I Become a Landlady in the Game World

Though facing countless gazes was the cost of taking the lead, she saw it as both a challenge and an opportunity she was reluctant to pass up.

Moreover, as long as Hope Village succeeded, it might also offer a new way out for those Blue Star territories.

With this thought, Zhou Bai's gaze grew even more resolute.

Upon getting Zhou Bai's approval, Viscount Conrad and his group left reassured.

The crowd that had been surrounding them instantly dispersed with their departure, leaving only Zhou Bai and Bayer alone at the site.

"You seem particularly concerned about Marquis Boyer. Are you suspecting something?" Having followed Zhou Bai for so long, Bayer had come to understand her somewhat and thus didn't hesitate to ask.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bai paused, "I just feel that Marquis Boyer might be related to Fasal Village."

"You mean he's the mountain standing behind Fasal Village."

"There's a high possibility—too many coincidences..." Zhou Bai laid out her findings bit by bit, "I even wonder if it's the other party intentionally letting us know, thinking of roping us in?"

The last sentence was yet another conjecture of Zhou Bai's.

"Since the other party didn't approach us openly, village chief, just act as if you haven't heard anything. Even if they do want to bring Hope Village into their fold, they need to talk to the Lord of Hope Village, not the village chief," Bayer hinted.

Before, he thought there was no need for the Lord to hide her identity, but now, he truly saw the benefits of concealing it.

The Lord had the foresight.

"No wonder he just asked where the Lord was," Zhou Bai recalled Marquis Boyer's earlier words and couldn't help speaking up.

"You seem to have already decided he's the man behind the scenes," Bayer said helplessly, though it was only speculation, his lord had clearly made up her mind.

"Intuition," Zhou Bai said.

"It seems that if he truly is the man behind the scenes, then he has only two purposes for his visit this time: one is to entice us, and the other is to pry for information. Both of these are in progress. If in the end he fails to entice us, Hope Village might become their next point of focus."

That attention was not a good thing.

"No worries. We'll firmly establish our own territory, conduct our business well, and develop properly. There's almost a month until the next Territory War. A month's time is enough for our territory to undergo significant changes," Zhou Bai confidently stated.

What was there to fear from Fasal Village with Lovisa City backing it, when Lovisa City couldn't launch a real attack on Hope Village?

At this moment, Zhou Bai felt very fortunate for the rules this world had set for territories.

Though each Level seemed to foster its own challenges, at least it ensured some measure of safety for smaller territories.

"Yes, Hope Village will certainly be transformed again in a month," Bayer nodded, filled with confidence in the development of Hope Village.

However...

"Can we really sell the cement?"

"It can be sold, but not now, and by the time they start buying Shells, it'll be much later," Zhou Bai said candidly, "But this Limestone matter must not be known to others."

Although many Blue Star people knew of Limestone, to find a similar mine was definitely not so simple.

Hope Village found it first, and that was Hope Village's "root."

"Don't worry! Among those going to find another batch of goblins are your father, Zhou Zhengping, and the soldiers he leads; all have signed a contract," Bayer said quickly.

The contract, coupled with Zhou Zhengping, was a double assurance.

Nothing beneficial for Hope Village would ever slip out of Zhou Zhengping's mouth.

Come to think of it, even without the identity of Lord, Zhou Bai had managed to firmly control the entire territory in her hands.

"When are they setting out?" Zhou Bai asked.

"Once the handover at the solvent cave is done, Victor and Denglop can lead the team out," Bayer spoke.

Indeed, this task was entrusted to the two goblins who were among the first to join Hope Village; Victor was quite slick with his words and utterly loyal to Zhou Bai, which provided reassurance. Coupled with Goblin Chief Mills and a few mining-efficient goblins, the team was complete.

"Ensure their safety at all costs," Zhou Bai stated seriously. After all, since Victor and Denglop joined Hope Village, they had really mined a significant amount of Iron Ore, and it was this ore that had allowed Hope Village's military strength to surge dramatically.