Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

This time, Yan Xing returned to Eternal Domain alone, leaving the Werewolves, farmers, and maids who had followed him to Nuta City at the Lord's Mansion.

The development of a domain could not afford to be stagnant; it had to integrate into the wider world to secure a steady stream of finances and resources. It was also crucial to stay alert to changes in the external environment and adjust domain policies accurately to deal with various unforeseen events.

Currently, in Nuta City, Count Theodore was aging. Many wished to take advantage of the war to seize power. For his own interests, Yan Xing had to stand by Count Theodore and help him bear the pressure. Moreover, studying Magic and combat techniques also required spending considerable time in Nuta City.

Therefore, Yan Xing decided to divide his time between Nuta City and Eternal Domain, prioritizing the domain's development and security above all else. It was tiring, indeed, but there was no other way. Without capable individuals who could manage things independently, the Lord had no option but to handle matters personally. This was the plight of a minor Lord developing his domain: with fragile power, he had to be personally involved and worry about every detail.

Yan Xing leaped down from the Griffon's back and said to the Domain Officials who had come to meet him, "Go and bring Clan Leader Duan'er and Clan Leader Li Zhua here. We need to have a meeting."

「In the town-level government hall's meeting room of Eternal Domain.」

The principal members of Eternal Domain's forces gathered. The three Domain Officials first reported to Yan Xing about the domain's development during his absence.

Gao Sipa was the first to report on the domain's development and material consumption during this period. He also presented a list of materials that needed to be replenished and stocked, hoping to acquire these resources as soon as possible.

Lao Hansi was responsible for the domain's taxation and personnel management. During Yan Xing's absence from the domain, it had gained a significant number of refugees. The population of the domain had now grown to 743 people. With more people came more problems, and various conflicts naturally arose. Lao Hansi hoped to establish an institution to maintain internal order, with upright officials to adjudicate disputes among the domain's subjects fairly.

Yan Xing hadn't expected the domain's population to increase so much in just the four days of his absence. It seemed his growing prestige in Nuta City had led to more refugees appearing around the domain. As the population continued to grow, more trouble would naturally follow.

Yan Xing reviewed his Lord System, noting that a town-level domain had a corresponding building for maintaining public order—the Peace Office. By constructing the Peace Office, a Lord could appoint Peace Officers and form a domain security team. The Peace Officers would be responsible for resolving disputes among the populace and investigating crimes. However, Peace Officers had to be Hero units. And what Eternal Domain now lacked most were Heroes.

Thinking about Heroes, Yan Xing recalled a structure where Heroes could be recruited—the tavern. Some wandering Heroes would go to the domain's taverns to drink. When positions that only Heroes could fill arose in the domain, the Lord could post recruitment notices in the tavern. If a wandering Hero was willing to take up a position in the domain and serve the Lord, they could be recruited after an interview.

So, Yan Xing asked Gao Sipa, "Hasn't the domain's tavern been built? Are there any Heroes there available for recruitment?"

Gao Sipa replied, "Reporting to my Lord... the domain's tavern has been built, but the Heroes drinking there are all Werewolf Heroes from the Werewolf Tribe. Our domain hasn't had any foreign Heroes visit yet."

Eternal Domain had been established only a short time ago, and its name had just begun to spread to Nuta City. Most people in Nuta City only knew that Eternal Domain was somewhere north of Nuta City, near the Thunderous Swamp. But they didn't know its exact location, so naturally, they wouldn't find it easily.

However, there are taverns in Nuta City. I wonder if I could recruit some Heroes there, Yan Xing thought.

He had Chui Chui add recruiting Heroes from Nuta City's taverns to his schedule.

Then, he said to Gao Sipa, "Build a Peace Office as quickly as possible. I'll figure out a way to find a Peace Officer."

Next, Yan Xing spoke to Eddie, "Nuta City is willing to train a batch of soldiers for us. Select 30 soldiers to go to Nuta City and receive training from Miss Hibel. You will lead the team, and the training period is one month.

"Regardless of the training results, everyone must return after one month. We must prepare for war."

Eddie accepted the order.

Werewolf Duan'er couldn't help but ask at that moment, "My Lord... who are we going to fight in this war you mentioned?"

Yan Xing pulled a map from his armor and spread it on the table. This map was one Yan Xing had Chui Chui copy from Count Theodore and then print out.

Pointing at the arrangement of Orc, Human, and Elf forces on the map, Yan Xing said to his Domain Officials, "The most significant information I obtained in Nuta City is that the Orcs and Elves have formed an alliance and are about to launch an offensive against the Human Wildwind Highlands Legion.

"The Orcs and Elves have been preparing for a long time, so this war could be fierce and protracted. It will last at least until winter and might even extend into next year's rainy season.

"We must do something in this war! Otherwise, regardless of whether the Orc-Elf Alliance Forces or the Human Wildwind Highlands Legion wins, they might see us as a new enemy."

Duan'er looked at the map, taking a long time to find the location of Eternal Domain.

Then he said, "Humans, Orcs, and Elves have been fighting on the Wildwind Highlands for many years without once encroaching on the Thunderous Swamp. They wouldn't dare fight us within the swamp's range."

Li Zhua then said, "Humans, Orcs, and Elves didn't attack the Thunderous Swamp before because our weakness posed no threat to them. But things are different now...

"Lord Yan Xing's Eternal Domain has united the Werewolf Tribes along the southern edge of the Thunderous Swamp, and our strength is rapidly increasing. In the past few days, the number of Griffons seen in the sky has clearly increased. Nuta City never sent Griffons to scout us before.

"Neither Orcs, Humans, nor Elves will allow the Thunderous Swamp to become a threat to them. Lord Yan Xing's assessment of the situation is very accurate; whoever wins this war will see us as a dangerous target.

"I believe our next strategic move should be to look deeper into the Thunderous Swamp, to bring more Werewolves to our side, thereby enhancing our strength and military power. We need to prepare for the next large-scale war."

Duan'er, annoyed that Li Zhua had stolen his thunder again, quickly said, "My Lord will attack whomever he decides! Our warriors are now well-fed, equipped with armor, weapons, and provisions... And we have magic-beast chickens.

"The Werewolf Tribes deep in the Thunderous Swamp, plagued only by Poison Flies, are no match for us. Just give the order, My Lord, and Li Zhua and I will lead our troops to advance deeper into the Thunderous Swamp."

Hearing Duan'er mention the magic-beast chickens, Yan Xing asked, "How are those chickens I had you raise? Have more of them undergone Demonization to become magic beasts?"