Arc 2Return to Nightfall Territory

Field traded for supplies and workers, then destroyed Cooch’s caravan and returned to Nightfall Territory with hundreds of slaves. He began reorganizing the territory and led troops east to reclaim the logging camp after Ashina warned that a new Corrupted Creature was watching them.

  • Field and Ashina burned the Blackwood Tribe’s goblin camp and killed the young goblins and corrupted does hidden in its cave.
  • Field disciplined and trained the estate guards, then set out for Mapleleaf City with Ashina and the Raider Cavalry to sell wine and buy supplies.
  • Field sold wine to Baron Simon Mapleleaf, recruited Tate, and tricked a big-nosed merchant into losing Baron Adrian’s gold before the merchant was killed.
  • Ashina and the Raider Cavalry destroyed Cooch’s caravan, and Field killed Cooch and Lance, recruited the surviving workers, and offered Greyhound a carpenter’s job.
  • Field bought three hundred slaves and supplies, rejected Elisa’s Church proposal, and led the convoy through the Gray Fog to Nightfall Territory despite ghoul attacks.
  • Field welcomed Tate and the returning party, assigned roles and lodging, and began reforming the territory’s farming, sanitation, and food distribution.
  • Bai Yu and Hei Yu received their bread and porridge while Sparrow and the servants discovered that Field’s dry-pot beef was delicious.
  • Field ordered a cautious advance toward the logging camp after Ashina reported a new Corrupted Creature that could block her perception, and Wildcat’s group killed a Corpse Ghoul before it could scream.
Chapters 26–50 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 26Gray Fog Goblins

Field and Ashina hunted the Gray Fog Goblins who had attacked Field’s territory, tracking a fleeing survivor to the Blackwood Tribe’s camp. Field ordered the camp burned, setting up a larger fight against the goblins.

  • Ashina spotted the goblins through the Gray Fog, and Field and Ashina attacked after the goblins discovered them and threw javelins.
  • Ashina and Field slaughtered most of the goblins, then followed the last survivor through the forest to its camp.
  • The goblin chief fantasized about the Blackwood Tribe conquering human lands before a fleeing goblin led Field and Ashina to the camp.
  • Field saw more than a hundred goblins in the camp and ordered them burned to ashes.

Ch. 27Eliminating the Goblin Threat

Field and Ashina wiped out a goblin band and discovered a nearby cave holding its young and corrupted deer. After killing them, Field opened a chest of royal army relics and used a Magic Scroll on a corrupted deer's corpse.

  • Field unleashed the giant wolf's fire on the goblin camp while Ashina shot down the charging Goblin Chief and its followers.
  • Field and Ashina searched the camp and found a cave concealing around a hundred young goblins and two corrupted does.
  • Field realized goblins could reproduce with corrupted creatures and ordered Ashina to help him kill the young goblins and does.
  • Field found an Ironwood Chest containing old banners and sealed scrolls, then opened a Magic Scroll and aimed it at a corrupted deer's corpse.

Ch. 28Magic Scroll

Field returned to his estate with treasure and proof that the Goblin threat had been eliminated, then began addressing the guards’ failure to defend it. The next morning, he punished the guards with running and offered food rewards as he organized their training.

  • Field used a Magic Scroll to burn the Corrupted Deer corpses, then returned to the estate with the remaining scrolls.
  • Field showed the Goblin’s head to the estate’s residents, who thanked him for avenging the dead.
  • Field recognized that the guards had neglected their duties and decided to strengthen the estate’s military.
  • Field spared the underfed guards from lashes and ordered those who had failed to serve to run laps for smoked meat.
  • Field rewarded the guards who had mustered with smoked meat and assigned them standing-at-attention practice for a chance to earn eggs.

Ch. 29Military Stance Training

Field trained Nightfall Territory’s guards to hold a military stance, promising them eggs as a reward, then learned the territory had valuable wine to sell. He ordered Kao to prepare a wagon train so he could travel to Mapleleaf City himself, while noticing two female slaves heading toward the outskirts.

  • Field taught the guards the military stance and promised eggs to those who held it for half an hour.
  • The guards struggled to stand still but persevered for the eggs, and Field rewarded them with a break and extra eggs at lunch.
  • Kao reported that the wine cellar contained several casks of common drinks, twenty-four casks of Black Pearl Grapes Wine, and one cask of Champagne.
  • Field ordered Kao to provision wagons for forty people and ten days so Field could take the wine to Mapleleaf City and find buyers.
  • Kao warned Field about the dangers of the Death Miasma and suggested sending the Chosen One, but Field insisted on going himself to protect Ashina’s identity and safety.
  • Field spotted two female slaves walking toward the territory’s outskirts and wondered whether they were conspiring or slacking off.

