Chapter 245 - 112: I Have a Spatial Gate

Chapter 245: Chapter 112: I Have a Spatial Gate

For a refugee like Arthur, this was something beyond his wildest dreams.

"It’s good that they’ve settled down. Belinda is a smart child. If she studies hard at the academy, she’ll have a promising future," Aus said encouragingly. His expression then turned serious as he shifted into work mode. "Alright, everyone, let’s begin today’s council."

Over the next few hours, Aus demonstrated the fruits of his years of elite education as a Prince, along with the remarkable abilities he had honed during his past six months in Lakefront Town. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He methodically listened to reports and handled all manner of affairs, showing no signs of panic despite his busy schedule.

A scribe reported, "Sir, our food stores are critically low again. Due to the recent turmoil, fewer caravans have been coming, and even fewer are carrying grain. Our fields and the surrounding villages provide some yield, but with Lakefront Town’s registered population now over five thousand and refugees still pouring in, our food supply is stretched thin."

"Furthermore, the Kobold miners in the West Ridge mining area have a plentiful food supply and are breeding rapidly. In just over six months, their numbers have grown from less than two hundred to nearly four hundred... and they have quite an appetite."

Food was, as always, the number one challenge in developing a territory.

Aus mulled it over for a moment, his finger tracing a line on the map. "Rock Fortress is effectively under our control. Aside from a few routed soldiers, there are no organized Blue Scarf threats left in the Mirror Lake region."

"The Ninth Battalion can expand its defense perimeter to bring the abandoned villages, waystations, and inns along the Mirror Lake shore back under our jurisdiction. We must actively organize the refugees to reclaim the land, purchase more seeds, and expand our planting area."

"Simultaneously, we must increase our efforts to encourage caravans to come, granting tax exemptions and priority trading rights, especially to those who can transport grain."

"Also," his gaze shifted to the southeastern corner of the Red Ridge Mountain map, "we cannot ignore the area around Gray Claw Gorge. Although the Angus Department at Rock Fortress has been defeated, Sardinia Province remains a hotbed of Blue Scarf activity."

"We need to select a defensible position near the gorge to build an outpost and a checkpoint, garrisoned by an elite squad. At a minimum, we must ensure the Blue Scarfs cannot pour through in organized units again. For now, our priority is to consolidate our gains and focus on stable development. We should avoid another large-scale conflict."

After issuing a series of orders, Aus’s gaze fell upon the mining report. He mused, "The West Ridge mining area is our economic lifeline. The Kobolds’ rapid breeding is a good thing. We can use this as an opportunity to open new mining sites and expand the scale of the operation. We just need to be careful to strengthen our management of them."

With that, he called on a scribe by name and gave his order. "Go and recruit some human and dwarven technicians who understand mineralogy. Train them to form a specialized prospecting team. You will also select some of the more intelligent Kobolds to assist this team with in-depth prospecting to identify new ore deposits as quickly as possible. We’re not just looking for iron, but also the associated rare mineral deposits. Those are far more valuable."

The scribe immediately acknowledged the order.

"Furthermore, we must accelerate the construction of our smelting and forging workshops," Aus said, tapping another proposal on the table with the tip of his quill. "Selling raw ore yields a relatively low profit. We need to process it further to maximize its value. On that front, Lord Lynch has already used his connection with the dwarven blacksmith Muradin Bronzebeard to recruit a group of skilled smiths and artisans from the dwarven homeland. They are due to arrive shortly."

"Our dwarven friends aren’t demanding when it comes to living conditions. There’s only one thing: there must be a sufficient supply of the ’Water of Life’."

He then pointed to another scribe to take charge of the matter. "You’ll be responsible for this. Make sure you don’t drop the ball."

His speech was steady, his thoughts clear.

He sorted through the countless tangled threads of governance with incredible speed, issuing clear and precise directives for each one.

From resettling refugees and constructing housing to reclaiming farmland and training the militia, all the way to commercial incentives, mining development, military production, and defensive arrangements...

It seemed that no matter how complex the administrative task, he could resolve it effortlessly. He considered every issue thoroughly, assigning a person in charge and a rough deadline for each.

The scribes hastily jotted down their assigned tasks, their eyes filled with confidence in his judgment and decisions.

In the scribes’ minds, while young Lord Aus might have some "strange" hobbies, like writing in a diary, his ability to handle official business was absolutely top-tier.

They all remembered when Lord Lynch and Lord Aus first arrived. Back then, Lakefront Town had been little more than a heap of ruins.

Without Lord Aus’s exceptional talent for internal affairs providing support, even with Lord Lynch’s wise leadership and formidable power as a foundation, Lakefront Town could never have developed into its current vibrant and orderly state in such a short time.

Amidst the bustling activity, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Aus’s profile. Though his face was still bruised, his expression was one of intense focus. It was as if a filter had been cast over him, softening the bruises until they were no longer an eyesore.

The tip of the quill in his hand glided across the parchment with a soft SCRATCH, as if he weren’t merely handling administrative tasks, but sketching the blueprint for a perfect nation.

Watching this scene, the scribes felt a momentary sense of awe.

In these chaotic times, Lakefront Town was like a small ship that had just begun a difficult voyage. Through their united efforts, it was gradually growing stronger, struggling against the raging storms around it as it sailed, inch by inch, toward a vaster ocean.