[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela":3,"chapter-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Exiled from the Start and Dominating the Wasteland with an Intelligence System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1688613,2155,"Chapter 13 : Chapter 13","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>Chapter 13. Obsidian Territory\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several days of travel, the land before the convoy suddenly opened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when the broad valley finally spread itself before their eyes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the entire convoy erupted into thunderous cheers, filled with exhaustion and wild joy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re here! We’ve arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gods above! There’s a river! And woods too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Land! It’s our land now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After days of grueling travel, sleeping in the open, and constantly guarding against the dangers of the wasteland, they had finally reached their destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Genuine smiles bloomed across the slaves’ faces, which at last showed some sign of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many were so overwhelmed that they dropped to their knees and kissed the barren ground beneath their feet—a poor land, yes, but one that symbolized a new beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers, too, finally let go of the tension they had carried for days. They slapped one another on the shoulders and let out rough, hearty laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli reined in his horse and halted atop a rise, gazing into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scars of war had not yet been fully erased by time. Everywhere in sight, there were blackened stumps and the remnants of collapsed earthen walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wild grass had stubbornly spread through the ruins, almost covering every trace of former human activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A river, not especially wide but clear and flowing, wound down from the direction of Nightsong Forest like a silver ribbon, cutting through the valley and nourishing the relatively lush vegetation along both banks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, the dark green forest stood like a silent giant, sheltering this land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was desolate and broken, yes—but it had water, timber, and relatively open terrain...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond those, there were still the unseen resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indescribable surge of ambition swelled within his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli drew in a deep breath of air scented with earth and grass, then suddenly pulled the sword from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blazing noon sunlight, the blade traced a dazzling arc as he pointed it at the vast valley below!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This land!” His voice rang out, clear enough to drown out all the cheering and noise, echoing in every ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From this day forth, it shall be known as—Obsidian Territory! Here we will take root!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shall be the ground upon which we stand, the source of our expansion, and the place where you shall build your lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obsidian Territory! Obsidian Territory! Obsidian Territory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long live the lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another deafening roar of cheers surged into the sky like a rising tide, sweeping across the entire valley!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli did not hesitate any longer. He sheathed his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brandon! Organize the men immediately! Set up camp with the high ground by the river as the center! Shelter for women and children comes first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leon! Take the craftsmen’s camp and find a stable water source immediately! Establish a proper route for drawing water!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bol! Aika! Take your men and clear out an open space for a simple training ground! The soldiers cannot neglect their training!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone who can move, pick up a tool! Clear the weeds from the camp grounds! Cut timber! Gather stone! Before nightfall, I want to see the outline of a camp!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His commands were like boulders hurled into water, sending wave after wave outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the brief burst of celebration, the entire convoy—already tempered by its first stages of coordination—began moving as one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the shouts of the knights, the soldiers maintained order and divided the area into sections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by their overseers, the slaves surged toward every part of the camp like floodwaters through a broken gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stronger male slaves swung the hoes and axes they had been given, hacking through the tough wasteland grass and clearing rubble and broken stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women busied themselves gathering softer branches and thatch, beginning to put up crude shelters in the designated areas—shelters simple, but enough to keep out wind and rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the direction of Leon and Estor, some of the craftsmen quickly set up simple bamboo water pipes and channels beside the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others cleared out a separate patch of land in preparation for building a temporary forge and carpentry shed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts, hammering, splitting timber, rushing water—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all manner of sounds blended together, full of raw and vigorous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the drifting dust, a crude yet thriving camp was rapidly taking shape upon the red earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli stood on the rise, looking down over the scene below as it teemed with effort and heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camp was only the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the new lord of Obsidian Territory, Eli needed to confirm the condition of this land with his own eyes before he could decide upon the next phase of development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future lord’s residence, granaries, barracks, homes, workshops, farmland...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The layout of the entire territory spread through his mind like a vast blueprint, taking shape at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water sources, defenses, roads, mineral deposits...