Chapter 311 - 309: Red Bricks Out of the Kiln

Chapter 311: Chapter 309: Red Bricks Out of the Kiln

Black Forest Island could now dispatch six ships simultaneously, all thanks to the arduous training and practical drills conducted by Heck, Jim, and the others.

With Owington’s return this time, Duane had five ships set sail at once, leaving only the passenger ship moored in the harbor as a reserve.

Even so, they couldn’t transport the thousand slaves and all the supplies in one go. Another round trip was necessary, but fortunately, the one-way journey from Black Forest Island to Silver Jade Territory only took five days, so it wouldn’t be a long delay.

To minimize casualties and accidents, Duane requisitioned the island’s doctors who had some Medical Skill and also had Ronald provide medical support.

Furthermore, to ensure the safety of these thousand slaves and maintain order, Duane had the two Advanced Warriors, Theodore and Moen, each lead a squad to accompany the transport to Silver Jade Territory.

These two followers both came from common Free People backgrounds and were eager to achieve great things, so they agreed with almost no hesitation.

With this, Silver Jade Territory now had four Guard Squads, led by Kaelon.

Given the harsh environment and difficult living conditions there, Duane supported them with Warm Sun Soup and a monthly subsidy of three extra Silver Coins per person.

As for the slaves, Duane only needed to provide enough food to ensure their survival.

Of course, to set an example, he instructed Owington to select some of the more motivated and clever individuals to serve as squad leaders.

Duane didn’t know what status these people held before they became Slaves, but he believed there were bound to be some with outstanding abilities among them.

As long as they didn’t cause trouble, followed orders, and maintained discipline, Duane didn’t mind putting them to use, giving them a chance to go from Slaves to serfs, and eventually to Free People.

In the afternoon, good news arrived from Yanger in the Hot Spring Mountain Range.

It wasn’t a breakthrough in his iron-smelting technique, but rather that the newly built Red Brick Factory had produced results—

The first batch of red bricks was out of the kiln, and they had specially invited Duane to come inspect them and offer guidance.

But just as Duane stepped out of the castle, he was blocked by three figures.

They were Human Tier Warriors Gaius and Clint, and Advanced Warrior Bowen. The three men were unshaven and scruffy, but they looked quite pleased with themselves.

Duane recalled that after dealing with Thomsen, he had arranged for these three men to each lead a team to open a route from Thorn Valley to the Southen Plain.

The three men pounded their chests in a heavy salute, and Gaius reported:

"Lord, it took us nearly three months and multiple attempts, but we finally found the pioneer team that landed on the Southen Plain by sea. The route is now open, and we are reporting back to you!"

Leading a team through an uninhabited region was an equally arduous task.

To have completed it so smoothly in such a short time, they must have endured many hardships.

"You’ve done well."

Duane commanded, "Logan, go tell Auntie Mara to prepare three bowls of Red Sun Soup for these three triumphant warriors."

The three men quickly bowed in thanks. They came from very ordinary backgrounds, and receiving a Magic Potion was a rare honor.

Duane invited the three into the castle. "How are things on the Southen Plain? Are Kubatu, Michele, Benur, Haien, and the others doing well over there?"

"Progress is excellent!"

As the "veteran" among them, Gaius had become the trio’s de facto representative. Compared to before, he had also developed some leadership abilities.

In fact, even Gaius himself had never imagined that a day would come when he would be leading a team and be responsible for an entire area on his own.

’This is all because of the Lord’s trust!’ he constantly reminded himself.

In reality, compared to the two newer followers, Clint and Bowen, Duane did indeed trust Gaius more.

He had sent Gaius to lead the team precisely to prevent Clint and Bowen from getting arrogant and unrestrained due to their change in status.

After all, before coming to Black Forest Island, neither of them had ever been a squad leader, let alone a Captain.

’But from the looks of it, both Clint and Bowen have been well-behaved. I can assign them more important tasks in the future.’

Gaius continued, "The Southen Plain’s terrain is truly flat, and there are many wetlands. Digging ditches and canals isn’t as difficult as it is here in Broken Wave City."

"With Haien’s guidance, and with Kubatu and the other two leading the supervision, the slaves have been very cooperative and have never caused trouble."

Thirty Official Guards, plus some Militia, were more than enough to intimidate the slaves.

They wouldn’t dare run off. After all, in the desolate Southen Plain, leaving the group meant either dying in the jaws of a Demon Beast or starving to death in the wilderness.

