The Creator Lord's Canvas

Gremori could check the territory status just like Arthur.

And the notification she'd just heard.

Arthur had purchased food equivalent to 40,000 gold.

This food wasn't limited to just 'grains.'

It could be meat, flour, or anything else.

Various ingredients suited to the territory's needs—rice, and other essentials—would appear accordingly.

If this were a game where you really had to pioneer a farm and only wheat came out?

It wouldn't be realistic.

You'd have to eat nothing but wheat every day.

"How does he have so much gold...?"

"I built up achievements with the nurturing device I got, and it gave me this much?"

What the hell kind of achievements?

And what the hell was that nurturing device!

Gremori was still utterly dumbfounded.

Arthur cleared his throat and spoke.

"Proxy."

"Yes."

"Distribute ample food to all the territory's residents by the end ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of today. Make sure everyone eats their fill!"

"Ah, yes...! Understood."

The first command.

Gremori was impressed.

'Our lord... he's something special!'

Arthur knew exactly when the fifth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chime rang without hearing the level-up message again.

From now on, unlike the training camp, the level-up system would activate properly.

Handling anything related to the territory would grant experience, allowing level-ups.

Normally, completing all basic buildings got you to level 5.

Arthur opened his status window.

Normally, each level-up granted 2 bonus points.

Arthur invested 4 of his 10 points into Charisma and the remaining 6 into Intellect.

Right now, his Strength, Agility, Vitality, and Endurance were far superior to other apprentice lords.

No need to raise them immediately.

Raising Intellect, however, would let the territory boost basic abilities faster in the learning hall.

Next.

Arthur opened the territory status.

Arthur nodded.

Territory info was summarized like this, with details available on click.

Everything was totals.

Listing every detail would overwhelm the lord and complicate things.

Castle reaching level 1 didn't mean the territory did.

You upgraded castle, walls, smithy step-by-step, and only after the final building did the territory hit level 2.

Even at territory level 1, a level 2 barracks meant level 2 soldier power.

To raise castle from 1 to 2, first build territory EXP.

Territory EXP worked like the lord's—do things for residents or lead soldiers to pioneer land.

Any territory-related success built EXP; at 100% with enough gold and resources, upgrade castle and buildings.

Walking with Gremori, Arthur stopped.

A clinic stood before them.

Before construction, it was just a facade—no tools or materials inside.

Now at level 1, it had basics like bandages.

"Early clinics are best reserved for soldiers. Level 1 healing is slow, and minimizing troop losses is key."

Arthur didn't need the explanation, but Gremori recited it anyway.

Like she was imprinting her value on him.

Surveying the territory, Arthur recalled the sickly residents.

No wonder.

It had been a starving, impoverished place.

One packed info in his head surfaced.

'Territory Nurturing Report.'

Hundreds of keys to raising territories, plus hidden missions.

'The prisoner rescue hidden piece worked because I got so strong in monster training hunts. Need quick, thorough prep for the next.'

Missions were key.

'I know them all.'

One dense list entry.

'Blessings Abundant Territory.'

To complete it: Treat 500 residents' minor ailments within a month of taking the territory.

Proxies usually told lords 'soldiers before residents.'

And they were right.

An untreated dead soldier was a loss.

Troops were limited.

Residents? Endless.

Most skipped this mission.

Treating all residents' ills was tough—no materials, no gold, one clinic.

But Arthur knew the reward.

'All residents' minor ailments cured.'

Treat 500 quickly, claim it via mission.

Missions weren't quest prompts—you figured them out.

Arthur turned to Gremori.

"Gremori."

"Yes, my lord."

"Tomorrow, our first expedition."

"Ah, yes...!"

To treat 500 fast, Arthur needed to hunt for materials.

Without delay, he turned.

"Long live the lord!"

"Hurray!"

Food-distributed residents raised arms sky-high, cheering.

That gnawing hunger?

Solved for now.

Soon, curing ailments would hit tutorial satisfaction 200%.

Even heading to the castle, cheers continued.

Arthur smiled faintly, weaving through, ordering Gremori.

"Scout for exceptional painters in the territory."

"Pain... ters, my lord?"

Artists?

Picture-makers?

To a demon like Gremori, they were useless.

Especially to the lord.

But she didn't argue.

"Understood. I'll bring the best!"

Arthur looked satisfied.

'First expedition tomorrow. Back to reality for now. Need to practice drawing too.'

Haste, but no rush.

He wanted both worlds satisfied—two rabbits with one stone.

"Call via communicator if anything urgent."

"Understood."

Gremori saw it: Arthur knew everything.

Nothing to teach.

Entering the castle, Arthur vanished in light.

Back to reality.

'Feeding all residents their fill on day one...'

Incredible.

Residents already chanted 'Long live Lord Arthur!'

She recalled his order.

'Exceptional painter.'

She left the castle promptly.

Reality.

Arthur looked around.

Midnight run, as usual—his body kept exercising autonomously.

In the Monarch Game, his real body mirrored him.

Training camp's two months were two real days, but post-graduation synced time.

Finishing his workout, showering, he entered his room.

Pondering.

'To ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠unleash Creator Lord's power fully, need drawing skills first.'

Why scout painters via Gremori.

'Haven't used Creation Painting yet. Core of Creator Lord.'

Creation Painting.

Create life, or buildings from drawings.

Arthur checked details.

'Level 1 limits it.'

Couldn't draw everything at start.

Basics shown as examples.

'Potted plant, flower, cup, mouse, bird. Smaller: bugs, buttons, thread, needle.'

That was the limit.

No number cap on Creation Painting.

But another limit: Creation Gauge.

Gauge rose with level, per details.

Hit 100%, no more creation.

'Fortunately, relies on skill level and Dexterity over drawing skill.'

Skill-like ability.

Unlike Memory of Art, which needed artistry.

Arthur picked up a brush.

Glancing at room's potted plant, he muttered to the air.

"Creation Painting."

Visualizing an exact copy.

His hand moved fast in air.

Using Accelerated Drawing too.

In seconds, a perfect potted plant appeared in his room.

Identical exterior.

Drawn into existence.

"This is insane..."

Low level limited it.

Arthur nodded at the helpful note.

Illusion Type: Carman's ogre—pure illusion, gone on touch. Zero durability.

Entity Type: Semi-realized.

"Choose Illusion Type."

Arthur nodded, inspecting the Illusion Type pot.

"Hm..."

Arthur nodded, checking Creation Gauge: 2%.

Hand extended—passed through, illusion faded.

Gauge reset to 0%.

He drew the same pot again.

Entity Type this time.

Durability up.

Hand reached—it gripped solid.

"Oh."

Lifting it, gauge at 10%.

Five times the cost.

'Mix 'em strategically.'

No need for all Entity.

Illusions useful in tactics.

Arthur experimented.

Outside, drew a sparrow in flight.

Chirp chirp chirp!

Lifeforms cost more: 5% Illusion, 25% Entity.

'Mitigated by skill levels and Dexterity.'

He got hooked on drawing.

Not drawing himself, but his strokes birthing life—magical.

Illusion sparrows and mice poked around him.

Some perched on his shoulder.

They stayed unless struck first.

Chirp chirp chirp!

Sounds perfect.

Satisfied smile.

Into the deepening night, Arthur practiced Creation Painting.