Chapter 202: The Wonderful Uses of Magic

Over the past few days, the residents of Swamp Town have all known that the knights under the new lord are clearing out dangerous locations within the territory.

Whether it was for their own safety while working or to enjoy the pleasure of being served by noble knights, they volunteered one after another to deliver information about dangerous areas to Zhaozebao.

Ruidar responded actively to the enthusiasm of the territory's people.

On one hand, he arranged for the newcomer Geladuo to record all these dangerous locations; on the other hand, he divided the knights into three teams, led by himself, Qiaofuli, and Luogena respectively, to inspect these locations one by one.

By utilizing this method of mobilizing the masses, the aimless sweep turned into a precision strike.

Over these past few days, if nothing else, the amount of meat in Zhaozebao has increased quite a bit, with crocodile meat and green python meat being the most abundant, which allowed the knights and guards to feast to their hearts' content.

As for materials like crocodile skin and snake skin, their value is limited, so Luoning did not ask about them further, and Ruidar distributed them based on battle merits.

Perhaps because Leisen had also conducted clearing operations during his tenure as Baron of Swamp Town, the knights did not find any traces of Magic Beasts in the areas around the town where the people frequently move about.

Although the harvest was limited, this series of operations left the people with a "pro-people" impression of Zhaozebao, greatly deepening the people's favorability toward the new lord.

As the lord, Luoning was not idle either; he threw himself into the "evaporation project."

Over these past two days, Wilson and Sailin had already planned and divided the work for the people, with some responsible for plowing the fields and others responsible for digging up fertilizer.

Some areas could be mined directly, but some areas required proper drainage before organic fertilizer could be mined.

This was not only an energy-consuming task, but also a very time-consuming one.

It is already late January, and spring plowing is imminent; what is lacking is time.

Thus, Luoning thought of a simple yet efficient method—using the high temperature brought by Fire Attribute Magic to appropriately evaporate this moisture.

Ever since Luoning broke through to become a Great Mage, he had been learning new magic, and now he had already mastered the Level 4 Magic, Flame Beam.

This is a spell that can last for up to ten seconds; it not only brings immense high temperature but also has the characteristic of covering a wide area.

Luoning looked at the wetland before him, with muddy soil below and water covering the top; this was the area he needed to evaporate next.

At this moment, his Mental Power was tracing the Spell Pattern of the Flame Beam more than ten meters in front of him.

Only after promoting to a Great Mage can one cast spells at a distance, and as Luoning began to add points to his Magician level, it seemed that the casting distance had also slightly increased.

He had already cast the Flame Beam magic more times than he could count and had long since mastered it by heart.

As the Spell Pattern tracing was completed, the Magic Power in his Mana Space was rapidly drawn out, and the Spell Pattern lit up with a red glow, absorbing the fire elements from the world around him. With a hum, a huge Flame Beam rose out of thin air on the water's surface.

Sss~

When fire and water made contact, the ultra-high temperature directly evaporated the water, bringing forth thick water vapor that obscured the view before him.

However, Luoning did not need to observe anything; he just had to maintain this spell.

Ten seconds later, the Spell Pattern rippled, then quickly dissipated, and at the same time, the flames also vanished into the air.

After the wind blew all this mist away, the water floating on the surface had been completely evaporated, and even the ground surface seemed to have dried out.

However, if one were to mine it, digging past the topsoil would reveal that the mud underneath was still damp.

"Truly efficient!"

Luoning was very satisfied with such a result; he now truly wished there were another Fire Attribute Magician in the territory, so that he could appoint the other party as the "Swamp Mining Captain."

It was just a pity that apart from him, the remaining three magicians in the territory were one Light Attribute and two Water Attribute.

"However, it is said that when a Water Attribute Mage reaches the fifth level, they can control water flow; could that also assist in draining the swamp?"

That is what is said, but becoming a Fifth-level Chief Mage is not a simple matter.

Take Jennie, for example; although she heard from Ruidar that she recently showed signs of a breakthrough, even if she successfully becomes an Advanced Mage, she would be thirty-four years old.

To tell the truth, such cultivation talent is not low, but for her to become a Chief Mage, it would take at least another thirty-plus years.

By comparison, her daughter Ailin would certainly be much more outstanding; if she cultivates well, she might be able to become a fifth-level magician before the age of thirty.

But this would still require more than ten years.

In ten-plus years, this vast swamp should not be fully developed yet; perhaps there would still be a place for Ailin to be of use.

"My Lord~"

A cavalryman galloped over, "Chahar asked me to come and inform you that Mr. Andongni from Muma City has brought people to transport the slaves over."

Luoning's eyes lit up; he vaulted onto his Tayunjv and returned to the castle.

"Since you've come, why bring gifts?"

"Hahaha, congratulations to you, my Lord, on becoming the Viscount of Wubei Territory. Please do not look down upon these little trinkets."

In Zhaozebao, Luoning shook hands with Andongni warmly.

This time, the other party not only brought slaves but also brought some crystal carvings, books and stationery, as well as a dozen bows and thousands of arrows.

Although the value was only a little over a hundred gold coins, not even a tenth of what Luoning had spent with the other party, it was not a small amount either; at least Andongni was a person who knew how to do business.

The other party must be able to see that Wubei Territory needs development, and development requires manpower, and this place is short of people.

Judging from the previous two transactions, Andongni did not think Luoning was short of money, and now that he had become the Viscount of Wubei Territory, this was even more the case.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Viper Slave Exchange, Luoning was a high-quality major client.

Using a hundred or so gold coins to maintain a relationship with a major client was very necessary.

Sure enough, in the subsequent conversation, Luoning revealed his intention to purchase more slaves, which made Andongni overjoyed.

There was no help for it; the ways to obtain population were few, and although purchasing slaves cost some money, it was the fastest way to get people.

Although Luoning knew this was immoral, depriving humans of their basic rights and dignity, he could only do as the locals did for now and use this method.

The only thing he could do was to treat this group of slaves a little better, let them eat their fill while working for him, and then give them a path to escape their fate.

"This time, let's start by purchasing two thousand slaves."

Luoning thought for a moment and reported a number, "However, I have another transaction I would like to make with you."

Andongni's heart was already blooming with joy; ever since that order was negotiated last year, his status within the Viper Slave Exchange had risen with the tide.

Today, not only did he negotiate another big order, but there were also other transactions to be made; it truly made him overjoyed.

"My Lord, please speak; as long as it is something I can do, I will certainly do my best to complete it for you!"

Luoning nodded and said, "Actually, regarding this matter, I mainly want to talk to you, not to the slave exchange behind you."

"Me?"

Andongni blinked, not understanding what Luoning meant. (End of chapter)