"Leader, this is the recent report on ore and grain consumption. The daily usage is recorded here," said Gray Beard, clutching a stack of star-patterned papers. He carefully drew a few sheets from the top and placed them in front of Kent.
Ever since Kent taught everyone how to use Arabic numerals for recording, even Gray Beard, who used to be illiterate, could now complete basic statistical tasks assigned by the leader. Of course, the majority of the work was still handled by Old Iron Hammer and Leo.
"This one is the production statistics from the workshop." He placed a few more star-patterned sheets next to the previous ones. "As for the report on the issuance and income of citizen points, it's quite detailed... Udo helped compile it."
Out of nearly 200 original inhabitants of the Spearhead Territory, fewer than 20 could read. Kent had handpicked all of them to gather daily as reserve leaders for training.
The "training," in essence, was a rotational program through various workshops, construction sites, mines, and canteens, ensuring familiarity with different fields of work and their processes. Beyond mere familiarity, Kent divided them into four groups, requiring each group to discuss their daily insights, compile issues, and propose solutions.
This inclusive democratic discussion model bore some resemblance to the tribal council system currently implemented on the Red Earth Continent. However, it was far more open and encouraged free expression. To the native inhabitants of Spearhead Territory, it was an entirely new experience. Fortunately, most were under 20 years old, with many having learned to read from Udo, so while the process was chaotic, it was manageable.
A recent amusing dispute arose between Udo's group and Group Three over how to improve the construction efficiency of Cave Dwellers' engineers. Udo's group proposed refining current practices by assigning different tasks to engineers based on specific construction stages, creating a chain process to boost efficiency. Group Three, on the other hand, insisted that synchronized teamwork was more effective.
Hearing about their discussions, Kent couldn't help but chuckle.
On this barren land, the seeds of early processes and assembly line thinking had begun to sprout.
Kent's long-term plan prioritized four pillars for the territory: mining and forging, infrastructure development, animal husbandry and agriculture, and military construction. These required substantial initial investments, achievable only through trade and raids. The untamed frontier housed over a dozen slave camps, with Bloodhammer Camp being among the smallest.
The repercussions of taking down Bloodhammer Camp for the Bloodstone family of the Raging Stream Tribe were predictable. However, they would never imagine that the culprit hailed from the overlooked Spearhead Territory. Yet, with the construction of the Wild Ox Meadow Castle Fortress, this secret wouldn't remain hidden for long.
Time was running out. The rebellious Tiger Tribe would inevitably start a war, and Kent's territory, with its growing influence, was bound to attract enemies. Instead of waiting passively, Kent preferred to strike first.
The first batch of 100 swift crossbows had already been equipped by the Cave Dwellers' Crossbow Regiment. The forge was working day and night, aiming to complete the production of all 600 crossbows. Once fully equipped, Kent planned to organize a mixed-force strategy comprising Cave Dweller crossbowmen, barbarian axe-shield units, half-orc throwing and melee regiments, and the human-led leader's guard. Together, they would enable flexible offensive and defensive tactics.
Meanwhile, the Spearhead Red Star Armed Caravan, led by Ray's squad, had been established. The caravan consisted of 30 elite fighters—5 barbarians, 10 half-orcs, and 15 humans—alongside 50 Cave Dweller crossbowmen and 20 native residents of Spearhead Valley, forming a 100-person team.
To bolster the caravan's combat strength, Kent equipped every member with standard-grade magical armor, increasing their overall combat power by 40%. Through his system, Kent also brought the entire caravan under the influence of the team framework, ensuring a high victory rate even against the rebellious Tiger Tribe.
On the Red Earth Continent, the immense potential of commerce and trade remained underestimated. Even the Highland Alliance's investment in trade caravans focused solely on resource exchange. With Kent's extensive commercial knowledge and techniques from another world, this fledgling armed caravan was destined to disrupt the status quo of the Red Earth Continent.
As Kent reviewed Gray Beard's submitted reports, Splitting Blade observed him intently.
By now, it had been almost ten years since he began serving as a guard for this royal wildling bastard.
A decade was enough time to understand someone deeply. Splitting Blade believed he was among the few who truly knew the bastard prince. Sometimes, a mere glance was enough for him to discern the prince's thoughts.
However, over the past few months, strange changes had occurred in the bastard prince.
These changes might be subtle to others but were glaring to him.
It was almost as if… the prince had become a completely different person.
True, the prince was always kind-hearted—a trait mocked by Highland nobles who saw his approachable demeanor as unbecoming of royalty. Yet now, his kindness seemed excessive, entirely devoid of noble pride. Astonishingly, he even abolished the slave system within the territory.
Splitting Blade didn't oppose this decision. However, if the Highland elders learned of it, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar in the Wild Tribe and even across the Highland Alliance.
The direction of the territory's development became increasingly baffling.
Within a few months, this human territory of just over 100 people had swelled to nearly 3,000 inhabitants, with the vast majority being barbarians, half-orcs, and the lowly Cave Dwellers. The guards constantly worried about potential rebellion. After all, an assassination attempt in the valley would be far too easy.
Yet, the feared rebellion never came. Instead, those savage beings appeared inexplicably motivated. In particular, Splitting Blade could see genuine respect and affection for the prince in the straightforward eyes of the barbarians.
Why was this happening?
Now, the prince had even established an armed caravan to cooperate with a faction of the Tiger Throne.
The Tiger Throne!
A sworn enemy of the Highland Alliance!
Was the prince planning to defect to the Forest Alliance?
Unlikely.
The only logical conclusion was…
This world had gone mad.