Ch. 30Issuing a New Decree and Heading to Highcastle Province

Field issued a decree banning people from relieving themselves in public and requiring excrement to be collected in designated pits, then spent a week expanding and securing Nightfall Territory. With the territory running low on food, he set out for Highcastle Province with Ashina, her Raider Cavalry, and three guards.

  • Field ordered Kao to enforce public sanitation rules, with warnings for the first three violations and fines afterward.
  • Ashina returned from the Granary after clearing out the Corpse Ghouls and reported that its wheat was corrupted and the structure had mostly collapsed.
  • Field organized the guards to train while Ashina cleared nearby ghoul hordes, and Nightfall Territory expanded five thousand square meters into the eastern woods over the following week.
  • Field decided to travel to Highcastle Province to trade for food and left Wildcat and the other guards to protect the territory.
  • Field departed with Ashina, her Raider Cavalry, Iron Hammer, and two other guards.

Ch. 31The perverted lord and the butler's fantasies

Field led a caravan from Nightfall Territory to Mapleleaf Territory to sell Black Pearl Grapes Wine and Magic Scrolls, battling corpse ghouls along the way. The group reached Mapleleaf Fortress safely, where Field began considering a trade route to avoid future dangerous journeys.

  • Kao warned Clay Pot that Mapleleaf City's Chosen One, the Peerless Dancer, might tempt Field, and then worried that he had said too much.
  • Field rejected Ashina's offer to handle the journey and set out with her, the Raider Cavalry, guards, slaves, and Scissors to visit Baron Mapleleaf.
  • Field detected an approaching horde of corpse ghouls, and Ashina's Dragon-Breed Wolf and the cavalry fought them while Field joined the battle.
  • The caravan crossed the Gray Fog and entered Mapleleaf Fortress after the soldiers welcomed them and closed the gates behind them.
  • Field arrived with ten barrels of Black Pearl Grapes Wine and a crate of Magic Scrolls, having avoided large Corpse Tides and suffered only a small loss of grain.

Ch. 32A Den of Decadence and Corruption, Simon Mapleleaf's Special Hospitality

Field entered the extravagant, debauched Mapleleaf City and visited Baron Simon Mapleleaf to discuss a business deal. Simon’s seductive hospitality failed to distract Field, who left the negotiations ahead.

  • Field and his disguised companions entered Mapleleaf City, where a woman propositioned them at the city gate.
  • Field turned down the woman and told Iron Hammer to keep saving his money until he became a freeman.
  • Field sent Ashina and the Cavalry Unit to buy food and rest while he went to visit Baron Simon Mapleleaf.
  • A maid led Field through Mapleleaf Manor and into a hall where women were bathing and playing in a hot spring.
  • Simon invited Field to enjoy the maids, but Field refused and said he had come to discuss a business deal.

Ch. 33Selling the wine: Field's fairy tale

Field met with Baron Simon in Mapleleaf City and spun a tale about surviving a monster in Nightfall Territory to make his Black Pearl Grapes Wine seem more valuable. Simon tasted the wine and offered 500 gold coins per cask, leaving Field with a lucrative deal in prospect.

  • Simon and Field exchanged flattery before moving to the reception room to discuss business.
  • Field showed Simon the skull of a mutated Giant Rat Demon and exaggerated the danger of defeating it with the Goddess's help.
  • Field claimed the monster had guarded rare Black Pearl Grapes Wine that had disappeared ten years earlier.
  • Simon tasted the wine, praised it, and asked his adviser to discuss the price.
  • Simon offered Field 500 gold coins per cask.

Ch. 34Mapleleaf City's Sinful Treasure

Field sold his goods to Simon in Mapleleaf City, deposited most of his earnings in the royal vault, and left to develop his territory and seek giant wolves. Simon and a mysterious woman discussed inviting Field to Mapleleaf City's Underground Masked Ball, though Simon doubted he would survive the Northern Frontier.

  • Field sold his goods to Simon for 5,020 gold coins and deposited 3,000 coins in Mapleleaf City's royal vault.
  • Simon tried to entice Field with a woman, but Field declined and asked him to find giant wolves for sale.
  • Field explained that giant wolves would serve as mounts and help him create First-Rank Wolf Riders, then left for the Northern Frontier.
  • Simon complained about losing his gold and told the waiting woman that Field had refused his advances.
  • The woman urged Simon to formally invite Field to the Underground Masked Ball three months later, while Simon predicted the Northern Frontier's monsters might kill him first.