At this point, Gaius paused briefly before his tone shifted. "However, these places aren’t completely safe. Some bodies of water have crocodiles and some Frog Fish Monsters. If Clint hadn’t been there the other day, I’m afraid Haien would have been bitten to death by a crocodile!"

Clint puffed out his chest. Saving Agricultural Officer Haien was certainly something worth boasting about.

"Well done!"

Duane didn’t hold back his praise. "Frog Fish Monsters and crocodiles are both good things. The Fish Glue and Leather Armor obtained from hunting them are very useful to me."

He needed to focus on raising his Skill Level in crafting Spell Scrolls next, which required a large amount of Fish Glue to make Magic Ink.

"We’ve already searched that area thoroughly. In total, we killed over a dozen crocodiles and two small groups of Frog Fish Monsters, but we didn’t bring back all the spoils."

"That’s fine. You three rest for a couple of days. Afterward, I’ll go with you to the pioneer outpost on the plain."

"You’re going to the Southen Plain?"

Gaius hesitated for a moment, then advised, "Lord, the environment there isn’t good. It’s damp and filthy. Your status is far too noble; going there would only dirty your feet and offend your eyes."

Duane laughed. "My subjects are clearing fields for me. As their Lord, I can’t possibly not even show my face."

He stood up. "Go back and get cleaned up. Come to the castle tonight, and I’ll have a couple of drinks with you."

The three men quickly rose to express their thanks. The ale in the castle was their favorite thing.

Even the ordinary beer tasted different from what was brewed outside.

It wasn’t until they learned from Owington that this was beer brewed by the Lord himself. How could it possibly taste the same as the stuff outside?

Duane left Forest Castle, summoned his warhorse, and galloped toward the Hot Spring Mountain Range.

Several months had passed, and the road from Broken Wave Bay to the Hot Spring Mountain Range was now more than halfway complete.

It was the off-season for farming, so more of his subjects had taken on the job, actively working to widen the road.

When they saw their Lord, their eyes filled with reverence, and they muttered Duane’s name.

It was this young Lord who had brought them a different kind of life.

Before long, Duane arrived at Camellia Town.

Over three thousand people were now here clearing land for the tea plantation. Simple houses stood one after another, and the place had clearly grown into a small town.

He had heard Julian mention that some of the men had taken a liking to the local women and were living with them; some had even become pregnant.

The social norms for commoners and Nobility were vastly different.

Even though Duane and Natalia were engaged, their intimacy was limited to holding hands, caressing, and kissing.

Commoners were much more casual; as long as both parties were willing, they could be together.

Of course, this was also because Duane had given his tacit approval and had Julian and others secretly encourage it.

Initially, Duane had worried that the Count would make these people return to Silent Shore after the tea plantation was established.

But now, there was no need to worry.

Silent Shore was now planning to relocate another fifty thousand people to Black Forest Island in successive waves.

Duane stopped by the Mountain Tea Garden for a while before setting off again, heading for the Red Brick Factory deep in the forest.

The Red Brick Factory was located near the mines, in a relatively open area.

It was surrounded by a dense forest, with a small forest stream flowing past its entrance.

When Duane arrived, wisps of smoke were curling up into the air—a sign that the brick kilns were firing.

"Lord, you’re here!"

Yanger had been waiting outside for a while and immediately came forward upon seeing Duane’s figure.

"I didn’t expect the first batch of red bricks to be ready so soon. Yanger, this is truly exciting news!"

Duane had already spotted a row of newly fired red bricks outside the kiln, and he strode over.

Yanger couldn’t hide his excitement. "Although the first few batches failed because the clay ratio was wrong, after we made adjustments, the fired bricks are very hard, and their color is much more uniform!"

As he spoke, he picked up a red brick and tapped it, producing a crisp sound.

Duane took the red brick, feeling its rough and solid texture against his fingertips.

He tapped it lightly and indeed heard a crisp sound. When he applied a little force, it didn’t break.

"The quality is even better than I imagined!"

Duane gave Yanger a thumbs-up. "Factory Director, you can start mass production. My castle needs them!"

Yanger grinned from ear to ear. As the factory director, he didn’t actually earn much extra income, since the Red Brick Factory belonged to Duane.

But for him, doing something new like this brought a great sense of accomplishment, like forging an unprecedented, high-quality weapon.

He made a gesture of invitation, beckoning Duane to sit at a simple tea shed to the side.

"Lord, that’s exactly what I wanted to report to you."