Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Territory Expansion
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West River clearing.
I gathered the slaves there.
A large number of River Village residents attended as well.
A tall platform stood before thousands of people.
I slowly ascended it.
With every step I took, their eyes followed me.
The tension grew as much as their numbers.
'I still can't get used to this.'
Once I reached the platform, I took a deep breath.
Only after calming my nerves did I open my mouth.
"I, Elwin Frontier, led 1,200 soldiers and 150 hunters in an assault on the monster territory."
"In that battle, we slew numerous goblins and orcs, along with two trolls."
Despite the great achievements, the mood in the clearing hung heavy.
Undoubtedly because of the casualties—something unprecedented until now.
"This expedition cost us 28 lives, with even more wounded."
A sob broke out from among the slaves.
The atmosphere grew heavier still.
In contrast, the River Village folk remained composed.
To those born and raised on Monster Island, such losses were all too commonplace.
I signaled Isaac, who stood beside the platform.
Moments later, the families of the fallen climbed the stage.
A mage accompanied them.
"I have decided to release the Slave Seals on the families of the dead. I will also take responsibility for raising their children. And once they reach adulthood, I will provide them with suitable jobs."
Three seconds of silence passed.
And then.
"Waaah!!"
"Waaah!!!"
The slaves, who had been somber, erupted in cheers all at once.
In this world, slaves were mere objects.
Used when needed, discarded when not.
To such slaves, I had granted rewards greater than those for commoners.
Monetary compensation came in the form of freeing their Slave Seals.
I pledged to care for the deceased's children until adulthood.
And even after, to offer them jobs.
These were compensations even commoners slain in war rarely received.
"Waaah!!!"
"Waaah!!!"
The cheers went on for quite some time before dying down.
Before the eyes of thousands of slaves, I released their Slave Seals one by one.
Each time a seal vanished, thunderous applause rang out.
A week had passed since returning to West River.
At first, I worried the slaves might show signs of unrest due to the deaths.
Fortunately, the rewards and released seals kept everything calm.
Some even worked harder than before.
'The slaves have settled. Time to move to the next phase.'
Construction of the four outposts was complete.
The issue now was clearing the monsters between them.
Large monster groups fell to Hans leading the Slave Soldiers.
Smaller packs were handled by the hunters.
It would take time, but eventually, we'd wipe out the internal monsters.
'But is this the right way?'
'Is this method correct?'
These nagging doubts plagued me throughout the process.
A lord's duties were many.
But on Monster Island, a lord was different.
Even if lacking in other skills, one respected solely for defending the territory and protecting its people was hailed as a true lord.
Conversely, no matter how exceptional in other areas, failure to safeguard the land and its folk meant disqualification as lord.
'Territory expansion. Defense. Impressive feats, no doubt. But is it enough?'
The heir position rested with my father.
'Would Father be satisfied with these results? Does he see me as fit to be the next lord?'
Bam!
I slammed the desk and rose from my seat.
"I need to check directly."
Brooding alone wouldn't yield answers.
So I decided to ask the decision-maker himself.
"What do you mean all of a sudden, Heir?"
Hans, who had been plotting strategies in the room, looked up startled.
"Hans, focus on monster subjugation. Tell Isaac to handle farming and Russell trade."
"Are you heading somewhere?"
I nodded firmly.
"I need to see Father."
Frontier Manor, third floor.
Brilda sat at her desk, reading a letter.
Her eyes shook violently as she read.
Her face flushed rapidly.
Soon, even her hands trembled holding the letter.
"Is this... real? Elwin conquered this much land?"
According to the letter, it exceeded 10% of the existing Frontier territory.
No, easily 15%.
"Half right, half wrong, Madam."
"What do you mean? It's either true or false."
"With so many monsters still inside, we can't call it fully conquered. The key is blocking external monster influx while clearing the internals."
Brilda gently stroked her chin.
Her flushed face began to regain its color.
"So, it's still in progress?"
"Yes."
"Marie, what do you think? Can Elwin turn that place into human territory?"
Marie bowed apologetically.
Then she spoke.
