died in the Northern Frontier, he wouldn't have to repay it. If he survived, repayment would be a minor matter.
Kao rolled his eyes. He really wasn't in the mood to wait on a noble who was about to march to his death.
If he hadn't caught the count's elder sister having an affair with a groom, he might have become a promising butler in Golden Eagle City, or the Hand of the Count. He might even have become the tutor of the count's eldest grandson, instead of going to the Cursed Land to die!
"Because your second elder sister learned about your fief in advance and warned the merchants in the city to charge you ten times the price for anything you bought," the butler answered listlessly. "The merchants also understood what she meant. They won't make things any easier for you."
Field wiped away a cold sweat. Fortunately, he hadn't given his name when buying the slaves, or it would have cost far more than fifty gold coins.
"Damn. Thanks a lot, my dear sister." Veins bulged on Field's forehead.
So none of them wanted to act like decent human beings, huh?
The most annoying part was that the original owner of his body had lived all those years without saving so much as half a copper coin. He had donated a third of his money to the family treasury and the other two-thirds to the border fortress to buy weapons for fighting Corrupted Creatures.
He had truly been the poorest of nobles.
"Forget the loan. It's those shortsighted merchants' loss," Field said indifferently. "Now, let's buy some supplies for production."
Field spent a hundred and eighty gold coins on the packhorses, farming tools, food, and books needed to develop his territory. Among them were seventeen packhorses, all old or weak. Horses were vital productive assets in the Middle Ages and were strictly controlled by the lords. As for food, he loaded up as much as possible, though judging by quantity alone, it would only have fed modern people for half a month.
But slaves didn't require that kind of treatment. One loaf of black bread a day could keep them alive. Give them two loaves mixed with bark and sawdust, and they would kneel and call you their father.
Thus, the food would comfortably last around thirty-five days.
"For magical items, we'll buy them in a border city. Those sneaky, rotten officers will sell them at a discount."
Just like feudal armies in ancient times, they would sell off their soldiers' weapons and equipment at the drop of a hat, then pocket the pay for nonexistent troops as well.
Field had originally wanted to recruit some capable people or mercenaries at a tavern, but unfortunately, the moment they heard they would be going to Nightfall Territory, they refused without hesitation.
"Going to that hellhole is no different from sending us to our deaths."
"I suggest you flee straight to another country. Even cockroaches, tough as they are, would have to watch their asses to survive there."
With the mercenaries' advice echoing in his head, Field rubbed his brow and glanced at the beast-eared girl curled up in a wagon loaded with hay. He wondered what was so unusual about her.
After finding a waystation, Field let everyone rest for the night.
Early the next morning, he summoned the beast-eared girl.
"What's your name? Did you rest well last night?" Field looked the slave worth fifty silver coins up and down. Her bewildered expression amused him.
"A... Ashina."
Her mouth opened and closed for some time before Ashina managed to force out her name. She hadn't spoken for an entire month.
She had been waiting in terror for her fate to descend, never imagining that she would have another chance to speak normally.
After the maid had thoroughly washed her, the beast-eared girl looked like an entirely different person. Her dry, tangled hair had become smooth and glossy. Long white hair, pure as snow, fell loosely around her delicate features, giving her a quiet elegance. She was the sort of slightly mature beauty Field liked. But her constantly trembling wolf ears and tail made her unease obvious.
After she gave her name, the green dot above Ashina's head vanished, replaced by a simple panel.
Name: Ashina Level: Unawakened Advancement path: Wolf Cavalry Chosen One Status: Malnourished, on the verge of collapse (Please provide nourishment!)
"Holy shit!" Field lost his composure and exclaimed.
The green dot actually represented an unawakened Chosen One! Field was stunned and remained speechless for a long time.
Since the map could mark a green dot, it surely wouldn't do so only once!
September 1 every year was National Awakening Day. Every woman of the appropriate age had to undergo an examination. Although the chance of awakening as a Chosen One was minuscule, their value made even the enormous expenditure of money and resources worthwhile.
Field paced back and forth excitedly, then pumped his fists twice. His ability undoubtedly held tremendous potential.
He might actually be able to establish a foothold in Nightfall Territory this time.
Seeing Field's strange behavior, Ashina mistakenly thought he had come up with some horrible way to torment her. Her legs trembled with fear as she repeatedly clutched and released her skirt. She had no idea what awaited her.
In fact, after Field bought her, she had considered launching a sudden attack. Even if the Slave Contract lashed back at her, she refused to die in humiliation. Instead, she would sink her teeth into her enemy's throat.
But the maid had taken her by the hand, undressed her, bathed her, and scrubbed every crevice clean. Never in her life had she imagined someone would help her bathe. Even more absurdly, the maid had helped her dress, too. The comfortable, soft fabric felt almost weightless against her body. There were no fleas to bite her, and it didn't scratch her skin.
Maybe I'm going to be sacrificed to a devil, Ashina thought wildly. When the crucial moment comes, I'll fight back! I'll make these evil humans pay!
"Don't be afraid. I'm not some sick bastard who kills for fun. I bought you all to develop my territory." Field lowered his voice, trying to sound gentler, and leaned casually against his chair. His relaxed posture looked entirely unthreatening. "By the way, does that dress fit?"
It was a maid outfit altered from ordinary serving women's clothing. In this world, such clothing was conservative, exposing only the hands and a short stretch of the calves. It was practically a nun's habit-not, of course, the kind with a slit made for bedroom fun.
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