Chapter 293: The Concept of the Twin Cities

"I’ll give you a discount. One gold coin for males, eighty silver coins for females."

Thinking that Phield might eventually participate in suppressing the rebellion, the merchant reluctantly offered a reduced price.

"Deal."

Phield snapped his fingers cheerfully and bought the Cocogoat demi-humans in bulk despite their timid and fearful gazes.

In the end, he purchased five hundred demi-humans in total, including two hundred White Wolf demi-humans and three hundred Cocogoat demi-humans. He also bought as much grain as possible, loading the convoy to the limit. No matter the era, there was never such a thing as having too much food.

After regrouping with Tisiana, Phield mounted his horse. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"We’re going home to farm like hell."

The moment he recalled how the Imperial Guards had mocked Nightfall Domain as some desolate backwater, Phield immediately became dissatisfied.

The increasingly chaotic world made him desperately crave a stable rear territory.

After five days of travel, the group finally returned near the territory, and Phield could already see the outline of Starnight City.

"Look! Starnight City has completely separated from the Gray Mist!"

Tisiana was overwhelmed with excitement. Her fingers interlocked in a praying gesture.

"This place is no longer a land of death. It’s filled with hope now."

Like a mirage rising from the sea of mist, the towering city walls and sky-piercing spires stood dreamlike within the fog.

Perhaps it was only an illusion, but Phield felt that a faint glimmer of light was descending from above the city.

"Maybe... we’ll be able to see the sun again soon."

After entering the city, the traces of the previous battle had mostly vanished. Corpses and ruins had been cleaned away, leaving the city eerily empty. The river that had once been clogged with corpses and corruption had been dredged clean and sealed off at both ends. Although it had become stagnant water, it smelled far better than the original foul ditch.

A fifty-man military unit was stationed there.

"Lord Phield, the cleanup work is entering its final stage."

Ben stepped forward to report.

"We preserved the ruins of two city gates."

"Well done."

Phield nodded in satisfaction.

"There’s no point keeping so many gates anyway. Our manpower is already scarce enough."

"It’s time to start urban planning. Also, we need to figure out the laws behind Divine Chosen advancement."

After making his decision, Phield turned toward Tisiana.

"Starnight City will be divided between you and Charlotte, with the river serving as the border."

Phield wanted to see what kind of changes would eventually occur. Giving Charlotte a portion was also necessary since she currently handled most of the territory’s food production.

As for the little fox, she would remain at the Great Manor.

"I’ll work hard to build it properly. Fortunately, my holy light can cleanse the corruption polluting the farmland."

Tisiana tried hard to suppress her excitement, but joy still overflowed from her expression. Only Divine Chosen who possessed territories could gradually strengthen themselves.

"I believe you’ll do an excellent job. You always have."

Giving her a thumbs-up, Phield continued his plans.

"I intend to turn the Great Manor into another city. The Twin Cities system will provide much greater flexibility in policy, and when the undead tides arrive in the future, they can support each other strategically."

"As for the Great Manor’s new name... maybe Windrise City, or something else. Forget it, I’ll think about it later."

Instead of resting immediately, Phield first sorted out the newly acquired slaves.

The demi-human slaves would remain in Starnight City to handle reconstruction work. The old ruined houses within the city would conveniently serve as temporary lodging for them.

The most noteworthy group, however, was the people rescued from Wind Tour Territory. Though they had become captives and slaves, most of them possessed useful skills.

"Zol, I heard you’re very experienced with raising birds."

Phield summoned Zol into the lord’s hall first.

"You’ll be responsible for hatching the Scarlet Blood War Eagle eggs. Report the progress to me regularly."

Phield had obtained seven eagle eggs in total. He handed three of them to Zol.

"I absolutely won’t disappoint your expectations, my lord."

Trembling with excitement, Zol deeply expressed his gratitude. Being entrusted with such an important task made the young boy feel an immense sense of security.

As for the remaining four eggs, Phield assigned other people to care for them.

No sooner had Zol left than Ben brought the remaining slaves into the hall.

"My lord, we’ve already questioned them. Among these people, there are thirty-six hunters, twelve carpenters, two merchants, and one architect. They were all either passing through or temporarily staying in Wind Tour Territory. The rest are ordinary serfs who know nothing besides farming."

At the mention of an architect, Phield’s eyes lit up. Carpenters and merchants were also extremely valuable.

"In that case, select another sixty-four people from the wolf demi-humans and combine them with the hunters to form a force of one hundred. Begin military training and ideological education immediately."

Expanding the army was absolutely necessary.

Especially after this trip to Wind Tour Territory, Phield had deeply experienced one painful truth: there were plenty of spoils, but nobody to carry them. The frustration was unbearable.

After defeating the Imperial Guards, the goods abandoned by the fleeing merchant caravan had practically been free money lying on the ground, yet there had been no manpower available to transport them. In the end, he had been forced to abandon spoils worth several thousand gold coins.

"Forget combat effectiveness for now. Expand the army first. At worst, they can train in the morning and work in the afternoon."

"As for the others, hand them over to Kai for interrogation first. We need to make sure no spies infiltrated among them."

After making the necessary arrangements, Phield finally returned to the Great Manor.

Unlike the barren and empty Starnight City, the current Great Manor had truly become a paradise.

Everywhere he looked, there were lawns, flowers, and low trees. Though there were no wild animals, the entire place overflowed with vitality.

The prosperity of Windrise Town was no weaker than any ordinary town. Centered around the grand winery, numerous districts spread outward in all directions, all bustling with life. The residents had already adapted to the northern environment. Like ordinary people, they worked, chatted, and strolled through the town peacefully.

"Lord Phield has returned!"

"Baron Phield looks even more imposing now. I don’t even dare secretly glance at him anymore. Just knowing the baron has returned makes me feel safe."

"Exactly. As long as my lord is here, the Great Manor is a paradise on earth. No monsters will ever reach us."

"I heard Starnight City has already been reclaimed. I wonder when it’ll open up. I really want to see those towering city walls."

"What’s so interesting about city walls? Starnight City definitely has a lot of abandoned farmland. I need to seize a few acres as quickly as possible."

"Believe it or not, farmland is definitely going to become more and more valuable in the future!"

The citizens first bowed respectfully toward Phield. Once he passed by, they immediately began enthusiastically discussing the territory’s future.

Phield handed the convoy loaded with grain over to the butler before turning toward Tisiana.

"Let’s head to the orchard district and check on Charlotte. I wonder if her magical plants were successfully cultivated."

Before leaving Nightfall Domain earlier, Phield had entrusted the Thunder-Patterned Snow Tea Tree to Charlotte for planting. He had extremely high expectations for it.