Ch. 35Searching for talent

Field solved his money problem and went to a Mapleleaf City tavern to recruit skilled workers for Nightfall Territory. After hearing news about stolen armor and an imperial artifact, he learned that the dismissed Warden Tate might be a capable administrator.

  • A woman ordered Simon to bring her frenzied Orc slaves, while Simon warned her not to kill them because they were expensive.
  • Field planned to buy food and livestock and recruit managers and craftspeople to help develop Nightfall Territory.
  • Field sent Iron Hammer to take the gold coins to the waystation, then went with his guards to a tavern in Mapleleaf City.
  • The bartender told Field that more than two thousand sets of armor had reportedly been stolen in Bull Territory and that the Eye of Vows had been stolen from the Royal Family.
  • Field asked for workers with practical skills, and the bartender recommended dismissed Warden Tate, who could read and write but had been framed by his subordinates.

Ch. 36Meeting His Younger Brother's Economic Adviser

Field recruited Tate to work in the Nightfall Territory and searched for a carpenter, only to learn Greyhound had already been hired by Cooch, his younger brother Adrian Rose's economic adviser. Cooch was shocked to find Field alive and offered help while hiding his alarm.

  • Field persuaded prison warden Tate to join him in the Nightfall Territory and gave him a gold coin as a settling-in allowance.
  • A scantily dressed woman recommended her carpenter friend Greyhound to Field, who learned Greyhound had been hired by Cooch to build stables for Adrian Rose.
  • Field went to the Merchants' Association and encountered Cooch, who was astonished because he had believed Field dead.
  • Cooch concealed his shock, greeted Field with perfunctory courtesy, and offered assistance on behalf of Adrian Rose.

Ch. 37A merchant's mockery

Field tried to obtain a carpenter and buy Church supplies for Nightfall Territory, while Cooch and Lance mocked him and arranged to interfere with his shopping. After Lance’s accomplice outbid Field for the Mist-Driving Lamps and Purification Potions, Field secretly sent a guard after him.

  • Field asked Cooch for Greyhound, but Cooch refused and told Lance to investigate Field’s movements.
  • Field listed the workers and supplies Nightfall Territory needed, then went with Iron Hammer to buy Mist-Driving Lamps.
  • At the church, Field tried to buy all the lamps and Purification Potions, but a large-nosed man outbid him.
  • Field handed a bag of gold coins to a guard and quietly gave him instructions after the large-nosed man left with the goods.
  • Lance met the large-nosed man and revealed that he had arranged the scheme, while promising they would return the goods later.

Ch. 38Selling scrolls, the merchant's second round of trouble

Field sold his old Magic Scrolls at the Mages' Association and tricked Lance's associate into buying expensive Instant Spell books in Baron Adrian's name. Outside, hired vagrants killed the associate and his companions, while Lance arrived and saw the attack.

  • Field sold twenty-three old Magic Scrolls to the mage for 150 gold coins.
  • Field chose the Flying Beast Vision spellbook, then baited the big-nosed man into bidding against him for more books.
  • The big-nosed man spent 1,300 gold coins from Baron Adrian's deposit and tried to return the spellbooks after Field left.
  • The mage refused the refund unless Baron Adrian came in person, and the big-nosed man left with the books.
  • Lance arrived with a cake as a crowd's shouts drew the big-nosed man to the street.
  • A group of vagrants attacked and killed the big-nosed man, his coachman, guards, and helpers; he realized Field had arranged the attack.

Ch. 39United Nobles, the Fulan City Caravan

After Field seized Cooch’s caravan goods in Mapleleaf City, Cooch and Lance fled toward Fulan City while arguing over how to explain the loss. Their caravan was then confronted by twenty armored riders, whom Gareth dismissed as ordinary bandits despite their menacing appearance.

  • Field had Iron Hammer’s men take the bearded merchant’s horse and goods, then ordered his guards to watch Cooch as he left the city.
  • Field rewarded a guard for delivering a message to Pockface and celebrated pocketing nearly two thousand gold coins.
  • The next day, Cooch’s caravan traveled toward Fulan City, and Cooch scolded Lance for provoking Field and warned him against accusing a noble.
  • Cooch decided to return to Fulan City and tell Baron Adrian that Field was alive, while considering how to explain the missing gold.
  • Twenty armored cavalrymen appeared beside the caravan, and Gareth confidently called them bandits, reassuring Cooch with his presence.

Ch. 40Raiding

Ashina and the Raider Cavalry attacked Cooch’s caravan, while Gareth tried to hold them off. The caravan’s workers and guards broke under the cavalry charge, leaving the raiders to slaughter them.

