Field had considered purchasing more slaves but was disheartened by his financial constraints.
Surviving in the deathly fog, without even considering the monsters, required reliance on mist-dispersing lamps, an exclusive magical item sold by the Church at a steep price.
Add to that the needs of over two hundred people for food, drink, and other necessities, it was no small sum.
"So, did you manage to secure a loan?" Field asked urgently as he saw his steward exiting the Merchant's Guild, but one look at Cao's expression, worse than a three-day-dead rat, told him everything.
"Sorry, master, even the greediest merchant would not lend us money upon hearing your name," Cao said with a shrug. "After all, the Northern Province is synonymous with hell; even the royal army's expeditionary force was annihilated. No merchant would willingly throw their money away."
"That doesn't make sense. I just received my commission today. How could the merchants be so well-informed?" Field had planned to take out a loan; if he died in the North, there would be no need to repay it, and if he survived, repayment would be trivial.
Cao rolled his eyes, having no patience for a noble about to meet his doom.
If it hadn't been for him stumbling upon the Count's sister and her affair with the stable boy, he might have had a promising future as the steward of Golden Eagle City or even become the Count's right hand, perhaps even the tutor to the Count's grandson, instead of being sent to his death in a cursed land!
"Your sister got wind of your fief early and warned the city's merchants. Anything you buy will cost ten times more," the steward replied wearily. "Furthermore, the merchants understood your sister's warning and won't offer any convenience."
Field wiped off his cold sweat, grateful he hadn't revealed his identity when buying slaves; otherwise, it wouldn't have been a matter of fifty gold coins.
"Thanks a lot, sis," Field said through gritted teeth, veins popping up on his forehead.
Everyone treating him like dirt, huh?
Most annoyingly, the original owner had lived so long without saving a single copper coin. A third went to the family coffers, and two-thirds were donated to the border fortifications to purchase weapons against the corrupted creatures.
The poorest noble by far.
"Forget the loan; it's the shortsighted merchants' loss," Field said nonchalantly. "Now, let's buy some means of production."
Field spent one hundred and eighty gold coins on the essentials for colonization: packhorses, farming tools, food, and books. The seventeen horses were old and weak, crucial means of production in the medieval era, tightly controlled by lords. The food was packed as much as possible, enough for a modern person to last half a month.
However, slaves didn't need such treatment; a daily ration of a black bread could sustain them, and with two loaves mixed with tree bark and sawdust, they would kneel and call you father.
Thus, the food supply would last about thirty-five days, more than sufficient.
"As for magical items, we'll buy them in the cities near the border. Those sly officers will sell them at a discount."
Just like the feudal armies of ancient times, often selling off soldiers' equipment and then pocketing the pay.
Field had wanted to recruit some talent or mercenaries at the tavern, but they refused without hesitation upon hearing they were heading to Nightfall Domain.
"That place is no different from sending us to our deaths."
"I advise you to flee to another country. Even the toughest cockroaches would have to live cautiously there."
With the mercenaries' advice echoing in his mind, Field rubbed his temples and glanced at the beast-eared girl huddled in the hay-filled cart, curious about what made her special.
He found an inn and let everyone rest for the night.
The next morning, he called for the beast-eared girl.
"What's your name? Did you rest well yesterday?" Field looked her over, appraising her value at fifty silver coins and couldn't help but smile at her confused expression.
"A... Arinna."
It took her a while to open her mouth and force out her name; she hadn't spoken in a month.
She had always fearfully awaited her fate, never expecting to have a normal conversation again.
After being carefully cleaned by a maid, the beast-eared girl was unrecognizable. Her once matted and dry fur became smooth and shiny after washing, her pure white hair cascaded down, resembling snowflakes, complementing her delicate features, giving her a quiet elegance—Field's type of mature beauty. However, her constantly trembling wolf ears and tail clearly indicated her unease.
After naming herself, the green dot above Arinna's head disappeared, replaced by a simple panel.
Name: Arinna
Level: Unawakened
Promotion Route: Divine Chosen of Wolf Cavalry
Status: Malnourished, near collapse
(Please supplement nutrition!)
"Damn!" Field couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
A green dot turned out to be an unawakened divine chosen! Field was stunned, speechless.
Since the map could mark green dots, it definitely wouldn't do so just once!
Every September 1st was the National Day of Awakening, where every eligible female underwent an examination. Despite the minuscule chance of awakening as a divine chosen, their value justified the expenditure of significant resources.
Field excitedly paced back and forth, then pumped his fists. His abilities undoubtedly held great potential.
This trip to Nightfall Domain might just allow him to gain a foothold.
Seeing Field's strange behavior, Arinna thought he had come up with a way to torture her, causing her legs to tremble in fear. She clutched and released her skirt, unsure of what lay ahead.
In fact, after Field bought her, she had considered fighting back. Even if countered by a slave contract, she refused to die humiliated; instead, she would fiercely bite her enemy's neck.
But the maid held her back, bathed her, scrubbing every crevice clean. She had never imagined someone helping her bathe. Insanely, the clothes were also put on for her; the soft, comfortable fabric felt weightless against her skin, free from biting fleas or scratching.
"Perhaps I'm to be sacrificed to the devil," Arinna thought wildly. "When the time comes, I'll fight back! I must show these evil humans what for!"
"Don't be afraid, I'm not the kind who takes pleasure in killing others. I bought you to develop my territory," Field lowered his voice, trying to appear gentler, leaning casually on a chair with a languid posture that showed no aggression. "By the way, does this dress fit well?"
It was a maid outfit altered from common attire which tended towards conservatism in this world, only revealing a bit of the calves and hands, practically akin to a nun's habit—of course, not the kind meant for playful slits.