Upon regaining consciousness, numerous tasks could finally be undertaken.
Chu Yan learned from Shanaoya about his condition during the period of his unconsciousness.
"Symbols have appeared on my face? Has my visage been marred?"
Yet, when Chu Yan rushed to the mirror, his expression faltered, and his brow furrowed with concern.
The lingering haze of his protracted slumber dissipated, and his mind cleared.
Believing there might be something more amiss, Shanaoya, anxious, inquired, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Chu Yan tousled his hair and replied, forlornly, "It's nothing; I was merely startled awake by my own handsomeness."
"..."
Shanaoya considered striking him, but upon recalling his innate penchant for absurdity, she restrained herself.
Chu Yan's intent was not solely to tease Shanaoya; the sight of his normal reflection eased the weight in his heart.
He had been concerned that upon gazing into the mirror, he would still appear as a mere child of ten, which would indeed spell trouble.
Such a scenario would imply that the experiences within the nightmare had left a lingering impact on him.
However, now that nothing seemed amiss, and the symbols Shanaoya mentioned were nowhere to be found, it seemed they had vanished.
Nevertheless, those symbols were likely connected to the "key" given to him by that imposing woman in the nightmare.
"Regarding the nightmares caused by the Blood Moon, it is futile to dwell on them now. I shall first resolve the affairs of Extreme City."
"Shall I accompany you this evening?"
Shanaoya's invitation resembled that of a midday nap.
"I need to stretch my legs first; if I don't, I'll become utterly daft. You should rest for now, Shanaoya!"
"Very well."
With that, Chu Yan descended the stairs, and as he passed the second floor, he noticed the doors of the nun's rooms ajar.
This was peculiar; weren't these individuals notoriously reclusive?
As he approached to investigate, his brows shot up in surprise.
Inside, the nuns were bound to their beds, the ropes accentuating the gentle curves of their forms.
Upon meeting the bewildered gaze of their lord, one nun writhed in a futile attempt to seek help, her mouth sealed by a gag, rendering her voiceless.
Chu Yan confirmed that this was the case for all the nuns within the rooms!
"What on earth is happening here?"
He sought someone to inquire, but the wards on the first floor were resting quietly, making it inappropriate to disturb their repose.
Moreover, Chu Yan had no intention of releasing the nuns; perhaps this was simply a peculiar preference of theirs?
Exiting the castle, Chu Yan discovered a task list on a stone table in the courtyard.
It appeared to outline the matters that needed attending to following the Blood Moon, many of which had already been resolved by the wardens.
However, numerous tasks remained unaddressed, requiring the lord's approval to proceed.
With this list in hand, Chu Yan found his actions more purposeful, alleviating much of his burden.
...
In the new slum district,
The former slum had now been equipped with rudimentary watchtowers and other basic infrastructure—though somewhat rudimentary, it effectively established a defensive line.
The new slum consisted of makeshift dwellings erected in the vacant land outside the wealthy district. While its name may not be flattering, no one seemed to mind.
Even the lord's castle was connected to the prison, rendering the name of the Dead Sea inhabitants' living area inconsequential; comfort and safety were what truly mattered.
As Chu Yan arrived in the new slum, several children quickly surrounded him.
The little girl, Dura, acted as the group's spokesperson—fearless and loud—greeting him: "Lord Brother, you're awake!"
"Indeed. Why hasn't construction progressed here? Are we only erecting tents? Surely the building materials are available?"
"Sister Jeanette says that constructing houses must be orderly; we need to leave space for roads and ensure that toilets aren't built alongside kitchen areas, so your approval is necessary, Lord Brother."
Dura handed him a sketch, which vaguely illustrated the current layout, indicating the designated spaces for each household.
However, to Chu Yan's discerning gaze, it appeared far too cramped.
The common folk had retained their habits from the defensive zones, where space was limited, necessitating close proximity to facilitate support in the event of a monster attack.
Even if support was impossible, a single alarm would prompt a collective retreat.
Now that they had relocated to a new area, such proximity was unnecessary.
"This is far too narrow. Look at the houses within the city gates; each home occupies this amount of space. In the future, as each family is capable, they can expand their own houses. After all, the population of Extreme City is not excessive, so let the land be utilized generously.
As long as disputes over space do not arise when you build your houses, everything will be fine."