  • Cooch ordered the caravan to stop and prepare for battle as Gareth and his squires rode to meet the attackers.
  • Ashina appeared on a dragon-breed wolf, and Gareth recognized the threat and told Cooch to flee while he bought time.
  • Gareth and Ashina exchanged attacks, but the wolf dodged his charge and Gareth failed to stop them.
  • Silver Claw ordered the Raider Cavalry to charge, and the caravan’s arrows barely slowed the armored riders.
  • The workers panicked and fled when the cavalry struck, disrupting Cooch’s guards as the raiders cut through the convoy.

Ch. 41Raiding (Part Two)

Ashina and the Raider Cavalry wiped out the caravan’s guards, and Field questioned Cooch and Lance about his younger brother Adrian before having them killed. Field spared the surviving workers by taking them into his service and learned that Greyhound was a skilled carpenter.

  • Ashina killed Gareth and his squires with a rapid spear assault while the Dragon-Breed Wolf devoured Gareth.
  • Field halted the bloodied Raider Cavalry, rewarded them, and arranged for the wounded to rest.
  • Field questioned Cooch and Lance, who revealed Adrian’s troops, Knights, and Chosen One, Allison.
  • Field ordered Silver Claw to kill Cooch and Lance after declaring that he forgave them.
  • Field recruited the surviving caravan workers into his service and offered Greyhound work as a carpenter in Nightfall Territory.

Ch. 42The spoils of plunder, an encounter with the Church

Field plundered a caravan, gathered supplies and slaves for his territory, and set out with Tate and his family. At the border of Highcastle Province, he encountered a Church party led by Elisa, a third-rank Holy Light Chosen One who had heard of his plans for Nightfall Territory.

  • Field and his cavalry seized goods worth about five thousand gold coins, including elixirs, armor, cash, and horses.
  • Field reunited with Tate, then bought three hundred slaves and supplies for three months using the money he had saved.
  • Tate organized the slaves into groups to carry the goods, and the party set out for Nightfall Territory.
  • At the border of Highcastle Province, Field found a Church contingent preaching to the slaves.
  • Elisa introduced herself to Field as a third-rank Church Chosen One and said the Church had prayed for him when it heard he planned to develop Nightfall Territory.

Ch. 43A Conversation with the Nun

Field refused Elisa’s proposal to establish a Church presence in his territory, while trying to learn about divine artifacts and secure Church supplies. He then led his expedition into the Gray Fog, where the convoy was attacked by corpse ghouls and Tate realized how dangerous the journey was.

  • Field learned that contracted Chosen Ones no longer appeared on the Mini-Map and met Elisa, who proposed establishing a Church and garrison in his territory.
  • Field rejected Elisa’s proposal and tried to persuade her to travel with him, trade supplies, and share information about divine artifacts.
  • Elisa explained that the Church sought to recover lost divine artifacts in the Northern Frontier Province, but refused Field’s requests for supplies and artifact locations.
  • Field ordered fifty strong slaves to take spears, then led his roughly three-hundred-and-fifty-person party into the Gray Fog.
  • Corpse ghouls attacked the convoy as it entered the Northern Frontier Province, and Tate urged the slaves to stay orderly while fearing for his family’s carriage.

Ch. 44Arrival at the Camp

Field returned to the Grand Winery with Tate and the surviving slaves after Ashina destroyed the Corpse Ghouls that attacked their journey. He found the territory safe and its first fields being cultivated, then assigned Tate to oversee the slaves and prevent unrest.

  • Silver Claw threatened the slaves while Corpse Ghouls surged from the Gray Fog, and Ashina revealed herself by burning the horde to ash.
  • Field ordered Tate to organize the slaves and hurry toward the Grand Winery as the monsters grew more active.
  • The party reached the Grand Winery after losing thirty-nine people, a warhorse, two packhorses, and seven goats, while all their food and cavalry survived.
  • Field inspected the newly cultivated fields and explained that Tate would advise him on internal affairs, manage the slaves, and assign their work.
  • The slaves, guards, and Kao welcomed Field back, and Kao wept with relief at his safe return.

Ch. 45People must always face reality

After returning from the battle against the Corpse Ghouls, Field arranged rest and supplies for his people and discussed Nightfall Territory’s priorities with Tate. He focused on clearing corruption and educating the slaves, leaving Tate impressed by his concern for ordinary people.