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless details had to be considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the next two days, Eli thoroughly surveyed the nearby area and confirmed the rough outline of his plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later, inside Eli’s lordly tent—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An urgent voice broke his train of thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several knights responsible for scouting the perimeter rode back at full speed. The leading knight spoke at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We found a small human settlement near the western side, close to the edge of the forest! There are roughly two to three hundred people there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A settlement?” Eli’s spirits lifted at once, and he had Ella bring over the map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Ella handed hot water to the knights one by one, and they hurriedly accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, heh, heh, thank you, my lady, thank you, my lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing nothing of the truth, they had long since taken the only woman who stayed by the lord’s side to be his lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You...” Ella, whose complexion had grown healthier and rosier, immediately regretted her kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if good fortune came in pairs, at that very moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon came running back, panting hard, his face unable to conceal his excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord! We found it! That abandoned small iron mine! It’s less than three miles northwest of the camp!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance to the mine shaft has partially collapsed, but the inside is still accessible! The vein... the vein doesn’t seem to have been fully exhausted!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An iron mine that had not yet run dry!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp gleam burst from Eli’s eyes. With a stable source of iron, they would finally have the foundation for weapons, tools, and building materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forcefully suppressed his joy and made a decision at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brandon, take Leon and inspect the iron mine thoroughly. Make sure it is safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a wave of his hand to the several knights beside him, he said, “You lot, with me! We’re going to take a look at that settlement!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooves crushed the wasteland grass and kicked up dust all along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very soon, the settlement the knights had described entered their sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But rather than a settlement, it looked more like a slum barely clinging to life on the edge of ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen or so hovels, pieced together from mud, broken stone, and shattered planks, leaned crookedly against one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the roofs were covered with nothing more than dead grass and torn cloth, open to the wind on every side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scattered around the hovels were the remains of long-abandoned houses, all that remained of them being blackened foundations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the people of the settlement heard the hoofbeats, they reacted like startled rabbits, peering out from their hovels or shrinking back into corners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were barely clothed, filthy, and sallow with hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men’s eyes were dull, filled with deep exhaustion and wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women clutched children just as skinny and terrified as themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of Eli’s bright armor and the strong horses of his escort, fear filled the eyes of the settlement’s people. They all retreated and did not dare come near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli pulled up his horse, his brows tightening. The scene before him was even more miserable than he had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept across them all before finally settling on the oldest-looking one among them—a withered old man who leaned on a wooden stick and could barely remain standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old sir,” Eli said, softening his tone as much as he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked at Eli with clouded, fearful eyes. “M-My lord...? The sand bandits... they come every few days... stealing food... stealing women...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the magical beasts from the forest... they even dare drag people away at night...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any grain we plant is ruined before it can be harvested... Surviving at all... is already a blessing...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cracked lips trembled as he spoke, and his voice was filled with a terror so deep it had rotted into numb resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the administrator? The lord? Does no one govern this place?” Eli pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The former administrator ran away long ago,” one of the locals answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several scrawny children were curled up behind a doorway, their cheeks reddened by the cold, their frail bodies hidden in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes were timid, full of fear and suspicion toward strangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took some dried rations from the pouch at his side, stepped forward, crouched down, and offered them to the children. “Take them. Eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the children only stared at him warily. Not one of them dared move, as though they feared it was some kind of trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet the smell of the food was too tempting. They could not stop swallowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on,” Eli said again, more gently this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, they could no longer resist. They snatched the food from his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stuffed it into their mouths ravenously, terrified that it might vanish the next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Eli remembered that in the royal capital, even the nobles’ dogs and cats were fed the finest meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung himself back onto his horse and looked over this land sinking into despair, looked over those faces struggling at the edge of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind swept up the dust from the ground and passed over the tattered hovels, making a sound like a mournful sob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weight beyond words pressed down upon his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what rose after it was an unprecedented sense of responsibility, heavy and solid. He had to do something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This land, these people... they were his now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their despair, their struggle—he would bear it, and he would change it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew in a deep breath, as though he meant to pull both the suffering and the hope of this land into his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eli’s voice was not loud, yet it cut clearly through the sobbing wind and struck every heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All who are willing to work may come with me. I will give you dignity, food, and shelter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the name of Eli Black!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1816,"2026-06-06T13:50:45.567Z",1,"novelbin.me","3398ebdbbab4ea589e3d2498d7a842fe9fb8c2b9ef51069b15f9caec9f281a79","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-14","exiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-chapter-12",112,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fexiled-from-the-start-and-dominating-the-wastela-cover.jpg"]