Upon hearing this, Dura exchanged glances with her companions, mouths agape in astonishment.
"Such a vast expanse? It's comparable to those little lords' mansions from before!"
"Indeed, you all reassess the layout. Begin construction today and aim to have the plans ready by tomorrow for Sister Jeanette's approval; I will come to confirm."
This matter was somewhat urgent, but it could not be delayed; his family trial was drawing to a close.
If these projects were not finalized before his departure, the residents would surely be hesitant to act independently.
The children, receiving their orders, scattered eagerly to inform the other residents.
"From now on, this new slum shall be referred to as the Outer City, while the affluent district will be the Inner City."
[Urban Planning (√)]
...
Chu Yan once again confirmed the utilization of the Dead Sea forces; most of the leadership inspection work had concluded.
At that moment, dusk was settling.
The wardens, after their afternoon rest, began to emerge from confinement for activities.
As Jeanette awoke, she was greeted by the lively presence of the lord, her surprise palpable.
Exchanging pleasantries, Officer Omega leaned in to listen to their conversation.
However, Omega remained silent throughout, only contemplating joining the discussion when the topic turned to the handling of the Dead Sea nobles.
"Let us brainstorm; could their demise lead to further complications?"
Chu Yan inquired, considering the implications.
Dealing with the Dead Sea nobles had become a foregone conclusion; leaving even one alive would pose a risk, allowing them a chance to summon reinforcements.
Should another incident akin to "Old Pig inviting Connice" arise, these revengers would likely refrain from targeting Jeanette and her companions directly, but they would certainly take their ire out on the residents of the Outer City.
At present, it was prudent to anticipate what troubles might arise during the interval following their elimination.
Omega, with foresight, candidly remarked:
"Much of the Dead Sea nobles' wealth is deposited in the banks run by the Black Ice Dragon descendants. If they all perish, the greatest complication will be accessing their funds."
Jeanette silently gave a thumbs up.
Indeed, Omega's insights were succinct and astute!
She had fixed her gaze upon their legacies.
"I shall retrieve their family insignias afterward and see if I can withdraw from the Black Ice Dragon's bank; if successful, I will send the money to you, and you may spend it as you wish."
Chu Yan's words momentarily astonished Shanaoya.
It was not the generosity that caught her off guard, but the phrase "send to you" that reminded her of something.
Chu Yan was nearing the time to depart from the Dead Sea border...
His trial was essentially complete, and there was no room for error; he awaited the executioner to assess his results.
...Was he about to leave?
As Shanaoya pondered, the operation to deal with the Dead Sea nobles was already underway, progressing fervently.
Their disappearance left no trace, save for their numerous residences.
The cause of their deaths was officially attributed by the lord to:
The aberrant conditions of the Blood Moon caused the monsters to surge forth, inadvertently wiping out the nobles.
[Regional Cooperation Efficiency (√)]
...
With each task accomplished, Chu Yan, the provisional lord, had truly achieved a commendable completion of his duties.
In the deep of night, the wardens returned to their quarters for rest, maintaining their healthy routines.
Meanwhile, Chu Yan found himself in his chamber, celebrating with Shanaoya over a modest toast.
It is worth noting that this wine had been personally crafted by Shanaoya a few days prior through the age-old method of foot-treading.
With the aid of magical fermentation, the brew matured swiftly.
However, as Chu Yan often made comments that lacked refinement, such as, "Shanaoya, bring your foot here; I shall compare scents to confirm if your essence is present in the wine,"
The result was that an indignant Shanaoya, fueled by a modest inebriation, promptly toppled Chu Yan to the floor, her warm and delicate foot pressing against his face.
The exquisitely curved knight poured wine over her calf, allowing the fragrant brew to flow into someone's mouth while querying whether he could taste her essence.
With a bottle emptied, they both became slightly tipsy and lay together on the bed.
The ceiling spun gently.
In Chu Yan's gaze, the rotating ceiling gradually morphed into the visage of Shanaoya.
The knight positioned herself above him, her eyes dreamy, her cheeks flushed, and her cascading hair tantalizingly brushing against him.
Her knee playfully grazed Chu Yan's body, a tender yet careful motion, imbued with affection.
"I have long heard tales of the difficulties faced by the dragon descendants in their reproduction... I must witness it for myself."