  • Field credited Ashina and the warriors for protecting the territory, then ordered lodgings for Tate and the Freemen and a settlement plot for the slaves.
  • Field gave the Cavalry Unit and Iron Hammer’s men three days off and ordered food distributed to the slaves.
  • Field returned to the Grand Winery, rested, and inspected his spellbook before Tate came to ask about the territory’s administration.
  • Field said the territory should first reclaim corrupted farmland and houses, then educate the slaves and identify those who had committed crimes.
  • Tate praised Field for planning reforms that addressed the needs of people at the bottom of society.

Ch. 46Failed decrees and manure

Field went out with Ashina to inspect Nightfall Territory and found that his decree against people relieving themselves in the streets had failed. He imposed fines and lashes, ordered the manure collected, and told Old Turtle Dove to use it to fertilize the fields, leaving the old man horrified.

  • Field gave Tate a map and asked him to suggest where houses could be built after the territory reclaimed the eastern forest and quarry.
  • Ashina joined Field on a visit to the farmers and slaves instead of going treasure hunting.
  • Field found excrement scattered across the roads and summoned Kao and Old Turtle Dove to explain why his earlier decree had failed.
  • Field ordered fines or lashes for anyone caught relieving themselves outside and assigned slave women and children to collect the manure.
  • Field told Old Turtle Dove to pile up the manure and use it to fertilize the crops, and Old Turtle Dove was appalled.

Ch. 47A complete overhaul, from farmland to kitchen

Field ordered new farming methods for the slave fields and went to the kitchen to teach Dinner Plate how to make dry-pot beef. Meanwhile, Sparrow prepared to serve lunch to the slaves.

  • Field ordered the slaves' fields fertilized with compost and planted using ridge-and-furrow methods, while freemen could keep farming their own plots as they wished.
  • Field showed several slaves how to dig a furrow, then discussed Nightfall Territory's food supply and the poor quality of its cooking with Ashina.
  • Field entered the Grand Winery's kitchen and ordered Dinner Plate to cancel his ham dish and prepare dry-pot beef under Field's instructions.
  • Sparrow, protected by five guards, prepared barley porridge and black bread for the slaves, with ten freemen helping to serve.

Ch. 48Hei Yu and Bai Yu, Chaotic Chowhounds

Bai Yu and Hei Yu received a generous meal in the Nightfall Territory, where Lord Field’s guards enforced an orderly food line. Bai Yu was stunned by the sisters’ daily ration and wondered if the lord had made a mistake.

  • The slaves rushed toward the food wagons, but Field’s guards stopped them and ordered them to form lines.
  • Sparrow organized ten lines and warned the slaves that anyone who cut in would go to the back.
  • The guards knocked down slaves who tried to push ahead, impressing the crowd with their strength.
  • Bai Yu comforted her frightened twin sister Hei Yu as they waited near the front of the line.
  • Sparrow told the slaves that Lord Field had provided their food and urged them to work hard for him.
  • Bai Yu learned that each person would receive porridge and two chunks of bread for the day, and she wondered if Field had given the wrong order.

Ch. 49Everyone could rest, for a little while

Bai Yu and Hei Yu received food under Lord Field’s orders, while Sparrow ensured they were given their full rations. The slaves returned to work with bread hidden for later, and Sparrow joined the servants as they cautiously examined Field’s unusual dry-pot beef.

  • Bai Yu and Hei Yu received porridge and bread, and Sparrow made the serving villager give them the two loaves ordered for each slave.
  • Bai Yu ate one loaf with her porridge and hid the other so the sisters would have food if they went hungry later.
  • The guards sent the slaves back to the fields, and Sparrow returned to the Grand Winery’s kitchen for lunch.
  • Sparrow’s coworkers showed her the dry-pot beef Field had set aside for them, and Scissors compared its appearance to burnt dung before apologizing for insulting the gift.

Ch. 50The Mysterious Watcher

Field prepared to retake the logging camp while Ashina warned him that an unknown Corrupted Creature had watched the territory during the night. As the troops approached the camp, Wildcat and two guards began quietly killing Corpse Ghouls.

  • Sparrow pretended the dry-pot beef tasted awful, but the servants devoured it once they realized how delicious it was.
  • Field decided to deal with the territory’s timber shortage and asked Ashina to protect the troops as they retook the logging camp.
  • Ashina told Field that a new Corrupted Creature had watched the territory and could block her perception, so Field ordered more cautious patrols and planned further recruitment.
  • Field led the troops east toward the logging camp, passing the corrupted lake and advancing under the Mist-Driving Lamp’s light.
  • Wildcat and two guards crept up on a Corpse Ghoul and killed it before it could scream.
Arc 2 of 2
Arc 2 of 2