"With current forces, yes."
"What!?"
"He cleverly targeted only the southern coastal area. The monsters there are Black Goblins and Black Orcs—opponents winnable with sufficient numbers."
"Still impressive! The area Elwin claimed surpasses 10% of our territory!"
Brilda's face reddened again.
Marie's expression remained unchanged.
"Something Madam could do as well. Dispatch knights and troops, and it's yours."
"Really? Then why leave it alone?"
"No need. Unlike the continent, Monster Island isn't suited for farming. Claiming land yields little gain but vastly increases defended area."
As Brilda opened her mouth again, a knock sounded.
"Madam, a letter has arrived."
"Come in."
The maid placed the letter on the desk and left.
Brilda unfolded it with annoyance.
And then.
"Elwin has headed to the northern Frontier region."
"To meet the Lord."
"Is this the time to be so casual? Why else would Elwin see her husband! To secure the heir position!"
"The closest to next lord is young master Gibson. Elwin lacks the power to face large monsters yet."
Marie mentioned Elwin's troll battle.
"...With 700 troops, he fought trolls and slew two."
"Now taking down trolls too."
Marie continued in her emotionless tone.
"That resulted in over 100 casualties."
"Over 100? More than 10%. As you say, not equipped for large monsters."
Brilda leaned back deeply in her chair.
She closed her eyes, lost in thought.
Perhaps that's why she missed Marie's next words.
"However..."
Marie noticed Brilda's state and fell silent.
The rest was more prediction than fact.
And hearing it would only excite Brilda again.
So she held her tongue.
Frontier territory, northwest.
The land of the fiercest battles in the viscounty.
I arrived there.
Frontier army.
Command tent.
"Why have you come here?"
My father's first words upon entering the tent.
Knowing his temperament, I didn't falter and began my prepared speech.
First, I produced Cariyan Frontier's staff from the outpost and the troll hide I'd hunted.
"Father, this is our ancestor's staff from the old castle and the troll hide I hunted."
Father examined the staff and hide slowly.
Then spoke flatly.
"It's Cariyan-nim's staff, yes. Though inferior to the one passed down to lords through generations. And..."
Father pointed to the holes riddling the troll hide.
"Just how many fought to take down this troll?"
"700 soldiers and 50 hunters."
He shook his head with clear dissatisfaction.
"For a mere troll..."
His words were sincere criticism, not sarcasm.
Father had always been straightforward.
"Father, I've secured the southern coastal territory."
"..."
"An area 15% the size of our existing lands."
"..."
Even vast new territory failed to soften Father's expression.
My heart raced.
I cut to the chase.
The real reason I'd come.
"Father, I've stabilized the River area. And reclaimed broad lands. Can I... can I remain as heir?"
I met Father's emotionless gaze.
No hint of doubt in his eyes.
'Has he made up his mind?'
"You want my answer?"
"Tell me your thoughts, Father. Tell me how I can become lord."
Father silently folded the troll hide and placed Cariyan's staff atop it.
"Take these."
What did that mean?
"Pardon?"
"What you obtained is yours."
"..."
"As for your question, I'll answer in a week. Follow me until then."
Relief washed over me.
The mood had suggested I could be ousted as heir any moment.
The next day, I began shadowing Father.
Early morning as the sun rose.
A monster battle erupted.
Forty trolls.
Frontier soldiers formed a phalanx.
Cavalry circled to flank.
The Frontier Knight Order.
One of the territory's core forces.
Before the knights clashed, the mage unit struck the trolls with spells.
Half the trolls suffered grievous wounds from the magic.
The knights' follow-up annihilated them.
We fought five battles that day alone.
Excluding skirmishes.
Monsters varied too.
Over the week with Father,
goblins, orcs aside,
trolls and ogres slain numbered in the hundreds.
Even rare beasts like minotaurs, manticores, basilisks appeared.
And Father with the Frontier elites slew them all.
My own efforts now seemed like child's play.
I finally understood why continentals shuddered at Monster Island's name.
.
.
A week later,
Command tent.
"Can you protect the territory and its people from those?"